Final Fantasy IX Review: Everything is So Colorful...So Why Do I Feel So Sad?

Released in 2000, Final Fantasy IX was caught between the end of one generation and the beginning of the next. The Playstation 2 was already out and many fans were looking forward to the amazing visuals of the upcoming Final Fantasy X rather than paying attention to an obsolete console. Though the game sold well, it couldn’t match up to the success of its two more realistic predecessors. Ask gamers about their favorite RPG on the original PlayStation and most will name Final Fantasy VII. This is a true shame since this game has arguably the best graphics on the PlayStation, a 140 piece soundtrack that composer Nobuo Uematsu has called his favorite in the series, and the highest Metacritic score of any game in the series.

[Godmars290]

More of an 8/10 to be honest.

Would have been nice if SquareEnix had given this a hard look and followed in its example instead of going in the cinema/presentation heavy direction they did.

[VileAndVicious]

really dude? I've always thought 9 was one of the best of all time.
I'd love to hear why you think that.

[Godmars290]

People are too thin skinned. Don't understand what a "general" review score is.

Just because you personally like a game does not its a 10/10. BS like that is why people couldn't complain about ME3's ending or its other flaws much less FF13.

Maybe if the gaming community in general could accept that then a clear message could be sent to devs when they really mess up.

[belac09]

9 was my favorite, X,V, and VI are my other 3 faves.

[Kurisu]

I no agree! You have problem?

[FierceAlchemist]

Thanks for the comment. I'm the guy who wrote this review. I went back and forth on whether to give this game a ten. Everyone has a different opinion on what a 10 should be used for. At least for me, I think a ten is a perfect game since no game is without its faults. I think a ten is a game that's one of the best in its genre or one of the best games in a console generation (Chrono Trigger, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Majora's Mask, etc.)

For me, Final Fantasy IX is one of the best RPGs I've ever played. It's fantastic story and addictive gameplay had me hooked through all 50 hours. That along with the amazing soundtrack and impressive graphics make it that much more impressive. It's just my personal opinion and I understand if you don't think it deserves a ten. It's all subjective.

[silkrevolver]

I frankly don't care what anyone else thinks about a game.
Reviews are helpful in order to determine if you're going to buy it in the first place or not, but I have played the hell out of this game, and I, personally, wouldn't give it anything below a 9.

And this game did NOT have that many FMV cutscenes. Like, 3-4 a disc.
For a game as long as it is, that's nothing.

[rainslacker]

Ever since FF7, or more aptly The Spirits Within, Square has been stuck in this limbo of not knowing if it wants to be a game studio or a movie studio. X itself was pretty linear, but had a great story and characters with enough outside the main story to keep it interesting, but it was chocked full of movies. With IX they actually set out to make a game that was more like the Final Fantasies that came out before 7, and to me they did a splendid job. I'd probably give it a 9, and it rates a close 2nd to FF8 for me.

[PS4isKing_82]

I disagree. As the last true ff,( ffx did away with the world map), plus the very best graphics of the ps1, amazing characters and music, it deserves nothing less than a 10. But not just 9, I cherish 7, 8, 9 and 10 deeply. Cause I know deep down we'll probably never see games like this again. Not from the current square anyway.

[MizTv]

I got about 40 hours in and messed up in that castle with the no magic with the flames you have to light and could never get past it

[HarryMasonHerpderp]

FFIX is hands down my favourite Final Fantasy.
I thought everything about it was perfect, such creativity and passion was poured into this game and it shows.
It just took me on an amazing journey through beautiful places with interesting characters and I crave to get that feeling back in a FF game again even after all these years.
Also the music was phenomenal.
I would love to see a fan made remake of the game with updated graphics, would not want Square Enix anywhere near it though, they would ruin it with crap voice acting and DLC.

[Baka-akaB]

It was a great game but by no mean perfect imo . It had a killer pace and tremendeous story , then faltered and was searching itself for the last quater of the story and cd .

The end game wasnt good enough for the build up , even if toward the end it gets good again .

[Aceman18]

FF9 is my 2nd favorite FF behind FF6

[SuperLupe]

This game changed my life. I was 12 years old.

[-Gespenst-]

Pretty sure Uematsu recently called VI his favourite soundtrack...

XI's good. Sometimes I think people call it their favourite just for the sake of being different. VII, X and VI are definitely above it for me. I do like it a lot though.

[FierceAlchemist]

http://www.gamesindustry.bi...

In this interview he names IX as his favorite, although I think he's gone back and forth on that over the years.

[k2d]

Squaresoft did atmosfere, storytelling and character development like no other. Now graphics-wise, I feel they did a pretty good with the tools at their disposal.

A+

[Tzuno]

We need a Ff just like 9.

[e-p-ayeaH]

Ni no Kuni seems around that area its not a FF game but does it need to be?

[Hicken]

I wouldn't give it a 10.

But, after having gone back and played it recently, it's no longer my least favorite FF. Even back in the past, I would have given it about a 7.5; now it hovers a little above an 8. That may change once I finish it again.