A Step Back: Final Fantasy IX

[Daedalus]

I'm trying to go back and play some of the RPGs that I have missed over time.  I recently grabbed a used PS2 and I am now waiting for Final Fantasy IX to show up in the mail.  With that said I plan on giving my impressions of FF IX as I play through it.  Does anybody have any tips to playing the game?  Is there anything that I should make sure I DO while playing?  Or am I fine just flying blind and playing however I want?

[Dice]

There are a TON of missables in this game, not to sure how thorough you are ( a lot of these are superfluous "key items" though that don't do shit).

Best advice?  Buy extra weapons and max out skills before you move on to a new [stronger] weapon.  And do Choco-Hot-Cold.  Don't ask, just do it.

[Daedalus]

There are a TON of missables in this game, not to sure how thorough you are ( a lot of these are superfluous "key items" though that don't do shit).

Best advice?  Buy extra weapons and max out skills before you move on to a new [stronger] weapon.  And do Choco-Hot-Cold.  Don't ask, just do it.

Nice thanks!  I'm trying to decide whether to use a guide(the internet) as a reference or to just fly blind.

[Dice]

Oh.  One other thing.  Blind or not, be sure to steal at least three things from all bosses!!! DO IT.

[Starmongoose]

Final Fantasy IX, the only game where having a thief in your party is consistently worth it.

Ps. Keep us updated in the game journal.

[Daedalus]

Final Fantasy IX, the only game where having a thief in your party is consistently worth it.

Ps. Keep us updated in the game journal.

When you say "game journal", are you talking here in this thread?  Or is there a spot where I'm supposed to post this kind of thing?

[Blace]

Final Fantasy IX, the only game where having a thief in your party is consistently worth it.

Ps. Keep us updated in the game journal.

When you say "game journal", are you talking here in this thread?  Or is there a spot where I'm supposed to post this kind of thing?

In the general discussion forum there is a thread titled "New Game Journal".

[Aeolus]

Final Fantasy IX, the only game where having a thief in your party is consistently worth it.

Ps. Keep us updated in the game journal.

Not like you have any choice given that the main character is a thief.


As for missables, the game is very good at letting you know when you're standing over something by throwing up a balloon over your head with either a question mark or an exclamation mark in it (even though it may not always be important). Although generally speaking most missables aren't really that important to anything (although a few are like the Stellazaro coins).

Also for this style of playthrough I highly recommend against gunning for Excalibur II. You either have to speed run the hell out of the game or you have to wait forever and a day for the in game clock to wrap all the way around to less than 10 hours in the white time font.

[Raze]

Sometimes, actually a lot of times, you'll find yourself without a healer as people join and leave as part of the story so be sure you're stocked with potions.

[Dice]

Sometimes, actually a lot of times, you'll find yourself without a healer as people join and leave as part of the story so be sure you're stocked with potions.

I always kept a healer.  wtf, why isn't there anything better than a Hi Potion

[Taelus]

Steal from everything, never sell anything, and use everyone.

Also, watch all the ATEs because they're like skits from a Tales game.

[Goblin Shark]

Just sit back and enjoy the ride.  I just went into the game blind and had a very enjoyable time.  It's not like other modern FFs with their arbitrarily complex systems and needless hoosefudge.  Clear your mind, forget about "I have to play it *this* way or else," and just let the game's charm grow on you.

[Akanbe-]

Also, watch all the ATEs because they're like skits from a Tales game.

Agreed, these were great.  All the advice in the thread is good stuff.

As far as missables go, it depends how OCD you are.  I personally would play it blind and enjoy the ride, but anyway you play you'll have fun I imagine.

[Taelus]

Yeah, play it blind. There are missables, but don't ruin the magic with a guide. If you're super OCD about those, you can play again :)

Plus, if you're going for 100%, you have to get to the final dungeon in 8 hours to get Excalibur II, which is... not easy.

[Starmongoose]

Isn't it 12 hours? 8 hours just sounds ridiculous. Cur scenes alone are about that long haha.