Eh, that probably won;t do much good, Wil. Maybe it’s jsut me, but when I think about playing a game, I never do actyual research into it, I rely more on word of mouth, jsut listening to what people thought mroe than anything else. it can;t hjurt, but still, if anyone else does that sort of thing, I’ll jsut shut up.
I pretty much agree with this assessment, ha. I’m still waiting for my DS so I can [STRIKE]hurt myself repeatedly[/STRIKE] play FF3 and go all old-school. I’d run through the GBA remakes first and pick something else from there. For a new player, I think 5 is old-school enough without being exceptionally painful.
Heh, the joys of playing I first. Then I don’t suffer nostalgia and blind myself to the flaws of the later games (though I still do like the older games a lot). If Vaan’s chest and abs didn’t scare me so much and he weren’t such a whiny bitch, I’d probably like XII, one of the top 3 regardless methinks.
I have not played FFXII. That said, staring at Vahn, I’m convinced he’s either a. an escapee from a swiss prono facotry - a gay swiss porno factory - or b. He’s the illigitimate, and ungodly offspring of Tidus and Wakka from FFX. See?
That picture is fine, what you should look at is the in-game figure. Cala is right, those abbs are freaky. In contrast, he looks a bit less girly though.
FFXII is a fine enough game, It’s got a lot of things to do, the gameplay is not any worse than any other FF and the graphics are excellent. The story is a huge downfall though. For people like me who put plot into the highest priority, the game is awful. Stuff you don’t care about happens to people you don’t care about in ways you don’t care about. It’s a huuuuuuuge dungeon crawler with neither an interesting overall plot, nor any characters that might make up for it.
Now that I think about it, 2006 gave us two rarities: A game in which the protagonist was the character you hated the most (Xenosaga III) and a game in which the main character doesn’t actually have any recognizable role (FFXII).
Oh, and click on all the ads and text links too. And refresh several times. :biggrin:
But seriously, I always kind of find it depends on what kind of game you like (emphasis on kind). That doesn’t mean there’s no answer, fortunately. I find most FF’ers are divided into two groups. The ones who like the serious swords and sorcery and strategy aspect of games (like Ciddy) and those who like the cyberpunk, action-oriented, anime-esque, story-based games (like me). The games in the first category are FF Tactics (and Tactics Advance), FF4, and FF9. Games in the latter are FF7, FF8, FF10. These appeal to those who are more casual video gamers. For example, before FF I enjoyed Mega Man, Mortal Kombat, Zelda, and Quake. You will probably like the first group if you like things like Dungeons and Dragons, tabletop RPGs, Magic: The Gathering, Stratego, Civilization, or other games that involve a lot of strategy and thinking and not a lot of action.
And before anyone berates me (doy, ZOMG, I like Mega Man and Tactics Advance, you bastard !!!one!eleven), I’ll disclaim this that these are all rules of thumb for figuring out which game you like.
Even better, you can go to listmania on Amazon.com and type in some games you liked before, see which FF’s come up (FF7 will probably be on them all).
Those abs were just spray painted on Vaan.
Freaky abs aside though. My suggestion would be to hold off on FF’s IX & XII as those two games try to score big with references to previous FF titles. Otherwise go for it, pick which ever game you want.:hint: If you want old-skool challenge go with FFs I-III, if you want to play some of the classics go with FFs IV-VI, if you want a new-skool romance try FFs VII-X, if you want an MMO experience try FF XI, if you just want the MMO feel without all of the complexities try FF XII, if you want a tatically oriented game try FFT & FFTA and if you really want to start at the begining take Mystic Quest for a spin.
Actually, I enjoy the cyberpunk elements just as much as the swords-and-sorcery; my favorite game for 2006 was probably Kingdom Hearts 2. 
I hated FF4.
FF12’s story wasn’t necessarily bad - but the emphasis was less on character and more on politics. I found it made for a surprisingly deep story, in fact. But you have to pay close attention to what’s happening to really get a feel and an appreciation for the myriad back-and-forth intrigues that go on. Talking to NPCs and reading a few of the Clan Primer entries also help give you a better understanding of the world it takes place in. I really felt that the world was far more real in a way than any other game in the series. There are actual countries, histories, races, and the regions and cities have their own sort of personality. So no, not really character-driven, but there’s a lot to be said for it.
On a side point, Wil, why did you link to the bare-bones site? I haven’t even taken a look at that version in years.
Ok so ill buy FFIX than play all of them in order from there, hows that?
That’s probably the best idea. You could even start at X. Most of the advice in this thread is straight-up bullshit, especially VE’s and DR’s. The people here think you’ll enjoy ancient sub-par shit because they’re sentimentally attached to it. The older games will just frustrate you. Don’t touch anything below VII, no matter how good they were for their time; you’ll just be wasting yours.
If you play nothing else, play VII. That’s the one everyone always talks about and makes references to, and it’s what the vast majority of fanart and fics are based on. It gets a lot of trash talk for a variety of reasons that have to do with peoples’ insecurities about it’s popularity and the fact that it stole the spotlight from older, less relevant FFs, but anyone who is actually in-the-know would tell you it’s one of the greatest games ever made.
And yes, that includes people who weren’t introduced to Final Fantasy through VII. Like me.
Absolutely. Don’t listen to anyone besides Hades; we’re all stupid and nostalgic and can’t see past the ends of our noses. There’s no possible reason we might actually like older games other than the fact that we played them earlier in our lives; we’re just blinded to reality. Hades, on the other hand, is smart. Very smart. Much smarter than anyone else. So listen to every word he says, mark you, and don’t you dare even bother trying out anything he doesn’t like.
They need to invent a word for when people tell the truth with a sarcastic tone because they’re afraid someone else’s words might not be a lie. So I can call you it.
If you want to argue, I’m up for it. Arguing comprises more than just ad hominem attacks though. I’m not sure you’re up to the task.
Heh, dig that Hades. DR recommended VII and X, which you also did and VE explained what she liked in V. “Fun mechanics, don’t expect characters”. That seems to me better arguing than “everyone talks about FFVII”.Btw FFVII is also ancient nowadays, except for us, old geezers. Deal with it.
[QUOTE=]
If you play nothing else, play VII. That’s the one everyone always talks about and makes references to, and it’s what the vast majority of fanart and fics are based on. It gets a lot of trash talk for a variety of reasons that have to do with peoples’ insecurities about it’s popularity and the fact that it stole the spotlight from older, less relevant FFs, but anyone who is actually in-the-know would tell you it’s one of the greatest games ever made.
And yes, that includes people who weren’t introduced to Final Fantasy through VII. Like me.[/QUOTE]
Isn’t the “insecurities” bit ad hominem or do I fail my Latin and English again?
I was simply trying to repeat your own words in slightly different language.
On a side point, Wil, why did you link to the bare-bones site?
Oh, no particular reason- it’s just the link I use most frequently. The full-res site is much prettier, I just don’t enjoy reading white letters on dark backgrounds.
You know, this thread has made me realize that the Compendium could use a new section- one that gives brief descriptions of all the games (without spoilers) for people like Barak who have little to no idea what they’re about, to help them decide which to play and/or read about. (And before you ask, “Are YOU willing to write it up?” the answer is Yes, I would. Just let me know if you decide it’s worth it. 
To Hades:
You know, I’m not feeling like seriously getting into an argument, so this is absolutely all I’m going to say in this thread. I usually get into arguments out of boredom, and since I’m having plenty of fun right now, I’ve no interest to. So I’m just going to drop this comment here and go away. Here it goes:
Dude, what the HELL is wrong with you!? Every time you need to express an opinion you simply can not do so without insulting everyone around you at the same time!? Do you lack any recognizable form of respect for anything that differs from your line of thought, or do you just lack the verbal skill to say things without senslessly right out bashing other people? Are you really that much of a jackass or do you do it subconsciously? Either learn some human conversational skills or JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP ALREADY!
To the Mods:
I suppose this might actually fit into the definition of trolling and am ready to face any consequences, it’s just something I needed to get out.
Most of the game is extremely linear (not sure which had a stronger exploration aspect. FFX or the original Super Mario Bros.). Not until it’s almost over do you get a chance to go back to previous areas and hunt for treasure, etc.
But I do like how the tag-team battle system, where all characters play an equal part. Better than how you have 10 people you’ll probably never use past their plot-required scenes in FF6.
Hey Hades, I’ll argue.
You’re wrong.
How 'bout THAT?
I’d say it’s a matter of opinion really. FF7 was my first RPG, but I fell in love with FF5 when I first played it in Anthology. FF3 is fun, and you shouldn’t have any trouble ecxcept for the couple of times you pretty much have to use job X to get past a certain point. FF1 (at least the NES version; I don’t remember if the PSX remake was as bad and I haven’t played the GBA or, now, PSP) requires a fair amount of level grinding to actually stand a chance. I’ve yet to beat FF2, so I can’t say much other than if you liked the SaGa games, you probably will like FF2. FF4 was okay, not the greatest, but good. FF6 annoys the hell out of me. FF9 was old meets new, I thought. FF10 has the best story, imo, so it’s probably a good start if you’re wanting to break in for the story.
In conclusion, do a couple searches online, scope out a couple screenshots, and read a few reviews and then grab whichever you think looks interesting.
You have this strange approach to arguing where, knowing that your own opinions have varied dramatically over the years, you <i>still declare your opinions as though they were obvious</i>.
Normally I would defend FF4-6 vehemently. I could point to the hard-edged beauty of FF4’s conversion story, or the intermingled lightheartedness and sleepy wistfulness of FF5, or the sweeping melancholy and tenderness of FF6, but I don’t think it would accomplish anything: unless <i>at that very moment</i> you were feeling the same way, you would laugh it off and provide a stream of invectives about anyone who was not enlightened enough to be in tune with your disposition-of-the-moment. I could point out that many of FF7’s themes, characters, and even songs derive from ones in FF6, but this would no doubt provoke some offhand invalidation of FF6’s merits and confirmation of FF7’s. I could point out that Nobuo Uematsu, for instance, considers FF6 his most successful overall project and the one into which he put the most effort, and that he believes he’s seen no real improvement in his work since then, but perhaps Uematsu suffers the same misguided sentimentality that nearly <i>all</i> of us do. In any event, I don’t think pointing out anything would accomplish much.
Therefore, I’ll instead recommend that Barak be guided for now by the majority opinion, and reach a judgment about the series for himself.
Will: The hub pages for each game do give an overview. Take a look and see if that’s what you had in mind.
Perhaps I should look into allowing themes for the FFC as well… might be more work than I’m interested in doing though. ^^;