After buying my first Final Fantasy game (VIII), I was left with a bad taste in my mouth. I can't remember why I bought Final Fantasy IX. I was 12, and the game had recently came out. I hadn't heard about it before, and only barely knew the concept of RPG's up until that point. $49.99 is a lot of money for a 12-year old. But for some reason, I walked right into the store (Meijer's, respectively), and went straight to IX. No hesitation. I laid my money down, and walked out. I came home, went to my basement, and began playing the mystery game. I now like to joke that this was all fate, but that doesn't seem too far off now...
The story is a wonderful mix of lighthearted, medieval times and dark, technological troubles that clash together. It starts out with Zidane, the "official" main charachter plotting with his fellow bandit-types. They're going through their plan of kidnapping Princess Garnet by putting on a popular play to distract everyone. Although everything goes correctly, a strange twist turns their plan around. When they attempt to kidnap Garnet, she actually agrees to it and wants to go with them! Confused, they bring her on their airship and try to escape the castle, but are shot down and crash into a nearby forest. This is the strange beginning to a decidedly different type of Final Fantasy compared to VII and VIII's futuristic themes.
It's a great return to the role-playing games of old, with the mages, knights, castles, bright towns, and mystical creatures. While Zidane may be the true main charachter, as stated earlier, those who've played the game know that the real star is Vivi. This short, faceless little black mage is a warm-hearted kid with powers beyond imagination. He trips a lot and is very outspoken, but shares his wisdom and courage. Always searching for the truth about him and his past, he doesn't mind helping others in their own quest for self-realization. With so many great characters in the game, it's amazing how one person can stand out so much more than the others. There's really no other Final Fantasy character that can even compare to his stupendulousness.
In terms of gameplay, I can only describe the game as "smooth." Nothing new really appears in the game, but that means that there aren't any issue with the battle system or exploration. The biggest improvement has to be the Active Time Event system. While you're running around a town or something, a little alert tells you that another event in the game is currently happening involving another character. You can choose to watch this event unfold, giving you either a critical part of the story or simply a humorous little scene. It's both innovative and entertaining. Everything else in the game is standard fare, not really worth mentioning.
There are some great tunes in FFIX, which are usually bouncy and lighthearted (sticking with the theme of the game). Only occasionally does a deeper, darker song pop up due to the current circumstances. My favorite theme has to be Vivi's Theme (couldn't see that one coming...). It's quick, snappy, even humorous, and it fits the image of Vivi very well.
When me and Brandan talk about this game, we rarely call it by name. It's just "The Game." We refer to Vivi as "Him" or "He Who Cannot Be Spoken Of." He has risen beyond mere video game characters. He is the king of them all. Sonic? Surely you jest. Mario? Vivi doesn't need a plumber. The game itself isn't all that groundbreaking, but due to one character, it will forever be engraved into the history of gaming lore. |
