【Final Fantasy】A roundup of numbered titles! All the old and new works are masterpieces.

It was released in 1994, the end of the SFC era.
Because of this, the price of the software has been skyrocketing, and even though it was not a first edition with special features, it was still priced at 11,400 yen (excluding tax).
However, the game’s graphics are said to be the best in 2D pixel art, and the presentation is excellent, making it one of the best games in the SFC industry.

The game sold 2.55 million copies, surpassing its predecessor.
It is now available to play on a smartphone app.

Being an even-numbered series, the style of the game is once again story & character-driven and dramatic, and it is an ensemble drama that doesn’t make it clear who the main character is.
Because of this, the story focuses on episodes related to each character’s background and purpose, but the story as a whole revolves around the conflict between the Gastrian Empire, which is trying to rule the world, and the organization that opposes it.

The most distinctive feature of this game is its worldview, which is a complete change from the previous fantasy RPGs based on a medieval European motif, with a steampunk-like world that has influenced the FF series since then.
The setting of this game is very different from the previous ones, as the monsters (summoned beasts) are treated as objects to gain “magic” power, and the coexistence and conflict between humans and monsters is one of the major themes of this game.

The scene where Setzer inherits her airship, the Falcon, after losing his good friend and rival, Daryl, is known as one of the most famous scenes in the FF series, along with the background music, “Seeking a Friend”.

Final Fantasy VII

出典 : Amazon.co.jp

Nearly three years had passed since the last game, and it was the highest-ever interval between games, the fact that it had become a national RPG with each successive title in the series, the fact that it was the first software for the PS, and the fact that there was still no software on the PlayStation® that could be considered a highlight of the series: ……, etc., made this the seventh game in the series, which had received unprecedented expectations.
When it was released, the game’s popularity and buzz exceeded all expectations, and it became a social phenomenon.

It sold 3.28 million copies and became the first game to reach the triple-million mark.
International and Ultimate Hits versions of the game also sold well, making it the highest-selling game of the FF series at 4.07 million units in total.
The game’s tremendous popularity has spawned a variety of derivative works, and a full remake is set to be released on PS4 in 2020.
The original version is also available on PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and smartphones.

While the use of polygonal graphics has its detractors, the graphics themselves are the most advanced ever, and the presentation of the movie in the game surprised players.
The content is so complex that the synopsis – “Former Soldier Cloud of the Shinra Company is hired by the anti-Shinra organization Avalanche and is caught in the middle of a battle” – is so superficial that the characters and world setting were some of the most in-depth and thought-provoking games of their time.

On the system side, the “materia”, which evolved from an advanced set of abilities, is a hot topic, while the equipment has been greatly simplified.
The previous trend of “Odd is for gameplay” has been broken in this game.

This is a turning point for the FF series, and a historical game that changed the Japanese RPG scene.

Final Fantasy VIII

出典 : Amazon.co.jp

This is the eighth title in the FF series, and the graphics of the characters have evolved even further than VI→VII.
In addition to the historical success of the previous title VII, the visuals of the characters were much talked about because of the high level of realism, and this title was released in 1999 and sold 3.7 million copies, the highest ever in the FF series (excluding the low price version).
At the same time, however, it was also a controversial game, and its reputation, which had been on a steady upward trajectory to this point, slowed down, making it a problematic title.
It’s currently available on PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PC (Steam) and the smartphone app.

The graphics and presentation were very well received, and the card game “Triple Triad”, which was included as a mini-game, was also popular for its addictive nature.
However, a number of people found it hard to play due to the game’s rather sharp system, including the non-existent MP and “draw” combat system, which gained magic to be used in the form of a “draw” from enemies, a long combat movie even though it couldn’t be skipped, the elimination of non-weapon equipment (even weapons were modified instead of new), the rare need for shopping, and the powering up of miscellaneous enemies in proportion to the level increase …….
There are pros and cons about the story as well, and overall, it’s a serious assessment of the game.

However, at the time of its release, only negative aspects were emphasized, but in recent years, it seems that the game is being reevaluated with more and more people pointing out the positive aspects of the game.
In addition, the theme song “Eyes On Me” was a big hit despite the lyrics being written in English.

Final Fantasy IX

出典 : Amazon.co.jp

This is the ninth and last FF on the PS, and it was created under the theme of “back to the roots”.
True to this theme, the worldview is more along the fantasy lines of the past, the characters and storyline are on the royal road, and the system is more in line with a JRPG.
This is the first time the FF series, which has always been running, has paused.

Released in 2000, it sold 2.8 million copies, a significant drop from its predecessor, but it’s still a figure worthy of a national RPG.
It’s currently available on PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PC (Steam), and the smartphone app.

It’s a royal FF and royal JRPG in every way, and it follows in the footsteps of past FFs in its depiction of self-sacrifice and suffering.
Especially Bibi, a young black mage boy, has a sad and sorrowful fate, and even the cheerful protagonist Zitan is deeply troubled towards the end of the game.
Their struggles to save the world while being lost and in pain are very moving, and this is a work that conveys the merits of a royal road.

There are a few things to complain about, such as the fact that there is a big difference in the presentation of each character, the loading time is too long, and the last boss pops up too quickly …….
However, it is generally well received, and the scene where Jitan gradually gets back on his feet is one of the most popular with the BGM “You’re not alone” and is one of the most famous scenes in the FF series.

Final Fantasy X

出典 : Amazon.co.jp

This was the first FF on the PS2 and a memorable breakthrough, the tenth game.
The overwhelmingly beautiful graphics were the talk of the town, but in 2001, when it was released, the PS2 was not yet widely used, the system and worldview were redesigned and character voices were used, and the emphasis on the romantic aspect was too much, so it seems that many fans did not see it coming and it sold 2.3 million units a year, which was lower than the previous game.
However, the storyline was so well received that many people followed suit and purchased the international, low-cost and remastered versions of the game, resulting in total sales of 3 million copies.
The game is currently available on PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PC (Steam) and the smartphone app.

The story of the protagonist, a young man named Tida, who, along with Summoner Yuna and his friends, embarks on a journey to defeat the world’s greatest threat, Shin, is preceded by one scene at the end of the game in the opening, and when he actually gets there, the movie plays again, revealing that the entire journey so far has been a recollection.
The opening scene, which seemed to be a casual one, becomes a very sad scene when you watch it again after you know all the circumstances after a long adventure. …… The structure of the movie and the beautiful sound of “In Zanarkand” played as background music make it very impressive.
It’s a popular title that is as powerful as any of its previous masterpieces, while fully demonstrating its FF-ness, and it may be the FF that has the most support today.

The first legitimate sequel, “Final Fantasy X-2” was produced and released, but the style of this game is completely different and it has received mixed reviews.