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Final Fantasy XI: Chains Of Promathia for PlayStation 2 Videos >>
Rating Reviewed By John W. FlyntFrom Jackson, MS 39208 Review Date 11/15/2000 Overall Rating  4 of 5 Rate this review? Summary It's possible there are people that are bigger fans of Final Fantasy than me, but I can't imagine how. And as much as I love the series, I can't help but be somewhat disapointed by this latest installment.Frankly, I've tried my best, but I can't help but *HATE* the new artstyle. The thing that's driven the series is the art, as it's evolved into more and more epic. I *really* loved the art for VIII, but this one throws all that progress away. I can't enjoy the latest installment, because I can't *feel* anything for the characters. Cloud and Squall were relevant because they were so *relevant.* This time, the characters are so stereotypred, I'm not understanding anything about them. Sound For this one, I can be a little more understanding. I've purchased every single FF soundtrack.The style has changed from epic to FFXI side story. All of the tunes sound are subdued and sound. While FFVII and FFVIIII were about reinventing the epic, FFXi is about revloring it's musical roots. Of couse, the music od FF platued with FFVII, but the lastest is understandable in it's context. Gameplay After VIII, which threw away the RPG sterotypes of endless weapon upgrades and endless experience levels, it's hard to go back to the usual RPG conventions. I've gone throgh to many games with Fight, Heal, Magic, Fight.I do *love* the one aparent evolution for FFXI. An arrow that appears over the characters heads as they approvh important items. It makes searching for items *impressivly* more fun. I have to point out that FFXI is very polished. I gave up on Chrono Trigger because it fell into very familiar RPG stereotypes. FFXI is *just barely* different enough for me to want to complete. Would you like to Comment? Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member. Rating Reviewed By Michael SmalleyFrom Bensalem, PA Review Date 11/15/2000 Overall Rating  5 of 5 Rate this review? Summary Final Fantasy VII was, in my eyes, the best Playstation game ever to grace the face of the Earth. Sephiroth, the villian of VII, was as evil as evil could get, yet he was understandable. His ways were explainable, and this truly gave him a "real-to-life" persona. Final Fantasy IX takes the concept of making characters "real" to the next level. Simply put, this game rocks! Final Fantasy IX blows VII, and VIII, away in both graphical style AND storyline quality. Now admit it... you all had a tear come to your eye when you saw Aeris die in ffvii. Now, take that moment, multiply it's effectiveness by 40,000 and splatter it all over a game. The result? Final Fantasy IXSound Amazingly detailed and touching.Gameplay Godly!Would you like to Comment? Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member. Summary Final Fantasy is by far, the most successful and most popular RPG series to date. Squaresoft seems to be the only company in the world that really knows what an RPG's story should be like and also know how to turn a simple video game into a breathtaking interactive movie. As their "swan song" to the Playstation, Final Fantasy IX is released and takes us back in time to the 16-bit era where Squaresoft really shined. Final Fantasy IX is simply put, the best Final Fantasy EVER to grace the planet Earth. It takes over the throne which Final Fantasy VI had for several years. In fact, Final Fantasy IX is the best Role Playing Game released for the Playstation ever since.... well nothing! Everyone, (Not just RPG fans) owes it to themselves to set aside $40 for this memorable masterpiece. Apparently, PSM, DailyRadar, and Gamespot think so as well.Sound There really is nothing to discuss here, Final Fantasy has Nobuo Uematsu. This guy is really a genius when it comes to music. The return to the past, brings a beautiful and gorgeous soundtrack that surpasses the claimed king of music, Chrono Cross. The music really is a treat and the newly released Soundtrack from Tokyopop is certainly a must buy with your new copy of Final Fantasy IX.Gameplay Gameplay for Final Fantasy IX is basically like the others in the series. What relieves fans is the fact the simple equip system is back. One problem with Final Fantasy VIII, for example, was the complex Junction System which was a confusing aspect to the game, and distracted players from the game's beauty. What has changed though is as folows: First off, like previous Final Fantasy titles, there are 4 teammates apart of your party instead of 3. The Limit System is now called the "Trance System". Lastly, characters can be appointed certian gained abilities in the form of a Crystal System.Would you like to Comment? Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
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4.48 of 5
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