View Full Version : Which Final Fantasy is best for a novice?
Out of Final Fantasy 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12. What would you say is the best RPG for a novice?
Trying to pick something for my Mum as she now likes that sort of thing after playing Dragon Quest. She's getting her own copy of it on Wednesday for her birthday, but want something to keep her occupied till then :D
I've played all of those FFs, I'm just not sure which would be best for a noob :o
9 or 10.
9 was by far the easiest for me, but 10 struck a nice balance and I think would be more approachable; it's very pretty and is actually voiced which would make a difference. 12 would be too complicated I reckon - at least in 10 you can blindly make your way around the standard grid and get somewhere stats wise.
Funnily enough those two were the ones I was thinking of too :D
Leaning towards 9 as 10's grid system might be a bit confusing for her. They've both got good tutorial systems though haven't they?
Obviously I want her to adore FF7 like me but I don't want to push her into it :p
FF7 is a big ask :D
9 does have named classes which might make things more obvious. The standard sphere grid in 10 will essentially make people into their respective classes just by the way the routes are, but it will be a harder concept to grasp.
I'd still consider 10 though. Sphere grid aside it has the much better story and characters you care more about - best of all the PS2 FF's imo.
I'll give her both and see which box looks most appealing to her :D
I've still hardly touched FF12 :o
Me too :o
Doesn't feel like a FF game, I think it's the combat system.
Yeah it feels wrong :( Like a pseudo MMORPG but not as good.
I think the only reason why I feel bad about not playing it is loyalty to the series :/
Streeteh
10-11-2008, 16:09
10 is easily the best for beginners imo.
9 was largely easy but had a fairly hard final boss.
8 is the most difficult
7 had some rather difficult moments including a fairly hard final boss
12 just... isn't a final fantasy game for me. Poor story, non-existant character development and overall poor characters.
In 10, i can kill the final boss with one hit of Tidus' sword, easy as pie :D
Just cast autolife, doesn't matter what level you're at then, for some reason it constantly renews itself!
Wouldn't worry too much about final bosses, it may take a very long time for her to get there ;D
Streeteh
10-11-2008, 18:33
I'd also like to add that imo FF10 has the second best FF storyline ever and best graphics (FFX12 was just too blocky!). Also the addition of voice acting will probably help increase the appeal!
NokkonWud
10-11-2008, 22:12
Seven. That's where I started and it wasn't tough. :).
Streeteh
10-11-2008, 22:24
Seven. That's where I started and it wasn't tough. :).
It's getting a bit dated now tbh, not that it isn't still the best game ever made imo. It's much more... 'Japanese' than the rest of the series, with several rather strange/questionable moments for someone not used to the culture. One example that springs to mind would be the moment when Hojo tries to 'breed' Aeris and RedXIII, i know that would cause my mum to raise an eyebrow in the best of situations.
The graphics and gameplay are also less accessible in comparison to FF9/10 imo too. While it is the best, i think it should only be approached by someone familiar with the series these days, it's past the time where it was mainstream.
Wellington
10-11-2008, 22:48
I'd start her 7. Best FF IMO. That way when / if she gets round to playing it she wouldn't find the graphics too outdated which is the biggest turn off for me now.... Plus if it does get tough I'm sure you wouldn't mind helping ya mum out.....
Seven. That's where I started and it wasn't tough. :).
But, much like me, you'd been playing a wide variety of game genres previously so you knew roughly what to expect when it comes to how games act in certain situations.
My Mum until very recently had only played puzzle games and hadn't played anything as in depth as an RPG so she's still learning all that. Amazing how much I take for common sense in a game is something she doesn't know about, simply because I've done it for so long it's second nature now.
So it makes guessing what game is right for her, a lot bloody harder ;D
Left her with 9 and 10 for the evening so have to see how that's fared for her :)
I'd start her 7. Best FF IMO. That way when / if she gets round to playing it she wouldn't find the graphics too outdated which is the biggest turn off for me now.... Plus if it does get tough I'm sure you wouldn't mind helping ya mum out.....
She won't be bothered by the graphics. She played Tetris for over 10 years on the Gameboy :p
I'm always willing to help her out but she hates having to ask for help all the time so it's tricky :)
As you've just got her a 360 ditch this FF talk and get her to play Blue Dragon. It's a great and easy introduction :)
As you've just got her a 360 ditch this FF talk and get her to play Blue Dragon. It's a great and easy introduction :)
Hasn't it got quick time events? Been a while since I played it so can't remember how crucial they are. That makes it a no-no if they're important.
Once the 360 arrives, she has on offer: Viva Pinata 1 and 2, Fable 2 (not sure about this because of the combat) and Lost Odyssey (again not sure).
Plus she'll have Dragon Quest on Wednesday which seems to be the main hit so far :D
It seems she didn't like the start to FF10, as she found Tidus irritating (so did I funnily enough ;D) and didn't like the huge amount of cut scenes. So think Lost Odyssey might be out for that reason too.
At least I'm getting things narrowed down.
NokkonWud
11-11-2008, 00:25
It's getting a bit dated now tbh, not that it isn't still the best game ever made imo. It's much more... 'Japanese' than the rest of the series, with several rather strange/questionable moments for someone not used to the culture. One example that springs to mind would be the moment when Hojo tries to 'breed' Aeris and RedXIII, i know that would cause my mum to raise an eyebrow in the best of situations.
The graphics and gameplay are also less accessible in comparison to FF9/10 imo too. While it is the best, i think it should only be approached by someone familiar with the series these days, it's past the time where it was mainstream.
Play it through a PS3 on the PSP and it looks ace! I also preferred what I played of FFVIII.
Seems FF9 was a big hit :D
Pumpkinstew
12-11-2008, 14:27
Yeah 9 was pretty good. The big blue toad guy was a hoot although the grumpy assassin with the daft hair later on got on my nerves.
FFX started well for me but the delays on the dialogue lines started to really annoy me after a while and it got quite repetitive after the wasteland.
I'm almost to the end of FFXII and it's probably my favourite. The combat is a big departure from the usual FF approach but it works pretty well once you get your head around gambits. The hunting of marks and rare game is a nice diversion if you get bored of the storyline and, I quite like the characters (especially Fran).
I remember Grandia 2 on PS2 being pretty good if a touch on the easy side. Would that be worth a try for your mum? Shadow Hearts might be a bit dark. Atelier Iris?
Oooh forgot about the Grandia series, I'll have to have a look for that on ebay, thanks :D Some nice bargains about now with PS2 games. Dragon Quest 8 only cost me £4.49 inc postage :)
I've created a monster :eek:
Besides the fact every time I go to work (2hr shifts to be fair to her), she uses that time to play Dragon Quest ;D She's just said 'ooh can I have an Xbox or Playstation game for Christmas?'. I've ordered her the Dragon Quest strategy guide but now deciding what system to get a game for.
The problem with the 360 is I own all the games she'd want......which doesn't really seem like a proper present then :p So I think I'll give Grandia 2 a shot :D
Maybe I'll wrap up my copy of Blue Dragon for a laugh ;D
Edit: Hmm pity you can't have one 360 profile across two 360s, she'd be useful :evil:
NokkonWud
04-12-2008, 23:41
Kingdom Hearts has to be in with a chance, surely?
Nope, wrong kind of combat for her unfortunately :(
It has to be turn based, proper action combat is too difficult with her neck injury and will just cause her pain.
Pity as I reckon she'd like everything else about it.
NokkonWud
04-12-2008, 23:46
Rules out Odin Sphere too then :(.
At least there is no shortage of Final Fantasy games to keep her entertained.
How about Crisis Core on the PSP? (if you have a PSP) :p.
I don't have a PSP :( Only reason why I want one is Crisis Core and they're not cheap enough to be worth buying for one game yet.
Rate she's playing through games, I should be able to keep her busy a fair while as she's not hugely fast at completing games :D She's put 45hrs into Dragon Quest already though :shocked: She's only had it about 3 weeks ;D
Wannabedamned
09-12-2008, 16:11
hmm, good news on your mum enjoying 9. Have to be honest, 9 is the only final fantasy i didn't enjoy. Everyone else seemed to love it, including my brother. so no idea why i never clicked with it. I loved every other final fantasy though.
As for boss difficulties, I'm sure if your mum is able to work through the game, she'll beable to pick up the strategies needed for the more difficult fights.
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