Evens or Odds? Which FF set is best?

[toad626]

Evens without question. For me 10/10-2 (one game to me), 6, and 4 are quite a trio of games. Odd, just has 5 and 9 as superb games. Sorry guys 7 is only a good game for me. Not superb.

[,,,]

to the people who are confused about why evens/odds would be a legitimate way to divide the games up: I don't know how well the pattern has held past IX, but it used to be argued that the odd games had less of a focus on plot and more of a focus on the "role playing" (look at I, which was the closest thing to a true RPG the series had, and III and V which focused on class systems, while II, IV, and VI were mostly about the story). So yes, it's a perfectly legitimate question to ask.

I'm a sucker for job systems, so it's no surprise I go with the odds. To make this mathematical:

VI=best
II=worst

Both evens, and they cancel each other out.

V=2nd best, missing the number one spot by just a tiny sliver.
VII- 2nd worst, but V is so good and at least I don't outright hate VII (more like general dislike), so odds get some points here.

IV=great.
I, III, IX=great.

More points for odd.

VIII= not especially great. Another bonus for odds.

So even though my favorite is even, the odds win by a landslide.

[Bolivar]

I guess I might as well point this out here...

Like ",,," there is merit in comparing the two. Not only for the reason he gave, but there are notable differences in structure between the two:

It all starts with the first 2 games. FFI had four elemental crystals which manifest the life force of the world. When the power of one is blocked, that respective element of the planet begins to die out. FFII was more plot oriented, devoid of elemental crystals or light warriors, and was about a group of rebels who fight against an empire. Eventually the empire's leader gets taken over by a supernatural force.

III, just like 1 had four crystals representing the elements and light warriors who restored them. IV continued II's tradition of a group of rebels against an empire, which this time got outright hijacked by a supernatural force, being a more "evolved" or advanced race. Eventually the mastermind behind all this had his hate manifest into something far deadlier. However, it may seem that there is no distinct tradition because IV also had crystals. But, as an imprisoned black mage said - they're not what you think they are. the ones on earth were used to transport to the moon and then on the moon they were what was used to seal away a threat.

V again, carried on odds tradition with 4 crystals tied to the life of the planet and light warriors. VI again goes back to rebels against empire, which gets manipulated by Kefka. because so little information is given on him, we can't know if he simply was able to benefit from the empire's knowledge of phantom beasts or if he had some knowledge of this on his own. In any case,

VII seems to be like the explanation for the crystals. The lifeforce of the planet, when it materializes, makes a crystalline form, and allows the user of it to directly communicate with the planet. The 4 crystals are brought back in the form of the huge materia, in which there is a race to collect all of them like in earlier games. VIII again was about rebels against an empire which was hijacked by a supernatural force.

IX mixes up a little bit of the two, but it's revealed that the life of the planet is directly related to what is going on, as Kuja and Garland are stopping the flow of souls like mako reactors did in VII, or the 4 fiends of chaos did in FFI. After about the first half of the game it reverts to the style of other odds. X, instead of an empire, had a religion which dominated the political realm and had its own army. It wasn't hijacked, but was in reality created in order to further the continuance of a supernatural force, yu yevon. I haven't played X-2, so I'm not aware of the further details of the storyline, but this is what it seems to be on the surface.

And with the newest incarnations, XI and XII, you have the same thing. XI, again with crystals (although there are 5 and they're connected to races) and XII with the story of rebels against an empire, this time being manipulated by one of the deities of the region.

Some of the games overlap this pattern, as IX had a story of going against an empire that was being manipulated, but that was a compilation, and its overall plight was for restoring the life of the planet. IV, also a compilation, incorporated the crystals, but they do not represent what they do in the odd numbered games. One problem in this theory is that VII and X have been connected as being on the same planet, so one style game has events which impact those of a different styled game. What exactly this all entails, I can't say for now, but these are just some observations I've made playing the series. And not surprisingly, the next entry in the series, an odd one, is bringing it back to crystals which control the fate of the planet.

[Tabris]

Even, without a doubt. That's where X and XII are, my favourite FFs. VIII is a good game too, in my opinion.

[theundeadhero]

Both sides have good games but evens win with me.

2- Okay
4- Pretty good
6-Favorite
8 Not that bad
10- Pretty good
12- Okay

1- Pretty good
3- Didn't really like it
5- Okay
7- Pretty good
9- Pretty good
11- Not that bad

[toad626]

Even, without a doubt. That's where X and XII are, my favourite FFs. VIII is a good game too, in my opinion.

You'll get slammed a lot likening 8. I loved 8's story, but that damn junction system and having to watch the same summon sequences over and over again...Really dropped it.

Boliver to describe X-2. Just think a little more info on the history of Spira regarding the Beville/Zanarkand war. Along with some of the Yevon religion practices and secrets. But the main focus is change. No more Yevon religion, who will people turn to for gov't purposes? Thus the rise of the different factions. Who will be become the new world order of Spira? (That had more prevalence in the game than the actual villain that wanted to destroy Spira, as only a few of the residents of Spira were even aware that Shuyin existed.)