•   •   •   •   •   •   •   •   •   •   •   • 
Final Fantasy XI: Chains Of Promathia for PlayStation 2 Videos >>
Final Fantasy XI: Chains Of Promathia for PlayStation 2
View Screen Shots >>
Upload Screen Shots >>

Final Fantasy XI: Chains Of Promathia for PlayStation 2
328 reviews   4.48 of 5

Product Description

Summary

I am the biggest RPG fan known to God. God knows it, you know it, I know it, the american people know it. LOL, getting back to the RPG thing. FF9 is probally one of the best RPG games that I've played. It's coming back to what really makes an RPG. FF 7 and FF 8 were nice, but I didn't consider them PURE rpg because of the mini-action you had to do. If your talking about Chrono-Trigger, Final Fantasy 2, or Final Fantasy 3..Those were the TRUE RPG games. I'm going to add FF9 to that list as well. The characters are far superb with its magnificent outline of the characters. The plot is well thought out, and very well timed. I love the gameplay and could (already have) play for hours and hours. This was worth every penny I payed for it. I strongly recommend buying this game if you LOVE rpg's, and coming back to your origninal roots.
Would you like to Comment?
Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Summary

ff9 is the second best game out there(opinion) the first one has to bee ff7 although i really havent got that far in the game yet, so my opinion might change, first lets start off with thwe overall gameplay and storyline, the gameplay is really easy to learn, i mean u play one battle in the game and its pretty much like that for the rest of the time, except they do get harder, and navigation is really easy to get down, and i mean when your near items, an exclamation mark appears over your head, how cool is that. the story at the beggining is, well there is not really a story at the beggining of the game, in fact, im still not so sure about whats going on, but its getting more interesting and tells u more as u go along, the sound is really good, a step up from all the ff games out there. and graphics are really good, i dont know why everyone complains about this one so much, there pretty good. oh yah and the gard game is really awesome, its way better then the one in 8, this is one of the high points of the game. i mean this game is all this, and cid.

Sound

sound is good

Gameplay

Gameplay is probably one of the best and worse in the game, the areas are really easy to navigate i mean like when your running around in the map world, its so easy to find where to go next, and the cities are really easy to navigate no matter how big they are, this is definatly one of the good things about the game, and also the battles, i know your gonna be like oh no, another endless battle that im still not sure how to do it, well there are a lot of endless battles but its much easier to know how to beat them, and i mean some of the attacks u can learn are totally awesome, which is definatly the best thing about this game. now one of the low points of the game is the lack of info at the begining of the game, although it does make up for it with a really cool story later in the game,about 3 hours into the game u kind of understand whats going on, but untill then its really slow. oh, and one more thing, this thing called active time events lets u check whats going on with the other characters, although there not really that important it is still cool to see whats going on with everyone elese.
Would you like to Comment?
Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Would you like to Comment?
Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Would you like to Comment?
Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Would you like to Comment?
Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Sound

The music and sounds to this game is the OTHER astonishing aspect of this game. The music in any and all Final Fantasy games are so emotional and moody and atmospheric and with Final Fintasy 9, they've not only improved on sounds but with remixed music, it even brings back so much nostalgia from Final Fantasy 2. I totally dig that! Nobuo Uematsu is a visionary composer and his musical compositions are truly works of art. You have to hear to understand. Besides, what other rad RPG game has it's own theme song? 'Melodies Of Life' is an awesome song that totally is cohesive to the content of Final Fantasy 9-lyrically and musically-and I just totally love how Garnet sings it throughout the game. The music is in total, moving and emotionally provocative and immensely satisfying. Nobuo Uematsu rocks!

Gameplay

Gameplay in this game is so simplistic and accessible. There aren't extreme, confusing overlapping screens and it's so simple to read. Whatever it is that you are searching for-from the items to the character stats-it's right in front of your face. I also enjoyed that it was analog compatible and the dual shock was cool. The gameplay's simplicity also made controlling the characters during battle so much fun because it was so easy. I'm always down for easy controls.
Would you like to Comment?
Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Would you like to Comment?
Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Summary

Without a shadow of a doubt, Final Fantasy IX is the best Final Fantasy for the Playstation. The game may have returned to its roots with the game's fantasy setting and sprite based characters, however this dose not mean that FFIX is in anyways primative. In many aspects, FFIX improved significantly compared to FFVIII(Which did'nt suck but did not exactly reach my expectations). The game did start out slow in the beginning, not offering anything to develop the story exept a few minor clues. However, the story eventually develops with the origin of Zidane and the numerous plot twists. The story is probabliy the most entertaining of all Final Fantasy's. FFVII and VII's stories were original and great in their own right but there were too many scientific themes. The characters again serve a purpose in both battle and story. Every character had a story to tell each having seperate backgrounds and origins. This was releif considering Final Fantasv VIII had a dawsons creek type of relationship and is it just my imagination or Irvine, Zell and Squall were a hundred times more useful than the female counterparts. Final Fantasy IX all were useful and each had their significant roles and abilies. Just like every Final Fantasy, this chapter of the series is able to include emotions and infuse them with their characters. In conclusion, Final Fantasy IX brings back Final Fantasy of the days of yore but combining playstation's technological capabilities making a excellent combination. With the game's imagination, story, graphics and heart this game makes us Final Fantasy (too extravagant to describe in just mere words).
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.
Would you like to Comment?
Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Sound

the music is great, just what you'd expect from Nobuo Uematsu. The sound is breathtaking, as it fits the mood perfectly (somethimes u dont even notice it, it kinda sinks in your head...like the feeling you get when you play resident evil...but a happier mood). The only complaint i have is the sound effects. Contrasting the brilliant musical score, the sound effects seem a bit below average, but everything else is so great that you easily let that one slip by...

Gameplay

The gameplay is like the other 2 PS final fantasies: the ATB....and it suits this verison fine. in the beginning, you kinda get the feeling that the bar fills up soooo SLOW, but it does get better, and you dont even notice the speed after a while. The gameplay is great, and if you liked FF6 (FF3 in the US) you'll definetly like this one. The game is easy to get into, and any role playing fan will enjoy the complex system that makes up FF9.
Would you like to Comment?
Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Summary

BEST PSX RPG ever? the simple answer? I think so. Overall it is the best, in this case, the sum is greater than its parts. The second you start playing FF9 you really get the feeling that it is a compilation of many, if not all, of the games combined. Ignore the posts where people give this game extremely low ratings. There really is no way you could dislike this game, especially not that much, I think those people are just trying to alter the overall rating average for it. That said, the graphics in this game are outstanding, the backgrounds look better, but the characters do look more "grainy" than in FF8. The gameplay is so much improved this time around, I'll mention more later. The sound is quite good, although nothing spectacular...it never gets annoying, but it doesn't leave you humming the song like you might with games like Chrono Cross.

Sound

The weakest aspect of this game is probably sound. That is not to say that the sound in the game is bad, not at all...its quite good in fact. But not as good as Chrono Cross. Of course, thats still better than just about every single other RPG out there. The battle music is a little repetitive, but there's a nostalgic feeling at times when you can pick out similar pieces of music from earlier FF games.
Overall the sound is good, not the best, but still very good.

Gameplay

This is probably the biggest improvement over the past two games that FF9 brings to the table. The essential points of the game are all still there. The active time battles, deep plot, fully realized worlds, the whole thing is still there. But unlike the last 2 games, and especially unlike FF8, this game is actually FUN. The characters are fun, they have interesting, often humorous personalities, it really brings the characters to life and makes you care about the characters. I guess I've grown tired of lead characters who are moody and unsure of themselves. Well, Zidane is definately not that, he's a womanizer, he's got a pretty good start at least, since he's only in his teens. At one point he's climbing a ladder and accidentaly touches Princess Garnet's rear-end, and he comments on how soft it is. hehe. Typical Zidane is all i have to say. The other characters in the game are just as fun loving and likable. Vivi is a curious, but shy sorta outcast from society in that he's a black mage which makes other kids sometimes poke fun of him. I could go on about the other characters...especially Steiner, the honor-bound do-gooder who swears to protect Princess Garnet..but that would take awhile.
There are alot of elements similar to Final Fantasy 3 (6) and its a pleasure to finally be able to go and buy armor and weapons from weapon shop. The new equipment gives you extra abilities while you wear them and if you wear it through enough battles, you'll get ability points that allow you to keep that skill after unequipping the weapon or armor.
This new system is much more user-friendly than FF8's junction system. There's also a different card game to play and its much more interesting than the one from FF8.
Overall FF9 just makes you care about the characters more, and enjoy everything that is going on. How do you explain that it is simply FUN to play? I really didn't enjoy FF8, the story was always to serious, and I never seemed to care what happened to my characters. This is not the case for FF9. You'll end up loving all the characters and find it extremely hard to put down that controller.
Would you like to Comment?
Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Summary

FF8 was really a drag to play. I've got the game...saw the intro..played for like a day..and decided to ditch it..The storyline is very wierd and I have to switch between two parties. I know that FMVs in that game were awsome..but the story simply kills the game. I don't wanna spent 50 hours just going through a very boring story...it will be like watching a very boring and very long movie.
FF9 is definitely the best final fantasy(FF5,FF6).Why? I don't wanna talk about the graphics and sounds because sooner or later another game is going to beat it anyway.
The story line is all that counts!
FF9's story is very simiple(single liner), but still rich in content and full of character development...here are the examples...
I really love to see Vivi transforming...form a shy little boy who has a infiority complex to a brave little guy at the end
I really love to see Sera(Garnet's real name)being transformed from a person who's unable to express her feeling to a totally expressive person(Hey!Hey!You highness, you can't just run down from your balcony, throwing awaying your crown and stuff just like that!)

Sound

Oh yeah...as a music major...music is very important to me...I loved ff6 partly because each characters have their own themes and the themes fits thier character...Celes's theme(she has 2 themes..one dark(beginning) and one bright like a love song in the 2nd half) is awsome..because you can hear the mood transforming...just like celes transforming as the story unfolds...
Same thing to the FF9 music...Each characters have their own themes again! Good ones too...I especially like steiner and vivi's theme...
Oh mo god...the ending music is like...they should have a gaming oscar..and this one will win it! The ending music maches so well with the FMV..it builds up just like Sera's emotions building up, and reaches the climax when Sera makes that big jump(again...Sera is Garnet's real name, wanna know how I got it? e-mail me)

Gameplay

Game Play of FF9 is very awsome....Simple but yet refined. No more stupid draw!I really really hate that stuff! The conversation bubbles are so user friendly...and the active time event makes the story multy dimentional at times. One minor thing I don't like though...trans takes too long to reach, but that shouldn't be a problem...
Would you like to Comment?
Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Summary

Another masterpiece from Square has arrived once again waiting to be bought and I must say it doesn't dissapoint. Once you start the game it automatically introduces you to a whole new world again. Gone are the futuristic themes from the past 2 Final Fantasy games, and goes back to its roots. This time it sets in a midieval theme, dating back to the SNES days.

The adventure and overall story is as deep as any in the series, but keeps a more fun atmosphere that was missing in the previous FF. The characters are a welcome change from the boring Squall, and melodramatic Rinoa of the past. Now all the characters have a distinct difference in them like Quina the frog-eating gender bender.

There are also welcome changes in gameplay. The battle system is now shoter and more fun. It's menu is less complicated and the help tells everything you need to know that you really don't need to read the manual.

But to me the best (looking) part is the movies. Just look at the intro and see for yourself. They are absolutely gorgeous and ingenous in design.

Overall, this deserves a good look over anyone who likes RPGs because it's worth it.

Sound

If you've played Final Fantasy games before, you'll know that all you can expect form the sound are a few whistles here and there.

But if you've played a Final Fantasy game before you'll know that the soundtracks it offers are one of the best int the biz. Unforunatly it's not what I had hoped for. It's still very good but not as good as FF8, FF6, or even some previous games on the Playstation. But what it does is set the tone for the game and that's really what matters.

(On a side note: Don't pick up the stategy guide because all it is are just some tips. Since the guide and a site called playonline.com are working together, most of the important stuff is in the site. All the guide's really useful for are a few tips. In fact the guide refers you to the internet site on everything from side quests to boss tips. So if you have the internet don't even bother and og on that site instead, and if you don't then ask a friend for some hints instead and don't buy that piece of crap!)

Gameplay

The gameplay is basically the same thing you would expect from Square's FF series. Even though the look has changed it's still Final Fantasy in it's heart. A great new addition they put is the Active Time Events where you can get to see what other characters are doing far and away.

The battles are also different. The return of the class system from earlier Final Fantasy games have made a comeback. To me this is awesome because for one, the Draw system isn't there! Also gone are the GFs and the dependency of it. They're now called eidolons and doesn't take forever to cast and see them now. Overall, the battles are way shorter and more fun than it ever was before.

The card mini-game (called Tetra Master)is still there but not as important so you can basically just ignore it if you want to for the whole game. Now there is more strategy involved and the every single game is unique which is very good.

Now more than everthe exploration idea has been implemented more. Because the main character is a thief you can look for free items and dropped money. This is very important if you want to make the journey easier.

Overall, I'm actually very suprised that all aspects of gameplay has been improved. It's now more fun, yet still remains a FF title at heart. Final Fantasy veterans won't get lost, and new-comers will find it probably very interesting . A big round of applause for Square (yet again)!
Would you like to Comment?
Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Sound

Beautiful music... and without any pop songs, thank the lord. "Eyes on Me" left a bad taste in my mouth until it's part in the "Ending Theme", with an orchestra playing behind Faye Wong... the pop version just didn't work for me. Thankfully, nothing of that nature really enters FFIX. VIVI, Zidane, Garnet, their themes give you a direct contact with what is going through their heads at that very moment. The sound effects are as expected -- put down to major events in the game and contact with weaponry. I don't think Square has ever done wrong with that, ever, and they definitely didn't start now.
Beautiful... just beautiful.

Gameplay

Battles... boy, did they stick around this time. As before, battles become one of the parts that will drag the Final Fantasy series down -- but, alas, dungeons are where the major amount of fighting occurs. And why not? It's expected that a lot of monsters would hide in the darkness of dungeons. But, still, it gets repetitive and boring after a while. In the least, Square made the battles faster and a little more interesting, with Trances -- where the characters recieves special powers beyond their normal selves -- and streamlined Eidolons, the big brothers of Summons and GFs.

Since there is no "story" part of this, the story will fit here, also. It's... well, the BEST of the stories. Zidane, the young 16-year old, VIVI, the confused dark-mage lookalike, Garnet, the princess, Steiner the royal knight, and the rest of them are wonderfully put together. And the ending... it satisfies everything, which is something Final Fantasy 7 failed to do. The storyline is very focused, unlike Final Fantasy 8. And that is what makes it the best on PSOne.
Would you like to Comment?
Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Would you like to Comment?
Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Would you like to Comment?
Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.