Best Final Fantasy game? (in your opinion)

[jfrost]

Final Fantasy VIII is my favorite. I love the junction system and how it makes grinding almost useless. I think it has flaws, yes, but they're negligible considering what it gets right. Most people don't like mini-games, but I think FF8's Triple Triad is an exceptionally good one. It's strategic and fun to play (well, when there are interesting rules in the game anyway; sometimes you just pull out your big cards and that's it) when you take some time to get into it. Also, it is useful (compare it to the completely useless, time consuming and uninteresting card game of Final Fantasy IX). I also think it has a good, well-written story. I always compare it to the many loopholes you find in FF7. And I have a soft spot for love stories.

I think all three PS1 titles are generally good, but I can't stand some things in VII and IX. The gameplay in VII was alright and all, but it took forever to grow materia. IX is a nice revival of old-school FFs, but you had to level grind like crazy (specially if you wanted to fight the superboss Ozma), and the battles took ages. Plus, I can't forgive the fact that after you defeat the bad guy of the game, they throw in a fucking deus ex machina into the mix. That was bullshit. FFX is good too, but I find the ending crappy, as well as the last boss. I have FFXII, but never got around to playing it.

I played FFIV, V, and VI too, but since I never got to finish them, I don't feel so comfortable to give an opinion. Based on what I played of VI, it is easily my second favorite (but you never know, you can get disappointed). Many turnarounds in the story and a big cast of different characters. I like the steampunk elements as well (the game has a castle that can travel underground, so cool). Maybe I'll get back to it sometime.

[weasels]

i want to say 9 but because i only borrowed it and didnt get truly far in it yet i have to go with 7, although 6 is up there for me.

[Flak Beard]

FFVI was the most memorable to me (story, cast, music and mechanics), but I have a secret crush on FFVIII. I leveled everyone to 100, and put in like 120+ hours getting all the Triple Triad cards. I also loved the art style for FFVIII.

I feel no shame.

[fast]

My top four are V,I, with III and VI tied for third.

V brought me back to JRPGs and introduced to me the job system which I still find the most enjoyable part of the entire series.

I takes me back to the late 80s when I first discovered it. Still hard as all get out, still pretty, and I took the time in highschool to beat it with four white mages. It may not be the best in the series but its difficulty and charm is why I still enjoy it. So nostalgia may play a part here, but I still love the game - even if it gets easier with each rerelease.

III is the birth of the class system and once you get past the Big Rat fight it is quite enjoyable - Ive heard that they nerfed that fight in the DS version. To be honest, it is not that great of a game, story was pretty rubbish, but I enjoyed the entire game the two times I played it. My favorite comment about the game was when someone broke down the probablility of having four identical ambideterous sons and compared it to other improbable acts - I think you were more likely to be dealt a royal flush, while winning the lottery, and getting struck by lighting.

VI has the best story of the lot. Kefka is a real villian, one that you learn to hate. When the two armies are battling at Doma Castle is when I realized that no matter what I had to end this game. It is one of the few rpgs where Ive been so wrapped up in the story that I actually forced myself to finish it, well beyond when I should have taken a break. I am not sure why the story riled me up like that but man now I want to play it again to kill that sob.

[sneth]

my fav is the one that didn't borrow from the DQ series....

oh wait... rawr,
anyhoo
1 and 4 and 6. you can't pick the best of the US releases. it's not possible..

2,3 were too experimental and had loopholes in combat system.
5 was like a poor mans DQ
and i'll be nice and stop there.

[MrPopo]

5 was like a poor mans DQ

Explanation please.

Keep in mind that DQ6 came out three years after FF5.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Final Fantasy VI has always been my favorite. The villian was great; he was completely batshit insane, which is a lot better than the subsequent villians of trying to "fix" things.

That, and the fact that you set out to save the world and FAIL.

EXACTLY! Now why don't other people get that?

[Ack]

With some people, different ones just don't click. Many of us think six is the best, but for others, it's seven or eight or nine. Certain Final Fantasy games may hold more meaning, or we may have enjoyed the plot or specific game elements more than previous or post releases of the series. To each his own, you know?

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

With some people, different ones just don't click. Many of us think six is the best, but for others, it's seven or eight or nine. Certain Final Fantasy games may hold more meaning, or we may have enjoyed the plot or specific game elements more than previous or post releases of the series. To each his own, you know?

I hear you there 6 was the first FF game I owned & the second SNES game I ever played.

[glynnahab]

God, I still remember the awesome Nintendo Power strategy guide for the original FF. I would read it over and over when I was a kid. Then we got the game.

Having a game battery that only holds one save between kid brothers doesn't work. We constantly saved over each others files, and never made it really far.

Although I consider myself an RPG fan, I think the strategy guide itself was better than the actual game.