Games/FFs closest to FF9

[Karifean]

The International version of FF XII does make the game a lot more fun.

[Ergroilnin]

Makes you wonder why they call it International version if it's only Japan version really. The same as with FFX-2.

[Bolivar]

Goes back to FFVII, where the overseas releases added additional features and polish on top of the original Japanese game, so they would re-release the extra content as an "International" version.

[Ergroilnin]

Wait there was an international release of FFVII? Really?

[Fynn]

Bravely Default is really reminiscent of FFIX in many ways.

[Mirage]

Still I find it funny that most of the suggested games are of the PSOne time. Really seems to me that there aren't really many good RPGs these years.

That's not really funny. You asked for games that were like ff9, not good rpgs. Of course, the two might overlap to some degree, but there are lots of good rpgs these days, they're just not like ff9.

[Sefie1999AD]

Final Fantasy IX is also one of my favorite games ever, so I like the idea of this thread a lot. It's good that you gave more details about what you enjoyed about FFIX, as I was about to ask you that when I read your original post.

Graphics. By graphics I don't really mean it has to be like PSone graphics but the style? I really liked it. I liked the fantasy feel it had to it, with just a little bit of a technology in it.

Well, FF1-6 all have medieval fantasy worlds with some elements of technology. FFXII, FF Tactics and Lost Odyssey come to my mind too.

Music. To this day FF9 has the most memorable sountrack I ever heard in game. Seriously just play me first few seconds of the main screen of the game and all the memories reappear. I even have the complete sountrack in my playlist.

FFVI also has one of the most memorable soundtracks in the series. Other great mentions go to FFXIII-2, FF Tactics and FF Type-0. As for non-FF games, I'd mention Lost Odyssey once again, and Kingdom Hearts, Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross.

Characters. I mean seriously every character in this game was so goddamn unique in both personality and looks.

Hmm, hard to say what kind of characters you'd want, but FFVII, Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross all had characters I grew fond of.

Character system or whatever should I call it. I liked that everyone had their own skills and abilities that others simply couldn't replace. Sure I love FFX for example but when at the end of the day the only thing that diferentiate the characters in battle are their limits, it's kind of dull.

FFIV, definitely! And Chrono Trigger, Seiken Densetsu 3 and Super Mario RPG. Also, while their character growth systems are slightly different, I'd highly recommend FFV and FF Tactics for their addictive job systems.

Learning the abilities. I don't know why but I simply adored the way you learned skills, magic and abilities in FF9. Sure toying with materia in FF7 offers like infinite possibilities and is very fun in it's own way, I still prefered the way FF9 done it.

This is a tough one since I don't remember many games having a similar ability learning system. FF Tactics Advance maybe, though I haven't played that one much. I think Lost Odyssey also had a system where you learned abilities by equipping certain weapons and armor.

The story. Okay I know that at least at the beginning, the story was kind of cliché. I mean, princess, thief who falls in love with her, knights etc? Who would ever thought of that! But then it slowly evolves in simply epic story and finishes with cliché ending. That's just me but I loved every second of it (okay smurf the part with fossil roo but otherwise? Loved it.)

Both FFIV and FFVI have some similarities in their storylines, and I'd also recommend Chrono Trigger, Kingdom Hearts and maybe Seiken Densetsu 3.

Open world. While I kind of became lazy nowadays and I do enjoy the more linear games, I always thought of FF9 world to be perfect. It wasn't too small, it wasn't too big and you pretty much always more or less knew where to go but you could dick around on your way there.

I think FF1-9 were all like that. Chrono Trigger and Seiken Densetsu 3 are also like that.

I guess this list covers my most loved points about FF9 (even though they are kinda generic still I guess). I know that there really isn't any game that does everything the way FF9 does but if some game had at least a little similar touch about it, I would love it.

When I think about FFIX as a whole, similar games that first enter my mind are Final Fantasy VI, Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy IV in that order. They're all excellent games.

I might recommend Suikoden II. The music is absolutely beautiful, it has a great story (although its more political, not sure if that's a turn off for you), and it has a wide cast of characters, some very memorable. It has 108 characters so they can't all be memorable but the ones who stick out are wonderfully written. They are customizable, but some characters just have their strengths. I suppose there isn't much in the way of differentiating though. Suikoden V is also a strong contender, the characters and story aren't quite as strong as II, and its slow to get going, but its still a great game.

Ohhh, good to know. Thanks!

[Ergroilnin]

Still I find it funny that most of the suggested games are of the PSOne time. Really seems to me that there aren't really many good RPGs these years.

That's not really funny. You asked for games that were like ff9, not good rpgs. Of course, the two might overlap to some degree, but there are lots of good rpgs these days, they're just not like ff9.

Okay I guess you should call "check" since you are right.

EDIT: Thanks Sephiroth for your thorough answer.

So far it really seems that I am either for FFVI, possibly FFXII, Suikoden series or Chrono series.

[The Man]

I'm going to second the recommendations of FFVI, Seiken Densetsu 3, the Suikoden series, and the Chrono series in particular. I think other people gave good explanations for how they're similar to FF games but all of them have the mixture of whimsy and serious themes that FFIX has, plus they have some similarities in terms of soundtrack, characterisation, and so on. FFIV and FFV are probably also well worth further exploration, as is Secret of Mana if you enjoy Seiken Densetsu 3.

Beyond that, you might also enjoy the Star Ocean series. Star Ocean 3 is great for the most part, although it has a very controversial ending. Star Ocean 2 is frequently considered even better.

[Mirage]

Still I find it funny that most of the suggested games are of the PSOne time. Really seems to me that there aren't really many good RPGs these years.

That's not really funny. You asked for games that were like ff9, not good rpgs. Of course, the two might overlap to some degree, but there are lots of good rpgs these days, they're just not like ff9.

Okay I guess you should call "check" since you are right.

EDIT: Thanks Sephiroth for your thorough answer.

So far it really seems that I am either for FFVI, possibly FFXII, Suikoden series or Chrono series.

Call check?

[Colonel Angus]

FFV has the medievalesque setting like IX.

[metagloria]

I'm gonna upvote the rec for Lost Odyssey. It has a sort-of-similar ability system, classic feel, sleek look, deep story, and exceptional cast of characters.

[Mo-Nercy]

FFIV and FFVI are good recommendations. FFIX is sort of a tribute game to all those that came before in the FF series, so you'll find with going back and playing a couple of them and then coming back to play IX, that some more references and little bits of fan service pop out at you.

[Karifean]

Makes you wonder why they call it International version if it's only Japan version really. The same as with FFX-2.

It's probably called International because they have an English dub, which is "international" to the Japanese ^^

And yeah, VII and X also had International rereleases. XIII did too, I think.

[Ergroilnin]

Well guys thank you for all your tips, I wrote them down and will get to them eventually.

I decided to have a shot at FFXII IZJS for now.