Personally i like games with a dark plote to them but a sort of happy story, like Final Fantasy 7 and 8, they are my two favorites probablly.

Final Fantasy 7: I loved the story and the characters and cant wait for the film. It wasnt linear and had great replay value. It was amazing not much else to say about it.

Final Fantasy 8: I fort was amazing too, and a classic for a lot of people, I know many people disagree but you sholudnt just start downgrading it and puting it off for others before they play it like its a mater of fact when really its only your opinion. Try playing it without comparing it to other games and put yourself in the characters shoes and then 8 really gets across the stronge love/war story with many twist and turns in, and it is funny in some parts..

Final Fantasy 9: I havnt played it properly, but from what i have played it seemed ok, but not as good as 7 or 8 or 10, but i will still get it eventually and play it through. Probly my least favorite.

Final Fantays 10: Im loving it at the moment (only got to defender-x boss) The opening movie is amazing, the graphics are top class. I also like the speech in it as it helps bring the characters a live although i think tidus sounds a bit cheesy at times but he is still cool. I dont think the story is with out its twist and turns in story line, and i dont think it is a linear story line. But i do undestand where people are coming from when they say you cant stary far from the main path, (unlike 7 or 8 where you can go off all over the place) and going to each temple is a bit repetative. The characters are good and I think seymour is a really good character i hated him from the start, not becasue its a rubbish game but because he is evil and he had just the right look about him.

Final fantasy 10-2: I havnt palyed it yet, but i dont like the look of it. I will still buy it though.

As for is the end of the series ,near, i think not for the same reasons as many other people, those being, they generate a lot of publicity and money for the company and because they change the storyline and the gameplay (which is chanding more dramstricly each time.) this brings in fresh players. I do however do not like the sound of Fianl Fantasy 12's battle system as I have always loved the Final Fantasy series for its turned based battle system as opposed to real time ones like dot.hack (which is a great game none the less.) I believe that 10 was ment to be there major break through (like 7 was on psx) in terms of groundbreaking gameplay, because they had actors for the voice, the best graphics so far, it was to be realeased on the ps2 (which was quite new at the time) , it had a more varried level up system than 7 and 8 because you actually got to choose which skills you want or not.But sadly this was not what a lot of veterin players were looking for or hoping for and so i think that Final Fantasy 12 or 13 or 14, around those titles will decide the fate for the series. I believe they will make many more titles after 12 13 or 14 aslong as they make money but they will lose a lot of profit and fans from them if they are not hits, which will lead to Square creating lots of sequals and spin offs to the greater classic Final Fantasys to keep the older fans to keep spending cash on them. I hope 12 is good, i really do. and i never want the series to end, i also hope they more films but not like spirits within, more like advent children.

My opinion : 7, 8 , 10, are great. 9, 10-2 look ok. 12 who knows yet, will see when its out.
**Please stop downgrading all the games you dont like as if its a fact, just state your opinion and leave it to other people to decide upon there point of view, after all its only a game.***

I think ive said everything i want to for now.lol.