Final Fantasy... maybe?

[Wynnyelle]

Okay I hope that nobody shoots me for saying this, but I have never played a Final Fantasy game.
I don't know anything about them. I've never really had the opportunity to play one, really. I've just never done it.

But I am certainly interested in it now that I am not really committed to any game at the moment. But there are so many Final Fantasy games, I'm a little overwhelmed and don't know where to start! Does it matter which game I choose to play first? Is there any particular game that every Final Fantasy fan should play? Which is the best one? Graphics aren't an issue for me, so if the first game is really the best one, I'll play it. I just could really use the advice. I'm pretty stuck.

[Rafinono]

If you dont mind Graphics I would say go ahead and play FF 7/8 then X !

[Treebagged]

I would say you can start anywhere really. Aside from a few scattered lore tie ins, theyre pretty much all stand alone except like the x,x-2 etc sequels. Imo, my personal favorite was FF3/6. FF2/4 was my first of the series to pick up, while I thoroughly enjoyed it, 6 was the one that just completely immersed me in the game. I still occasionally play it.

[ZubaanJCP]

Seven... Seven and Seven. FFVII is critically and sometimes regarded by the fanbase as the best Final Fantasy ever in terms of story line and general progression in the series. The graphics jump from VI to VII, and most importantly, some of the best characters and definitely the best story of any of the FF games. On top of the fact that the episode's protagonist and antagonist are among two of the best known characters in Video Games (Cloud Strife and Sephiroth to be specific). Everything about VII makes it worth playing. I played it and beat it on my PS3. It is a PS game fyi.

Other notable games are X, X-2, XII and XIII. I've heard negative things about VIII and IX. I through VI, I've heard very little about.

[Deleted]

Hehe, You should start off with Final Fantasy X (10), this will throw you away. I'm 21 and every time I watch or play through a certain scene in the game, I burst out crying because its so lovely. The love story is out of this world man. The good thing about Final Fantasy is you don't have to play them in any order. Next up id say play FF7 and 8.

Oh! Must not forget to tell you this, Never, and I mean never! Play Final Fantasy 10-2 its a second part to FF10 but it RUINS the story completely, I tend to brainwash myself that theres no such thing as FF10-2 :P haha.
Anyway mate I hope you enjoy the FF series, your in for a real treat

[xxdrew]

Other notable games are X, X-2, XII and XIII. I've heard negative things about VIII and IX. I through VI, I've heard very little about.

So you've played 7 and all the new ones, and have never played any of the old ones?

[Phishy714]

I would go with VII just because it was a ground breaking game. It seriously defined what an RPG in 3d should be. The story is groundbreaking and just is simply amazing. Honestly, though, it was not my favorite FF game. Normally your favorite game is the first one you play that gets you hooked on. In my case, I played VIII. While alot of people had bad things to say about it, it will always hold a special place in my heart. It is definitely a more story driven game than the rest of them, but it was beautiful to me. The story is so dark and military based with great twists, definitely the best one in my book, followed by IX and then VII.

[Fetacheese]

Seven is a must. Play six and four if you like it enough. Tactics/Tactics Advance/Tactics Advance 2 are incredibly fun, although they're not as well known.

[Rendandtear]

I do say 7 would be one of the best... but in terms of overall awesomeness in a villain ... Go for FF6. You'll thank me when you finish it.

[gogito]

Final Fantasy VI is hands down the best FF, even the best game ever, period. Other games you might like are:IX,IV(and it's sequel, seriously, it's the only good follow up in the series) and VII. VII is grossely overated BUT it's an amazing game on it's own right, just not as good as VI.
PS: X and XII are always good if you own a PS2/PS3, just a warning though, Do NOT play XIII as your first FF, it WILL leave a bad taste on your mouth.

[Wynnyelle]

Thanks guys! I have a good idea of which games I think I'm going to play. =) I have NO idea where my old PS is since I haven't played a PS game in a long time, so some of the PS titles may have to wait for now... unfortunately. However, I'm going to go ahead and start with VI for now since that's doable. =D Thanks for the suggestions! Helped me out a lot.

[Muug]

Don't go for FF8 first if you're unfamiliar with the series, or 1-5 for that matter. I'd recommend you start off with 9-10 or 12. If you've played other turn based rpgs and are used to retro graphics, i'd say try 6/7.

[Lawlbubbles]

Start with 7 and go from there

[Jijek]

FF6 is the best in series. FF7 is overrated.. but still a tremendous game. FF10 is also brilliant.. but people disregard it for some awkward laughing scenes. FF4 is great as well. FF9 is a return to the old school.. and does it quite well.

[ZubaanJCP]

I started playing FF on a whim... I'm working on it. Need equip to play the older FFs. Like a Nintendo DS or Wii... neither of which I currently own or could afford.

[Siri]

sometimes regarded by the fanbase as the best Final Fantasy ever in terms of story line and general progression in the series.

Sometimes? That doesn't really say anything

The graphics jump from VI to VII

The graphics in FF7 were AWFUL. Honestly, the jump was bigger from FF7 to FF8 because in FF8 the characters aren't made up by very distinctive boxes. Again... AWFUL.

I've heard negative things about VIII and IX. I through VI, I've heard very little about.

User reviews of both FF8 and FF9 are incredibly close to FF7. That also goes for many other of the games in the series. I had a look at a whole bunch of different review sites that have user votes and most games are within 0.5 points of one another so yeah... (that doesn't include ffx-2 by the way, the story in that game is just awful)

[Grym]

FF7 is probably one of the first FF most people played, it has a very good story, a LOT of side quests and extra story lines to discover, some of the best character (Sephiroth) and such.
I like FF8 also, it is a bit darker than 7 in general, and a lot of romance base moments (how Laguna settled down, love between Squall and Rhinoa) and has this nice modern miltary theme to it.
FF9 is great if you prefer the old school fantasy, 7 and 8 are more "modern" (big evil cooperation, modern style cities and machines), 9 back to a more medieval style theme, with some very interesting real time events (in quests that your characters are all about doing different things you can peek into what each one is doing).
10 is great but for some reason, I couldn't enjoy it as much as 7 8 and 9.
13 I heard many bad story about it, however 13vs is another story...

[Skizzit]

VII is genuinely regarded as the best by the general game playing population while VI (released as Final Fantasy III in the US) is the best according to the more hardcore fans of FF games and JRPGs in general. I myself think VI blows VII away in every category. Gameplay, story, characters, graphics (cannot beat those lovely SNES sprite based graphics) it is just an amazing game all around. That is not to say VII is a bad game, I do love it, but VI is much better.

Really, you could play any of them from IV to X as they are all great. I, II and III are ok, but I would stick to the later ones at first. XII was a giant mess and I still have yet to play XIII. Final Fantasy Tactics is an amazing game as well, but it is different from the rest being a gird based, tactical RPG like Disgaea and Fire Emblem and not turn based like the rest of the series.

[Dorkins]

*shoots for not having played a FF game*

Please go play FF9(PS1) or FF10(PS2). Like now.

[xylophone]

4,6,7,10 tactics are all good