Final Fantasy 9 is my favorite game ever.
I think the story and the turns it takes all connect without anything being too random or force. The story itself is pretty easy to understand too: "Group of people trying to save the world from alien who goes psycho after finding out why he exists." Each character has his, her or its own role and story that also ties together with the main story. To save postin' space, I am just going to talk about my party I always end up with:
- Zidane seemed like the first hero in the series that wasn't butt hurt or whiny. Throughout the game, he it is clear that he cares about everyone in his group. He has the same break down as Kuja, but manages to not let it control him.
- VIVI has probably my favorite development in a game. He starts off as naive and insecure, gets gloom for a while, and then "becomes a man." This summary might seem a little short (much like VIVI), but unless you played the game, it is a little hard to explain why I am so fond of him.
- Dagger is another one that starts off as naive, turns hopeless, and ends up confident and shit. She play a big role in the game but it never feels like they are using her just 'cuz. If you were split who the game was really developed around, Zidane, VIVI and Dagger would be the three.
- Carol is an annoying brat but that is really because she has been alone for so long that she doesn't know how to respond to all the new people in her life. Honestly, I kept her around because of the Eidlons. lol
The game play is very much Final Fantasy pre-PS2. Hey, if it ain't broke, why fix it? I thought the leveling system was easy to understand and really made you want to level up. It wasn't a case of making sure you don't forget to extract something from an enemy before killing him, her or it. I understand if people weren't keen on the idea of each character have abilities specifically for them, but I liked it. It added to the simplicity of the game play.
The graphics are also a big reason I dig this game. The character design wasn't meant to be so serious but rather a colorful medieval/Industrial Revolution look. The colors and graphics are pretty consistent throughout the game. One of the things that bugged me about other FF before 12 was that the characters looked different in game play and in battles. Heck, they looked different in some cut scenes as well. But there was no mistaking what Zidane or Dagger looked like.
Not to discredit Twilight Princess. However, I just felt the game was short. Like even with the side quests, it just felt short. I don't know how to explain.