Only one! boom.

[The Man]

I think we're going to need pictures from both of you if we're going to be able to evaluate this effectively

And I suspect VII is probably the best entry point into the series, but it's not the best game in the series. That would have to go to either VI or IX.

[Bolivar]

There's something we need to establish first:

What systems do you own and are willing to get a game on? Are you comfortable with emulation? What kind of display do you plan on using? Flat screen, old school round TV or computer monitor?

I agree with VeloZer0 about FFIX's combat. It would've been my first choice because it's the most FF-like FF and is arguably the best. It's the most well-rounded as none of its part suck at all but it doesn't reach some of the same heights other games do. And yes, the battles are painfully slow and the framerate is almost horrible.

FFVII has fast-paced battles because the camera's always hopping around everywhere highlighting choreographed battle animations. Everything is really responsive, you hit circle and Cloud's immediately halfway across the screen about to stab someone. In FFIX, you have to wait for your character to lift up his heavy sword, flip it around a bit, run across the screen, take a slash, and then turn around and come back. VII also has awesome pacing. TabbyTrap had a problem with FFXIII hardly being a game, and FFVII constantly bombards you with new and unique gameplay scenarios in the first five hours in the game. VII's also the best game in the series.

FFIV would be my next choice. It's FFIX-like but for an older generation and if graphics aren't a problem it's a good choice. It's also an awesome representative of what FF is and if you like 16-bit games (SNES, Genesis) you'll probably have a blast.

So without knowing what you have, my choices are
1) Final Fantasy VII
2) Final FAntasy IV

[Weimar Pluto Knight VII]

I would start with VII or IX. IX will show you a lot of references and spirit of all the previous FF's. VII is generally the most cherished and is a lot of people's favorite game of all time. But after you play them you won't want to stop, maybe. You'll say "I changed my mind I don't wanna play just one" lol

[Formalhaut]

I think we're going to need pictures from both of you if we're going to be able to evaluate this effectively

And I suspect VII is probably the best entry point into the series, but it's not the best game in the series. That would have to go to either VI or IX.

I don't want the forum to descend into the depravity that is soft-core pornography.

[Cloudane]

I don't want the forum to descend into the depravity that is soft-core pornography.

I do.

[NeoCracker]

I don't want the forum to descend into the depravity that is soft-core pornography.

I do.

We already have our picture thread for that though.

[Tigmafuzz]

It seems most people are leaning towards IX and VII. I was actually going to suggest VI because IX is mostly full of references to previous games that made me enjoy it more, but I forgot that I probably would have enjoyed it regardless of whether I had played previous Final Fantasy games anyway

I would have to say,based on what you said you prefer in a game, that VII should be your first choice. It can seem a bit long at times, but if it isn't quite your cup of tea, go with IX.
Because IX is the best game in the series.