Final Fantasy IX for PlayStation 1

Once upon a time, long before their was a thing such as the 32-Bit era of gaming, the next generation consoles were known as the upcoming Super Nintendo or already released Sega Genesis. Nintendo and its console at the time, the Nintendo Entertainment System, supported a little known developer whose previous association with the big N was Rad Racer 2. In Japan, Square was known as a great developer who contributed a few of the greatest games the Japanese NES counterpart, known as the Famicon, had. Seeing the success one game in particular had in the homeland, Nintendo licensed the rights to this game and released it in the U.S. in 1990. That game, of course, was Final Fantasy. And, by 1990, all three Famicon Final Fantasy games had been released already. So, even with the success the game, neither Nintendo nor Square released Final Fantasy II or Final Fantasy III.

Next up, Square provided some of the greatest games of all time on the SNES with the likes of Secret of Mana, Chrono Trigger and what we knew as Final Fantasy II and Final Fantasy III. As all geeks like myself know, Final Fantasy II was actually the dumbed down version of the fourth installment and Final Fantasy III was the sixth installment. In between these games, of course, was a fifth game that never saw American shores much like the NES Final Fantasy follow-ups. As a sidenote, Square also provided some rather poor games in the likes of Secret of Evermore and Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest. And, another note, the Super Famicon got other great Square games including Seiken Densetsu 3 (the sequel to Secret of Mana, Bahamut Lagoon and already mentioned Final Fantasy V).

Finally, after Square stabbed the company that gave them a chance in the back by jumping ship to Sony's 32-bit gaming system, the released Final Fantasy VII. Unlike the plain graphics of the games before it, this game looked amazing. Without the limitations of cartridges, Square could finally include everything they've been dreaming of. Even after the accolades the game received, Square decided to best what was at that time the best and released Final Fantasy VIII with lifelike graphics that were damn near breathtaking. Of course, the gameplay sucked, but at least it looked good, right?

But, something was missing this whole time. Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII didn't truly feel like Final Fantasy games. As a matter of fact, they're more like a follow-up to the cyberpunk RPG Shadowrun for the SNES than they are to a Final Fantasy game. Some of this, of course, can be contributed to the fact that Yoshitaka Amano, the man who designed the characters for every game before the seventh, no longer designed the characters. Another problem with both games were that you could only control three characters at a time. Every Final Fantasy except Final Fantasy IV had a max party of four. The most noticable problem was that these games were no longer set in medievel times, but the future. And when the Asian Persuasion played these games, he was one sad panda (gratuitous South Park reference).

With sales of the Playstation Final Fantasy games being down and many of the old-school gamers being displeased (especially with FFVIII), Square decided they'd go back to the basics. This will be, after all, the Playstation swan song and the third game in the series on one platform is always the best in critics eyes (personally, I like Final Fantasy V more than Final Fantasy VI). And, this is no exception.

First thing anyone will notice is that the setting is a drastic change from the previous two outtings. As a matter of fact, it's back to being a fantasy setting instead of a pseudo-futuristic setting. Really, gunsword or not, who the hell would use nunchakus or fight bare-handed when up against guns and all the other futuristic weapons of the past two games? Well, maybe Brandon Lee, but we all know what happened to him. I just couldn't believe anyone would save the world with a sword and a staff in times like this, let alone the future where weapons will be bigger and more destructive than what we see now. It's way too hard to suspend that belief.

Next thing that's a boon to this game is the return of Amano, the character designer. Instead of all the genericly designed characters you see in the mainstream Final Fantasy games (see also: X-Men:The Movie), these characters are oozing charm and personality out of every polygonal orifice. (Rinoa wishes she could be Princess Garnet.) What this did, in turn, is make the characters in the game more likable. With the exception of Aeris, I haven't cared about a Final Fantasy character since Terra of Final Fantasy VI. And we all know what happens to Aeris. Add in the fact that the script writers didn't make all the characters misanthropes, and you have characters you can relate to more. Unless, of course, you're a misanthrope. Then, sucks to be you. Just like usual. I didn't like you anyway.

The whole game, honestly, is a conglomerate of Final Fantasy (and Square games in general) history. For old-school roleplayers, this means you may run into some deja vu. As a matter of fact, it's gratuitous list time! In today's list, you'll see how many things I can think of off the top of my head that is taken from the Square universe.

"Quad Mist" card game (improved version of FFVIII's "Triple Triad")
Set character classes (just like in FFIV)
Four character's in a party (every FF game except FFIV, FFVII, FFVIII)
Short summon animations (back by popular demand)
Dialog and Alert Bubbles (a la Vagrant Story)
Moogles (from Secret of Mana, Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy VI)
The heavily customizable ability system (like mixing Final Fantasy V's job system with Final Fantasy VII's Materia)
A balanced magic system (Final Fantasy V is the only magic system better)
Weapon Combining (Vagrant Story again, with a hint of Chrono Trigger/Chrono Cross)
Magic Sword (not the worthless Capcom game of the same name but Steiner, when teamed with Vivi, has a combo attack a la Chrono Trigger)

That's a very basic list, but it's obvious Square knows they're the best RPG developer in the world (though, I'd like to argue that Enix is pretty damn good themselves), so instead of stealing competitors ideas, they borrow the best features of all their own and make them feel original all over again. I haven't been so impressed by a roleplaying game since the transition from Final Fantasy I to Final Fantasy IV:Easytype when they called the latter title Final Fantasy II.

The graphics are top-notch as I've said already in this review. Between the CGI's that actually make sense. Anyone remember Selphie's first CGI appearance in FFVIII? What the HELL was it about other than to push on you that Selphie's a clumsy girl? Final Fantasy IX proves Vivi to be a clutz, too, but they do it in a more subtle way. He'll trip or bump into things, not fall from rocks once and be labeled forever clumsy. For some reason or another, these super-deformed characters animate better both with polygons and with CGI's. Maybe it's the exaggeration in some movements, maybe it's the fact that they look less human, maybe it's the fact that Square's become a better developer over the past year and a half... whatever the reason, it's good to see that the characters can flow more naturally. It's almost an understatement to say this is the best looking roleplaying game out for the 32/64-bit era.

The sound, on the other hand, is a little lacking. After the great soundtracks that have been around since Final Fantasy, it's sad to see the sound be the weak point of the game. Mind you, it's still great for an RPG, but no track really sticks out. It's better than Final Fantasy VIII soundtrack, but pales in comparison to the SNES FF games. I can still recognize the overworld theme of FFIV, the black chocobo song of FFV and Gau's Veldt theme of FFVI amongst others but I couldn't tell you if a song is from FFIX. It's sufficient, but it should be damn near life-altering (see also:Final Fantasy IV:Celtic Moon or Xenogears).

The other weak point thus far is the amount of battles that you get in. Random battles, contrary to every gamer who raves on and on about Chrono Cross, Chrono Trigger and Lunar:The Silver Star Story Complete's ability to avoid encounters, still have a place in roleplaying. The main reason they rave about this is because it's so easy to avoid getting annihilated because you know you can escape somewhere without fighting. Personally, I think random battles give you a little edgy feeling... knowing there's monsters around when you've come ill prepared is like going through the sewers in Resident Evil 2 for the first time when you're out of ammo, sporting only a combat knife for protection.

With that said, though, the amount of random battles you do get in is rediculous. Never in a Final Fantasy game have I ridden a chocobo so much just to avoid encounters! If you're a few levels higher than your enemies, you shouldn't have too many problems outside of occasional low MP counts (trust me, you'll be using your magic this time on common enemies). But if you're trying to rush through the game and are avoiding encounters, don't be surprised if you have to do some character building. It's good for you, anyways. IGNPSX said that the amount of fights you get into is on par with Tales of Destiny... but, TOD had three things going for it that FFIX doesn't. First and foremost, the battle system played more like Street Fighter 2 than Dragon Warrior making it more fun. Next, the load time was almost non-existant when compared to FFIX's eight second average load time. Finally, Tales of Destiny had an item available early in the game that, when used, would lower the number of random encounters you got in. Also, you could get items that increased the amount of encounters, for those dumb people who liked to use the silver harp in Dragon Warrior. Nevertheless, I don't think an FF game would be the same without random battles, so I'd rather have too many than none at all.

Finally, the story early on, which is great but cliched, revolves around the Alexandrian Empire, which has become corrupt over the past year, and black mages. But, the story begins when the sheltered daughter of the queen tries to escape the confinement of the castle walls and meets up with a womanizing thief (sound familiar?) who had planned to kidnap said princess (who just happens to be a summoner) in the first place. Then you meet up with a black mage trying to find himself, a naive captain (with samurai abilities) of the Alexandrian Empire, a creature with a bottomless stomach and blue mage abilities and a few more (there's a red mage/dragoon, a ninja/monk and yet another white mage/summoner... what's with all these hybrid characters classes?) Honestly, I'd go into more depth (I'm now at the end of the third disc), but this Final Fantasy has a good story that, while not original, is fun to discover on your own. What I can say is that you'll feel for every character in the game... especially Vivi, as he's the closest you get to a centralized character in the game. I can see why Square didn't want walkthroughs and strategy guides to be released in Japan as spoilers could've ruined the story as much as finding out that Aeris died at the end of the first disc of Final Fantasy VII. I apologize to anyone who hasn't already played this game and I just spoiled the biggest twist of the game for them. But, if I did, don't read anything with spoiler info on this game or you'll regret it. I read a little bit and I already feel like I cheated myself out of a great moment. Learn from my mistakes.

Overall, I could go on about this game... and I will. This review will be updated as I make it further through the game and/or have more time to write a better, more organized review. Until then, if you loved Final Fantasy IV, this game is most definitely for you. If you loved Final Fantasy VI, this is for you. If you loved Final Fantasy VIII, then I suggest you lay off the crack pipe. Until then every time a gamer calls themselves a gamer that hasn't played this game and/or Skies of Arcadia, an angel loses its wings. Do you really want a one-winged angel getting dizzy, flying around in circles on your conscience? Do yourself a favor... get both games I just mentioned. As far as Final Fantasy games go on the PSX, this is as good as it gets.