It depends what you mean by "best" in asking that question. It's not the most popular. Starting with FF7, Square started to shape up a bit more as far as giving the drooling fanboys/fangirls what they wanted. Their point is to make money and giving the fans what they want is a good idea. Hence the evolution of the series since then. Now we get the pure crap called FF10 and FF10 two, etc. Unplayable piles of *bleep*ed anime crap (I'm not saying anime is crap, only that most of the storylines in them are). But that's what the people want. Much the same was that most people would think better of shitty contemporary music because it's new, than a classical masterpiece. It's flat out obvious that the masterpiece is better, but is it "better"?

FF6 peaked the series, the first world alone is worth that claim, even with the lesser 2nd world being there. It was probably impossible to evolve the series on this level of class, since fanboys/fangirls can't even perceive it, so they don't care about it. We could have gotten an awesome RPG based on the FF6 formula, but it didn't happen. If that counts as the best, then it is. Otherwise it's just a curious footnote. The FF series has degraded beyond recognition since then. If you don't agree with this statement, it's ok, it makes sense. You are one of said fanboys/fangirls. You think drab looking expressions on cliched faggoth characters, and crappy house mix type of music is "cool" in Final Fantasy. Plots and characterization ripped straight out of the worst anime. Enjoy.

And I thought I was critical of FFX lol. Well, I agree with a lot of what your saying, but not all of it. FF6 was a great title, but it wasn't the end of the series. FF7 I still feel was better then it, but I have been very disappointed with the recent FF games that have been very subpar. But I am still looking forward to FF12, I want to see what the FFT team can do to bring the series back.

I don't think FF7 is a bad game. I just think it's it's own game, apart from the formula of old FF, which I think peaked with 6. FF7 was more of a personal new-age spiritual story. And it was an "anime" story. More personal, throughout the game, not counting the typical "end of world" parts that are in every FF game. After I got over the death of what the series used to be, I gave it a chance and happened to like the story. FF7 was more subtle than 6, and I think those subtle parts are genius. But after everything, it still didn't leave even half of the impression of the epic feel of FF6 through the first world. That's just what I got of it. I also think that if people played either one first, that's the one they will prefer.

I played every FF title in order from 1 to X-2, I grew up on FF games and love the classics. I have a different respect for those games then I do the newer ones. FF6 was a great game, it's music and story were both great. But when I played FF7 as it came out it left a huge impression on me. It's not a anime story, if it is then it's one of the more advanced ones. I consider many anime stories unoriginal and pretty much predictable. FF7 was definately not that type of game. In the end it comes down to what you prefer, FF7 to me was the peak of the series. Since it the series has gotten progressively worse (excluding FFT which I loved just as much, but we will stick to the traditional series itself), 8 was good, 9 was decent, then 10 was just plain average if that. I say this about FFX, it's a good RPG, but not a good Final Fantasy game.

Well...I was just gonna give my opinions on whether FF6 is the best one (it is) but now everyone's talking about FF7 (utter crap) and FFX and other such games...so I'll just give you my rankings.

I posted this on some gamer's board but I figured it could go here cuz it took me forever to write, especially since I actually care what you guys think...figured it'd make some good discussion for anyone who played these here.

I've played every FF game but FF2 (Jap) and the new FF11 which is online which instantly makes it a crap game. Here's my list from worst to best. Feel Free to comment.

12. FF7 - Yep...it's down here. I'm not trying to be all cool here by ripping a game that everyone liked. This game just REALLY bothered me. Sephiroth is seriously the most boring villain I've seen in ANY game. Cloud's constant brooding really got on my nerves too...STOP WHINING!! The plot makes NO sense...there are SO many holes and inconsistencies in what happens that after many hours of deliberation I just had to guess at what happened and keep playing. Seriously, I've played the game twice, read countless faqs on this plot and it STILL makes little sense. The extra boss Weapons are way too hard and it takes way too long to get strong enough to beat them...it's just not worth the millions of hours it would take to do it…trust me, I've tried. Plus the side quests are almost nonexistent (the Golden Saucer games blow)...especially compared to the other games. Not a fan of the Materia system either...I'm just not. Seriously…I'm usually able to replay a game…especially a FF game…not too long after I play it the first time…like maybe one or two years after the first time. I first played this game when it first came out. When was I actually able to bring myself to play this one again?…THIS YEAR. I finally played it again to see if after all this time, maybe my opinion would change…it didn't. Some may think I'm being too hard but of all the games on this list, only this one actually pissed me off by playing it. There are ways to include a complicated and drawn-out plot that overtakes the actual gameplay…and this isn't it.

11. FF Mystic Quest - This wasn't that bad a game, dammit...but I can't rank it above the others. It's an old school RPG. Plus it was kinda challenging so it gets points. Plus the final boss music gives it bonus points. Had to include it as I never had a complaint about this one. It's short, it's straightforward, but it works.

10. FF3 (Jap) - Not a bad little game. I'm surprised at the depth of it considering how old it was. It has two different worlds (three if you count underwater) and the usual crystal-related plot thing. Not too big on cool bosses and such and it kinda just becomes one huge dungeon by the end but it's an old school game so I'm not too shocked…most RPGs were like that back then. Not bad, not amazing.

9. FFX - I liked the plot. That's the only bonus. The way it was told through Tidus' eyes where he doesn't exactly know what's going on is pretty smart. Game falls flat from there. I HATED the sphere grid level up thing...gawd was it bad. I hated that you get points and stuff when you level up, but, oh no, you don't level up YET...THEN you get to waste countless time on that dumb grid just to level up. And it seemed real cheap that you could just switch characters at any time...plus it made battles way longer since I had to switch them all in if I wanted all to get experience...got to be a chore. And aside from a few extra dungeons, the only real sidequest was that monster hunter crap...and not much of a sidequest...you fight each monster and capture 10 of them!?...so it's a sidequest where you get to just run around and fight monsters over...and over...and over again!?...WHAT FUN! And what does it get you?...A chance to fight...MORE MONSTERS! Not only more monsters, but monsters where you have to spend months raising your characters to ridiculously high levels to beat!? Again...just not worth it. And don't get me started on the lightning dodging game...I was able to do it but COME ON! Plus after you do all the sidequests and get the hidden items and stuff the final boss was a JOKE!…I beat Jecht in TWO ROUNDS!!…And the boss after that ain't even a boss since you can't die!…cheap…

8. FF1 - This game was ingenius when it came out folks. I'm sorry...it blew the Dragon Warrior games out of the water. At the time it was revolutionary how much better it was. I STILL can play it nowadays and have a challenging, fun ride.

7. FFX-2 - This game was MAJORLY improved from FFX. And thank goodness too. Sure, it's not heavy on plot, but that makes room for lots more stuff added to gameplay. The world is nearly identical to FFX but everything's different in terms of characters so that's cool. Everything is divided up as individual missions and plot is followed that way...this makes for TONS of sidequests which I love. They dumped that terrible spheregrid and you level up normally, plus it's not turn-based…it's back to the active time battle thing, thank god on both counts...I have NO idea why they changed it. Changing classes mid-battle is pretty convenient too. It's challenging as far as the Neo-Whatever hidden dungeon but, once again, if your gals get powerful enough to finish that part of the game then the rest of the game will be a cake-walk. The concept of getting 100% to get the best ending adds some replay value (I got 99% my first playthrough...arrggh) as does being able to choose different sides. LOTS of fun...I enjoy a game that doesn't take itself too seriously.

6. FF5 (Jap) - It's alright. Not heavy on plot and not too tough if you set up your guys correctly. A LOT like FF4, except for the class system which isn't exactly a bad thing, but clearly there wasn't a whole lot of new work put into it (prolly why it wasn't released here).

5. FF8 - I guess I liked this better than most, but I agree with most...it was too easy. All you had to do was suck 100 spells from a monster and put it to a stats and your character was a superman. Other than that, I loved the plot and the side games…the Card Game RULES ALL…I seriously spent hours playing just that part of it. Squall was sadly ANOTHER boring brooding character but he, at least, didn't get as annoying since he starts to almost realize how cheesy he is and starts to change, so that works.

4. FFTactics - Not sure if we're including this, but I'd put it here. An AMAZINGLY full and complete plot, simply filled with twists and politics and backstabbing…and all the while the real enemies are messing with the Zodiac Stones behind everyone. THIS is how you do a complicated plot…not that crap with FF7. I liked being able to read about everyone's past as the plot moves along, plus Job missions made things interesting as well. There's no limits with the diverse amount of classes and such that you can do with your characters so it's great to experiment. And unlike other "tactics" games (FF Tactics Advance included), these battles really didn't seem so repetitious and boring. It loses points because the game becomes a joke once Orlandu joins, but by that point the game's already awesome.

3. FF4 - Yeah, I'm old school. Sue me...I actually played this when it first came out, so that may tell you where I'm coming from. Sweet plot, lotsa betrayal...loved the hunting the crystals stuff. Plus it was actually a TOUGH game. Then when you thought you were nearing the end they add in a whole new Underworld was pretty sweet.

2. FF9 - I loved the return to old school…old school black mages, kinda cutesy characters…None of these brooding adult characters who are boring as hell…I laugh a folks who bitch cuz the main guy is actually a FUN character…who cares if he has a frickin tail!? I loved the stealing concept where you got better and better stuff if you kept stealing. Plus I really enjoyed gaining abilities from the weapons and armor you equip…it really makes you motivated to find all the best weapons in the game (hence stealing them). This game was fun and didn't take itself too seriously. Kuja could have been a better villain but the return of old school Garland was pretty cool. Plus it had some of the best sidequests of all the games…the Chocobo search was always fun, as well as the Chocobo digging game.

1. FF6 is definitely the best. Plot up the wazoo and Kefka's one of the best villains ever. Tons of INTERESTING characters (note the caps), lots of sidequests, all of which usually unlocking secret stuff about one of the character's pasts. I liked the secret relationships that are only hinted at like Shadow being the painter girl's dad and all that. Plus there's the unprecedented plot twist with the world getting destroyed (something you didn't see before that and still really haven't seen since then)…I mean it's like Kefka actual WINS overall, despite all your best efforts. Plus Kefka truly makes the game…he's simply a joy to watch throughout the game. Learning spells from Espers is a sweet concept too…definitely makes you wanna get them all. Plus it had one of the sweetest endings of all the games…ya gotta love that.

Whew,
Stevo

This message was edited by El Bastarde on Jul 26 2005.

Well, since your a fellow Steve-o I'm gonna talk to you nicely, but seriously how can you have FF Mystic Quest above FF7. Or at all have it at the bottom. FFX and X-2 were crap, unoriginal stories and lame attempts at using sex appeal and big graphics to sell off the games. Sorry if I wanted to see that I can watch porn, not the lame brain Charlie's Angel rip off title Female Fantasy XXX-2.

Being an online game automatically makes FFXI crap? Seriously you can't possibly stand by that statement, until you play a game you can't call it crap. That's utter ignorance, I am not a fan of FFXI entirely, but I never called it crap or gave my opinions on it before I played it.

Now you put FFT up there so I give you props for that, FFT is one of the best games ever, my second favorite in fact. I agree with everything you said on that.

But I did not see FF7 the way you did, it's mini games were fun. Most notably, Chocobo racing was very enjoyable and deep. I enjoyed playing the Fort COndor battles, Motorcycle game and several others.

The story did have plot holes I admit, FFT did too. But the plots were so great as they were even a few plot holes still didn't take away from the fact they were great games. Certainly it did not have as many as FF8 which was entirely convoluted. FF7's story can be understood, but it takes a little effort to fully understand it. One of the things I liked is that I did not fully understand the plot until near the end where it was all revealed and the last thing I expected really. FF7 was head and shoulders above every other RPG at the time and opened the way for the RPGs we have today.

But it's your opinion, lot's of people didn't like FFT. If I came to you and said this "I hate FFT, the battles were too hard and I didn't understand the story. It had no real mini games and was boring" you would likely feel the same way I feel when I hear you speak of FF7 the way you do. It's just how it is with us gamers, we love our games and defend them accordingly.

I say it seems like you went into playing FF7 with a bad attitude, you resentment of the story ruined the experience of the rest of the game. Which I can understand, their are many games I gave up on after 2 hours of playing (crap games like KH).

It's really odd how you can like FFT and not FF7. Then like crap storylines like FFX and X-2, this is hard to understand for myself. I never even held FFIX that high, I didn't see what made it so great, just seemed like a simple RPG to me with not a whole lot of depth. It was good, just not great. Some of the other stuff you said on other games I agree with, I enjoy most of the FF games. Hard for me to include games like Mystic Quest, Crystal Chronicles and FF Legend 1,2,3 part of it. But most I do like, it's the best series I have had the pleasure of playing, and I have played most of them. So while I respect most of your opinions I can't agree with it all.

quote RPG_Master44

Well, since your a fellow Steve-o I'm gonna talk to you nicely,

I think I've seen you on the Suikoden and Rhapsodia boards. I posted as Hotel Security there. Howdy.

quote

but seriously how can you have FF Mystic Quest above FF7.

It's an old school RPG in the same vein as FF1. And, yes, I've played it more than I have FF7.

quote

FFX and X-2 were crap, unoriginal stories and lame attempts at using sex appeal and big graphics to sell off the games. Sorry if I wanted to see that I can watch porn, not the lame brain Charlie's Angel rip off title Female Fantasy XXX-2.

For one, I don't get the sex appeal thing. Who cares what they look like! They're frickin pixels! If someone's getting turned on by a video game cartoon then they have more problems than its worth. FFX was mostly crap but despite the obvious Charlie's Angel ripoff, FFX-2 is FUN. I don't care what the graphics look like, I don't care what the characters look like...if a game is fun, then that's all that matters.

quote

Being an online game automatically makes FFXI crap? Seriously you can't possibly stand by that statement, until you play a game you can't call it crap.

I do...In comparison to console games, online RPGs ARE crap. No plot, LONG journeys to goals, all quests are all the same, not to mention that you have to interact with some IDIOTS off the internet. They'll never be as good as a regular game. But yes, I HAVE never played it...that's why it's not ranked on the list.

quote

Most notably, Chocobo racing was very enjoyable and deep. I enjoyed playing the Fort COndor battles, Motorcycle game and several others.

Chocobo Racing was boring...it's only interesting at the start when it's actually a challenge to win races...once you get a decent Chocobo through breeding, it's a joke...just put the race on auto and sit back and watch. Fort Condor was okay but frankly it's just a poor-man's Tactics-type game...and every battle is near-identical. The motorcycle game got REALLY old after a few playthroughs even if its one of the best ways to win golden nugget coins. The boxing, the arena and the submarine games blow.

quote

FF7's story can be understood, but it takes a little effort to fully understand it. One of the things I liked is that I did not fully understand the plot until near the end where it was all revealed and the last thing I expected really.

Sadly, the game was going well until the end when what they finally revealed as the true story basically contradicted everything that was told earlier in the game...thus creating inconsistencies. They retold the Sephiroth story over so many times, it barely made any sense. Who's a clone of who? Who's a pawn of who? By the end, I just didn't care.

quote

FF7 was head and shoulders above every other RPG at the time and opened the way for the RPGs we have today.

As the follow-up to FF6, it was a MAJOR step back. It was the first of games that decided to put a big convoluted storyline in the forefront while having actual decent gameplay come secondary. Not a good idea. I swore off FF games after this game out and didn't even buy FF8 when it came out. I later borrowed it from a friend and was happy to see that it was much more fun so I got back into the genre. (Though I bought FFx and FFX-2 a few years after they were released...somehow the series doesn't have the luster it used to have).

quote

I say it seems like you went into playing FF7 with a bad attitude, you resentment of the story ruined the experience of the rest of the game. Which I can understand, their are many games I gave up on after 2 hours of playing (crap games like KH).

It wasn't like that. I had reserved FF7 for months ahead of time and stood in line for a half-hour the day it came out so I could play it. I LOVED the start of the game where you were in the city and had to fight against Shinra. I loved the Shinra Organization and Rufus and was excited to have a game with them as the villains then I was pissed the way they were so blown off for the rest of the game...the few parts where you're involved with them again were the few highlights. Once the game focused on you chasing Sephiroth...and chasing Sephiroth....and chasing Sephiroth and more concerned itself with what was in Cloud's head rather than what was going on outside of it, it got worse and worse. Not so bad where I actually stopped playing...but it annoyed me.

quote

It's really odd how you can like FFT and not FF7. Then like crap storylines like FFX and X-2, this is hard to understand for myself. I never even held FFIX that high, I didn't see what made it so great, just seemed like a simple RPG to me with not a whole lot of depth.

Real easy. GAMEPLAY. Plot means NOTHING. If a game is fun to play, then good graphics, good plot, good characters, good sidequests...all that stuff is just fluff...if a game is FUN TO PLAY then I like it. If it's not, I don't...the plot will NEVER make or break a game for me...it'll just make a fun game better. This is why I can pick up Dragon Warrior III or IV on my ROM and enjoy it despite how dated it is...it's still fun. You say you hated Kingdom Hearts? I loved it...the plot was cheesy and I'm certainly not the biggest Disney fan, but the game was fun as hell to play. Simple as that. FFX-2, FFTactics, Kingdom Hearts = fun.

Stevo

Ah Hotel Security yeah, okay knew your name was Steve to heh. I remember you saying you had an account when I asked you to join, so this is it huh. Good to see you again.

I don't get turned on by pixels, that wasn't my point. My point was when they go out of their way to make a game that way it becomes annoying and takes away from the game itself. Sleezy jokes and down right stupidity don't add well to a RPG. FFX and X-2 are examples of this.

Plot means nothing? How can you even be a fan of RPGs if the plot means nothing? And one of your biggest attack on FF7 was it's plot so obviously there's some contradiction there. The plots in RPGs is what separates them from most of the other genres. RPGs need great gameplay, but that comes second to story. I can get overall fun factor playing a action game, I play RPGs for the story mostly.

Here is what I give FF6, it's music could be better then FF7. I loved FF6's music, some of Nobou's best. But FF7's music is right behind it as it was great as well. Everything else though from story to gameplay I enjoyed more then in FF6.

quote RPG_Master44

Ah Hotel Security yeah, okay knew your name was Steve to heh. I remember you saying you had an account when I asked you to join, so this is it huh. Good to see you again.

Ya...some boards don't let ya post unless you're logged in so I guess I'm using it now.

quote

Sleezy jokes and down right stupidity don't add well to a RPG. FFX and X-2 are examples of this.

I wouldn't call them sleezy jokes or whatever. And despite the girls looking skanky and such in FFX-2, that's as far as it goes. I blame the damn Japanese...they're the ones making the anime porn...apparently they try to get away with it over here too. But it still doesn't change the game.

quote

Plot means nothing? How can you even be a fan of RPGs if the plot means nothing?

Easily. If the game's not fun to play than the plot means nothing. Remember, I grew up playing games like Dragon Warrior. Know the plot in Dragon Warrior? It's "Oh No!! Dragonlord is terrorizing the World! Go beat him!!" That's IT! That's your plot! That's how RPGs and basically ALL games back them were like. These games were good because they were fun to play, not because of plot. Just because game designers have evolved into making games with big convoluted plots and fancy graphics doesn't change that.

quote

And one of your biggest attack on FF7 was it's plot so obviously there's some contradiction there.

I see your point but my big critique was that the plot took AWAY from the game. Normally you play through a game and get rewarded with cool storyline scenes and such...I came away disappointed and pissed-off with the plot scenes in FF7. They tried SO hard to impress us all with their fancy plot that the rest of the game suffered. Not sure if that makes sense but that's always what I take away from it.

quote

I can get overall fun factor playing a action game, I play RPGs for the story mostly.

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I play games for fun. I read books or see movies for good storylines.

quote

Here is what I give FF6, it's music could be better then FF7. I loved FF6's music, some of Nobou's best. But FF7's music is right behind it as it was great as well. Everything else though from story to gameplay I enjoyed more then in FF6.

Ya...FF6's music is phenomenal. It's the only video game that I actually bought the soundtrack to (sue me, I was young). FF7's is very good also, though...it's definitely one of the high points in the game. Maybe its me but most music in games these days is pretty darn generic...I haven't been that impressed by game music in a long time.

Stevo

So are you telling me you felt nothing from FF7's story, the Aeris death scene did not capture you. THat was one of the best scenes in a game that I have played, FFX tried to recreate it but didn't so much capture me the way this did. Everything from the build up, to the music and all were done very well that it really made the game more interesting from that point on.

On FF6's music i have heard others say it's not that good, when I went to the FF music concert More Friends and Dear Friends the last couple of years I literally got chills every time I hear the opera scene music. Really some of the best.

quote RPG_Master44

So are you telling me you felt nothing from FF7's story, the Aeris death scene did not capture you.

I remember just being confused by the whole thing. It's supposed to be some dramatic scene but none of it made sense at that point in the game (it's explained later, yes, but that doesn't help), not to mention I'm supposed to be captivated by some bouncing ball which I ALSO don't know what it is. I'll admit it was surprising that they actually killed off a main character in an RPG which is rare but that's about it. I remember just being annoyed by Sephiroth and being utter confused by why I'm fighting a boss battle and it's not Sephiroth AGAIN.

I was way more amazed by Kefka destroying the world in FF6 or a number of the scenes from FFTactics, including when Delita kills the Princess at the end.

quote

On FF6's music i have heard others say it's not that good, when I went to the FF music concert More Friends and Dear Friends the last couple of years I literally got chills every time I hear the opera scene music. Really some of the best.

Ya...the Opera scene in that game always stands out as one of the coolest, especially since there had never been anything remotely like it in any previous game. I always like "Dancing Mad" which is the Final boss theme...I haven't seen final boss music that matches it yet.

Stevo

Stevo

Well, it made sense to me, not sure what game you were playing. The bouncing ball was Holy, the materia that Aeris had that she claimed early did nothing. But it was used to summon Holy to destroy Meteor, that's why Sephiroth killed her. He wanted Meteor to damage the planet so he can absorb the enery that would be used to heal the planet thus making himself a living God.

What I meant is that AT THAT POINT IN THE GAME, you have no idea what Aeris is doing or what the bouncing ball is. It kinda kills the drama of the whole scene. Yes, it all is explained later but that doesn't help the scene when you originally see it.

Stevo

Yes, I suppose its a fine bit of foreshadowing. Just seems like a strange way to do it. It also didn't have as big an effect since most RPGs NEVER kill off any of the main characters so I just assumed that she'd come back later on in the story (after all, Cloud sure does!). I guess I was more shocked at the END of the game, when I realized we really wouldn't be getting her back.

I dunno...I was way more impressed with the storytelling in FF6, FF9 and FFTactics than in this one. Even FF8 and FFX-2 had way more likeable characters.

Stevo