There's a soft spot in my heart for FFIX.
So... my review can't help but be biased a little. It's been quite a few years since then, so I can probably look at the game a bit more objectively now.
So, what's good about FFIX? A lot. The game looks and sounds great... there are few PS1 games that look better IMO.
The story of FFIX is a simple one. You won't find much politicking this time around. It's more the classic save-the-world type game you've seen in years past. The tone of the game is very lighthearted... the character designs are cute and stumpy, and there's plenty of humor sprinkled throughout. This might turn some people off... but it does come together in a very endearing way.
What makes it all work is the gameplay. FFIX has the classic FF formula down pat. FFIX is much simpler than the previous PS installments. Character customization is forgone for a system like something out of the SNES entries. Though I do enjoy having a degree of control in how my characters grow... the straightforeward method still works too. You'll spend less time in the FFIX Camp Menu then you will in many other games of this type. I think it fits. Indeed, this game really does play like a classic FF.
This game also features a refined version of Tetra Master... which is quite simply the BEST MINIGAME EVER. Run around, collect cards, and challenge NPCs to some tactical card action.
Ok... so what don't I like? Though I've come to terms with the cute style of this game, I still dislike some of the character designs. Some of the secondary PCs feel arbitrarily tacked-on, in both story and design. The story also takes a few hard twists in the end, which almost felt contradictory to the tone of the game. I'm still scratching my head on where exactly the final boss comes from.
The Verdict:
I really like FFIX. Aside from Tactics, I probably play this game the most over any other games I own. It's cute, simple, endearing... yes is brimming with secrets, challenging bosses and cool sidequests and minigames.
I think this would be a great "1st-timer" RPG too... it certainly was for me. Though I typically avoid the cutesy RPGs anymore, for some reason I can keep coming back to this one.
Hopefully that all made sense ^_^'
+Great graphics and sound
+Plays like a classic RPG
+Tetra Master
+Cute storyline is expertly presented
-Some character designs are a little weak