What is Final Fantasy?

[TolTic]

I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing in that game. The blue yoshi kept killing me in like 1 hit.

You mean beating you in the race?

[Jrecee]

No there's a part where he takes something from you and you have to chase him around bushes until you catch him. And then you fight him.

[MrPopo]

You mean Crocc, the crocodile, who's not a Yoshi.

[Jrecee]

Yeah maybe that's it. He wore a hat I think? It's been a while. . .

[fast]

[fox099]

You can do the bare minimum and he should be a cake walk. Nevertheless, I still think that is the best intro to RPGs. It was mine more than 10 years ago, and it stands to this day as an example of excellent gameplay mixed with the RPG class of gaming.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Paper Mario on the N64 was my first RPG, I remember getting both it and the Strategy guide the day they came out at Toys R Us.

I've played through the game at least a dozen times, and it still feels fun and challenging by mixing traditional RPG mechanisms with platforming, witty humor and a good storyline you get an RPG that's easy to pick up but difficult to master. It's a great way to indroduce yourself to the genre and get used to managing a party, items etc.. then build your way up to a Final Fantasy or other more traditional RPG's which require a bit of experience to fully enjoy.

EDIT: A good starter Final Fantasy is FF6 (AKA American 3) which is on the SNES ($15-$25), GBA ($15), & PS1 ($15). It was my first Final Fantasy game and it really hit the mark. Being the last 2D console FF title Square really seemed to make it click, with an engrossing storyline, well written if a bit Bat-Shit Crazy (Kefka) characters, one of my favorite game soundtracks ever composed, and one of the most accessible/noob friendly battle systems ever created I found it a great way to introduce myself to an RPG in the traditional sense.

Another great RPG to start yourself on is the always popular Chrono Trigger (SNES pricey! $30-$60, PS1 cheap $10-$20, & DS around $30), as I found the game to flow at a quick and steady pace that doesnt miss a beat. Along with a superb battle/inventory system for beginners and old experts alike, Battles seamlessly happen without any battle screen transitions and helps quicken the game up considerably. But there's still a lot to do once you've beaten the game with extra modes, side quests and multiple endings the Chrono Trigger holds quite a bit of replay value for you to hone your RPG skills.

[Jrecee]

I honestly don't know, it's been 5 or 6 months since I played it. But I just remember his attacks would take like half my health and mine barely dented him.

[MrEco]

Final Fantasy is to RPG's like Halo is to FPS's. Considered a system seller to it's long time fans and a horribly average game to everyone else. The only difference is that Final Fantasy actually provides fun.

All bias aside, opinions are very illegitimate when talking about Final Fantasy because it's such a love or hate type of game series that no-one will really be able to play devils advocate, no matter what side of the argument their on. I'll try to explain however.
FF was the first RPG series to become popular in the west, which is half the reason FF is as popular as it is. The other half is because each of the games in the series differs just enough to feel fresh (for most people at least) and therefore warrants the purchase of the next game. Each game in the series has completely different characters, a new story, a completely new game world, and better technical value. While at the same time the gameplay generally stay's the same (meaning that people don't have to adapt every time they play a sequel). Battles are always turn based, the items have the same effects, and the guy with the spikiest hair is always the main character. The only real exceptions to this are FFXI (which is an MMO) and FFXII (a single-player MMO, basically). As for the one that is easiest to get into, that is horribly argued. I wouldn't be able to tell you. I can't really figure out for myself. But I'd probably say X is the simplest to get into, if pressed.

Hope that helps.

[RCBH928]

Well, thanx every one for your input
I am starting to build a better idea.

Those episodes sure will be helpful , but 13?! That is a lot to watch. I guess I am going to watch up until FF7 , I think everything after that game did not have any culture impact or real significance. I won't watch 7 though, ever since the game's release back in the mid 90's I always saw that spiky haired guy with huge sword and multiple CD's I drool and wondered what does that game hide of great adventures.

Any one know of any website that tells you how much time to expect in gameplay to complete a game? I really would like to know if a game will take me a week or 3 months to complete so i can better time manage.

It seems in the end, I will play Mario RPG something I never thought I would ever do, since I do not like RPG's and I thought Mario RPG is just a bad mock of RPGs. I always thought of Mario RPG as if Halo was a 2D platformer, something really un-matching.

I was going to start with Grandia 2 or FF7, but now I guess I will do Mario on the SNES. If I like it maybe paper mario on 64.