Final Fantasy IX

 PlayStation
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 1535 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,390 out of 1535
  2. Mixed: 75 out of 1535
  3. Negative: 70 out of 1535
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. JustinDeC.
    Mar 16, 2005
    2
    Not a really good game to play.
  2. LukeB.
    Aug 16, 2002
    3
    Boring and cutesy as crap. Gimme a break.
  3. MorganF
    Mar 10, 2009
    0
    Boring, boring, boring. The plot is so shallow that makes you doubt your intelligence, the gameplay makes you want to cut your hands ang the graphics sucs. It is the most overrated game ever. I want my spended hours back!
  4. LeongFongW.
    Aug 5, 2001
    7
    Actually is a good game but the characters' skills are not as flexible as FF7. FF7 can use different combinations with materia but FF9 can't.
  5. DamienO.
    Jun 16, 2003
    9
    A very good game but ff7 is still a little better.
  6. VidM.
    Dec 8, 2004
    7
    First, let me say that I am a huge fan of the Final Fantasy series. Of the games I own, this is the one I've played the least. It is strange to realize that because this is not my least favorite Final Fantasy game. I whipped right through it in about two weeks, and that was it. I forgot about it. My least favorite Final Fantasy is actually FF8 (I'm not willing to even call the First, let me say that I am a huge fan of the Final Fantasy series. Of the games I own, this is the one I've played the least. It is strange to realize that because this is not my least favorite Final Fantasy game. I whipped right through it in about two weeks, and that was it. I forgot about it. My least favorite Final Fantasy is actually FF8 (I'm not willing to even call the fecal matter that was FFX-2 a Final Fantasy game...or maybe even calling it a game is too much credit...). However, I've logged far more hours playing FF8 than I have FF9. Even though I like FF8 less, I'm still willing to go back and play it every now and then. I simply have no desire to ever play FF9 again. It was fun while I played it. I did everything I wanted to do. The story was so neatly wrapped at the end, that I just don't feel a second playing would reward me in terms of more completely understanding the story. Again, this is a strange game, because it is good, and yet very forgettable.… Expand
  7. TweetyT.
    Mar 22, 2006
    9
    Very interesting RPG game, perfect story, but lacks creativity in battles and minigames (compared to FF VII) and is not that grafically special for the year it was released in.
  8. AbraxusZ.
    May 8, 2006
    6
    well i do say this is a very good game. Although it does have its bads and goods. What i didnt like about ti was that it was very short. I went through the game pretty fast and i expected more of a chalenge. This is my first fantasy game. And i hope it wont be my last. I was impressed by the charictors. I liked the fact that the main charictors fell in love hapily ever after. but what well i do say this is a very good game. Although it does have its bads and goods. What i didnt like about ti was that it was very short. I went through the game pretty fast and i expected more of a chalenge. This is my first fantasy game. And i hope it wont be my last. I was impressed by the charictors. I liked the fact that the main charictors fell in love hapily ever after. but what wouldve been better was another game with same charictors and like a new bad guy comes and invades but there love still remains a secret to themselfs. that would be a little secret between them i wouldve liked to have happend. But aditional charictors would be cool too. Anyways, the game was good and what someone said before i wanted to here there voices because i cant imagien them. Also it is indeed forgetable. I would like more of a story next time and a more unprodictable story. Everybody knows the stor, bad guy comes in godd guy comes in good guy kills bad guys yippidy doo dahh hapily ever after . I want more then that and that is what i expect in a good fantasy game. The only thing i admire most was the game play, graphics, and the charictors.… Expand
  9. Gaiduk
    Sep 3, 2015
    2
    It's a pile of old ideas from previous FF and nothing fresh, the story is so predictable and naive that reading old novels make you sleeping slower than playing this. The last masterpiece from Square was Xenogears.
  10. okamimiyazaki
    Jul 6, 2014
    10
    One of the best, if not the best, Final Fantasy games. This is the only FF game I keep coming back to play over and over again, simply because of how good it is.

    It's very refreshing to get away from the more futuristic theme of the previous few Final Fantasy games and go back to the medieval fantasy setting. The FMVs are, IMO, the best in the Final Fantasy series, with many neat things    One of the best, if not the best, Final Fantasy games. This is the only FF game I keep coming back to play over and over again, simply because of how good it is.

    It's very refreshing to get away from the more futuristic theme of the previous few Final Fantasy games and go back to the medieval fantasy setting. The FMVs are, IMO, the best in the Final Fantasy series, with many neat things happening in them such as battles and summons.

    The combat is rather simple but still addicting. I love how each character is completely unique, instead of being able to make them all pretty much exactly the same such as in 8 or 10. The passive abilities still allow for a degree of strategy and customization, though they can break the game at times.

    The characters are very well developed with unique personalities and none of them are boring or dull (such as Vaan in 12) - you either love or hate 'em. The dialogue is the best in the series and is a pleasure to read.

    The story is fantastic. It is presented and executed perfectly. At the beginning it doesn't seem to have much direction (stealing a princess why?) but everything falls into place throughout the game and is unraveled perfectly, with few to no plot holes or questions left unanswered. It is quite a journey filled with humor, drama, romance and excitement.

    The music is amazing but this is always the case in Final Fantasy games (with Nobuo Uematsu).

    The spell animations are gorgeous and some of the best in the series - e.g. flare and doomsday.

    The only thing I don't like about this Final Fantasy is that it tends to have some balancing issues. Some fights are very difficult while many others are a total joke.    … Expand
  11. Orctownorc
    Aug 22, 2013
    6
    A "role playing game" for four year olds, with a protagonist who looks like a monkey playing in a world where everyone looks like a monkey, jumping about like an assortment of zoo animals. Full to the brim with upgradeable skills to addict the completionist in everyone and your classic oversentimental JRPG plot lines so that everyone can 'role play" being 4 years old again and crying whenA "role playing game" for four year olds, with a protagonist who looks like a monkey playing in a world where everyone looks like a monkey, jumping about like an assortment of zoo animals. Full to the brim with upgradeable skills to addict the completionist in everyone and your classic oversentimental JRPG plot lines so that everyone can 'role play" being 4 years old again and crying when mummy yelled at you. The game mechanics are well designed, the music is good and 'as a game' its brilliant if you are suitably young at heart or still wearing diapers.

    THE GROT REVIEW CRITERIA: After a long time writing reviews like an anus, think its time to set a few bad habits straight: Stop insulting designers. Show some respect for the design process and getting games in circulation. Hence (1) No Red scores. (2) Game scores as follows: Bad Game 5/10. Poor Game 6/10. Mediocre Game: 7/10. Good Game 8/10. Great game 9/10. Stella Game 10/10. To get 10/10 it must be a game that can be (theoretically) play-able for 1000+ hours. Not only great but near endless fun. Games may be bad or poor but making them should earn respect. Thus even the worst POS will still be a 5/10. 0/10 no longer exists in my vocabulary. Yellow is the new red. For the sake of accountability: you can reply if needed: Orctowngrot: Tim Rawlins: timtimjp@yahoo.com    … Expand
  12. OwtDaft
    Jun 3, 2019
    10
    + It's a PS1 era Final Fantasy and so of course the story is amazing.
    + This Final Fantasy I tend to recommend to new players as it's more straight forward.
    + Not padded with lots of side quests. + Really beautiful music. + IMO the PS1 version looks better than the PS4 smeared version of the game. + Everyone loves Vivi. Though I find Eiko super funny and a great later character. -    + It's a PS1 era Final Fantasy and so of course the story is amazing.
    + This Final Fantasy I tend to recommend to new players as it's more straight forward.
    + Not padded with lots of side quests.
    + Really beautiful music.
    + IMO the PS1 version looks better than the PS4 smeared version of the game.
    + Everyone loves Vivi. Though I find Eiko super funny and a great later character.
    - Not as much customisation in this Final Fantasy.
    - The game isn't quite as good in the last 1/3 of the game though it is still amazing.
    - The characters Amarant and Quina are more a negative to the game than a positive.    … Expand
  13. Runa
    Apr 25, 2013
    7
    It is one of the best Final Fantasy. He have some funny moments in the game. He have a good graphic and sound. But the history is the only i don't like at 100%.
  14. KyleS
    Mar 18, 2014
    9
    Great game. Not as good as final fantasy 7 though. The battle mechanics were less interesting and going from the amazing materia system to this was a little disappointing. I didn't feel for the characters as much as I did for the ff7 cast. The villain wasn't as compelling either. I still thinks it's a great game though. After this is when it all went downhill for the final fantasy series.Great game. Not as good as final fantasy 7 though. The battle mechanics were less interesting and going from the amazing materia system to this was a little disappointing. I didn't feel for the characters as much as I did for the ff7 cast. The villain wasn't as compelling either. I still thinks it's a great game though. After this is when it all went downhill for the final fantasy series. One crappy release after another.… Expand
  15. smahlt
    Aug 22, 2020
    8
    First off, I just want to say, as a fan of JRPGs, the built-in speedhack of the Steam version is nearly essential. This game is old-skool as **** and it helps with grinding.

    That said, it's a wonderful game with fantastic characters and story. Play it.
  16. HopelessVoice
    Feb 1, 2015
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is perhaps the only FF entry where I disagree with the common consesus; sure it's good, enjoyable and still has the open world roaming and item hunting, yet I never truly connected with IX. This has mostly to do with a dozen of minor things which do not seem like real issues by themselves, but when adding them together an issue occurs.

    Although the plot and the world are both solid FF stuff, the gameplay feels slow when compared to other entries. Character customization is extremely limited as you are only able to make minor tweaks to the characters and there's only really one end game boss, which only requries a single and simple strategy to beat. Whereas VIII had the card game nicely implemented, IX card game felt a bit out of place. The limit breaks/trance in IX were just acquired by something, I even don't know how, as at point I just was able to do the best trance skill with Zidane without no apparent reason. Perhaps there's something I missed to truly understand and enjoy the game as much as it recieves praise, but I simply found nothing out of the ordinairy in it. The game felt like Square was trying to do everything too carefully, and the result was a solid careful game that neither broke anything or made anything better. 7/10    … Expand
  17. Karuzo
    Feb 28, 2016
    10
    This was the game that introduced me to RPG's. in my personal opinion the best in the series, from chocobos to moogles that save with a phoenix pinion, this game has everything you could ever need/want from a final fantasy game. Huge replay ability with secrets and mini games to keep you occupied for hours on end.
  18. DoctorZack
    Jan 1, 2021
    6
    Much like its cousin Chrono Cross, Final Fantasy IX exists in a bubble. Debuting at the end of a fading console, it didn't resurge until more modern times of social media and video content. With its core message being that of "belonging", Final Fantasy IX is more relevant to modern social culture than it was at launch.

    Pros: Strong core message Fundamental JRPG that is fairly balanced    Much like its cousin Chrono Cross, Final Fantasy IX exists in a bubble. Debuting at the end of a fading console, it didn't resurge until more modern times of social media and video content. With its core message being that of "belonging", Final Fantasy IX is more relevant to modern social culture than it was at launch.

    Pros:
    Strong core message
    Fundamental JRPG that is fairly balanced (some exceptions)
    Variety of side content and challenges
    The last purely composed Nobuo Uematsu soundtrack.

    Cons:
    Regressive gameplay compared to previous games. Despite having a variety (character skills*), the overlap makes most of them redundant to use in game outside of investigating.

    *Two characters are even White Mage-Summoner class. (Look at FF5 Jobs, or FF6 character variety. This comes across as lazy.) Several characters and locations become extremely irrelevant to overall story. I would argue a new player could reasonably start at disc 3 and not miss much context from the first half the game. Most locations visited from the first half of the game are even locked away due to disc limitations, unless they have a key item. Despite having a variety of side content, a lot of it is simply for padding time and not particularly beneficial or interesting, with some challenges being outright broken or intentionally malicious (Jump Rope).

    Conclusion:

    Saved by a good overall message and the soundtrack; FFIX is a solid JRPG that I find is a bit overrated by its devoted fans.    … Expand
  19. ThecriticGoD
    Mar 15, 2016
    8
    People is overrating this game a lot. Hearing people suggesting this is the best Final Fantasy game ever is, in my opinion, a very big lack of objectivity. Honestly, what new things does this games have to offer in regard to the previous FF's? That's right, nothing. FF7 brought Final Fantasy to a whole new level, innovated like no final fantasy had ever done, hence it's success. FF8 was aPeople is overrating this game a lot. Hearing people suggesting this is the best Final Fantasy game ever is, in my opinion, a very big lack of objectivity. Honestly, what new things does this games have to offer in regard to the previous FF's? That's right, nothing. FF7 brought Final Fantasy to a whole new level, innovated like no final fantasy had ever done, hence it's success. FF8 was a very big innovative success aswell. The junction system, the G.F system (you can improve them, they replace HP's gauge when they are being summoned) etc, the more realistic graphics, it was definetely something fresh and exciting. Now think about FF9... We go back to the old job system, eventhough you can't even select which character has what job here, thus characters have 0 customization, making some combination of characters non-viable, we had materias and junction before, what do we have now? The old nintendo Final fantasy system where you can only choose weapon, armor, accessory and that's it. Well, you can learn spells out of that, how innovative... Besides that there's NO new feature at all, even the minigame (tetra-master) is highly inspired by FF8's triple triad.

    It almost feels like Square just wanted to give the sentation of "oh, we know our roots, so eventhough we're gonna deliver an inferior game we'll have our old fans happy making a modern old-FF game." Now into the characters, Vivi is a very interesting character, one of the best characters in FF. But Zidane? Eiko? Quina? Steiner? and what's with the moogles and all the kid-jokes? Kinda feels like they wanted to make a childish game in some aspects, which was so disappointing considering how mature and interesting Final Fantasy was becoming with FF7 and then FF8, eventhough I'm glad it went back to that with FFX.

    Now, FF9 is not a bad game, at all. It has a great storyline, beautiful graphics, very good music, I'd recommend it to everyone that likes RPGS... It just offers nothing new to the saga in my opinion and is highly overrated, definetely not on the level of FF7, FF8 or FF10 for me.    … Expand
  20. FF9sucked
    Jul 9, 2016
    1
    Let me tell you, as one of the final fantasy franchises biggest fans, and growing up with their games I was never more disappointed than when I played this game. This game ruined all my hopes and actually made me fear to buy another one of their games. The plot line was lame, the characters looked lame, Zidanes relationship with Sarah was cool but it was so plain and boring, nothing likeLet me tell you, as one of the final fantasy franchises biggest fans, and growing up with their games I was never more disappointed than when I played this game. This game ruined all my hopes and actually made me fear to buy another one of their games. The plot line was lame, the characters looked lame, Zidanes relationship with Sarah was cool but it was so plain and boring, nothing like that of Zack and Aerith or Tidus and Yuna. It took a million years to level up your characters and boss fights never gave you experience. Sorry I gotta say it again...the characters looked so freiking lame... how do you expect me to take the story line seriously when the characters look like they were made for some failed kids comedy...and the battle system...garbage. It's the system where the bar loads to attack, and they pretend its turn based but its really not. It was so flippin slow ALL the time. Untill you really needed to think wether to use a potion or use magic and the boss was beting on you while you were just trying to plan your sh!t. This game honestly sucked. Don't buy it please. You may never buy a final fantasy game again.… Expand
  21. 6oni
    Oct 17, 2018
    7
    the combat system has gotten worse
    the art is different but not always good
    the game does not attract you
    the enemies are forgettable (the coolest enemy is a sphere ...)
  22. BonbonA.
    Apr 6, 2006
    8
    Ow.. How could I forgot to leave some comments here ^__^ Well, this one is one my favourite of FF series. The bad thing is just the characters. They are just too tiny n little.. Anyway, gameplay ok, audio very good, story excellent. An old classic game worth to play.
  23. Evan
    Jul 23, 2007
    10
    Why most people I've talked to skipped out on this one I will never know. EVERY aspect of this Final Fantasy game is superb. The characters, the story, the abilities system, the game world and especially the art.
  24. C.M.
    Sep 8, 2007
    9
    No. 9 just barely edges out no. 7 as the second best game in the Final Fantasy series (the top spot belongs unquestionably to no. 6, which may just be the best role-playing game ever made, or at least the best that I've had the privilege to experience). It was intended as both an homage to and a synthesis of the previous games in the series, which makes for wonderful in-jokes for No. 9 just barely edges out no. 7 as the second best game in the Final Fantasy series (the top spot belongs unquestionably to no. 6, which may just be the best role-playing game ever made, or at least the best that I've had the privilege to experience). It was intended as both an homage to and a synthesis of the previous games in the series, which makes for wonderful in-jokes for those familiar with the franchise. It's also one of the most humorous and whimsical RPGs I've played, two qualities that I value greatly in the genre; at the same time, however, it offers a deep and engaging storyline and mythos as well as a passel of fun characters (some more fun than others, granted) and a dazzling display of imagination. Best of all about the game, however, is the gameplay itself. The abitilies system (and most everything else in the game) is extremely user-friendly while never seeming too simple, and the synthesis shops are a great addition. Complaints? In my opinion, the tone of the game gets too serious as the storyline progresses, clashing with the initially established bright, colorful, whimsical feel. Battles, unfortunately, can get repetitive, especially when grinding (this is one aspect where 9 does not trump 7). And as is often the case with RPGs, the storyline gets needlessly confusing and murky as complications arise, requiring a great memory or a flow chart to keep track of exactly what's going on and why. (The ending's also a little disappointing.) But despite all that, Final Fantasy IX is a fantastic game that any RPG fan should definitely play, if they haven't already.… Expand
  25. Mark
    Dec 6, 2002
    8
    It's an alright game with good graphics and some alright characters but still not as good as final fantasy 8.
  26. StephanieR
    Apr 22, 2008
    10
    For all Final Fantasies, this has GOT to be the best RPG for me. It goes back to all the old tradition of Final Fantasy. This game has the best character developtment and you can completely feel being in the character's shoes. Final Fantasy X was a dissapointment. Good graphics, bad storyline. Stopped Final Fantasy VIII at Disc 2. Final Fantasy VII was also good! :) What separates For all Final Fantasies, this has GOT to be the best RPG for me. It goes back to all the old tradition of Final Fantasy. This game has the best character developtment and you can completely feel being in the character's shoes. Final Fantasy X was a dissapointment. Good graphics, bad storyline. Stopped Final Fantasy VIII at Disc 2. Final Fantasy VII was also good! :) What separates this from ANY OTHER Final Fantasies is it's magical atmosphere, you can completely feel the fantasy world, and be in the shoes of a thief (who is light hearted and funny, which in my opinion makes a good hero) saving the princess in a world full of mysteries.… Expand
  27. Lev
    Aug 26, 2008
    8
    Favourite FF out of the PSX FF titles, not counting Tactics. The whole game reminds me of the kind of adventure stories I liked (and still like!) as a kid. It has one of the best worlds that appear in a Final Fantasy, and the characters are really different so anyone can choose his/her favourite out of them. Battle system is simple and effective. Random encounters could get annoying after Favourite FF out of the PSX FF titles, not counting Tactics. The whole game reminds me of the kind of adventure stories I liked (and still like!) as a kid. It has one of the best worlds that appear in a Final Fantasy, and the characters are really different so anyone can choose his/her favourite out of them. Battle system is simple and effective. Random encounters could get annoying after a while but I think it works best in this game out of all the FFs.… Expand
  28. BobbyL
    Jun 21, 2009
    10
    This game is a divider- people either love it or hate it. I love it as do most of the people who I've talked to who have played all of the core FF games. It's got a lot to offer as far as sidequests and such, the combat isn't innovative at all but is very solid, and more importantly than anything else the story and characters are fantastic.
  29. LeeH.H.
    Jan 31, 2002
    9
    The Good: Breathtaking visuals and beautiful music. The story is enjoyable as well, but some may find it dull, since it builds up rather sluggishly. The Bad: Gameplay can get quite repetitive sometimes, especially if you're stuck in a dungeon. Overall, I'd say that this game is very good, but no where near VI, VII or X.
  30. Mcdudette
    Feb 27, 2002
    10
    This game is just awesome.
Page:

Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best PS1 Game of 2000
1
#1 Most Discussed PS1 Game of 2000
3
#3 Most Shared PS1 Game of 2000

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
94

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. GMR Magazine
    100
    The crystals return to the series, along with a four-member party, blue magic, and black mages. [Feb 2003, p.97]
  2. CNET Gamecenter
    90
    Continues the series' long-standing tradition of quality in one of the most compelling RPGs ever. This is the last Final Fantasy game that will appear on the PlayStation, and SquareSoft has definitely saved its best for last.
  3. Gamestyle
    90
    A masterpiece of an adventure game. For anyone not to fall in love with it would truly amaze me. Everything is set just right and you are drawn into the story right from the very offset.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »