Is Final Fantasy series worth my time?

[Guest North]

My friends look at me like I'm an alien, but I've never been very interested in this highly popular series. I saw the trailer to Final Fantasy XV a while back and I thought that it might be the right one to start with. After I reached the ending, I couldn't really see what the hype was for. It's not necessarily a bad game, but it's really nothing spectacular. Did I choose the wrong entry point to the franchise?

[Guest Evie]

Everyone will have a different opinion about which one is best to start with. Personally, I think IV, V and VI would all be good entry games albeit they are far more retro. So if that's not your thing, then don't do that! I typically stick to the older versions, so I can't tell you the best entry point for the more modern games. Hopefully someone else on here knows more about them and can point you in the right direction. Was there something you disliked?

[Guest North]

Everyone will have a different opinion about which one is best to start with. Personally, I think IV, V and VI would all be good entry games albeit they are far more retro. So if that's not your thing, then don't do that! I typically stick to the older versions, so I can't tell you the best entry point for the more modern games. Hopefully someone else on here knows more about them and can point you in the right direction. Was there something you disliked?

I usually play games either for the story or the battle system. The basic concept of the game is turn-based, so I can prepare myself to be bored after first dozen hours. That leaves the plot. The story plots of the "retro" ones seem too simple based on my research on Google, so I'm not sure.

 

Thanks for your comment, though! Other than those 3, which other Final Fantasy titles did you play?

[Guest Sheila Wade]

Different people have different opinion.

[Guest Glimm]

Did I choose the wrong entry point to the franchise?

If you ask me, the answer is yes. XV is not the most impressive title in the franchise. The battle is fun, free without too much button smashing. The plot, however, makes the whole experience rather not so sweet.

 

If you are asking for the plot, I would recommend X. I think it is one of the best-explained plot stories for the franchise. The introduction and build-up are slow, but the twists are worth it and the ending is satisfactory. X-2 is much less impressive. I've heard that a mobile game will fill in the details of what happened between X and X-2. Don't compare the battle to XV, though. It was good for its era.

[Guest Roachey]

My friends look at me like I'm an alien, but I've never been very interested in this highly popular series. I saw the trailer to Final Fantasy XV a while back and I thought that it might be the right one to start with. After I reached the ending, I couldn't really see what the hype was for. It's not necessarily a bad game, but it's really nothing spectacular. Did I choose the wrong entry point to the franchise?

 

In my personal opinion the franchise is most definitely worth getting into. As to which game to begin with, that is most definitely up for debate. My own favourite of the franchise is X, it's a beautifully crafted game from start to finish, especially if you are more interested in playing a game with an immersive story that continues to pull you back in until it's over, the battle system is one of the simplest also, the only potential flaw to be aware of is the sphere grid levelling up system, a lot of people have complained about it but i actually quite enjoyed completing the grid with multiple different paths to choose on how you level up any specific character to learn anything from white or black magic, to thief, to warrior. Also blitzball is a neat mini-game within the game to earn some valuable/rare items, hope that helps...

 

Ohh and an honorable mention to final fantasy vii, another amazing game in the franchise

[Guest North]

That's two votes in a row for Final Fantasy X. I checked it out for your comments and I liked what I saw. The sphere grid looks interesting. Similar to what Final Fantasy XV has, but way bigger and more complicated. I actually can't wait to try blitzball. It's elaborate enough for a minigame. Above all, if the story is as good as you say, I should definitely try. I think I can live with the turn-based battle system.

 

Final Fantasy VII has 3 discs(!!), but I read the news about it getting a remake for PS4. I'll hold it off for now and go with X first.

[Guest EGL]

In my personal opinion the franchise is most definitely worth getting into. As to which game to begin with, that is most definitely up for debate. My own favourite of the franchise is X, it's a beautifully crafted game from start to finish, especially if you are more interested in playing a game with an immersive story that continues to pull you back in until it's over, the battle system is one of the simplest also, the only potential flaw to be aware of is the sphere grid levelling up system, a lot of people have complained about it but i actually quite enjoyed completing the grid with multiple different paths to choose on how you level up any specific character to learn anything from white or black magic, to thief, to warrior. Also blitzball is a neat mini-game within the game to earn some valuable/rare items, hope that helps...

 

Ohh and an honorable mention to final fantasy vii, another amazing game in the franchise

 

I miss Blitzball! Brother was probably the best player at Blitzball. Oh and funny enough - I once saw a girl on a dating site do her whole profile in Al Bhed.

[Guest EGL]

That's two votes in a row for Final Fantasy X. I checked it out for your comments and I liked what I saw. The sphere grid looks interesting. Similar to what Final Fantasy XV has, but way bigger and more complicated. I actually can't wait to try blitzball. It's elaborate enough for a minigame. Above all, if the story is as good as you say, I should definitely try. I think I can live with the turn-based battle system.

 

Final Fantasy VII has 3 discs(!!), but I read the news about it getting a remake for PS4. I'll hold it off for now and go with X first.

 

Did you ever try it? What did you think?

[Zack T 171]

I personally have played most of FF V, then all of FF VI, VII, VIII, VIII, X, some of X-2 and XII.

 

I LOVE the older ones. Don't look them up on google, you're not getting the full experience that way. That's like reading the cliffnotes or summaries of say, Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter or whatever other books/movies you may love. Sure, you'll get the details, but it'll be presented in a very boring way because it's just flat text and it won't mean anything in that format.

 

So I'd suggest just playing one. If you're like me and you don't get bent out of shape about old school graphics, then I'd go with VI or VIII for your first one. VIII is probably my favorite one overall, I just love the story and I've played it more than any of the others.

 

However, if you need shiny pretty graphics, then definitely start with X. I think there's a remastered version but even if there's not, it's still fairly pretty even now and the story and gameplay both are very very good.

[Guest North]

Did you ever try it? What did you think?

Sorry for the late reply! I got sidetracked by many things, but I stopped shortly before I entered Sin for the final battles. I enjoyed the plot, how the world was built, the battle mechanics, the music, etc. Blitzball was fun! I remember repeating the first match at Luca several times because I wanted to win so bad. I'm on the verge of giving up the ultimate weapons, though. I hope to finish it soon!

 

I personally have played most of FF V, then all of FF VI, VII, VIII, VIII, X, some of X-2 and XII.

 

I LOVE the older ones. Don't look them up on google, you're not getting the full experience that way. That's like reading the cliffnotes or summaries of say, Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter or whatever other books/movies you may love. Sure, you'll get the details, but it'll be presented in a very boring way because it's just flat text and it won't mean anything in that format.

 

So I'd suggest just playing one. If you're like me and you don't get bent out of shape about old school graphics, then I'd go with VI or VIII for your first one. VIII is probably my favorite one overall, I just love the story and I've played it more than any of the others.

 

However, if you need shiny pretty graphics, then definitely start with X. I think there's a remastered version but even if there's not, it's still fairly pretty even now and the story and gameplay both are very very good.

Thanks for your comment! XV is actually my first. I'm thinking about either X-2 or XII after I finish X. What do you think?

[Guest Adz2018]

I started with 8 and it got me hooked. Special mention to 9 and then X had a totally different story. Each game is different than the previous ones. XIII was a good series as they brought in a new battle system but for pure story and Rpg mechanics I would replay 8 anyday

[Guest North]

@Adz2018 I watched some videos about XIII's gameplay a while ago. It looks intriguing and confusing. I like that it's a nice variation of the turn-based system, but still introduces new elements to strategize with. Thanks for reminder to add one more title to play after I complete X! :p

[Zack T 171]

One of the best things about 8 was how you could attach summons (called GF's) to each party member and unlock different abilities. Later on, if you do it right, you can build a team immune to all elements of magic and super strong. You can do it by having your attached GF's learn to allow you to attach magic spells to the party member that grant immunities or strengths depending on your choice of purpose. What I'd do is learn that, and then I'd draw magic from Ultima weapon and get Ultima and Holy fully stocked and be immune to magic to the point where if you cast a spell on me, it'd likely heal me.

 

8 was very different in how it handled the summons and magic in general - so whenever you play that, I will advise you to make great use of the "Draw" feature, that's how you gain magic and you basically stock Magic similar to how you stock items, up to 100 per spell. The more you have stocked, the stronger it is when you attach a spell to your attack or to your defense.

 

Anyway, once you finish X, I'd imagine you might want to dive into X-2 for story reasons. But if you want a break from that world, XII then :)

[Guest North]

I guess I'm the weird one who finds the magic draw system strange. I'd like to have more control in using magic, only limited by MP (and enemy weaknesses). It adds extra minutes to battles and world exploration. With 4 CD to finish, I feel like it will take forever. Maybe I'll change my mind once I experience the system first hand, but the game is low on priority at the moment.

 

On the other hand, I finally finished X! I got very frustrated going after the ultimate weapons, but now that it's all over I remember those moments happily. I thank the game for the blitzball and a plot that keeps me going until the end. I should've played this one first before XV, but better late than never!

[Zack T 171]

Nah you're not weird - the draw system is an oddity. And it does add some time initially, but once you secure your stockpiles, you're pretty well set. Once you store 100 of a certain spell, that's it (100 per character). You can also completely move magic stockpiles from 1 character to another, even going so far as to completely switch over all magic stockpiles and GF junctions between party members active or inactive to make things quicker.

 

No big deal, you'll get to it when you get to it. X is really good. I got all the ultimate weapons myself, except Wakka's because I have just never been able to get good at Blitzball. Dunno what my problem is.

[Guest Glimm]

@North Congratulations for finishing the game! I can't wait to hear your comments about XIII. It's not that expensive on Steam, but let's see if it's worth the price. @Zack T Sometimes it's also about luck. I was lucky in a few of my Blitzball games during the critical moments. It isn't exactly an overkill, but we don't really need the ultimate weapons to beat the game anyway.