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Square Scored Big!! |
| Tim T from Florida, USA says (14/Dec/2000): |
I think going away from the future feel was the best thing Square could have done. FFVII was a great game, not the greatest FF, but up there. Then Square came out with FFVIII. I thought it was just lousy. Way to futuristic. In FFIX, it's back to the fantasy. This game had me hooked ever since the beginning. The chararcters may have looked alittle too goofy but it was a good kind of goofy. The storyline is this game just isn't told to you straight-up. You have to use common sense and read between the lines to fully understand the storyline. The music in this game was just fantastic. Just hearing the music reminded me of playing FFII(American), which in my opinion is the best. The graphics in this game were spectacular, and the artwork was great(thanks Yo$#< remove me > at !aka Amano). The new ability system was a good idea, it reminded me of the Esper learning deal in FFIII(America). The trance seemed to always come at the best time for me, at least one of my group memebers went into during the final bosses. The one thing I really thought was the best thing Square did was allow you to put 4 memebers in your party instead of 3, even though I wish it would've been a 5 party system. All around this game was great, I give it a perfect 10!!
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Pretty good FF game. |
| Zenas a.k.a. Zyna from Hawaii, USA says (22/Dec/2000): |
well when I first got this game I didn't know what to expect but when i played it it was amazing. The graphics and CG scenes were incredible. the downside to this game is that I don't think your stats raise when leveling up, just your HP and MP. But that's ok because it makes it more challenging. I always like a good challenge. i really like the music and sounds. They're excellent. Overall this game is the best FF ever. I didn't think they're would be a game that would match or better the FF7 game. Get this game NOW!!! Unless you are not an RPG fan.
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GREAT COMBO FROM SQUARE BUT STILL SECOND BEST FF |
| luis gutierrez from Tijuana,B.c., Mexico VIVA MEXICO CABRONES!!! says (22/Dec/2000): |
I think this game everything like great grapihcs and fmv!!! square took the playstations 32-bit to the MAX!! couldnt have been better. I think this games a comobo since they used the same type of gameplay (job classes ) as FFT, they reused the MP from FFVII which they had taken out from FFVIII and fromVIII well they didnt have to use anything from that game since it has been the easiest in all FF history "my point of view". I also enjoyed very much the ATE (active time event) that makes the game have very differnets point of views for the game such as: a boy trying to find out who he is where he came from, another trying to save her mother from doing any evil, one trying to fulfill his duty as a knight protecting the princess, another trying to make his the girl of his dreams , and one coming up to his honor having lost to you since yu spare his life is now yur companion , and others just looking for food . thats what makes this game so great but for something extra : if yu whant a good game buy final fantasy tactics. and please dude put my review up i think peopl should know about the really godd ff which is tactics later VIVA MEXICO
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Good for Diehard FF Fans |
| A gamer from Canada says (26/Dec/2000): |
Although I've been playing the FF series ever since the first one on the NES, I cannot for the life of me understand why fans would display such an eager and overwhelming emotion about the return of the fantasy setting. Okay, fine I understand that keeping within the tradition, the game should keep within the original theme behind the creation of the series, but one thing I have trouble comprehending is why anyone would not play FFVII or FFVIII simply because of the futuristic theme? If you are diehard FF fan, you would most likely also be a Square Fan. In this case, you would be motivated to at least try any game that Square turns out. Additionally, I think it's quite unfair to berate FFVII or FVIII simply on the basis of the setting. Every game has its strengthes and weaknesses. And I believe that all of the FF games have strengths that overcome the weaknesses. I'm sure that the Aeris theme in FFVII should have pull some heartstrings and the FMV's/graphics in FFVIII should receive some applause.
Anyhow, don't get me wrong, I did enjoy FFIX as much as many other fans and I did notice the come-back of several previous elements such as the Black Mage look of which I was delighted to note. ( I think Vivi is cute.) However, several things: I did not enjoy the way the game took over almost all control of the game. I'm on the beginning of the second disc and I feel a bit winded. I felt like I was fighting one boss after another. I did pause to level up in some places, but it seemed like the bosses would become exponentially harder to defeat. Also the ATE things were nice, but sometimes annoying. Why does everyone have to split up every time you go in a new town? It's so much harder to buy items for them. The exclamation marks does make it easier to find things, of which could be good or bad. Good so you don't waste time finding things, bad for experts who don't like to be fed with a spoon. Another thing, I agree with another fan that the discs were too short. Perhaps it's because of the increased quality of the graphics that is taking up disc space? I find it queer that each new FF game shows an increased quality in graphics and a greater ability to utilize the system to its fullest potential, but the system wasn't changed. Oh well, all in all, FFIX turned out to be within my expectations....much better than Secret of Evermore (does anyone remember that pile of c*$%?)
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This is a great addition to the Final Fantasy series! |
| NO NAME from USA says (27/Dec/2000): |
Final Fantasy 9! I have been waiting for this since I threw Final Fantasy 8 in the trash because it stunk and since I beat the boring Final Fantasy 7. The game goes back to where the Final Fantasy series belongs...In the past! The gameplay is incredible. The fights are more important than in previous games. Fighting is the key to getting money, which is the key to getting weapons to make yourself stronger. Which you have to do because you level up and your strength does not increase. THAT ADDS CHALLENGE!!!! I love the story line is very very good and also it has depth this time. The characters are more likeable in this game. I mean come on who else didn't want to kill Barret on FF 7! Movies also make it a very fun game. All in all this is the game that will revive the greatest series ever...FINAL FANTASY!! GO buy the game!!
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This could be one of the best games I've ever seen |
| Ryan from Wilmington, NC, USA says (28/Dec/2000): |
I think that this game is actually pretty darn good. Although I think FF7 is the best game of all time, if you combine this game with sephiroth, materia, and the character development from ff7 it quite possibly would be the best game in the world. FF9 basically sucks all the rest of the goodness out of the playstation. It is a welcome change from the futuristic look of FF8. BTW, did I mention that FF8 was one of the worst games possible? Confused me to no end. Although princess Garnet does look a lot like Rinoa. The only REAL problem I see with FF9 so far is the fact that normally, the characters are all lopsided, like Dagger's head is bigger than most of her body. Come on guys, FF8 even had good looking normal characters. Anyway, this is an awesome game. Keep up the good work. You could only improve from FF8 anyways
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Didn't Reach It's Expectations |
| Anonymous from Ontario, Canada says (28/Dec/2000): |
I expected this game to be great like Final Fantasy VII and VIII but they changed alot of the things in the game to make it worse such as Trance instead of Limit Breaks. Limit Breaks were much better because with Trance you dont get to use the full potential of it unless your in a boss battle. You get it at the end of the battle and dont really get to use it. The use of Chocobo and the fun you have with them is nothing compared to Final Fantasy VII. Also the battle isnt as great as the other games because the enemy gets too attack way too much. The FMV's and graphics are just as good or better than expected. The storyline was pretty good, and I also liked the Active Time Events. Another part that wasnt as great was the Moogles. I liked Saved points better for some reason. On the World Map transportation isnt as easy, overall this game is satisfactory and receives a 7 out of 10. Final Fantasy and Squaresoft are still my favourite game creators and series. Anyways, gotta run, see ya later.
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Nothing new about FFIX |
| Helios says (30/Dec/2000): |
I'll be blunt. There's absolutely nothing new about FFIX that you won't find in the other FF series. As far as the plot goes, it's still pretty immature (you'd think that after all this time Square could have plenty of time to 'grow' and make something new and refreshing). There's that lingering 'save the world' stench about it as usual. The combat system is still pretty much the same thing with the previous two FF's (wait for bar to fill up, hack and slash, use magic, bla). Characters are nothing great to write home about. They're just the basic 'I AM WHO I AM!!!' people. And as usual, Square packed far too much FMV into the game, making it 60% cinematics, 39% gameplay and of course, 1% super-long credits. At some points, the game gets uninteresting and downright dull. I got bored with FFIX at the second disc and stopped playing it at the beginning of disc four.
On the plus side, FFIX does offer Final Fantasy fans a taste of the 'medieval'(somewhat) setting dominant in the older FF games, new characters to explore and the return of the class system. Graphics shouldn't be criticized because Square has already given the best you can get on the PS at its max processing limit. FMV's are as always, pretty good. Music, composed by the all famous Nobuo Uematsu is also worth your while. Summary: Get it if you're a FF/rpg fan. Don't waste your money on it if you THINK it's nice.
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Not what I expected |
| Arty(RT) from CANADA says (16/Jan/2001): |
I've played every game squaresoft has ever made and I'm finding
their other games are beginning to be funner than the Final Fantasy series. The Graphics in FF8 were far better than FF9 although it did add more background the characters needed more work. I beat this game in 8 days. Which surprised even me. It took me 6 or 7 to get to the 3rd disc and only a couple of days to complete it. The music was the best yet, mixing all the old tunes and a few new ones. This game had the same plots as almost all the other FF's. All in all I think people should give square sometime to finish their game instead of rushing to meet a deadline.
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Abosotluly the Elite game |
| Sean from Ontario says (19/Jan/2001): |
this game is awsome, the cinematics are great and the abilty to make your own decisions to change the course of the game keep you wanting to play more. It has a challenging length to the game and is the best RPG i have ever seen. The reason i gave it a nine was because it sometimes has extensive dialogue which is annoying, but other than that it is force to be reckoned with!
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I enjoyed it!!!! |
| Kari Masaharu from USA says (29/Jan/2001): |
I really enjoyed the game immensely. I like the mini stories concerning the characters, you understand the characters more and I think it makes the game very enjoyable.
The way the game is put together is really nice, instead of just rushing through the game, you enter little stories on the side. I also really like Vivi and the other Black Mages.
For some odd reason, I really liked the Black Waltz 3, I kinda thought he was funny.
I actually kinda felt sorry for him in the final battle, he stops the train that Steiner and Garnet are on and when the Waltz steps out, he can barely stand....I guess if you nearly got blown up in South Gate, you wouldn't look so hot either.
Anywhoo, I really loved the game and the graphics and the music. I hope Squaresoft makes another game like that.
P.S hey Squaresoft...put more of those cute littlew Black Mages in there!!!!!
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Final Opinion |
| KB from charlotte, nc USA says (14/Feb/2001): |
the final fantasy series is one of the best series available to play. Final fantasy 9 did "feel" as though it lacked something that the others had accomplished. All-the-while it is still a good game. I find deeper meanings in all of the series, and i believe that if anyone plays only for face value then they have missed out on some important lessons. Regardless of how the game looks, plays, or differs from others, you can always find a facinating story to follow by. Final fantasy 9 is a good mix of the old and new of the series, but I did feel more from Final fantasy 8. Each character can be identifies with according to different peoples life experiences, and allows you to place yourself within the game. I didnt enjoy the graphics as much as 8, but it does have originality.
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lifelike experence!!!! |
| Paul from Georgia says (15/Feb/2001): |
I started playing FF VII and it really got me into the rpg
wave. When I got FF IX i was amazed with the story
line. I was upset because FF VIII didn't have the same
Type of system for abilityes. I am glad how FF IX got
back to the roots with alot more oldschool things
like black mages. The hero Zidane is truly a hero.
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Kudos To Square |
| House Rahl from Canada says (19/Feb/2001): |
Amazing Graphics and stirring music are staples in this series, and FFIX continues the legacy of Square's flagship games.
I loved the story, and the depth of character so prominent in FFIX, and if ratings were measured in thumbs, I wouldn't have enough of them to salute Square. Great game, great series!
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Just What The Doctor Ordered! |
| Cardiff City FC from Cardiff, Wales says (19/Feb/2001): |
Well... having played the first part of this game it is pretty clear to me that it is VERY similar to the previous 2 final fantasy games... SO GREAT!! Having seen a couple of negetive reviews on this page all ready i had second thoughts on wether to purchase the game... but having bought the previous 2 games before it... i had the belief in the company and the franchise in that in no circumstances would they publish a game worse than their previous ones... and im glad to report that my gut feeling was right! The game is typical final fantasy... sucking you into 'their' weird but compelling world, something that diciples of the series will know all too well about. Graphically squaresoft have drawn aces once again with some spectacular battle sequences... and CGI that is at least on a par with anything in Hollywood. But hey.... we all knew that this game was going to be graphically impressive didnt we?.... In terms of gameplay this game resembles final fantasy 7 more than 8 with more emphasise on the realms of 'fantasy'. To be honest, FF8, albeit a great game, didnt do its name justice, it tried to be too 'real' and as a consequence was a little boring. Yes, the random battles can be infruriating but you gonna have to learn to love it, or, at least pull up with it to enjoy this game.. this game will last you a very long time if you make the most out of it... we are looking at least 40+ hours... now thats value for money. Looking down at early reviews on this game on this page.. i can see that you will either love it to bits.. or hate it!! One thing i can say is that if you do own the other 2 games, and loved them... you are SURE to find this game great as well, Final Fantasy is back whether you like it or not!
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Nine was fine, Eight was great, but Seven was heaven |
| Trunks_17 from Ringwood (NJ), USA says (21/Feb/2001): |
I didn't think that this game would be as good as FFVII. If I did, then I'd be expecting way too much, and then the game would suck. But I didn't. By the way, eight wasn't great at all. It just rhymed!! Anyway, sure, the graphics were great, sure, the storyline was incredible as with seven, but the real thing that stood out was the fighting system. Not any old character can summon, or steal, or use magics. Not every character can just attack away and make you happy. For once, I actually LIKED getting into random battles (sometimes!!), and leveling up became routine. Better than 8 but nothing compared to the storyline and characters of 7.
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Pure Gaming Genius |
| Fred from London, England says (21/Feb/2001): |
FFIX is a brilliant game with an excellent storyline. Thankfully it has gone back to the FFVII gameplay type. The addition of characters with tails and regents who are nasty bugs and people who are hippos is intresting but good. But there are still no voices. I think this is the best FF to grace the playstation and i am immensely looking forward to FFX on the PS2. A must buy!
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Great Game |
| Ryan from USA says (21/Feb/2001): |
Final Fantasy 9, I think is an awesome game. The only thing wrong with it is it lacked the graphics of FF8 and I didn't feel so involved with the game. I recommend buying it ( along with the other FF).
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9 was really great, but 7 is still the best! |
| A gamer from Pennsylvania USA says (22/Feb/2001): |
Final Fantasy IX was one of the best games I have ever played. It seemed as though I was drawn into the whole story. There wasn't even one spot where I was bored. Even the music was pretty good, unlike VIII. The graphics were pretty good too. It had a great story line, and really kept moving. The best part is that there are so many items and sidde quests that even after you beat it you want to go back and get all the items that you missed earlier in the game. There are only a few minor set-backs. One is that it doesn't give you enough info on where and how to get some of the better weapons. It has to be one of the greatest games I have ever played. Although Final Fantasy VII is still the best game there is.
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Final Fantasy IX is the second best, ever! |
| Muscleman 420 from Pennsylvania USA says (23/Feb/2001): |
Final Fantasy IX is definatly the second best game I have ever played on Playstation!!! It has great graphics and it has great music. It always seemed to be pulling me further and further into the storyline. It has tons of items and weapons, but it doesn't tell you how to get the best ones. Another great thing about it is that it isn't one of those games where you just beat it once then put it away in a shelf or something and forget about it. It isn't very original but I don't really care about that. It is an awesome game, YOU HAVE TO GET!!
Incase you were wondering, the best game for Playstation is definitely Final Fantasy VII!
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