Sort of new to final fantasy

So I've played some of FFXII and thought it was just ok. I usually ended up getting lost in the map for some reason, so I wasn't able to get overly far. I know there's a lot of people who dislike 13 because it's not like the rest of the games, and that's pretty much why I'm going to give it a try once I get through a few other rpgs I have in my backlog. I was wondering why so many people don't like it since it did get pretty good critic scores/reviews.

FF13 is a great game...

after the first 15-ish hours.

I would reccommend 4,6, and 10.

If you reeeallly love them, play 13.

FFXIII is a good game. I reccomend it.

If you've never played Final Fantasy XIII before, then, in this one case, go ahead and give it a try, see how you feel about it. But I hate Final Fantasy XIII because it is NOT Final Fantasy. It does not have the usual elements that make it a Final Fantasy game and that's tragic. But if you don't want to play FFXIII and want for something that's a LOT better, then I suggest you play any of the following and they don't have to be in chronological order either, since no game follows each other, except in a few instances, like with Final Fantasy X or XIII, since both have sequels.

Final Fantasy 1
Final Fantasy 4
Final Fantasy 5
Final Fantasy 6
Final Fantasy 7
Final Fantasy 9
Final Fantasy 10

Notice that I didn't put down VIII, XI, XII, XIII, and XIV. XI and XIV are MMORPGs and should've been called something else, XII plays pretty much like an offline MMO (Not a good decision at all), and both VIII and XIV are again, well, garbage. Neither should be existing at this point, but by all means, don't let my judgment on these games dissuade you. For all I know, you could actually end up loving these titles and that's fine by me. Some love these games, others hate it. So it's up to you really. But the games I mentioned in the middle of my posting...well worth the money!

Edit: If you own a PSP, if you want to play FFIV in its entirety, then pick up the Final Fantasy IV Complete Edition, since it has the main game and the sequel that follows afterwards. I forgot to mention this in my initial thoughts. Sorry!

If you've never played Final Fantasy XIII before, then, in this one case, go ahead and give it a try, see how you feel about it. But I hate Final Fantasy XIII because it is NOT Final Fantasy. It does not have the usual elements that make it a Final Fantasy game and that's tragic. But if you don't want to play FFXIII and want for something that's a LOT better, then I suggest you play any of the following and they don't have to be in chronological order either, since no game follows each other, except in a few instances, like with Final Fantasy X or XIII, since both have sequels.

Final Fantasy 1
Final Fantasy 4
Final Fantasy 5
Final Fantasy 6
Final Fantasy 7
Final Fantasy 9
Final Fantasy 10

Notice that I didn't put down VIII, XI, XII, XIII, and XIV. XI and XIV are MMORPGs and should've been called something else, XII plays pretty much like an offline MMO (Not a good decision at all), and both VIII and XIV are again, well, garbage. Neither should be existing at this point, but by all means, don't let my judgment on these games dissuade you. For all I know, you could actually end up loving these titles and that's fine by me. Some love these games, others hate it. So it's up to you really. But the games I mentioned in the middle of my posting...well worth the money!

Edit: If you own a PSP, if you want to play FFIV in its entirety, then pick up the Final Fantasy IV Complete Edition, since it has the main game and the sequel that follows afterwards. I forgot to mention this in my initial thoughts. Sorry!

Metamania

Good info MM, I agree on most of those points, except on FF12, I'm one of the few that enjoyed it lol. Anyways TC, if you got lost on FF13's maps, you could end up getting lost a lot worse on the other FF titles, since almost all of them are an open world concept. I thought FF13 was a good game, but it is just missing some things. It is too linear, there are no good side quests (something that the great FF titles have a lot of) the battle system is somewhat flawed, but it isn't a bad game. My two fave FF titles are FF7 and FF9, they only ones I really just dislike are the original, FF2, FF3, and FF8

FF13 is a great game...

after the first 15-ish hours.

I would reccommend 4,6, and 10.

If you reeeallly love them, play 13.

KillerWabbit23

I was looking at 10 since some people I know have it on the top of their best games list. I was looking at the FF IV complete collection that another person on here suggested for the psp, and I'm always iffy about getting older games (granted improved in some areas for the psp) because I never know if the actual combat is too simplistic, which then gets boring after a while. Though, with all the people suggesting it I may give it a try.

I'm a 20+ year Final Fantasy fan, and XIII was disappointing to me because it really felt like it was dumbed down for a mainstream audience. (We Final Fantasy fanatics are gluttons for punishing grinds!)

But since you're new to the series, that might be a great thing to help you get into the series.

if you dont like ffxii because you got lost in the map, then you wont have that problem in ffxiii because most of the environments are narrow corridors. ffx has similar environments and the combat is easier if thats a consideration. beyond that, ffxiii is a lot like a refinement of ffx's gameplay and presentation although i liked the gameworld and storytelling in ffx more. LoG-Sacrament

Actually, the combat in Final Fantasy X can be challenging if you don't take the time to grind and make sure everyone's on top of things in the Sphere Grid system. Then again, if you do that, then you're right; the combat is easier than before. Probably too easy...

[QUOTE="LoG-Sacrament"]if you dont like ffxii because you got lost in the map, then you wont have that problem in ffxiii because most of the environments are narrow corridors. ffx has similar environments and the combat is easier if thats a consideration. beyond that, ffxiii is a lot like a refinement of ffx's gameplay and presentation although i liked the gameworld and storytelling in ffx more. Metamania

Actually, the combat in Final Fantasy X can be challenging if you don't take the time to grind and make sure everyone's on top of things in the Sphere Grid system. Then again, if you do that, then you're right; the combat is easier than before. Probably too easy...

the thing is, it was pretty hard to not be over leveled in x. deviate anywhere from the straight line to your objective and you rack up lots of experience points. one hallway in particular that involves a certain blue teammate and seymour can wind up giving you extra levels in the double digits just for heading the wrong way.

and thats just balancing. many of the strategies in ffx are the same rock/paper/scissors elemental wheel that we've seen in lots of other jrpg's. xiii has all that plus the additional task of the break bar.

(We Final Fantasy fanatics are gluttons for punishing grinds!)

BoSnerdly

The endgame of 13... dear god.

Grinding to beat Adamantoises... 0_o

Problem is, it's the endgame. :P

Start with FFX and then go downwards.

[QUOTE="Metamania"]

[QUOTE="LoG-Sacrament"]if you dont like ffxii because you got lost in the map, then you wont have that problem in ffxiii because most of the environments are narrow corridors. ffx has similar environments and the combat is easier if thats a consideration. beyond that, ffxiii is a lot like a refinement of ffx's gameplay and presentation although i liked the gameworld and storytelling in ffx more. LoG-Sacrament

Actually, the combat in Final Fantasy X can be challenging if you don't take the time to grind and make sure everyone's on top of things in the Sphere Grid system. Then again, if you do that, then you're right; the combat is easier than before. Probably too easy...

the thing is, it was pretty hard to not be over leveled in x. deviate anywhere from the straight line to your objective and you rack up lots of experience points. one hallway in particular that involves a certain blue teammate and seymour can wind up giving you extra levels in the double digits just for heading the wrong way.

and thats just balancing. many of the strategies in ffx are the same rock/paper/scissors elemental wheel that we've seen in lots of other jrpg's. xiii has all that plus the additional task of the break bar.

Yeah, I've yet to see a walkthrough from a gamer that was over-leveled in X until sometime way later, when they did a lot of grinding to get the best of everything and I'm not just talking about the Sphere Grid and maxing it out, I'm talking about weapons, limit breaks, etc. And yes, Kimarhi was the only person in the game that you could go anywhere with on the Sphere Grid, but I kept him mostly as a fighter that used blue mage magic effects. I don't remember if I used him as much, except when needed.

Play Final Fantasy 7 and 10. My favorite games :) Then watch Advent Children. :)

[QUOTE="LoG-Sacrament"][QUOTE="Metamania"]

Actually, the combat in Final Fantasy X can be challenging if you don't take the time to grind and make sure everyone's on top of things in the Sphere Grid system. Then again, if you do that, then you're right; the combat is easier than before. Probably too easy...

Metamania

the thing is, it was pretty hard to not be over leveled in x. deviate anywhere from the straight line to your objective and you rack up lots of experience points. one hallway in particular that involves a certain blue teammate and seymour can wind up giving you extra levels in the double digits just for heading the wrong way.

and thats just balancing. many of the strategies in ffx are the same rock/paper/scissors elemental wheel that we've seen in lots of other jrpg's. xiii has all that plus the additional task of the break bar.

Yeah, I've yet to see a walkthrough from a gamer that was over-leveled in X until sometime way later, when they did a lot of grinding to get the best of everything and I'm not just talking about the Sphere Grid and maxing it out, I'm talking about weapons, limit breaks, etc. And yes, Kimarhi was the only person in the game that you could go anywhere with on the Sphere Grid, but I kept him mostly as a fighter that used blue mage magic effects. I don't remember if I used him as much, except when needed.

I think FFX would be a good starting point, if you have the ability to play PS2 games. I say this not necessarily because it's the best, although it is still an excellent game. Graphically, however, it's not as outdated as the PSone titles, and you might find that more accessable. It's a little bit on-rails, but the combat is more involving than 13 and it features the greatest mini-game of all time: Blitzball!

From a personal perspective, 7 is my favourite. But then, it was my first ever RPG and also introduced me to the idea of fantasy - now my favourite genre of novel. So I'm not the most balanced opinion on that front.