Today is the 14th anniversary of the release of Final Fantasy IX, one of my favorite games of all time. The timeless tale of Zidane, Dagger, Steiner, Vivi, and the other characters lodged itself into my heart the first time I played it in my shitty rundown apartment in San Francisco, and ever since I’ve continued to play it every few years, because it brings me joy I can’t really find in anywhere else. According to Wikipedia, it’s the highest rated FF game on Metacritic, and for good reason: it’s the fucking bomb.
Strangely, it doesn’t get the love that Final Fantasy VI, VII or X get, or the hate that VIII gets, and is kind of forgotten by many people. It’s always kind of flown under the radar, having been released late in the life of the PSX. It will always be my favorite Final Fantasy game, because I highly doubt they will release another that rivals it, for it is so unique in its style and storytelling.
One of the reasons it’s so good is the characters. Perhaps if they had been voiced acted, it would have been different, but even in the silent text of the game, they come across as clear, living, complex people, in a very real (though fantastic world). Whether it’s the endless moral optimism of Zidane, or the confusion of Dagger, or the dedication of Steiner, or the nobility of Freya, or the hunger of Quina, or the amazing presence and color of Vivi, they all stand out and LIVE.
I’ve always hoped that they would me a direct sequel to it, but I’m not holding my breath. Instead, maybe someday I will write some fanfiction that pics up the story ten or twenty years down the road. I always wondered what would happen to these characters over the years. I’d love to find out.
Anyway, that’s what I’m thinking about today.
This title was on my radar earlier in the year before I got all ate up with the Souls franchise. The next time im in the mood for a classic ill give this some deep consideration. How many hours to get through it?
howlongtobeat.com says about 50 hours but more if you try and do everything.
yeah, about 40 to 50 hours, maybe less. It's a typical classic FF game. It's great though.
I blame the people who had only played FF VII and VIII for the lackluster response to IX.
I've heard good things about X, but not much about IX. I'd like to play both sometime.
It was the last traditional FF game, complete with a four member party and characters that fit into classic jobs. It was also the last game done by the original creators, so if you have any love for the history of the series (especially the SNES days) IX is a must play.
Yea, I like the old Final Fantasy games. I played IV and thought it was a masterpiece.
you might be right, Julian. I wish they would make another even VAGUELY like this one. I would be happy.
I love this game like you do Snee, the characters were my fave thing about it. Zidane being my utmost favorite. i might just have to download this on my PS3 and start a play through to celebrate this! What the hell am I talking? Ill do it regardless!
yeah the characters are great. Zidane is a great hero, really optimistic and helpful and honorable.
Yeah, FF9 is what FF7 and FF8 should've been.
Even though FF6 is still my favorite, FF9 and FF4 run a close second.
VI is definitely good, but this one will always be first for me. I wish there were more like these.
You know I love this game except for one particularly annoying mini game. Why can't I just kill the guard and take the key dammit!
That's where I stopped in my last playthrough after failing more times than I care to think about. It's on my PSP and I should get back to it at some point. I don't really have time for replays but there are exceptions.
yeah i don't replay a lot of games, but this one always fills me with such joy. It's such a nice place to escape to.
But that damn minigame, arg!
and who can forget Zidane and Vivi tinkling under the stars?
ha ha, I forgot about that part! I think I'm almost at that part, I'm on the new continent.
I toltally agree, this game is way underated. I think part of the reason it was so good was because the big three; Sakiguchi, Amano, and Uematsu wanted to take the series back to its roots. 4 member parties, set classes, a completely new but vintage feeling world that took the series back to a more romantic setting. I have probaly said this before but to me this is the last true Final Fantasy. Let the series end on a high note. I have no love for FFX and F12 was fun and a good game in its own right, but it just does not feel like Final Fantasy to me. I think another reason why some folks did not embrace it the way they did FF7 was because it was the toughest FF to hit U.S shores since FF4. Not that it was as difficult as FF4, that gem still holds that title. But it was timing too, the PS2 was fresh on the scene and Square seemed more intersted in pushing Bouncer.
yeah maybe because it was a late PSONE game, people kind of neglected it. I don't know. All I know is they're missing out. It's a great goddamn game, and I'll never tire of it. I would love a direct sequel though, even if it was on a handheld. That would be great.
I feel old now.
I'm with you on how this game doesn't get much love. I can even be gulity of this with my lurve for Tifa Final Fantasy VII and it's spin offs. I even owned this game back in the day but somehow I lost it over the course of my years and travel. I don't even think I got passed disc one when I had it. Now that I own it digitally perhaps now is the time to give it another try again.
totally man. this is my favorite FF of all time for sure. I love VII, I really do, but this is my fav.