Millennial Fair – Final Fantasy IX Review

Final Fantasy IX Box Cover

By Samuel Wrest

A pleasant change from the previous Final Fantasy games on the PSX

As fans of the Final Fantasy series know full well, the battle systems in that of Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII focus’s on the abilities of your characters being based on as to how the player in question wants them to be; the classes of the classic Final Fantasy games were never really included. However, Squaresoft decided to change this within Final Fantasy IX, and went back to the classic Final Fantasy class system. Each character will now be assigned his or her own class with their own unique special abilities, enabling the player to get a feel of how the early Final Fantasy games were, and giving a pleasant change for fans of the series.

Improved graphics

As Square moves on in their making games for the PSX, the graphics for each are improved a great deal, but perhaps the best of the graphics developed by Square were entered into none other than Final Fantasy IX. The new and improved FMV sequences within Final Fantasy IX are amongst the finest on the PSX, if not the finest, and give a very realistic feel to the game. Every feature possible is included, from the details of a city, right down to a single strand of hair of a character. Each emotion one could possibly experience, whether it be sorrow, anger or happiness, can clearly be seen by all viewers of the graphics, and watching these new and improved FMV sequences will never cease to amaze players of the game, making it another great feature added to the game.

Difficulty

Many find that the Final Fantasy series are perhaps some of the hardest games to complete; is Final Fantasy IX an exception to this? I would have to say the answer is both yes and no. As you progress through the four discs of Final Fantasy IX, you may notice that they are somewhat shorter than the previous Final Fantasy games on the PSX and the difficulty to be easier. However, the world of Final Fantasy IX is perhaps the most detailed of the Final Fantasy games thus far, and I believe the difficulty to increase as you progress through the game. Overall, the difficulty may not be up to the standard to that of Final Fantasy VII and VIII, but Final Fantasy IX certainly won’t be a stroll through the park.

Replay value

One of my favourite features of Final Fantasy IX is it’s great replay value. I, for one, have had more files on Final Fantasy IX than any other games due to it’s replay value being so great. The amount of side quests entered within Final Fantasy IX, including the two classic mascots of the Final Fantasy series: the Moogles and the Chocobo’s, numbers more than most, and will keep players occupied for hours upon hours. Furthermore, progressing through each part of the game, whether it be the beginning, middle or end, is always as hooking the fifth time as it is the first, in my opinion.

Final Score

Enjoyability = A+, With the unique and original characters, hooking storyline and easy to master battle system, the enjoyability of Final Fantasy IX is amongst the best in the gaming world.
Sound = B +, The sound effects of Final Fantasy IX may not compare to that of VII and VIII, but still are, in my opinion, very good. The OST is also impressive, and won’t let the fans down.
Controls = A, As they usually are with the Final Fantasy series, the controls are extremely easy and enjoyable to do. Players will be able to master the controls within a few hours of playing and therefore attain a well earned A grade.
Graphics = A+, Perhaps the best graphics to be seen on the PSX; they are truly breathtaking. The detail added into the graphics are no short of the finest, and the FMV’s are absolutely stunning.
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