Ranking The Final Fantasy Games: #6-4

4. Final Fantasy IX

What an oddly fascinating game.

Final Fantasy IX combined the RPG elements of early Final Fantasy (battling in dungeons, visiting new towns being the main focus) while adapting how exactly that gameplay is presented to the player. Active Time Events allowed the player to better understand the story of characters away from the active party by giving the option (at specific times) to view the events, collect items and make decisions that affect the story’s conclusion.

The game’s style is what makes Final Fantasy IX work. The final game in the series on the PlayStation, IX uses the character class model of giving each of the cast a unique role that the others do not encompass. They fall into the typical tropes of “thief,” “black mage,” “knight,” etc. that are frequent in the early medieval-based games, but live in a world with futuristic advancements in technology. The side quests were fun and rewarding, some of which were so hidden that it took thirteen years to discover some of them.

Importantly, the way the story is told through these characters got to me. The differing philosophies and ideologies shared by the cast, the search for identity, combined with a superb dialogue truly showcase a special game. Final Fantasy IX truly benefited by the fact it came at the end of the PlayStation’s development, also after the release of the PlayStation 2. You could tell the team at Squaresoft poured their heart into this game, as it is creator Sakaguchi’s favorite game in the series. There are plenty of good arguments to be made for its inclusion in the Top 3; I just happened to like the rest just slightly more.

It’s down to three games. In chronological order: FF VI, VII and X. What will the order be? What will be (in my opinion) the best Final Fantasy game? Tune in next Friday and find out!

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