Genre: RPG
Year: 2000
Developed by: Square
Published by: Square
Platforms: PSX, tons later on
#107
Feeling Like: Vivid Memories
I feel like I’ve hit another invisible tier of quality. I wish it worked out so that the segments I’ve created (124-100, 149-125, etc) would naturally divide the 500 up in this way, but apparently not. Looking ahead, there are some real bangers that I’m thrilled to dive into. Entry #107 puts a smile on my face immediately.
Final Fantasy 9 is a heartwarming RPG, one of the best in the revered franchise. It’s colorful and pleasant, yet doesn’t shy away from some big questions and darker moments. It has a ton of standard RPG fare, but has a feel all its own. The soundtrack is amazing, the combat is enjoyable but the real star of the show are the characters themselves.
To be more specific, Vivi Ornitier and Adelbert Steiner.
There’s no debate; they’re the two best characters in the entire franchise and considering the wealth of heroes and villains that populate the Final Fantasies, that’s really saying something. But it’s true. Even if they were separate characters in different games, they would be impossibly endearing, but the fact that they’re in the same game AND get along really well is the friendship cherry on top. Vivi is a young black mage, complete with the classic blue robes and wizard hat first seen all the way back in Final Fantasy. Even though he doesn’t have a mouth, and just two yellow dots for eyes, he conveys more emotion through little body animations than most video game characters do with hundreds of lines of dialogue. He’s honest, uncertain, timid yet grows braver throughout the adventure. He’s a fan favorite for a reason, and his arc delves into some pretty heavy stuff, including philosophical questions like what it means to be alive. His discovery of who he is and what he wants to be against the backdrop of violence and fate may be emulated by dozens of JRPGs, but none centered around a more adorable lil’ guy. Vivi fucking rules.
Steiner is completely different – he’s a bodyguard to the Royal Family of Alexandria. He’s a knight and looks the part. He knows exactly what he is, and what he wants to be. He’s stubborn, brash, loud and passes judgment on people right away. He has no patience for those who would even hint at threatening the Princess Garnet. He takes orders, but also will go out of his way to point fingers and, hilariously, jump up and down in a fit. His armor rattling along with every move or tantrum is a perfect touch.
They each have a wildly different relationship to the main character Zidane – Vivi trusts him, Steiner thinks he’s a complete low-life. Yet whenever Steiner is about to throw in the towel, or accuse Zidane of thievery, or threatens to report them all the authorities, it’s generally Vivi who manages to reason him with and pleads the group’s case. Steiner even calls him “Master Vivi”, how great is that?
He’s not a one-note character, either. Like Vivi, he too goes through an arc and it’s great to see his once steadfast mind go to other places. Why would the Queen do that? Was he wrong to put his faith blindly in a cause that may be unjust? Maybe Beatrix and Zidane aren’t all bad. Great stuff from Square, here.
The game was a true return to form. Final Fantasy 8 had its moments, but was certainly one of the stranger entries thus far. It felt so different from Final Fantasy 7 that I’m sure it had some gamers puzzled. A classic medieval setting with a more established turn-based combat system (no drawing magic here) was well received by fans, myself included.
It’s everything I could have wanted in a new Final Fantasy. The towns were expansive, filled with bizarre NPCs to talk to. Every corner yielded some kind of surprise, or an interesting landmark to look at. They all had their own feel, you can tell exactly where you are by looking at any single screen. I love that.
Naturally, the soundtrack is incredible.
You’re Not Alone plays during one of the most pivotal story moments. If you’ve beaten Final Fantasy 9, you’ll know exactly the scene I’m talking about. Incredible.
The Black Mage Village theme is exactly what it should be. Weird and compelling.
Crossing Those Hills makes you want to get on an airship and soak in the sights.
Freya’s Theme sounds like a lone organist pounding out their frustration.
Jesters of the Moon may be the best henchman theme I’ve heard. You get an idea of what Zorn and Thorn are about before they even say a word.
The IIfa Tree is the creepiest song on the soundtrack, and would sound right at home in a Metroid game.
It wouldn’t be a modern (well, 23 years ago it was modern) without a pop sounding romance tune. Melodies of Life is sweeping, sappy and appropriately sentimental.
This may be the most songs I’ve linked in an entry thus far, but Final Fantasy 9 warrants it. It is simply a superb soundtrack. Because of the wonderful motifs and unique sounds, I remember them and the events they’re tied to more vivi-dly (heh).
It even has multiplayer! Like in Final Fantasy 6, the game lets you customize who controls who in combat. Kyla insisted on getting Vivi and Steiner and I knew right away she had good taste. Just like we did in Final Fantasy 6, Kyla would control two and I would control two. It worked out great…for the most part.
I’ll address the anchor that drags Final Fantasy 9 down, and it really is the only thing from keeping it out of the Top 100. Hell, out of the Top 50. The PlayStation was not adequate enough hardware for this adventure. Playing it when it came out was fine, I didn’t have nearly the amount of obligations and I could stomach the load times and general sluggishness. Not so when I was playing with Kyla.
From the start of a battle load to the time when you can input your first action can take up to 15 seconds. 15. 1…2…3….music….swirly graphics…shift to the battle area….9….10…..monsters load, party loads….12….13…14…15ATTACK, finally. It’s not good enough. I cannot believe that a few weeks after we finished it together, a remaster was announced with higher res graphics and a fast forward mode.
UG. If there is a generation of games screaming for remakes and remasters, it’s the PlayStation 1 era of RPGs. The core story, characters, combat, graphics and music don’t have to be tinkered with all that much. But if you’re going to ask players to fight monsters hundreds of times and spend up to 60 hours on the story, you better make it snappy.
While that’s the only drawback I can think of, it’s a big one. That’s why news like this gets me really excited. I don’t think we need remasters for everything, and 2023 has been an amazing year for those, but for a game like Final Fantasy 9, it’s practically screaming for it.
The equipment system is addicting and forces you to switch up gear constantly due to individual items granting abilities after a certain amount of experience. It’s nice to have to think strategically in this manner, instead of just seeking out the biggest numbers on a stats page. I’ve mentioned Vivi and Steiner, but there are plenty of bad guys and sidekicks that get their moment in the spotlight too. The FMV cutscenes are dated, but still fun to hit since they only play at big moments and give you an idea of what the game COULD look like in the future. Say, in an upcoming remaster? Or how about a fan project?
There aren’t too many games that hit me like Final Fantasy 9 does. I even feel a bit guilty knocking it down some spots due to the hardware limitations at the time, but when the competition is this fierce, I have to take what I can. That won’t stop me from always looking back fondly on it, however. There are so few games I would replay, particularly bulky RPGs. There’s only so much time in the day and the concept of going through something I’ve already gone through (twice) isn’t appealing. But a Final Fantasy 9 with state of the art flourishes and lightning quick load times is too tempting to pass up. Vivi and Steiner, I’ll see you soon!
The 500 