by Jay "THE FLEA" Wade
Final Fantasy has returned to the classic fantasy style of RPGs past in Final Fantasy 9.
For the past few years, Final Fantasy had a Sci-Fi fantasy look to it. Many people wanted the series to return to its roots and re-create the classic look of fantasy. Square listened to the people and made FF9 play and look similar to FF6, only in the fully rendered 3D world of the recent Final Fantasies.
The story is you play as Zidane Tribal, a thief who has a tail like a monkey. He’s sent to kidnap Princess Garnet, but finds the princess wants to escape the castle anyway and so she goes along with him.
While escaping the castle, he meets up with a bodyguard named Steiner who believes he should be punished for his crime. While running from Steiner, they meet up with Vivi, a young mage who’s not sure of his past. These four escape the castle and discover a conspiracy within the kingdom.
The characters in FF9 are some of the best is the series. You can really feel the chemistry between them.
I really didn’t care for this new queen blob as the villian, and think she’s the weakest of the recent Final Fantasy games.
The graphics are like only Square can produce. Beautiful backdrops with the classic kid designed characters. I do kind of miss the sci-fi look of the past Final Fantasies, but the change is welcomed.
The FMV is some of the best Square has ever produced. And some of the most action packed.
Every time you view a movie, you have to keep playing just to see what’s next.
The sound and music are some beautiful masterpieces, and thankfully no Voice acting. I personally think voice acting would ruin this series.
The card game returns in FF9. The basics of the game are the same, just little changes in the rules. I personally liked the card game in FF8 a little better. But the game in FF9 is worth playing. Overall, FF9 is a must buy for any RPG and Final Fantasy fan.
PUBLISHER: SQUARESOFT / EA
GRAPHICS: 10 MUSIC & SOUND: 10 CONTROL: 9.5
SECRETS: 9 ORIGINALITY: 10 FUN & REPLAY: 10
OVERALL: 10