Final Fantasy IX Review (PS4)
Introduction
This is a PS4 port of the Windows PC remastered version. This game has booster and in-game cheats, as well as Trophy support. This is an RPG game with the classic ATB system, that plays similarly to Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy X-2 and World of Final Fantasy.
It is also recommended to install the latest game update to fix the sound loop issues after completing a battle.
Story
Zidane is a part of the Tantalus group, who are tasked to kidnap Princess Garnet. As the story progresses, Zidane will meet colourful party members, such as Vivi, the small yet powerful black mage, as well as Steiner, a powerful yet straight-as-an-arrow knight. As they journey, they will find out a conspiracy that looms in the world.
The story is one of the biggest highlights of this game. Interesting main story, great and likable characters, and interesting story themes. However, I find that several characters have underdeveloped subplots, such as Freya, Amarant, and Quina.
Gameplay
1) Exploration & Progression Section
Story progression is done by talking different characters, explore a dungeon, and fight the story boss. There are several variations, as some may require you to find different potions by talking to different characters, complete a short mini-game, and etc. There is enough variety of progression methods in this game to prevent players from being bored easily. You will also be required to explore a dungeon and fight the story boss as well.
Exploration is done by running or walking in towns or dungeons. You may choose to inspect certain points of interest for items, treasure chests, or interacting with objects. The latter is important, as you may need to solve some puzzles while playing the game. Once you exit a town or dungeon, you will enter the World Map mode, where you can explore and travel to different locations for optional rewards as well as story progression, or fight enemies.
There are plenty of side quests to be done in the game, such as chocobo-related minigames, a card game, and etc. Bear in mind that several of them are missable once you progressed a certain point in the story, so keep an eye on that.
2) Leveling and Customisation Section
This game uses traditional leveling system, where completing a battle will reward you experience points, Ability Points, money, and possibly items. Gaining enough experience points will allow a character to gain a level as well as possible stats increment.
In this game, each character may equip several equipment pieces, such as a weapon, an arm armour piece, a chestpiece, and etc. Equipping them may gives your character stats increments, as well as possibly passive effects such as Fire immunity and new Abilities. For example, one of Zidane's weapons allow Zidane to use and learn Flee and Detect Skills.
Abilities are divided to two: Command Abilities where each character can use special commands like Zidane's Flee Skill, and Support Abilities that grant passive effects such as immunity to Darkness status. The former can be used in combat immediately once you equip the necessary equipment or after mastering them, but the later requires you to spend Magic Stones to equip the Support Abilities. Different Support Abilities require you to spend different amount of Magic Stones, so plan accordingly for each area or boss fights.
3) Combat Section
Fights are triggered randomly while exploring or during story progression. This game uses classic ATB battle system, where each character may only act once the gauge is filled. The same goes to enemies, except their ATB gauges are hidden. Each party member has their own pros and cons, so it is wise to experiment on using them. For example, Vivi is a powerful black mage and Eiko is a useful White Mage.
Each enemy has their own abilities, level, and stats. They can be defeated easily with your physical attacks and magic attacks, but you need to figure out which one works the best at different situations. Boss fights also the same, except they can be dangerous if you are prepared.
4) Gameplay Conclusion
Overall gameplay is great. It is noted that the movement controls are kind of gimped, as it doesn't allow you to move in analog movement. Instead, your controlled character will move in eight fixed directions. Also, some characters have poorly Command abilities such as Zidane's Skills. Regardless, excellent customisation system, great boss fights, tons of side-content, as well as good pacing makes this game great and stand out compared to other Final Fantasy games.
Graphics
The remastered visuals is good. New character models, pretty pre-rendered background images and good FMV scenes. Performance is stable as well. As the game was originally done in 4:3 ratio, there will be two bars on both sides of the screen while playing.
Sound
This game has excellent soundtrack. Many memorable themes done by Nobuo Uematsu, such as Beatrix's theme, the theme for Dali, and many more. Sound effects are okay, although not all of them sound the same like I remembered back when I played the PS1 version.
It is also noted that this version originally have sound loop issues, which was fixed by installing the latest game update.
Replay Value
This game has extremely high replay value. You may choose to replay the game again and unlock all missable ATEs, complete a variety of side quests, play Chocobo Hot and Cold minigame, play Tetra Master card minigame, acquire all ultimate weapons, or fight all optional bosses.
Conclusion
This is one of my personal favourite RPGs. Great story, many likable characters, solid overall gameplay, great replay value, and great soundtrack. However, just be aware that this game has different artstyle than other Final Fantasy games, and this version has 8-direction movement compared to true analog movement in the original version. Highly recommended.
Score
Story: 9/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Graphics: 8/10
Sound: 10/10
Final Score: 9.0/10 or 36/40
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Great story.
- Many likable characters.
- Great customisation and equipment systems.
- Good boss fights.
- Good variety of objectives.
- Great music.
- Very high replay value.
Cons
- Poorly explained final boss appearance.
- Some Command Abilities are bad, such as several of Zidane's Skills.
- No true analog movement in this version.
**Screenshots are from official Square Enix press site.
This is a PS4 port of the Windows PC remastered version. This game has booster and in-game cheats, as well as Trophy support. This is an RPG game with the classic ATB system, that plays similarly to Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy X-2 and World of Final Fantasy.
It is also recommended to install the latest game update to fix the sound loop issues after completing a battle.
Story
Find the princess and kidnap her. What will not go wrong?
The story is one of the biggest highlights of this game. Interesting main story, great and likable characters, and interesting story themes. However, I find that several characters have underdeveloped subplots, such as Freya, Amarant, and Quina.
Gameplay
1) Exploration & Progression Section
Explore unique locale in this game's world.
Exploration is done by running or walking in towns or dungeons. You may choose to inspect certain points of interest for items, treasure chests, or interacting with objects. The latter is important, as you may need to solve some puzzles while playing the game. Once you exit a town or dungeon, you will enter the World Map mode, where you can explore and travel to different locations for optional rewards as well as story progression, or fight enemies.
There are plenty of side quests to be done in the game, such as chocobo-related minigames, a card game, and etc. Bear in mind that several of them are missable once you progressed a certain point in the story, so keep an eye on that.
2) Leveling and Customisation Section
Customise your party with different equipment as well as passive abilities.
In this game, each character may equip several equipment pieces, such as a weapon, an arm armour piece, a chestpiece, and etc. Equipping them may gives your character stats increments, as well as possibly passive effects such as Fire immunity and new Abilities. For example, one of Zidane's weapons allow Zidane to use and learn Flee and Detect Skills.
Abilities are divided to two: Command Abilities where each character can use special commands like Zidane's Flee Skill, and Support Abilities that grant passive effects such as immunity to Darkness status. The former can be used in combat immediately once you equip the necessary equipment or after mastering them, but the later requires you to spend Magic Stones to equip the Support Abilities. Different Support Abilities require you to spend different amount of Magic Stones, so plan accordingly for each area or boss fights.
3) Combat Section
Fight random battles with a variety of party members.
Each enemy has their own abilities, level, and stats. They can be defeated easily with your physical attacks and magic attacks, but you need to figure out which one works the best at different situations. Boss fights also the same, except they can be dangerous if you are prepared.
4) Gameplay Conclusion
Excellent overall gameplay with tons of side-content.
Graphics
Pretty visuals and one of the most unique artwork styles in Final Fantasy games.
Sound
Great soundtrack. Sound effects are okay.
It is also noted that this version originally have sound loop issues, which was fixed by installing the latest game update.
Replay Value
Extremely high replay value.
Conclusion
Great game.
This is one of my personal favourite RPGs. Great story, many likable characters, solid overall gameplay, great replay value, and great soundtrack. However, just be aware that this game has different artstyle than other Final Fantasy games, and this version has 8-direction movement compared to true analog movement in the original version. Highly recommended.
Score
Story: 9/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Graphics: 8/10
Sound: 10/10
Final Score: 9.0/10 or 36/40
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Great story.
- Many likable characters.
- Great customisation and equipment systems.
- Good boss fights.
- Good variety of objectives.
- Great music.
- Very high replay value.
Cons
- Poorly explained final boss appearance.
- Some Command Abilities are bad, such as several of Zidane's Skills.
- No true analog movement in this version.
**Screenshots are from official Square Enix press site.
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