I just want to say at first I was shocked that you ranked FFII higher than IX.

But this was a good read, and I have to agree with everything you said.

I recently beat IX and I see exactly why it doesn't stack up to the other games, I got a feeling of that playing it this time around. It is more a mixture of what everyone likes/wants rather than focusing on getting the job done. It indeed is the least innovative, and I can definitively say that the creators were more concerned about making a testament/memorial to the series than an actual new installment.

I have to say bravo for putting FFVII and Tactics at the top of the list, but for backing them up, I really can't see how someone could disagree with your justifications, not to mention there's more thought put into it than I think most people on this forum are capable of. This should be published.

I think in today's internet-blog-information world, everyone can pretend to be a connoisseur on any subject, and many seem to bash VII for no reason other than it's more widely liked than their favorite game. But in this you proved why that is. It's not only the first FF to "go mainstream" but there was alot more thought put into its representation than most of the other games in the series, including FFVI. I feel like between this and FFT, they were able to write the rest of the series based on these 2 games.

You reminded me why I like VII and V so much. Plus you took my perspective on IX that I haven't been able to explain and put it into words.

Good Job.