I think X has the best story, while XII has the best moment-to-moment writing. Best combination of the two would be Tactics, followed by IX.
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What's the best written Final Fantasy game?
- Thread starter cvbas
- Start date
That may be so, but the characters aren't compelling at all.
Tactics, XII, and most of XIV, in that order IMO.
That isn't to say that the lesser quality of writing in the others makes them bad, though. I like most FF games story-wise and character-wise to be honest, but that's my top 3, and I'd say those top 3 actually do a much better job of really laying the groundworks for the way their worlds work and the way characters exist within them, or just do a good job of evoking a genuinely strong emotional response to characters and events in a level that the others don't quite match up to.
That isn't to say that the lesser quality of writing in the others makes them bad, though. I like most FF games story-wise and character-wise to be honest, but that's my top 3, and I'd say those top 3 actually do a much better job of really laying the groundworks for the way their worlds work and the way characters exist within them, or just do a good job of evoking a genuinely strong emotional response to characters and events in a level that the others don't quite match up to.
5.3 is the end of shadowbringers story, 6.0 (which is next xpack) will end the overarcing story they started with ff14s reboot.
It's XII for me for sure, best quality writing and themes. Characters are great actually, Balthier, Fran, Ashe, and Basch are excellent and they are at the front of the story. There are other cool characters as well.
X? I think that game has a good story but characters are too dumb imo and copy pasted from previous FF.
X? I think that game has a good story but characters are too dumb imo and copy pasted from previous FF.
IX for me, it doesn't take itself too seriously, and the Active Time Events are witty and fun. Feels magical at times, with the themes of memories and life. I loved the themes of VII and X but of course the execution is a bit sloppy. XII has wonderful dialogue but is underdeveloped. VI has some terrible dialogue "what is love?" and I think there's too many characters, to say it's the best.
Why Delita and Ovelia stab each other to death in the epilogue
Ovelia realizes that she's just another tool for Delita, and in her anger tries to stab him (earlier in the game he sweet talks her into thinking the opposite). Delita, presumably as a reaction to being stabbed, stabbed her in return and killed her.
There's some theories that say he killed her to wipe out any loose ends since she knows the truth, but personally speaking that's a bit of a reach.
There's some theories that say he killed her to wipe out any loose ends since she knows the truth, but personally speaking that's a bit of a reach.
Tactics, with War of the Lions being the top of the top. Bar none.
For me, FF12 is next.
The world is incredibly rich and the dialogue compelling, Just could use more character moments IMO
there's a lot of FF that I love but few other stands out to me as "great writing," even though I enjoy many characters and worlds tho
For me, FF12 is next.
The world is incredibly rich and the dialogue compelling, Just could use more character moments IMO
there's a lot of FF that I love but few other stands out to me as "great writing," even though I enjoy many characters and worlds tho
Time warping to 1991 FF4's is great. The problem is that viewing it now, especially having played any other games after, a lot of the plot points and twits and contrivances have been done to death when they were all rather fresh at the time.
Otherwise, for now, FFXIV and, honestly, FFX.
Otherwise, for now, FFXIV and, honestly, FFX.
As far as overall narrative and worldbuilding, I'm pretty much in the Tactics and XII camp. VI is pretty close behind, but I'm also incredibly self aware of how much nostalgia I have for it. There's just so many characters in the game that looking back, it's hard to sort of feel an attachment to any of them, I think? It's almost like a Robert Altman film, trying to get all these people in (PCs and NPCs), and it kind of pulls the backdrop down a bit. The second half really rescues it though.
But when it comes to actual character development and the construction and importance of relationships in a game, well, this is the reason I absolutely adore XV and I haven't seen a mainline FF come close in this detail alone - although X and X-2 (and again, Tactics) are very good in this regard.
ADDENDUM: With XIII, I'd like to give recognition to with characters because the build to the finale created such a good feeling - but the pacing and narrative in the first half really bogs down the characters really becoming who they are until about Chapter 9-10, when your group reunites. It's a shame that its' design was so backloaded because once it gets close to opening up, it's almost like it's another game entirely.
But when it comes to actual character development and the construction and importance of relationships in a game, well, this is the reason I absolutely adore XV and I haven't seen a mainline FF come close in this detail alone - although X and X-2 (and again, Tactics) are very good in this regard.
ADDENDUM: With XIII, I'd like to give recognition to with characters because the build to the finale created such a good feeling - but the pacing and narrative in the first half really bogs down the characters really becoming who they are until about Chapter 9-10, when your group reunites. It's a shame that its' design was so backloaded because once it gets close to opening up, it's almost like it's another game entirely.
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In terms of pure writing (not taking into account the actual story, pacing etc. and JUST the writing) IX is difficult to beat. It may not be the best in terms of story, twists, pacing or anything like that, but its actual writing is really well done.
Tactics has great writing, but..
There's no jrpg period that can contend with FFXll, let alone another FF. Imo, of course.
XIV's script is outstanding.
It's world building amazing and it's NPC dialog often absolutely hilarious.
It's world building amazing and it's NPC dialog often absolutely hilarious.
Tactics, 9, Shadowbringers(kind of cheating since it doesn't work without the setup before but also the setup parts aren't that great), 6.
Besides VII (and VIIR) probably VI. I personally like VIII but it's not that well regarded in general. IX is okay. Don't like X, XII or XIII.
It's XIV. Shadowbringers and Heavensward in particular, but even down to the quality of item descriptions, incidental dialogue and Fate puns... It's XIV.
XII and it's not even close. It's the only game in the series that has managed to shed it's anime trappings.
I'd even go so far to say that FFXII has the singular honour of being the only well-written JRPG. And that's coming from a 3+ decade fan of the genre.
I'd even go so far to say that FFXII has the singular honour of being the only well-written JRPG. And that's coming from a 3+ decade fan of the genre.
In no specific order: FFT:WotL, FFXII, FFIX. (Counting MMOs, FFXI's nearly 20 years of storytelling is up near or at the top, and presumably XIV is as well, but I haven't played it.)
Gonna echo PlanetSmasher in saying Tactics Ogre would be top, since apparently XIV made it FF series canon in a way. :P
It's still ongoing, and more approachable than ever; you can solo virtually the entire game, from the leveling process to every bit of story. Incredibly worth experiencing still, IMO!
Most difficult (read: tedious) part is just setting up your account, but there's a step-by-step guide for that. There's also a free trial (NA, EU). And if you or anyone else does start, there's a comprehensive guide that'll take you from level 1 to endgame, with suggestions of when and where to do everything.
Gonna echo PlanetSmasher in saying Tactics Ogre would be top, since apparently XIV made it FF series canon in a way. :P
It's still ongoing, and more approachable than ever; you can solo virtually the entire game, from the leveling process to every bit of story. Incredibly worth experiencing still, IMO!
Most difficult (read: tedious) part is just setting up your account, but there's a step-by-step guide for that. There's also a free trial (NA, EU). And if you or anyone else does start, there's a comprehensive guide that'll take you from level 1 to endgame, with suggestions of when and where to do everything.
Can't stress this enough - BY FAR the best written Final Fantasy story. Nothing comes close and it's hilarious. If you don't play this you're missing out.
FF14 is the most compelling, particularly in Heavensward and Shadowbringers. The story and world have had so long to marinate, and the writing made great use of that.
My other, older favorite is FF6. Its writing is definitely simpler due to technical limitations, but I love the audacity of the twist and the open-ended, character-driven structure afterwards.
My other, older favorite is FF6. Its writing is definitely simpler due to technical limitations, but I love the audacity of the twist and the open-ended, character-driven structure afterwards.
I'm blocking anyone that says XII
I can't really pick an answer tbh. My standards for 'good writing' is probably a lot lower than most people's so I think most of the series has good writing. I also think they all excel in some areas but also fall flat in others. So yeah, idk i can't really pick one.
I can't really pick an answer tbh. My standards for 'good writing' is probably a lot lower than most people's so I think most of the series has good writing. I also think they all excel in some areas but also fall flat in others. So yeah, idk i can't really pick one.
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I hear this sooooo much I really should try the game out. XI and XIV are the only mainline entries I haven't played. How new-player friendly is the game though? Would I have to slog through the base game content first? Because I hear a lot of mixed opinions about that, and don't really have the time to invest in levelling up an MMO character to reach the good stuff.
Can't stress this enough - BY FAR the best written Final Fantasy story. Nothing comes close and it's hilarious. If you don't play this you're missing out.
The game is free to play now for the entire original game and first expansion. And they optimized the original games story quests to reduce that pain you are talkin about. It is worth your time.
Tactics. Haven't played XIV so it could be that, but from I-XIII it's tactics and it's not even close.
I'll always love XII because my favourite game of all time is Vagrant Story. XII shares the same director, translator, and composer, and went to great lengths to replicate Vagrant Story's art direction too. Even that beautiful rim lighting effect is represented in XII:
I completely understand people disliking XII's overarching story, and for detesting Vaan, but I really think the dialogue quality is the best in the series.
"Too late and to their sorrow do those who misplace their trust in Gods learn their fate."
"Illusions of the past. You think to have cast them off, only to find them years later, unwearying, unrelenting. The past can bind a man as surely as irons."
"To feed the good Consul a length of steel for his supper. I should think Vayne used to such hospitality."
I completely understand people disliking XII's overarching story, and for detesting Vaan, but I really think the dialogue quality is the best in the series.
"Too late and to their sorrow do those who misplace their trust in Gods learn their fate."
"Illusions of the past. You think to have cast them off, only to find them years later, unwearying, unrelenting. The past can bind a man as surely as irons."
"To feed the good Consul a length of steel for his supper. I should think Vayne used to such hospitality."