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I’m New to Final Fantasy, which of the Switch releases should I get first?
- Thread starter Deleted member 4518
- Start date
X is my favourite but VII makes the most sense, also the first FF I played when I was 6-7 years old. Hope you enjoy whichever one you choose.
When someone wants to try FF or even RPGs in general, I usually recommend FFX. The story, world and characters are top tier, the strictly turn based battle system is arguably the best the genre has to offer, and the Blitzball minigame is awesome.
FFVII was my (any many others) first RPG and I love it to bits, but FFX has aged much better visually.
If you don't mind old school graphics, both are good choices, but if you prefer something more modern I'd recommend going with X.
FFXII is also a fantastic game, but pretty different from other FF. I absolutely recommended but not necessarily to someone looking for an entry point to the saga.
FFVII was my (any many others) first RPG and I love it to bits, but FFX has aged much better visually.
If you don't mind old school graphics, both are good choices, but if you prefer something more modern I'd recommend going with X.
FFXII is also a fantastic game, but pretty different from other FF. I absolutely recommended but not necessarily to someone looking for an entry point to the saga.
It frankly doesn't matter much. FFVII, IX and X are all great starting points to the series. All of them will give you a solid understanding about what the series is all about. X is the prettiest, VII the most popular, IX the best. :p
I wouldn't recommend XII to a newcomer, but not because of its quality, but simply because it plays too differently from the other FFs.
I wouldn't recommend XII to a newcomer, but not because of its quality, but simply because it plays too differently from the other FFs.
9 first in my opinion, because it has the classic original Final Fantasy feel, 7 after it and you will notice the big change to steampunk setting, which is also absolutely amazing, after 7 play 10 and you will experience one of the best combat and stories in any rpg.
Just don't listen anyone who says that any of these games are not good, they are all amazing for different reasons.
Just don't listen anyone who says that any of these games are not good, they are all amazing for different reasons.
9, 7, 12, 10 or 7, 9, 10, 12 (order of release is always good to see how things change).
9 first is my most recommended choice out of the 2 though. And i think switching 10 and 12 is a good idea.
But it might also be just good to go random. Just pick one, finish it and go for another.
I see people say 7 is "darker" than 9 but i didn't see that. I actually think it might arguably be the opposite.
9 first is my most recommended choice out of the 2 though. And i think switching 10 and 12 is a good idea.
But it might also be just good to go random. Just pick one, finish it and go for another.
I see people say 7 is "darker" than 9 but i didn't see that. I actually think it might arguably be the opposite.
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I think X would probably be the easiest to get into for a new player. Graphics still look decent today, the turn-based combat is solid but not too hard, and the game has excellent world building & a unique plot.
FFX-2 is a direct sequel to X. Feels kind of like a precursor to FF13.
FF7 is ambitious and weird and old. Definitely worth checking out if you're interested in the series, but not necessarily a great start in this day and age.
FF9 has a great classic fantasy vibe but the combat is rather slow-paced. If FFX doesn't interest you, I'd go with FF9.
FF12's "Program your own MMORPG characters" combat is very much love or hate.
FFX-2 is a direct sequel to X. Feels kind of like a precursor to FF13.
FF7 is ambitious and weird and old. Definitely worth checking out if you're interested in the series, but not necessarily a great start in this day and age.
FF9 has a great classic fantasy vibe but the combat is rather slow-paced. If FFX doesn't interest you, I'd go with FF9.
FF12's "Program your own MMORPG characters" combat is very much love or hate.
Final Fantasy VII was my very first FF game ever and it made me fall in love with the series. However, had IX been my first, I wouldn't have been disappointed. VII was the original modernization of the series, but IX felt like a throwback in some ways to the NES/SNES games. Maybe it's the art direction? I don't know.
TL;DR: You can't go wrong with VII or IX, but I feel like VII is the more iconic of the two.
TL;DR: You can't go wrong with VII or IX, but I feel like VII is the more iconic of the two.
Most people will say VII. As someone from that time period, the ugly truth is that the PS1 games play like ass. If you don't mind old jank, (and I mean old 3d jank, like OoT, not Chrono Trigger) might as well start there. If you do mind, X is probably the best put together of the bunch. XII is too unlike the rest of the series to start there, but definitely pick it up along the way.
I'm going to echo this here. Look at some information about each game, and see which one is the most interesting and start there.
Just play them in order. Ignore all the people saying IX is the best so play it first. Even if that's true, I'd still just play them in order.
You live in alternative reality if you think X is considered the best more often than VIII, IX or XII. Tidus is also not really unique in this aspect and it wasn't the first in the series to focus on romance.
If anything, VI and VII are considered the best by most.
There's a lot to not like in FFX. Pacing is pretty bad, when most of the game are corridors with a high rate of random battles, there's the worst minigames in videogame story and gameplay is pretty much tutorial mode until the last 3 or 4 areas. There's a lot to like as well, but you probably know that.
Storywise it's pretty mixed. I personally like it but it's not uncommon to see people hating it for a lot of fair reasons.
I agree that Tidus is a good character, and people mostly make fun of him because of memes and his extremely annoying voice. And some shitty cutscenes. And him being really stupid 80% of the time haha
VII is the one that plays the closest to traditional FF, but the graphics are incredibly dated. It's very much an early 3D game like Super Mario 64 and Tomb Raider, but if you can get past that you will find an engrossing plot with a lot of lovable characters.
IX is the closest after VII, and the storyline is reminiscent of old-school FF. On the other hand, it's a game whose pacing is all out of wack, and I think the plot doesn't deliver in the same way VII did. The game is also slow, but the fast forward feature of the Switch re-release is a godsend here.
X and X-2 are their own beasts. They are good games in their own right, both they are also very linear in terms of progression. The Job System in X-2 is freaking great, but I think the rest of the game is very J-Popish in terms of aesthetic and tone. Meanwhile, X is more somber and and a little bit more involved.
XII is nothing like other FFs. It's very much a MMORPG, but offline, with much of the side-quests being modeled after monster raids in other games. It's the most freeform Final Fantasy ever in terms of where you can go and explore at your own pace, but getting used to the AI system for your party (entire game revolves around creating macros) requires a bit of an acquired taste. I suggest you go for this one last.
IX is the closest after VII, and the storyline is reminiscent of old-school FF. On the other hand, it's a game whose pacing is all out of wack, and I think the plot doesn't deliver in the same way VII did. The game is also slow, but the fast forward feature of the Switch re-release is a godsend here.
X and X-2 are their own beasts. They are good games in their own right, both they are also very linear in terms of progression. The Job System in X-2 is freaking great, but I think the rest of the game is very J-Popish in terms of aesthetic and tone. Meanwhile, X is more somber and and a little bit more involved.
XII is nothing like other FFs. It's very much a MMORPG, but offline, with much of the side-quests being modeled after monster raids in other games. It's the most freeform Final Fantasy ever in terms of where you can go and explore at your own pace, but getting used to the AI system for your party (entire game revolves around creating macros) requires a bit of an acquired taste. I suggest you go for this one last.
Recently 12 and 9 have risen in popularity/esteem but X both for better and worse is considered the benchmark that defines what a modern Final Fantasy game is. I got into the series relatively recently and did a lot of research before starting.
I will agree with you that 6 and 7 are universally considered the best, However 6 isn't on Switch and i think 7 has aged badly and its worth waiting for the remake. Its a game of its time both visually and naratively which can hamper how one will enjoy it.
9 is great if you love traditional fantasy and 12 is... Lets just say that i personally can't stand 12 (despite its great voice acting) and wouldn't really recommend it to anyone
I'd go with VII first both because it's my favorite of those & honestly it's aged the worst graphically so play it before the prettier ones :P
I'd go with nine. Seven is trash don't buy into the hype. X/X-2 might even be the best option simply because you're getting two great games in one.
7 is ugly as fuck but is the best entry point I think. Good story and accessible mechanics.
9 is super funny and charming but mechanically quite dull and simple. That might be a plus though if you're new to the genre. It was one of my first jrpgs and it really eased me into the genre.
I would say that 12 is the best on that list but it is quite complex and unfriendly. Maybe wait a bit.
Just keep in mind that all these games are quite different from each other. So if you don't like one, that doesn't mean that you should dismiss the others.
9 is super funny and charming but mechanically quite dull and simple. That might be a plus though if you're new to the genre. It was one of my first jrpgs and it really eased me into the genre.
I would say that 12 is the best on that list but it is quite complex and unfriendly. Maybe wait a bit.
Just keep in mind that all these games are quite different from each other. So if you don't like one, that doesn't mean that you should dismiss the others.
This is the right answer.
You're looking at the only games in the series since 6 to be worth playing really. All of them have their ups and downs, but X and X-2 are most likely to reel you in; IX is great but could be better refined by Square as far as updates go (better use of Fast Forward, fix the stupid music bug, etc.) and I think the storytelling is lopsided like crazy; it feels like the end of that game just collapses on itself in an hour or two.
The only thing I would add is that X has a BOATLOAD of extra content. It's extremely easy to be pulled into side quests and find yourself completely divorced from the main plot 30 hours later. For some, that's a positive feature. For others, like me, it feels like unnecessary bloat. The game itself, and Square's attempt to break from typical western fantasy tropes, is rock solid and despite some of the annoying characters and art decisions, the overlook of the game has held up.
Of the bunch, XII is my favorite thanks to the Zodiac update: the job system, the improved graphics, the Fast Forward feature, the programmable take on combat (maybe the best in the series, not quite MMO but I get what people mean), and one of its main characters make it a gem in my book. But yeah, it's definitely not representative of the rest of the series.
While i prefer ff7 i would still advice ff9 to begin. It's a testament game intended to provide the best "ff-like" experience. FF7 cyberpunk world is unusual to the series.
Simple answer.
Play 7.
Look past the graphics (obviously), the translation is a bit iffy and the music bug is annoying but thematically it's the most important in the series in terms of story and narrative. However, and a big however, the issues presented such as terrorism, mental issues, self-identity etc are a bit dated considering it's a 1997 release. So, go in with an open mind and allow a bit of flexibility on how these themes are portrayed and you'll have a blast.
Play 7.
Look past the graphics (obviously), the translation is a bit iffy and the music bug is annoying but thematically it's the most important in the series in terms of story and narrative. However, and a big however, the issues presented such as terrorism, mental issues, self-identity etc are a bit dated considering it's a 1997 release. So, go in with an open mind and allow a bit of flexibility on how these themes are portrayed and you'll have a blast.
FF9 is my favorite and 7 is a classic for a reason, but I would actually go for 10 as first game it's design and visuals wise somewhere in between the more classic PS1 era titles, and the more modern games from FF12 onward, so it's a good jumping point for either side of the series. It's kind of a turning point, in a way.
12 is good, but I wouldn't recommed it as first game.
Still, can't go too wrong with choosing 7 or 9 as well.
12 is good, but I wouldn't recommed it as first game.
Still, can't go too wrong with choosing 7 or 9 as well.
That's exactly why I think it's a terrible starting point =P You're missing out on too much of what made it special.
Best starting FF games, imo, are 5, 6, 7, and 10, in no particular order.
7 if you can stomach the graphics and want the best balance of story, gameplay, music and the most likeable party.
9 if you want the best in prerendered backgrounds, nice visuals, good music, an interesting but somewhat convoluted story with more anime tropes than 7, and slow gameplay with very specialized characters and a lot of subquests and minigames.
10 if you want a more modern presentation but be aware that you'll get an annoying party, out-of-control character design, pretty static gameplay (but probably less static than 9 all considered) and an obscene amount of optional content that will definitely require a guide.
I'd definitely pick 7 but I understand the presentation is very dated today.
9 if you want the best in prerendered backgrounds, nice visuals, good music, an interesting but somewhat convoluted story with more anime tropes than 7, and slow gameplay with very specialized characters and a lot of subquests and minigames.
10 if you want a more modern presentation but be aware that you'll get an annoying party, out-of-control character design, pretty static gameplay (but probably less static than 9 all considered) and an obscene amount of optional content that will definitely require a guide.
I'd definitely pick 7 but I understand the presentation is very dated today.
Was a little torn between VII and IX here. Ended up voting for IX because it was, at the time, a throwback to the classic NES/SNES games, making it stylistically a pretty good entry point in the series. It came with the modern luxuries of JRPGs of the day, but felt closer to the earlier games made under Sakaguchi.
VII and XII are excellent games though and you should definitely get them as well. XII was a bit of an acquired taste for me, but I appreciate it more every time I revisit it and it's now firmly one of my favorites. I like VII and XII both more than IX.
And honestly I can't even play X these days because it's aged so poorly. It's the only one I'm not buying on Switch.
VII and XII are excellent games though and you should definitely get them as well. XII was a bit of an acquired taste for me, but I appreciate it more every time I revisit it and it's now firmly one of my favorites. I like VII and XII both more than IX.
And honestly I can't even play X these days because it's aged so poorly. It's the only one I'm not buying on Switch.
Agree ^ I just finished FF9 for the first time and it is a really, really beautiful game. I highly recommend it.
If you can't get 1, get 4. If not 4, then 6. If not 6 you can't start at 7 like a lot of millennials did.
X is the most newcomer friendly. It's also the best value wise, as X-2 is a fun, charming game in its own right with a top class battle system and soundtrack. It got a bad rap for not being overly concerned with self-seriousness and bullshit machismo but is all the better for it. It's still a fairly unusual game within the FF series and worth checking out just for that fact. Lots of people are saying VII, which is also a good choice, but I find it hard to recommend a story heavy game where I dislike all but 2 characters tbh. Maybe you'd get more out of it than I did.
X and XIII are nothing alike. Ignore that.
Get VII. For a lot of folks, it's what started Final Fantasy's popularity. It's simple enough to understand and play, the story isn't hard to follow, and Cloud is an icon. I personally like IX and XII more, and X is special for me because it was my first Final Fantasy, but play VII first.
Well yes....but no. I'm not sure how I'd explain it though. The opening cutscene battle looks like Lord of the Rings on the ground and Star Wars in the air, one of the main characters wields a firearm, there are legitimate aircraft (and not just boats with propellers), you fight anything from dinosaurs to knights in armor that fly vehicles...there's even a scene shortly into the game featuring a hovering bike thingy. So I'm not sure what I'd call it lol
I'm what circles is X considered the best? That's great if you feel that way, but by far the most common answers I have seen over the years have been VI, VII, and IX, with an occasional IV or VIII thrown in
Get VII. For a lot of folks, it's what started Final Fantasy's popularity. It's simple enough to understand and play, the story isn't hard to follow, and Cloud is an icon. I personally like IX and XII more, and X is special for me because it was my first Final Fantasy, but play VII first.
Well yes....but no. I'm not sure how I'd explain it though. The opening cutscene battle looks like Lord of the Rings on the ground and Star Wars in the air, one of the main characters wields a firearm, there are legitimate aircraft (and not just boats with propellers), you fight anything from dinosaurs to knights in armor that fly vehicles...there's even a scene shortly into the game featuring a hovering bike thingy. So I'm not sure what I'd call it lol
I'm what circles is X considered the best? That's great if you feel that way, but by far the most common answers I have seen over the years have been VI, VII, and IX, with an occasional IV or VIII thrown in
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Reading through these comments and I, in the same situation as OP, becomes more confused... split audience on where to start ;P
I might just pick up 7 because nothing seems right or wrong hah
I might just pick up 7 because nothing seems right or wrong hah
Obviously you have to start with the best JRPG ever created (this is not hyperbole, this is simply a fact)
You just sold me on FFIX! Vesperia is my favourite non-Elder Scrolls game, so I will now have to play FFIX.
Everyone has different favorites when it comes to Final Fantasy, and different preferences for their individual mechanics and quirks. All of the ones becoming available on Switch are excellent games and perfect starting points.
It'll be best for you and the OP to decide for yourselves, knowing that, by looking at them and seeing what grabs you. If you're an MMO player or a Dragon Age fan, maybe you'd enjoy FFXII's unique combat system, and want to ease in with that. If you want a game with more modern graphics, X or XII. If you want to start chronologically or prefer pseudo-modern steampunk, VII. If you want something that was intended to celebrate the series as a whole, IX.
Vii is definitely the place to start. The music bug is unfortunate, but won't significantly alter the game. It's just the most classic, time tested ff for newbies I think.
IMO FF7 has aged the worst by far. It's very hard to get into it as your first FF game in 2019 and I wouldn't blame most people for bouncing off of it.
Even at the time some of the FF7 models were a joke and playing it now I can't imagine most people would be ok with the overworld FF7 Cloud during some of the more emotional scenes. The story is confusing partially because the translation is terrible, and the graphics at this point really do get in the way of enjoying the story.
I see that FF7 is winning the poll and I wonder how many of those people played it for the first time during this generation
Even at the time some of the FF7 models were a joke and playing it now I can't imagine most people would be ok with the overworld FF7 Cloud during some of the more emotional scenes. The story is confusing partially because the translation is terrible, and the graphics at this point really do get in the way of enjoying the story.
I see that FF7 is winning the poll and I wonder how many of those people played it for the first time during this generation
lol Weird that Squaresoft skipped the number 8, but hey!
I'm not so big a proponent of IX as many in Era. As creative as the game is it never quite clicked with me, and the slow as molasses implementation of ATB in this game in particular is a big knock against it.
VII and X for sure though. I just replayed the HD version of X on PC last year and the game might actually be better than I remembered. The world's so different from allot we see in fantasy settings but it's fantastically realized - Life on Spira is palpable. Par for the course the music is great, the game systems and battle are snappy and flexible and offer you a good amount of freedom and challenge. The game's got some awkward design decisions from the early 2000s but it's really held up great on the whole.
Also throwing in a recommendation for XII whenever it comes out. Vanilla XII might be my favorite game in the series for inventing a brilliant, new combat system that nobody ever used again after it :(
I would start with FF7 just because that's the big well-known game in the series - it's not the best, but for many many people, it was the first one they played, so gets a lot more hype. Playing that one first will allow your brain to sync up with the masses, and prepare yourself for the remake. Personally I liked 10 better for its story, and 9 better for its whimsy and fun and music.