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Publisher: SquareSoft
Category: Role-Playing
Platform: PS1
ESRB Rating: Teen Release Date: November 2000
Overall Rating:
3.5 Stars out of 4
Review by Tom Allen
3½ Stars out of 4
Final Fantasy IX is no match for Final Fantasy VIII in terms of characters, cinematic quality,
music, and emotion. However, this old-school revamp completely tromps its predecessor in
terms of story pacing and clarity.
The game begins with a kidnapping plan. Princess Garnet wants to run away from Queen
Brahne (a Drew Carey Mimi reject), so the kidnappers don’t have to work too hard. They escape
with the princess in a damaged airship. Thus, they crash in the woods, and the main adventure
begins.
The choice of child-like characters, in my opinion, was a big mistake. The ostrich egg-headed
characters look even worse in the cinema scenes, which seem lacking in detail, probably because
the characters necessitate a cartoonier look. The Disney influence is also clear, considering that
many characters are animals or half-animal. The Moogles from Final Fantasy VI return in this
game, but their roles seem to be limited to game saving.
The music is also woefully lighthearted and underdone, with none of the orchestral significance
and grandeur you would expect.
The art direction is sometimes too detailed and over-stylized, but the environments command
your attention and awe nonetheless.
The game is filled with all sorts of little touches. Early in the game, you have to decide whether
or not to become a slave. Soon after, the princess is kil…
I’d better stop there. Keep watching for Part Two coming soon.
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