Series noob, IX or X/X2 HD best entry point?

[BodyPolitic]

Played lots of RPGs, and a decent amount of jRPGS (Chrono is still one of fav games of all time) just have never gotten around to playing through a FF game yet. I'm getting hyped for the inevitable XV and VII (remake) PC versions that will eventually come and want to jump into the series in the meantime.

I've hear IX is a really good place to start, but X/X2 HD is also tempting mainly because it did recieve such a graphical facelift oveer the original.
Which would you reccomend for a FF virgin and why?

[Rampage]

X isnt that good so Id start with 9 or even 6

[EliteAnri]

There is no wrong answer here, but I would suggest IX as well. I would probably hold of on X only because the graphics are a lot nicer and it might be a bit distracting to go from X to the others.

[Gilbertify]

IX is basically the only 3D FF game that's reminiscent of the old 2D medieval one's. It's the FF game I first started playing over 12 years ago, and I think it's a perfect representation of what makes FF good.

The graphics and art style of IX still hold up, but there's a lot of differences between IX and X, mainly the voice acting in X, and the setting.

[Satoshi]

The version on steam here is great for IX. That being said if you are excited for the FFVII remake i reccomend starting with that game. It's my personal favorite in the series and the remake is going to be quite a bit differant.

[Katie]

Originally posted by Rampage:

X isnt that good so Id start with 9 or even 6

X wasn't that good? :/ A lot of people really enjoyed X. I thought it was great.

Final Fantasy is a weird series, because everyone jumped on at different points, and the 'first' one they played is 'often' the 'best'.

Here is something that is more of a concensus:

The best ones: FF4, FF6, FF7, FF9, FF10, FF12, Bravely Default
Good ones: FF1, FF3, FF5, FF10-2, FF13-2
Mediocre Ones: FF8, FF13, Lightning Returns
Bad: None of them really, except for maybe the spin-offs since I didn't play them...

Some people actually liked FF8, but I think it hasn't aged well, and the draw mechanics are going to drive you insane. The low ranking isn't that it's a bad story... it's just a poor game.

FF9 isn't perfect either. It's best enjoyed not looking at a guide and not trying to 100% everything. You'll just go crazy.

[Rampage]

Originally posted by Katie:

Originally posted by Rampage:

X isnt that good so Id start with 9 or even 6

X wasn't that good? :/ A lot of people really enjoyed X. I thought it was great.

Final Fantasy is a weird series, because everyone jumped on at different points, and the 'first' one they played is 'often' the 'best'.

Here is something that is more of a concensus:

The best ones: FF4, FF6, FF7, FF9, FF10, FF12, Bravely Default
Good ones: FF1, FF3, FF5, FF10-2, FF13-2
Mediocre Ones: FF8, FF13, Lightning Returns
Bad: None of them really, except for maybe the spin-offs since I didn't play them...

Some people actually liked FF8, but I think it hasn't aged well, and the draw mechanics are going to drive you insane. The low ranking isn't that it's a bad story... it's just a poor game.

FF9 isn't perfect either. It's best enjoyed not looking at a guide and not trying to 100% everything. You'll just go crazy.

A lot of people enjoy justin bieber, doesnt mean he makes good music.
FFX's story is horrible, Tidus is horrible, Wakka is horrible, should I go on?

Oh wait you didnt think FF13 was bad, you are a joke to me lol no use argueing with a fool.

[Twitch/MulderYuffie]

IX is the best

[BodyPolitic]

Originally posted by Katie:

Originally posted by Rampage:

X isnt that good so Id start with 9 or even 6

X wasn't that good? :/ A lot of people really enjoyed X. I thought it was great.

Final Fantasy is a weird series, because everyone jumped on at different points, and the 'first' one they played is 'often' the 'best'.

Here is something that is more of a concensus:

The best ones: FF4, FF6, FF7, FF9, FF10, FF12, Bravely Default
Good ones: FF1, FF3, FF5, FF10-2, FF13-2
Mediocre Ones: FF8, FF13, Lightning Returns
Bad: None of them really, except for maybe the spin-offs since I didn't play them...

Some people actually liked FF8, but I think it hasn't aged well, and the draw mechanics are going to drive you insane. The low ranking isn't that it's a bad story... it's just a poor game.

FF9 isn't perfect either. It's best enjoyed not looking at a guide and not trying to 100% everything. You'll just go crazy.

Thanks for the overview, Interesting about Bravely Default, does it have universe overlap?

[Nyx]

FF9 is definitely my favorite one, but I wouldn't say it's a good "entry point". This game was made as an homage to all the previous ones, marking the end of an era in the company and consisting of the last main entry to be developed on PS1.
FFX is a good one, but I don't think it reflects the spirit of the series (although I really, really love it). FF4-6-7-8 are the best to start with.
Personally I recently restarted the series in chronological order from 1 to 10, and I can really see the evolution and changes through the years. If you're going to play the old ones I would STRONGLY recommend you emulate them on eSPX or some similar program, as the Origins-Anthology-Chronicles editions are imo the best ones. (the steam ones are pure crap, but that's apparently just a matter of taste so do decide for yourself)

[Doctor Progress]

I would say IX is the best place to start. Even if the plot isn't up there with the best of the series, it's still got well-written characters and the plot is still interesting and well-paced. The gameplay does its job and nothing more. It also is very good at what it was intended to be: a return to the series' roots. If you enjoy this game, you will likely enjoy most of the series. Then you will be primed to really appreciate the best the series has to offer, i.e. VI and X.

Just two disclaimers: you're better off emulating the Advance or SNES version of VI over the crap mobile port on steam, and X-2 is absolutely terrible. Don't bother with it at all.

[E-Wasted]

IX is a solid title that plays smooth with few flaws, not all of the series can say that. VIII isn't that bad but I would go for VI or VII over it. 9 first, then 7, then 6 would be my recommendation. If VI appeals to you then keep going with the earlier titles that play like traditional JRPGs. X is more in tune with the later installments and not what I would consider a "classic" FF, but can still be worth playing through if that appeals to you.

[hellbiter88]

I would start with VII.

It was just the best imo. But my second favorite is IX, and X after that.

VIII was actually ok for me, but I think the whole "limited magic" dynamic turned me off.

[mo123567]

If your choice is limited to FF9 or FF10 and you love the chrono series then you should go with 9.

A lot of people love FF10. I personally am not a fan of FF10. Either way though, 10 was definately a departure from the classic RPG feel of games like Chrono Trigger/Cross while 9 was a tribute to them.

[Serafie1999AD]

FFIX is my favorite in the series, and FFX is probably my least favorite, but still I'd recommend starting with FFX. It's very easy to learn, not too hard to beat, and it lets you get familiar with some of the recurring elements in the FF series. While FFIX is great, it has tons of references to the previous FFs, and pays homage to them, so you may not appreciate the game properly before playing some of the older titles, especially FFs 1-6.

Other great entries for someone new to the series are FFs VI and VII. Just avoid FFXIII as your first Final Fantasy title, as the game has a very mixed reception, and it doesn't really represent the typical FF gameplay so well.