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
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  1. banda89
    Dec 31, 2014
    10
    I don't usually give a perfect score, but this being my favorite game, deserves it.
    Character design seems to be the main reason some people like to pass on this game, but that makes the character more lovable.
    Great storyline, great characters and character development, soundtrack may be the best in the series, battle system easy to understand and actually works (not like the    I don't usually give a perfect score, but this being my favorite game, deserves it.
    Character design seems to be the main reason some people like to pass on this game, but that makes the character more lovable.
    Great storyline, great characters and character development, soundtrack may be the best in the series, battle system easy to understand and actually works (not like the complicated junction system in FFVIII), you get attached to the characters and want them to have a happy conclusion to their journey, from Zidane to Eiko.    … Expand
  2. TheGoodGoat
    Feb 10, 2015
    10
    To review quite possibly the best game ever made, I have divided this review into different sections (There will be heavy comparison to FFVII and FFVIII since they are often grouped together):

    Tradition/Place in the Series: FFIX obviously brings to mind the older and more difficult final fantasy games. Not only does this game reintroduce us to character classes, it treats them with    To review quite possibly the best game ever made, I have divided this review into different sections (There will be heavy comparison to FFVII and FFVIII since they are often grouped together):

    Tradition/Place in the Series:

    FFIX obviously brings to mind the older and more difficult final fantasy games. Not only does this game reintroduce us to character classes, it treats them with appropriate respect. FFVII and FFVIII received a lot of acclaim for their customization but such customization made each character essentially the same. Any character can use Ultima and any character can Heal. This customization took away from the characters of the game, treating them all as blank canvases for the player to paint on. The problem is that every player would likely mold the same 1 dimensional characters. FFIX gives you a cast of characters that balance each other on the battlefield and in the story. The main character is not physically the strongest, is not capable of dealing the most damage, and cannot cast magic. He is dependent, in a symbiotic relationship, with the rest of the characters. The last FF game that does this is FFIV, easily one of the more challenging FF Games.

    Gameplay:

    As alluded to before, the gameplay is considerably different in its depth than the previous two final fantasy games. While the active time battle system made a welcomed return, the different roles, created by the characters' different abilities, make the battle system much more delicate. If the white mage dies, you will want to use a phoenix down immediately because they are the only character that can cast healing magic. The overworld is brighter and the graphics are superior, partially helping the vastly improved controls. In previous games, it was sometimes hard to even move in the direction you wanted. The battles are intense, come down to the wire, and must be planned as part of a greater goal to reach the next save point. Whereas in other FF games you can essentially beat the entire game by attacking, healing, and casting the later black magic spells, FFIX places a greater emphasis on cooperation and alternative spells. The mage characters, for the most part, have very low attack and their role is simply that of a mage. The main character, a thief, can only attack, steal, and use a variety of relatively useless Thief Skills. Despite this, the emphasis on stealing is clear. Perhaps more than in any other FF game, stealing is critical to getting rare items and equipment.

    Storyline/Plot:

    I never really understood what was so great about Squall and Cloud. They both whine a lot and have this unfounded swagger. They both have rivals that intimidate them and lack the confidence of a true hero. Now, I understand that their characters are meant to be brooding anti-hero types but, in my opinion, they come off as unrealistic and lame. Would Squall, with his pessimistic insecurities, be a good soldier? Would Cloud, with his existentialist crisis and slightly disturbing idolization of Sephiroth, be a good soldier or even a person you would want to hang out with? The rest of the cast of these two games is also riddled with interchangeable, generic, and forgettable characters like Selphie, Zell, Irvine, Quistis, Barrett, and Cait Sith. FFIX, on the other hand, has a worthwhile hero whose attitude is conducive to saving the world and doing incredible things. In fact, the determination of virtually all the characters to do good is conducive of a good story; a story where a band of misfits save the world. Each character has his or her own journey that reveals what they are versus what you thought they were. Though some of the characters have cliched moments, they all break out of their shell in enjoyable ways. Without spoiling the story, I cannot make the arguments that I want to on behalf of this brilliantly written game. Now a little about the ending of the game WITHOUT ANY SPOILERS! A lot of RPGs seemingly tend to end on a semi dark note. Though the quest is completed, there is some hangup the characters have. If not that, the villain's devastation is too significant to ignore. Those that have played FFVII, FFVI, and FFX will know what I mean. FFIX, on the other hand has a complete ending where only a superfan like myself should be left wondering "what happened afterwards?" The ending gives a sense of completion and success unlike some of the darker endings in games where the player's achievements are taken up under him/her by some ridiculous plot twist. Bearing in mind that FFIX has plenty of plot twists that are cool and unexpected while also being consistent to the story and mythos of the game.

    If you have never played this game, DO IT. It is easily one of the best games ever with the best characters and a great story. Easily the most underrated FF game to date (FFXII is a close second). The best ever!

    Good for: Everyone

    Not good for: Squall, Cloud, and Sephiroth fanboys who like insecurity in their badasses.    … Expand
  3. raymond_frst
    Feb 25, 2015
    10
    This game is truly great. A lot of heart goes into the details of this game. backdrop, 3D sprites, game mechanics, story-line, sound and music. the feel is just fits the name, an adventure in a fantasy world. the player will actually feel a satisfaction of adventure after playing this game. Stunning, and worth replay over and over again.
  4. Vataro
    Mar 29, 2015
    10
    Holi Moli war ich überrascht , wie viel ich verpasst habe , als ich 2015 zum ersten Mal ein Final Fantasy zu Augen bekam ! Zwar war das nur ein Let's play , aber sogar das konnte mich meilenweit überzeugen ... Gelungene Meisterarbeit ! :D
  5. Deejalm
    Mar 20, 2015
    10
    I don't know about you guys, but I personally loved this game to bits. Although I have played FF7 (loved it!) But FF9 is more of my cup of tea. It brings such joy to my heart, and it rekindles my inner child too. I have played this game nearly 5 times now and I'll definitely replay it in another 10 years. Zidane is my favorite protagonist. I'm surprised he's still not in KH but it'sI don't know about you guys, but I personally loved this game to bits. Although I have played FF7 (loved it!) But FF9 is more of my cup of tea. It brings such joy to my heart, and it rekindles my inner child too. I have played this game nearly 5 times now and I'll definitely replay it in another 10 years. Zidane is my favorite protagonist. I'm surprised he's still not in KH but it's probably since he's pretty similar to Sora's character. Furthermore, many may find FF9's style odd (in terms of costumes) but the eerie feel to it grows on you with the old medieval setting. It's one of its kind. It has its own mystical feel to it which I adore. Best scene would be with the soundtrack "You're Not Alone". And village Dali is just UGH. Even if you haven't played FF9 in young age, you'll still feel nostalgic playing it now.… Expand
  6. 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.
  7. LaiusBunansa
    Jul 11, 2015
    10
    Just want to express my love to this game. I honestly liked this better than the 7th. The limelight just didn't caught this game that much because of PS2. Underrated yet best.
  8. TheDudeFromIce
    Nov 29, 2015
    10
    I play this game almost yearly and I just never seem to get tired of it. Love the battle system, love the story and characters, love the world that's created and well...... I just love the game!

    This was my first RPG experience and made me fall in love with that genre.
  9. EpicLadySponge
    Apr 24, 2016
    10
    Final Fantasy VII will always remain the best, but I think saving the best for last would go up for Final Fantasy IX, which is more unique than Final Fantasy VII.
  10. conorsullivan50
    Dec 21, 2018
    10
    The greatest Final Fantasy game. To even rate this lower than an 8 is to cede any claim to intelligence and to relinquish all credibility of opinion. 100%. 10/10, would play and have played again.
  11. brothers54321
    May 24, 2016
    10
    Final Fantasy IX is the product of a company with infinite passion for its franchise and fans doing more than their best to make a game that doesn't just capture the essence of its predecessors, but improves on its formula in so many ways that it becomes legendary. While I wont deny a lot of my feelings for this game are very nostalgic in nature, I played through the game and beat it notFinal Fantasy IX is the product of a company with infinite passion for its franchise and fans doing more than their best to make a game that doesn't just capture the essence of its predecessors, but improves on its formula in so many ways that it becomes legendary. While I wont deny a lot of my feelings for this game are very nostalgic in nature, I played through the game and beat it not but a year ago and remain firm in my belief that this game is the best in its franchise and my personal favorite game ever made regardless of that nostalgia.
    To begin, this game has the perfect Final Fantasy plot line. Where I do like deep complex storylines, many of the Final Fantasy games are so complex that I miss key details that require a second play through to fully understand. However the story wouldn't be satisfying if it didn't weave together twists and turns you don't actually see coming. Final Fantasy IX has the definitive story for me in the Final Fantasy franchise. While FFVI makes an excellent case for its story, FFIX's is simply so perfectly complicated yet easy to understand once it's said and done in my strong opinion. Without spoiling anything, the characters you meet and the moments you have with these characters almost all reduced me to tears, as each character tells a story of some kind of human flaw we have all felt or witnessed. The slideshow in the beginning of the game that plays when you are idle on the main menu will reveal a lot with maybe 10 words about the character's core values and struggles they face internally, and it's my opinion that each character almost perfectly demonstrates these flaws and overcomes them or confronts them in such a way that you will be left in tears at some of the struggles this cast of characters overcomes. But this game isn't all doom and gloom either. The comedic interactions and awkward moments between the characters feel so beautifully unforced and spot on to how you would expect the character to react based on their personality. Seeing the polarity of some of the character's motives and how this affects other characters can be both heartwarming and bittersweet at times, really helping you identify and relate to the character's even further.
    But that is just the character development. This game has so much more. There is one sequence where the main protagonist is faced with a horrifying revelation that really pained me. Seeing how he reacted and how the other characters tried to do right by their friend was the most emotionally painful scene in a video game for me. I've never cried and pleaded more to a television screen in my life than in that moment and it sticks with me to this day. All while some of the most beautiful music in gaming plays. Which is another great point. This game has one of the best soundtracks in a video game, perfectly expressing the emotion you should feel at every moment through each dungeon and town. It's one of the things that really ties in all this game's strengths together and makes it truly a masterpiece RPG.
    And of course the combat. In typical SquareSoft fashion, they outdid themselves. No other developer of the time could find more ways to revolutionize turn based combat than SquareSoft. This game brings back an importance to equipment and accessories that had been dying from the series' previous two entities. Where the previous two games focused more on customizing each character to be whatever role you wanted them to be, this game returns to form with each character filling a certain class with a mix of strengths and weaknesses. The main protagonist is the thief class, inherently able to steal with strong fighting stats as well. However he isn't a Mage and there is no way to make him a Mage. If you want a Mage, you have to use a character who is a Mage, rather than say equipping a ton of materia from FFVII on whatever character and making him a Mage. This brings an importance and strategy back to which characters you choose for a certain engagement that had been pointless with the previous 2 entires. Each character learns new skills in their class based on the weapons and armor they have equipped and slowly learn those skills the longer the armor is equipped. Once the ability is learned, you no longer need to wear that armor to use that skill. It's very intuitive and satisfying to turn-based combat fans and only adds to the master-crafted story this game offers.
    To finish, FFIX is one of the best RPGs ever made with a story and characters you aren't likely to forget. With about 30 hours of story and 10 hours of relatively plain optional content, any fan of RPGs and especially JRPGs would be a fool to have not played this game. If you want a game with strategic turn based content and a phenomenal story, you won't find much better than Final Fantasy IX    … Expand
  12. villaverd
    May 31, 2016
    10
    Perfecto. No lo podría definir mejor en una sola palabra, una historia que parece un poco infantil al principio pero una vez va cobrando forma es impresionante y de las más filosóficas de la saga final fantasy y de los juegos en general. unos personajes....de lo mejor de lo mejor, desbordan carisma todos, tanto principales como secundarios como villanos. La jugabilidad nada mal para laPerfecto. No lo podría definir mejor en una sola palabra, una historia que parece un poco infantil al principio pero una vez va cobrando forma es impresionante y de las más filosóficas de la saga final fantasy y de los juegos en general. unos personajes....de lo mejor de lo mejor, desbordan carisma todos, tanto principales como secundarios como villanos. La jugabilidad nada mal para la epoca y de mis preferidas de la sagas, horas y horas de diversion. Entre las veces que lo he rejugado le habre echado mas de mil horas facilmente. De los mejores juegos de la historia y mi preferido.… Expand
  13. Sha2n
    May 9, 2023
    10
    A unique work, one of the best to date. This game will definitely enter the top, created by a diverse, experienced, versatile and not envious gamer. A legend for a real dreamer. From Gabranth with Love.
  14. GamecubeLover
    Aug 3, 2016
    10
    This game...this game is amazing. just amazing visuals and gameplay as well as replay value! This game has it all and what you expect from a Final Fantasy game.
  15. peropify
    Mar 15, 2017
    10
    Best FF game to date. Story wise, content wise, this game get just about everything right. From its charming characters, to the refreshingly humorous dialogue, if you are a lover of JRPG's, this is an amazing game to play. If there was one gripe I had about this game it would be maybe the battle system, which was highly luck based at times, but this was due to the era of games back then.Best FF game to date. Story wise, content wise, this game get just about everything right. From its charming characters, to the refreshingly humorous dialogue, if you are a lover of JRPG's, this is an amazing game to play. If there was one gripe I had about this game it would be maybe the battle system, which was highly luck based at times, but this was due to the era of games back then. Unfortunately, the graphics are dated now, even with the latest HD character models. They need to remake this game instead.… Expand
  16. zens3
    Jul 25, 2016
    10
    This game is true to the "Fantasy" in its name. Having played most of the games in the final fantasy series (before XI), I still say this is my favorite because of its ability to give you that sense of everlasting and calm adventure, which is different from the more upbeat and faster Final Fantasy X. As usual with FF games from VII, this one has a unique skill system, which is worthThis game is true to the "Fantasy" in its name. Having played most of the games in the final fantasy series (before XI), I still say this is my favorite because of its ability to give you that sense of everlasting and calm adventure, which is different from the more upbeat and faster Final Fantasy X. As usual with FF games from VII, this one has a unique skill system, which is worth mastering, not that it is complex.… Expand
  17. Keksmann
    Aug 24, 2016
    10
    It's a beautiful and shockingly dark fantasy game, set in a wonderful world with amazing characters. Touching, funny, gripping. The most underrated Final Fantasy game of all time.
  18. demonSQL
    Mar 17, 2017
    10
    The negative reviews are absolute **** They were made by people without criteria. This is by far one of the most beatiful stories of all time. The music, the gameplay, the script, the graphics taking advantage of the limits of the PSX. EVERYTHING of this game is wonderful. Final Fantasy IX is really a "Melody of Life"
  19. lethen
    Nov 29, 2016
    10
    Best game ever made Best game ever made Best game ever made Best game ever made Best game ever made Best game ever made Best game ever made Best game ever made Best game ever made Best game ever made Best game ever made Best game ever made Best game ever made
  20. ziko_xman
    Dec 15, 2016
    10
    i have played a lot of video games but no one can be close to this masterpiece.

    story_

    music_

    characters_

    game-play_

    graphics (may be old but still good )_

    emotional moments_

    beautiful world_

    it's have everything.
    the perfect game
    Final Fantasy IX is the true meaning of Final Fantasy
  21. kwame
    Apr 6, 2017
    10
    best final fantasy game to this date. both final fantasy 7 and 8 were great and put the bar for new final fantasy games but 9 put that bar even higher. Evrything that made those games great are in this game and imporved with new cool stuff.
  22. JoseAn13Torres
    Sep 4, 2019
    10
    Tras varias entregas de Final Fantasy por fín volvía uno a tener un plantel de cuatro luchadores y a estar ambientado en una época medieval, a mi personalmente me encanta que esto fuese así, una pena que al igual que su antecesor FFVIII viviesen eclipsados por FFVII, esto sumado a la muerte inminente de la Sony PlayStation que iba a dar paso enseguida a PlayStation 2 hicieron que el juegoTras varias entregas de Final Fantasy por fín volvía uno a tener un plantel de cuatro luchadores y a estar ambientado en una época medieval, a mi personalmente me encanta que esto fuese así, una pena que al igual que su antecesor FFVIII viviesen eclipsados por FFVII, esto sumado a la muerte inminente de la Sony PlayStation que iba a dar paso enseguida a PlayStation 2 hicieron que el juego no tuviese mucho éxito entonces, aún asi, este juego alcanzó el techo técnico de PlayStation y consiguió envejecer muy bien. Mi videojuego favorito de 32 bits.… Expand
  23. kjatafoxhound
    Aug 7, 2017
    10
    The best videogame of history. All here is perfect. Argument, charcacters, music, gameplay, graphics...
    Tras tres obras maestras para la historia, Square logró superarse llevando su fórmula a las cotas más altas. Diseños y escenarios inmejorables y mágicos de la mano de los mejores gráficos del momento. Una historia sencillamente perfecta, colosal y memorable...y la música del genio    The best videogame of history. All here is perfect. Argument, charcacters, music, gameplay, graphics...
    Tras tres obras maestras para la historia, Square logró superarse llevando su fórmula a las cotas más altas. Diseños y escenarios inmejorables y mágicos de la mano de los mejores gráficos del momento. Una historia sencillamente perfecta, colosal y memorable...y la música del genio Uematsu.    … Expand
  24. eredhel
    Jul 7, 2017
    10
    With an epic story, high quality music score, marvelous gameplay and breath taking graphics at the time, makes this game a masterpiece. A true state of the art Final Fantasy entry.
  25. 17_jrpg
    Aug 3, 2017
    10
    For me Final Fantasy IX is the best Final Fantasy game ever. This is the first Final Fantasy game and the first JRPG I've played when I bought PSone and after playing I start to like JRPGs. After I played all the other Final Fantasy games I started to understand why I like this game so much.

    The story of Final Fantasy IX is very good because it has funny, happy, sad, tragic and dramatic    For me Final Fantasy IX is the best Final Fantasy game ever. This is the first Final Fantasy game and the first JRPG I've played when I bought PSone and after playing I start to like JRPGs. After I played all the other Final Fantasy games I started to understand why I like this game so much.

    The story of Final Fantasy IX is very good because it has funny, happy, sad, tragic and dramatic moments. The backstory of main and secondary characters is also good and helps you understand the whole story better and especially the end. I read some criticisms that refer to the final boss and I must say I disagree with those criticisms. Those critics say that the final boss does not fit into the whole story, that actually does not have a meaning in the story. To these criticisms I can say that they did not even understand the whole story and especially the role of the main villain who, due to his actions, is responsible for summoning the final boss. For me, the final boss of this game is one of the best final bosses, which is very well designed and is very difficult if you are not well prepared for the battle. The design of the whole game (characters and the world) is also very good and I especially like the design of Black mages, especially the character Vivi and Black Waltz No. 3.

    A gameplay of this game is also very good. I like how each character has its own class, its own abilities, which means no character is the same. This helps the player to create their own strategy during the battle by balancing strengths and weaknesses of the characters. The Battle system is excellent. The ATB system is my favorite battle system. The only bad thing they did is Trance system and it's the only defect of the battle system. It's the only mistake they have made and if they ever decide to make a remake of Final Fantasy IX, they should only correct and improve Trance system in battle system of this game. Also this game has interesting mini games like Tetra Master and Chocobo Hot and Cold, and has one of the toughest superbosses of Final Fantasy games.

    Conclusion: Final Fantasy IX is one of the best JRPGs and deserves remake so that future generations also can experience this classic JRPG with improved graphics and corrected minor error.    … Expand
  26. pendelberry
    Feb 1, 2020
    10
    I own and have beaten every Final Fantasy they have made for the mainline and i have to say this is my personal favorite in the series.
  27. fearthemost
    Jun 24, 2023
    10
    The best Final Fantasy ever made. The story is good, the music is incredible and the characters are charismatic. the game has a perfect balance of drama and humor.
  28. AndreaM84
    Aug 1, 2020
    10
    This is THE RPG. Period. No game will ever match the beauty of this gem. Even today, even in a million years, no game will ever be able to match FFIX.
  29. Vanta77
    Sep 20, 2018
    10
    Best storyline and characters in the history of jrpg and one of the best games ever.
  30. Letfio
    Oct 20, 2018
    10
    The best game ever developed. A perfect story, lovely character, long-lasting gameplay and a absolute fantastic soundtrack. Buy it, play it, love it.
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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 »