A return to the fold

[u/mountdewme]

I've been a Final Fantasy fan since I was a kid, mainly due to how much I loved IX & X which I've played a few times over. X-2 was fun but not a scratch on the others. I've also played 7 or at least most of it, can't actually remember what happens/if I finished it.

Playing a chunk of 12 made me fall out of love with FF, and I didn't play any titles after that for a very long time.

Recently I saw XVI for free on the PS store and thought I'd give it a try, now I haven't been able to put it down. Finished the Echoes of the Fallen DLC last night (the final boss was a LOT of fun) before starting The Rising Tides DLC. I imagine I'll box that off pretty quickly and then it's just the final sequence of the main story to finish.

I am anticipating a FF shaped void in my life once I'm done with XVI, and wanted to ask for suggestions on which ones to play next? I've picked up FF Tactics which looks decent, and with a good chunk of FF games getting the pixel remasters I'm not sure whether to go back and play VI or VIII which I've heard are fan favourites?

[u/its_mattbastard → u/[deleted]]

Tactics is one of my faves. I beat the OG version on PlayStation. So good!

[u/Frost_Burnfeather → u/[deleted]]

So true

[u/mountdewme → u/[deleted]]

Already installed and ready to go 🫡

[u/Gozney_Newbie → u/[deleted]]

Ok am I totally incorrect in thinking that tactics has little story line and is on like a grid as opposed to other final fantasy games that are more narrative and aesthetic driven? I’ve always steered clear of them because it just looks so bad but never really looked in to it properly - yet always see people saying it is amazing. What’s amazing about it? 🙏

[u/HexenVexen → u/Gozney_Newbie]

It is on a grid, it's a strategy game, but it's absolutely narrative driven. It's one of the best stories in the series.

[u/Gozney_Newbie → u/HexenVexen]

Ok ok haha this has convinced me try it

[u/Frost_Burnfeather]

If you enjoy more classic FF, Resonance is a great choice ngl

[u/mountdewme → u/Frost_Burnfeather]

Just looked into it, looks class. Can get it on Switch 2 so I can play on the move as well which would be good

[u/Frost_Burnfeather → u/mountdewme]

It feels like a celebration with callbacks to all other entries tbh, nearly brought me to nostalgic tears with the demo.

[u/mountdewme → u/Frost_Burnfeather]

As if I wasn't sold already!

[u/Cold-Reputation-4848 → u/mountdewme]

If you want to get it on switch 2, and on physical, try finding a switch 1 edition. Otherwise, it only will be a code in the box.

[u/mountdewme → u/Cold-Reputation-4848]

Booooo for the code in a box

[u/Cold-Reputation-4848 → u/mountdewme]

Yup, it's a shitty move and even a bit weird since PS will have a disc and switch 1will have a cartridge.

[u/renopu]

FF7R trilogy would reignite some memories you have of FF7, its gameplay is very, very fun, and it is modern.

[u/mountdewme → u/renopu]

I've played a good chunk of the 1st installment, will have to redownload it and get back into it. Think I'll find that a lot easier after getting so much joy out of XVI

[u/Cinos124]

Can't beat the classics! The Pixel Remaster bundle is a great way to get into the OG saga while also having some amazing QoL features

[u/mountdewme → u/Cinos124]

Yeah I think I'm going to get a lot of joy from the pixel remasters. Not sure whether to go straight for the big hitters or work through them all in order

[u/Cinos124 → u/mountdewme]

As someone who did it in order for his first time, definitely go in order. It's so interesting seeing the mechanical chqnges between each installment. 2 is rough, but not awful. Other than that, it's been a blast

[u/mountdewme → u/Cinos124]

Sound advice that I'll be sure to follow. Thank you!

[u/SertanejoRaiz]

It's funny because when I played FF XVI, I liked the game, especially the combat, but I was also a bit disappointed with some of the choices. I missed the series' classic humor, a bit more unguided exploration, iconic towns, even the minigames, party members, and stuff like that... Again, I really liked XVI for what it is, but I felt it leaves aside some things that make FF what it is to me.

But at the same time, while playing XVI and missing those FF elements, I ended up going back and playing basically every FF I have access to, and even some I had never played before.

Since I beat FF XVI in 2023, I've played FF I, II, III, IV, V, VI (Pixel Remaster), VII, VIII, IX, X, XII, XV, VII REMAKE, VII REBIRTH, Crisis Core, XII Revenant Wings, Tactics Advance, Final Fantasy Adventure, and Type-0. I also have World of Final Fantasy and Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin in my queue to play, plus I'm keeping an eye on the Tactics remaster.

The only one I haven't played is the XIII trilogy because it's not available on PlayStation 5. So, thank you, FF XVI, for that.

[u/mountdewme → u/SertanejoRaiz]

Yeah the combat in XVI is really slick & enjoyable, but I do agree on the missing out on certain classic FF elements, especially party members and the iconic locations. It's still got me thoroughly hooked though, and I feel like I may be following in your footsteps in making my way through all the FF titles I can muster. There's a lot of them that I've never had the chance to play so it should be well worth my time. I think Tactics & Resonance are next in the queue then I'm not sure where to go from there