In many ways, Final Fantasy IX is a retro throwback to older entries. Mechanically, the game is rather uncomplicated compared to the previous two PS1 entries in the series. Amass enough victories while wearing certain equipment, and your Final Fantasy IX characters can permanently learn important skills. Moreover, Final Fantasy IX simplified the already approachable Limit Break system through the expanded use of Trances. Instead of providing one-off skills, Trances automatically strengthen characters and let them use unique abilities. While Trances can’t be saved for tough boss battles, they can give characters a second wind since those Trance transformations also remove status ailments.

Even though Final Fantasy IX throws players into a slightly more familiar medieval setting, the game excels at worldbuilding and is filled with throwbacks to old Final Fantasy tropes. For instance, Vivi’s design is cut from the same cloth as Black Mages from the original Final Fantasy, and the game’s battle theme features the same opening notes as earlier entries. Moreover, even though the game delves into mature and even dark themes, Final Fantasy IX expertly balances them out with funny dialogue and memorable character personalities.

In many ways, Final Fantasy IX is the perfect blend of new and old. The game mixes the fantasy aesthetics from earlier entries that fans fell in love with modern storytelling and systems. It’s a great way to experience the appeal of classic FF games if you don’t want to go quite that far back into the franchise’s history.

Why You Should Play Final Fantasy X First

When Square announced Final Fantasy would make the leap to PlayStation 2, it was up to the franchise’s developers to leverage that console’s power and help usher in a new era for the series as well as JRPGs. Not only did they do that, but they managed to create one of the most approachable Final Fantasy games in the process.

Final Fantasy X is one of the simplest entries in the franchise, or, to put it a bit more bluntly, the most linear entry. Unlike Final Fantasy XIII, though, which was derided for its linear nature, Final Fantasy X is the good kind of linear. Maps are small and straightforward, so it’s difficult to get lost. Players are even encouraged to revisit old areas thanks to a multitude of sidequests. Moreover, Final Fantasy X’s combat is a mix of true turn-based and ATB. Each character has to wait their turn, but players have as much time as they need to pick the right move and are able to see exactly how the turn order will play out ahead of time. Gamers can even swap out allies in the middle of combat. Those features help ease players into the challenge, as even though the barrier of entry is low, the skill ceiling can stretch pretty high. Actually, Final Fantasy X‘s Sphere Grid system is still considered to be one of the franchise’s best character-building systems, and some of the game’s later challenges are appropriately difficult.

Storywise, Final Fantasy X is a spectacle. The game’s central narrative is somewhat straightforward compared to more complex JRPGs, but is epic and filled with plot twists and memorable cutscenes. The game’s music also sets the tone better than most Final Fantasy entries. Moreover, Final Fantasy X is the first Final Fantasy game to feature a significant amount of voice acting. Sure, modern Final Fantasy games (and video games in general) take voice acting for granted, but at the time, it was a revolutionary addition. Final Fantasy titles were known for being dialogue-heavy, so Final Fantasy X’s voice acting helps keep audiences interested even when faced with what would otherwise be a wall of expository text.

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