Never played Final Fantasy - With which game should I start?

[FinalBob42]

I don't have a Playstation 2, but I can play all the PS1 and SNES games. I've heard people I know talk about FF for ages and am finally ready to check the games out myself.

As I understand it, there are the following games to choose from:
Final Fantasy 2
Final Fantasy 3
Final Fantasy 7
Final Fantasy 8
Final Fantasy 9
As well as (counting other Square RPGs):
Chrono Trigger
Secret of Mana

I'm really a complete noob when it comes to this Turb-Based/Real-Time mix. What would be the best game to get into Square RPGs?

-Thanks.

[Glorious Peterloo]

IMO the easiest FF to start with is FF4, it is almost completely linear and the easytype (FF2 or FF4j easytype) is perfectly catered to the beginning RPGers needs (read: it plays like a story with little leveling required).

[Doomgaze]

VI. Or Chrono Trigger, which is better than Final Fantasy for the most part.

Everyone's going to say VII, but don't listen to them.




...Better yet, screw Final Fantasy, go play Suikoden.

[kikimm]

Hmm....well, my first one was 8, and that one seemed to pull me into the series right away. However, I would ABSOLUTELY NOT advise you to start with this one, as I only learned how to do all that junctioning hlfway through the first disc, where I was pretty much screwed, and had to start over.

So IV would be good, like Glorious Peterloo suggested. I would also say IX, because it was supposed to be a throwback to the old days, you get a feel of what FF was.

Whatever you do choose, you'll probably love---or I hope you do. Good luck, have fun!

[Doomgaze]

I assume by "XI" you meant "IX."

[kikimm]

oh, yeah, oops. meh, i should just stick with the regular ol numbers. 9 is the one I meant.

[Mo-Nercy]

I'd start with Chrono Trigger. I think you'll find it an enjoyable experience also it's a pretty slow paced battle system that's not as hugely packed as other FF games (it's just Attack, Tech and Item)

Also, you can get Chrono Trigger pretty easily just by downloading a rom and emulator and it might be pretty hard to find FF7-9 these days (I suppose your friends can lend you them though.)

[Azure Chrysanthemum]

The actual list is:

FFI (FF Origins)
FFII (FF Origins)
FFIV (a.k.a. FFII on Super Nintendo, FF Chronicles)
FFV (FF Anthologies)
FFVI (a.k.a. FFIII on Super Nintendo, FF Anthologies)
FFVII
FFVIII
FFIX

Or you could just play Xenogears and get FF later.

I started with IV (II) myself, it got me hooked.

[Polaris]

7 then 9 then 8!

[Ultima Shadow]

Actually, I think you should start with FFIX. I think that one's the best to start with.

[metCloud]

I would say IX would be a great first FF. FFIX is an incredible game and isnt really that hard at all. I dont see how you could be disapointed with this one and should lead you to play more FF's like 6,7,10...heck maybe even 8 :rolleyes2 . Either 7 or 9 would be my picks but save FFVI(FF3-SNES) for later, the story and charactors will knowck your socks off.

[Cz]

It all depends what you want from a game. If you're looking for straight-up gameplay (Hint: This is what you should be looking for. ) I'd go for FFI or V. If you're more bothered about story, FFVII, VIII or IX are the ones to go for.

If you want a balance, try FFIV or VI. These are the ones I'd recommend.

[SpiritWolf]

I say you should start with FF IX

[CloudSquallandZidane]

My first time was with a little package called Final Fantasy VIII.

Greatest FF ever complicated, even for experinced FF players but it makes all the other FFs seem easy. Plus it has the best graphics for the PSI

[Ultima Shadow]

but it makes all the other FFs seem easy. Plus it has the best graphics for the PSI

Seriously, FFVIII is the easiest FF + doesn't FFIX have better graphics?
But, whatever.