Never the same again

[SeeDRankLou]

I have replayed all the Final Fantasy games at least once to completion. There are little things that can be done to make the gameplay more interesting even though the story stays the same, not to mention that with several of them you can do different things to make the story slightly different in some places. Otherwise, it would just be like watching a movie repeatedly, which gets old no matter how good the movie is.

But I do understand what you are saying about the good scenes that will always happen when you play the game, seeing them for the first time is always the most remembering experience. In FFVI, the opera scene was very touching the first time I saw it, but any subsequent time, while the scene is still good, it just didn't do it for me like it did the first time. I remember playing FFVIII and watching (SPOILER)Rinoa float through space on the verge of death, thinking that she was going to die. That scene was set up very very well, with the horribly sad music that was playing in the background, the juxtaposition of the several things happening at once in that scene, and actually not knowing what was about to happen, that scene brought me to tears the first time I saw it thinking that (SPOILER)she was about to die. Honestly, I have played FFVIII a good ten or twelve times and have not gotten bored of it yet, but some of the scenes just aren't the same after the first time. Although the scene with Laguana at the end still gets me sometimes. The end of FFX was one of the sadest things I've ever scene in my life, very very well done. I remember I beat FFX with my friend Michelle, and we both ended up using about half of the box of tissues, it was just sad. I have beat FFX a few more times since then, and while it was still a very sad and touching scene, it just didn't affect me like it did the first time. I have more examples, but I think that will do.

The major events (except in FFX-2) will always happen the same, but there are a lot of minor events in all of these games that you can manipulate to make the story slightly different, and in FFX-2 you can actually manipulate some of the major events. Playing the game through again, knowing the story, allows one to see things that they didn't see the first time, which is reason enough to play most of these games over. That and different styles of doing the battle portion of these games. In FFX-2 you can actually have a different story to the game. No matter what road you take it will end up in one of three places, but you can take a different road each time, which I liked. So while the major events are lessened and spoiled after your initial playthrough, there are enough in these games to keep my attention through at least one more playthrough, if not several.

[m4tt]

Yes! I have such a hard time replaying FF games these days.

FFIV: Got to the magenetic cave on hard type, gave up when I died 5 times in a row.

FFV: I got to the second crystal I think.. it's been a while.

FFVI: Eventhough it's my favorite one, I get to the WoR and just stop.

FFVII: Got to Rocket town then quit.

FFVIII: Got to the load screen, then quit. :rolleyes2

FFIX: Last time I replayed this game I actually went all the way to Memoria, then stopped.

FFX: All three times I've played this game I've gone all the way through. Dunno why.

FFX-2: Never even finished my first playthrough :\ Got to Act 5 and stopped.

Kingdom Hearts: Got through Destiny Island on Expert mode than stopped when Leon beat me up.

I don't think I have the paitences to finish RPGs anymore. Unless it's a NEW game.

[Del Murder]

I've played through them all multiple times, with the exception of V, X (working on it now though), X-2 (I'll get to that eventually) and II. I've beaten IV, VI, and VII countless times. I play them again because I enjoy them so much, they are my favorite games all time. Even though I know where to go and what's going to happen, I still enjoy it the same. It's like watching a rerun of your favorite show or eating your favorite meal.

[Sepho]

I understand what you mean about that "first time" experience missing during subsequent play-throughs. It's much different when you know what's going to happen.

But I enjoy second playthroughs just as much, only in a different way. The first time through offers a fresh story of which you know nothing about, and it's so enjoyable because the story is unfolding before you. However, I enjoy second (and third, and fourth...) playthroughs for the same reason. What I mean is, because I know how to do everything already, I can play without the stress of not knowing which way to take in a dungeon, and additionally, my characters are always better developed after my first game. I spend more time on them, and it's more fun in that regard.

So far, I've played through FF7 five times, FF8 four times, FF9 three times, and FF10 twice. I've only played through FFs 1, 2, 4, 6, and 10-2 once each, but I can see myself playing through 4 and 6 again.

[mitchellmeek]

i'll admit, that it is never quite the same as the first time. the first FF game i played was VII, and i'll never get the same thrill in taking down the MAKO reactor, or never be shocked in the same way i was when aeris died. I still love the game, and have replayed all the FF games i possess. not all the way sumtimes, it is usually a particular scene of plot twist that makes me go again. Its never quite the same, but still an awesome experiance every time.

[Lon611]

i've replayed ffix a couple times, because i got stuck a couple times and one time i used gameshark. so i decided to replay that one. but ever since i've beaten it, i haven't, cuz i don't have the time.

ffx i replayed twice, cuz i love ffx. the first time i just sorta went through it, and the second time i did everything, and did the nemesis side quest.

usually a game isn't as fun the second time around, unless u didn't do nething special the first time through and just rushed through it. but i definitely recommend replaying ff's because u can pick up foreshadow's and make more sense of the plot

[Ultima Shadow]

Yes, replaying a game is never as fun as the first you play it. But there's some games that I feel is easy to replay. FFVIII and FFI has GREAT replay value. While they're not my absolute favs... they are still both enjoyable and easy to play more than once. Also... almost every time I replay a game, I play it in a different way. Replaying in a harder and more challanging way make it feel much easier to replay.

[rubah]

FFX and FFX-2 are the only ones I've completely finished a second time. I have third games in both of them I think. I'm almost done with a second game in FF8 (although I haven't had it as long as I've had x and x-2) and I have one going fairly good in ff5.

I dont' think I'll ever replay ff4 or 9. well, perhaps 4 because I can not remember a single thing that happened in the ending. I mean, literally. mental block I guess heh, you guys said that knowing what would happen would ruin the story. I guess on those terms I could play ff4 again with almost the exact same reactions except I don't want to, because I didn't like it all that much. Go figure

The thing about having beaten x and x-2 twice now, is that the first time I relied heavily on walkthroughs and faqs-- I'm just not the explorey type. I like to play the games for the story^^ *ducks and runs* But because, playing the ps1 games was so much easier because I knew how to look for stuff@.@ especially with 7 (because I played 8 and 9 first). practice does make perfect. and replays are definitely worth it, if only because now I dont' have to worry about missing events in x-2 (And I had the chance to side with new yevon and baralai^_^)