FF8 or FF9 for purchase?

i only got a little into 9.  was a little cartoony to me.

8 had good system and cutscenes were cool.

Oh, and Quistis=hot.

This is coming from a person who has both games. And has just finished them again recently.

Opening Movie Sequence-

Final Fantasy 8 has the best opening in the series. In my opinion. Action packed with great music and two guys swinging swords at each other. And the chanting in the background. It gets your attention easily and is very very entertaining.

Final Fantasy 9 opening is good. It's longer and starts off with two people in a boat surviving a storm.

Final Fantasy 8> Final Fantasy 9

Character Development-

Final Fantasy 9 overall has superior character developement.  Final Fantasy 8 focuses on Squall (the main character) and his romantic relationship.

Becasue this is the direct focus of the game the other characters are neglected. The other characters including the supporting cast in the game remain flat and static.

However Squall receives great character developement. He is pretty well rounded. And is the only character who recieves dynamic character development.

Final Fantasy 9's focus is broader than 8's. The main character Zidane also gets involved in a romantic relationship as well.

But it is not as heavily focused on the main character and his romantic relationship as it is in 8. However the other characters in the cast get developed pretty well.

Vivi and Dagger come to mind as characters who are well developed among the cast. However Zidane the main character doesn't really go through that much development.

So to break it down. Final Fantasy 8's main character  has more development than 9's main character. But 9's cast has more character development than 8's.

Many developed characters > One very well developed main character

Final Fantasy 9 > Final Fantasy 8

 Story-

Overall Final Fantasy 9 has a better story. With better pacing. And better writting. Final Fantasy 8's story is good. But its not as well organized or as thought out as 9's. Not to mention 9's story goes into more detail and backgroung than 8's.

Final Fantasy 9> Final Fantasy 8

Graphics-

Definately Final fantasy 8. The graphics are richer. The colors are better.  Final Fantasy 8 easily wins in this category.

Final Fantasy 8> Final Fantasy 9

Gameplay-

Final Fantasy 8 has a deeper system. With you controlling three characters (max in your party at any given time). The gameplay in 8 is more complicated than 9's.

If you are new or are just beginning I would recommend 9 because the gameplay is simple and easier than FF 8,  to get into. Although I definately prefer 8's system. With the exception of the drawing magic process. Final Fantasy 9's system takes alot off the other series especially 6. And recycles concepts. Final Fantasy 9 gives your four characters (max in your party at any given time). Final Fantasy 9 is more accessible. But 8 is more customizable and is also deeper.

Final Fantasy 8 > Final Fantasy 9

Setting-

Final Fantasy 8 takes place in a more futuristic world/modern world (more modern than 9 at least). Where you are a member of a merccanary school called balamb garden.

Final Fantasy 9 is more fantasy. Like the name of the game. The continent is composed of kingdoms that have Kings and Queens. Your main character is a member of a thief group called tantulus.

World Depth and History-

The world in Final Fantasy 9 has more development. And has a deeper larger background history.

Final Fantasy 9 > Final Fantasy > 8

Overall Movie Sequences-

Final Fantasy 8 has better movie sequences. The graphics are better the animation is better. The motion capture is also very good. Final Fantasy 9's movie sequences lack the presentation and polish over 8's. But they are good.

Final Fantasy 8> Final Fantasy 9

Character Designs-

Final Fantasy 9 characters look odd. Why? The characters don't look realistic. They are out of proportion. It feels a little wrong. Final Fantasy 8's characters look realistic. And are designed with realistic believable proportions.

Final Fantasy 8 > Final Fantasy 9

Main(major) Villain-

Both games have main villains that you pursue throughout the game. Final Fantasy 9's main villain is more interesting. More three dimensional. And recieves more character development than 8's. However on the downside. The main villain looks pathetic.

Final Fantasy 8 has two main villains. One is the main villain and the other is the main characters rival. The main villain is less developed. More static. And flat. And is not fully fleshed out. 

Along with the main villain you have a rival. Who at first appears to be interesting. But is nothing more than an incredibly shallow frat boy with some of the worst character motivations I have ever seen.

Oh, an heres another thing both games are plauged with the RPG final boss cliche. But as far as main villains go...

Final Fantasy 9> Final Fantasy 8

Mini Boss Villain-

Both games have stupid mini bosses. That you fight multiple times. And they both have stupid lines and dialouge. Final Fantasy 9's are worse. Trust me. They are.

Final Fantasy 8 > Final Fantasy 9

Music-

Final Fantasy 8 has some of the best music in the series. However only a few of the songs are really good. The rest are a mixed bag. Final Fantasy 9 has some really good music also. Final Fantasy 9's music is consistently good. But never reaches the ultimate climax of 8's. Overall 9's music is more consistent in overall quality and the mood atmosphere of the game.

Final Fantsay 9> Final Fantasy 8

Mini  Card Games-

Final Fantasy 8 has the better card game. The Cards are of actual value in Final Fantasy 8 and can play into the customization of your characters. Final Fantasy 9's card game is medicore in comparison.

Final Fantasy 8 > Final Fantasy 9

Ending Movie Sequence-

Both games focus on romance. And they are the main themes for the game. I think both games have great endings. Compared to most other games anyway.

Final Fantasy 8's ending is more cliched. It is a little bizarre at first. But then it goes into super happy mode. It's too happy and sappy. And romantic. It's over the top. It almost puts disney to shame.

Final Fantasy 9's ending is cliched. But less so than 8's. It is happy. And romantic. But it's not over the top. It is better executed. And is also longer and more detailed. Filling out the other characters developments.

Final Fantasy 9> Final Fantsy 8

Overall-

Final Fantasy 9. Less cliches. Overall deeper characters. Overall Deeper plot. Overall better music. Better/Deeper Villain even though he looks pathetic. 

you will enjoy FF8 more than FF9 IMO....Limit Breaks FTW!!!!nin_sphere_xiii

JUNCTION SYSTEM FTL

If you get FF8, you will hate the term junction forever.

9 is the best but 8 is also great!

Get both ftw!

This is coming from a person who has both games. And has just finished them again recently.

Opening Movie Sequence-

Final Fantasy 8 has the best opening in the series. In my opinion. Action packed with great music and two guys swinging swords at each other. And the chanting in the background. It gets your attention easily and is very very entertaining.

Final Fantasy 9 opening is good. It's longer and starts off with two people in a boat surviving a storm.

Final Fantasy 9 opening

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGn1unUSalI

Final Fantasy 8 Opening

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pZ2ibvZb2Q

Final Fantasy 8> Final Fantasy 9

Character Development-

Final Fantasy 9 overall has superior character developement. Final Fantasy 8 focuses on Squall (the main character) and his romantic relationship.

Becasue this is the direct focus of the game the other characters are neglected. The other characters including the supporting cast in the game remain flat and static.

However Squall receives great character developement. He is pretty well rounded. And is the only character who recieves dynamic character development.

Final Fantasy 9's focus is broader than 8's. The main character Zidane also gets involved in a romantic relationship as well.

But it is not as heavily focused on the main character and his romantic relationship as it is in 8. However the other characters in the cast get developed pretty well.

Vivi and Dagger come to mind as characters who are well developed among the cast. However Zidane the main character doesn't really go through that much development.

So to break it down. Final Fantasy 8's main character has more development than 9's main character. But 9's cast has more character development than 8's.

Many developed characters > One very well developed main character

Final Fantasy 9 > Final Fantasy 8

Story-

Overall Final Fantasy 9 has a better story. With better pacing. And better writting. Final Fantasy 8's story is good. But its not as well organized or as thought out as 9's. Not to mention 9's story goes into more detail and backgroung than 8's.

Final Fantasy 9> Final Fantasy 8

Graphics-

Definately Final fantasy 8. The graphics are richer. The colors are better. Final Fantasy 8 easily wins in this category.

Final Fantasy 8> Final Fantasy 9

Gameplay-

Final Fantasy 8 has a deeper system. With you controlling three characters (max in your party at any given time). The gameplay in 8 is more complicated than 9's.

If you are new or are just beginning I would recommend 9 because the gameplay is simple and easier than FF 8, to get into. Although I definately prefer 8's system. With the exception of the drawing magic process. Final Fantasy 9's system takes alot off the other series especially 6. And recycles concepts. Final Fantasy 9 gives your four characters (max in your party at any given time). Final Fantasy 9 is more accessible. But 8 is more customizable and is also deeper.

Final Fantasy 8 > Final Fantasy 9

Setting-

Final Fantasy 8 takes place in a more futuristic world/modern world (more modern than 9 at least). Where you are a member of a merccanary school called balamb garden.

Final Fantasy 9 is more fantasy. Like the name of the game. The continent is composed of kingdoms that have Kings and Queens. Your main character is a member of a thief group called tantulus.

World Depth and History-

The world in Final Fantasy 9 has more development. And has a deeper larger background history.

Final Fantasy 9 > Final Fantasy > 8

Overall Movie Sequences-

Final Fantasy 8 has better movie sequences. The graphics are better the animation is better. The motion capture is also very good. Final Fantasy 9's movie sequences lack the presentation and polish over 8's. But they are good.

Final Fantasy 8> Final Fantasy 9

Character Designs-

Final Fantasy 9 characters look odd. Why? The characters don't look realistic. They are out of proportion. It feels a little wrong. Final Fantasy 8's characters look realistic. And are designed with realistic believable proportions.

Final Fantasy 8 > Final Fantasy 9

Main(major) Villain-

Both games have main villains that you pursue throughout the game. Final Fantasy 9's main villain is more interesting. More three dimensional. And recieves more character development than 8's. However on the downside. The main villain looks pathetic.

Final Fantasy 8 has two main villains. One is the main villain and the other is the main characters rival. The main villain is less developed. More static. And flat. And is not fully fleshed out.

Along with the main villain you have a rival. Who at first appears to be interesting. But is nothing more than an incredibly shallow frat boy with some of the worst character motivations I have ever seen.

Oh, an heres another thing both games are plauged with the RPG final boss cliche. But as far as main villains go...

Final Fantasy 9> Final Fantasy 8

Mini Boss Villain-

Both games have stupid mini bosses. That you fight multiple times. And they both have stupid lines and dialouge. Final Fantasy 9's are worse. Trust me. They are.

Final Fantasy 8 > Final Fantasy 9

Music-

Final Fantasy 8 has some of the best music in the series. However only a few of the songs are really good. The rest are a mixed bag. Final Fantasy 9 has some really good music also. Final Fantasy 9's music is consistently good. But never reaches the ultimate climax of 8's. Overall 9's music is more consistent in overall quality and the mood atmosphere of the game.

Final Fantsay 9> Final Fantasy 8

Mini Card Games-

Final Fantasy 8 has the better card game. The Cards are of actual value in Final Fantasy 8 and can play into the customization of your characters. Final Fantasy 9's card game is medicore in comparison.

Final Fantasy 8 > Final Fantasy 9

Ending Movie Sequence-

Both games focus on romance. And they are the main themes for the game. I think both games have great endings. Compared to most other games anyway.

Final Fantasy 8's ending is more cliched. It is a little bizarre at first. But then it goes into super happy mode. It's too happy and sappy. And romantic. It's over the top. It almost puts disney to shame.

Final Fantasy 9's ending is cliched. But less so than 8's. It is happy. And romantic. But it's not over the top. It is better executed. And is also longer and more detailed. Filling out the other characters developments.

Final Fantasy 9> Final Fantsy 8

 

Overall-

Final Fantasy 9. Less cliches. Overall deeper characters. Overall Deeper plot. Overall better music. Better/Deeper Villain even though he looks pathetic.

redCloudJ7

You forgot the chocobos!  Final Fantasy 9s Chocobo system > Final fantasy 8s chocobo system!

u own it to yourself to buy both, if u buy only one of them u'll miss a great deal of greatness

but 9 is better then 8, buy both if i was u 

FFVIII > FFIX

VIII FTW, hands down!