FINAL FANTASY CHANGED ME - Happy Console Gamer

[@davidf1211]

Ive been slowly playing through the 1-6 pixel remasters and its been such a joy. I still remember sitting in front of our tiny TV with my brothers playing FF1. Its such an old gem for me. I miss those times

[@mike1989libra]

Why I got it on switch

[@solidwisdom8749]

Its good but too hard

[@tlovehater]

Rest in peace.

[@rowanmorris2187]

I got them all as I'd never played 1 through 3 before. I just started 5 last night. So glad they fixed the font and finally put them on console.

[@Terron29]

​@@solidwisdom8749too hard? You can triple all xp gains if you wish and turn off random encounters

[@aaaaallllleeeeexxxxx]

I feel like 9 got the closest to perfecting the heart of what the series is (or was) about. Incredible world building which toed the line perfectly between medieval and steampunk, great characters that were developed really well, mostly light hearted but with a serious live story and bad guy and actually explored some pretty existential themes of identity, personhood and meaning.

[@JackCrossSama]

I feel like 10 was the last great final fantasy we got from Square

[@codyvandal2860]

@@JackCrossSama10 also was the biggest technical leap forward as well.

[@JimC1984]

Same 10 was truely the last spirit of final fantasy. The rest have been reactions to trends not a masterpiece fantasy

[@nayibgonzalez3250]

X is truly remarkable. The way the game’s narrative tackles certain themes is second to none, like hope and sorrow. Sin presented as a repercussion for humanity’s mistakes (sins) but also as a necessity. And more. To this day, Final Fantasy X still amazes me with all the messages I can get out of it.

[@youtubasoarus]

9 certainly felt the most magical of the ones i've played. Wonderful soundtrack.

[@syardley1]

Just wanted to say your videos get me through tough times. I feel like you are a friend taking me back to childhood when video games make me remember. Thank you, Johnny!

[@HappyConsoleGamer]

Thank you for watching! Appreciated!

[@drgonzo123]

I’ve been dealing with depression a lot lately. I really hope you find some joy in life. It takes work, but is possible. If you are dealing with depression, all I can say is find a doctor. Hang in there.

[@smicrv]

@@drgonzo123 Hey man! I suffered depression from 16 years to 35 I'm currently 36 and it's possible, not gonna lie it's not easy but its doable as you say. I do agree with you that it feels like Rob is an old friend and for me is the friend that never left.

[@poppysgtspanky]

Final Fantasy changed me too but in a different way. Whenever Covid 19 came out and the world was changing, I decided to try the FF7 Remake. I never had any experience with the series other than trying 14 a few years ago. I was blown away by the remake and wanted to dive deeper. 3 years later, I have collected and beat every game in the franchise, while it opened my eyes to several different forms of media heavily popular from Japan, like reading manga and watching anime. I’ll always owe it to Final Fantasy for being my gateway into several other mediums of entertainment!

[@Dealwithitretro]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pV6mdYSharqXodEsi=-jt3NO8lHULvAwXw

[@statesminds]

That’s crazy you beat them all after that lol. That’s awesome. What are your top 5 FF you played?

[@branberrycakes]

This is what I call a true passionate fan. Playing every entry regardless of the general consensus on the entries. Playing to play. Nothing more, nothing less. This is what gaming is all about.

[@poppysgtspanky]

@@statesminds ohhh man. They always be changing xD but for now 1. Ff6 2. Ff14 3. FF9 4. FF7 5. FF4

[@blackout1518]

I’m on the same journey as you brother. Going through ff8 for the first time rn and loving it(except for the garbage triple triad rules)

[@Mindblazter80]

Oooh yeah that FF3 (ff6) was so very well done in many ways. That intro with Terra in the snowstorm and that opening music, that can never be done again. Love this game forever.

[@johngumprecht]

3/6 is hands down my favorite super nintendo game of all time.....even better than super metroid

[@DirtyDan71327]

All these years later , your channel is still as authentic as ever. Amazing.

[@MyRetroLife]

Great video Johnny. Final Fantasy is a series I haven’t spent a lot of time with but I can definitely relate with other series. I’m like this with Phantasy Star. I keep wanting Sega to recreate the same joy I had with older titles and PSO but it just isn’t the same with newer entries

[@paulkinder8440]

I concur PSO is my favourite game of all time, i spent so much time on that on my Dreamcast and Xbox, losing my Xbox data after over 3 yrs of playing the game, stopped me from playing much longer. Unfortunately PSO2 took too long in coming to the UK on consoles, so it never felt the same when it finally arrived and i didn't like PSU at all.

[@ThatMysterD]

I loved Phantasy Star 2,3,4 on Genesis - but, never played PSO. I just never was big on the MMORPG genre.

[@HolyClownFuckarus]

Wawawewah its tyler!

[@richardgallimore5976]

I currently got an emulator & am playing games I was a bit too young to try back in the day (grew up briefly with SNES, then N64). RPG wise I've played through a few good ones, Dragon Warrior I/II, currently playing III, also Final Fantasy I. Haven't tried much of the Sega Master System (though Wonderboy III blew my expectations away for an 8-Bit game), but I do want to try Phantasy Star at some point. Based on what others have said I'm in for a treat getting to play it for the first time.

[@paulkinder8440]

@richardgallimore5976 I mostly played fighting games on my Sega consoles, i did play Dragonforce and Panzer Dragoon Saga on the Sega Saturn and i enjoyed both. On the Dreamcast probably my favourite game of all time was Phantasy Star Online, but that was my first online game i'd played and i continued playing it on the original Xbox until my hdd crashed and i lost all my data. I have also played through Phantasy Star II on a Megadrive compilation. Because i don't use guides, i did find it quite hard to get through, some of the dungeons are a nightmare to be truthful and the gameplay is quite dated now. It'd be good to see a remake of the game. From what i hear PSIV is the best one.

[@eliseocontreras3575]

That's why I love the Dragon Quest series, because it continues to respect its roots

[@lewdochris438]

Final Fantasy is THE series that helped me learn how to read while growing up because i never enjoyed reading books. Nowadays i don't play any of them as much as i used to. FF8 and 9 were ones i played religiously.

[@Jon_Cummins]

Monolith Soft broke off of square just in time to avoid their new quirky, cinematic, action based era. And their Baten Kaitos series remains my favourite; a perfect balance of classic FF style mixed with incredible and enchanting fixed camera visuals, the evolution of what FF9 & chrono cross were doing, and I'm still waiting for something to continue in that direction.

[@ezioauditore4061]

It's my favorite video game series ever, but unfortunately, I haven't enjoyed it all that much since FFIX. I did enjoy FFVII Remake though and am looking forward to Rebirth. But ever since FFIX, it just hasn't been the same for me. I think the series really misses Sakaguchi. What I consider the golden years for the series were with him. It feels directionless and visionless now. I very much miss Nobuo Uematsu as well. He is perhaps the most influential and important gaming figure for me. His music has done so much for me and I first discovered him playing FF. But the series feels forever changed, that's fine if that's the route they've chosen. There are tons of other RPGs to fall in love with and you can always go back and play the classics if you have the itch. I didn't like FFXVI at all, but I know a lot of people did. I hope one day we get FFVIII and IX remakes(I know the IX is long rumored).

[@RetrocartCollector]

Awesome video! I enjoyed you speaking about your journey in Final Fantasy which closely resembled mine. The original Final Fantasy shaped my childhood and then Final Fantasy 3(6) defined a lot of my teen’s. I followed the games the same as you and had the same feelings and emotions up until Final Fantasy 13. I was always a grinder, leveling up my characters and just enjoying the game and the open worlds, then came 13 and about half way through I hit a boss who I couldn’t beat, dead stopped me, I couldn’t go back because of the linear design and that moment was it for me. Without the turn based combat and open world exploration I didn’t feel the draw to grind and adventure, it wasn’t what I loved anymore. So I went back to the start and played through my first loves again instead and haven’t really ever come back to the new games. I guess I didn’t want it to change.

[@ShadowDancer0988]

I'm not even a fan of Final Fantasy. Never have been. Yet I'm 6 minutes in and enjoying the video because of how much passion you speak about the series.

[@danielyanezgarrido]

For me playing final fantasy almost decades ago, when it launched did changed me in the sense that I felt like I habitated that world, it wasnt just a game it was an experience I got to live in midgar. Hard to explain it with words but I even wrote it in a little notebook back in the day, I didnt just play the game I habitated the world.

[@spacepresidentmonkey]

I grew up with final fantasy 1, I remember going to my best friends house and we cleared it together. I love final fantasy 1,4,6,7,9,12. When 13 came out I tried it and wanted to love it. But unfortunately that was the end of final fantasy for me. Love your videos.

[@femtrooper]

I struggle with “what makes a Final Fantasy a Final Fantasy game”. Humour FOR SURE!!! I think it’s a vibe but I’ve felt like the recent ones haven’t given me that Final Fantasy feeling…but like you, I’m always super optimistic and I get excited for the next one every time! It could be a new fav! You just never know!

[@woolybear]

I haven't played FF16 yet, I don't own a PS5 ... but I played pretty much every other entries as they came out in North America and I'll say these games actually shaped my personality as a teen in a big way! In retrospect, I would say these games were just as important to me as some movies and songs/albums were! Favorite order for me: - FF6 - FF9 - FF7 - FF4 - FF12 - FF1 - FF10 - FF5 - FF15 - FF8 - FF3 - FF13 - FF2 - FF11 and 14 (not a subscription MMO fan, didn't have the money back then ...)

[@dizzydazed8055]

You will have fun with 16... it is decent; better than 15 and 13. It overstays its welcome a bit, but still a solid 7.5/10

[@shutup1037]

Glad that 12 is on your top 5 for someone who have played every FF. It's the only ff i've finished and played

[@crshovveride]

My first was 7. It was and still is my favorite (nostalgia is heavy with this one!) I enjoyed 8 and 9, but fell in love with 10. The next one I enjoyed a lot was the 13 series. I know they’re not the most popular, but my late friend and I had a lot of fun with the series, and due to his passing, I will forever hold the 13 series close. Thanks for the video!

[@OMGpandemic]

Even though I've been subbed since like 2010(?), I've been rewatching lots of your content, just wanted to say thanks for all the good times you provide us. Best wishes to you and yours!

[@ClaytonMorris]

I love how this series is so tied to your life. It grew or degraded as you grew. It’s so interesting to watch how much they’ve changed.

[@AaronBowley]

yeah it’s been like 30 years

[@Leonesaurus1990]

Final Fantasy feels like a friend you grew up with who, as you both get older, tries to be friends with everybody, so they end up changing themselves as a person to appeal to those people and it alienates you from the personal you knew growing up. In the later years, you can still get along and hang out, but it's just not the same, and they're spending more time with those other people doing things with them, and less with you as a priority. Basically, Final Fantasy will always have those older games to go back to, and it will always have moments that rekindle those moments in the future, but things change and we have to learn to accept that over time.

[@Jon_Cummins]

Great description! Monolith Soft broke off from square just in time to avoid their more western, cinematic, action based FFs. And their Baten Kaitos series remains my favourite; a perfect balance of classic FF style mixed with incredible, enchanting fixed camera visuals, the evolution of what FF9 & chrono cross were doing, and I'm still waiting for something to continue in that direction.

[@dcrediah]

16 legit made me cry. It’s so beautiful. And being a huge DMC fan it made me jump right in and juggle enemies to the moon.

[@dcrediah]

And maybe I’m not THE FF guy to ask but my fav FF is 8. That should say everything about me lol

[@realmatic10]

All I get from this FF8 comment…is that you love tedium, and handsome boys.😂

[@dcrediah]

@@realmatic10 you’d be amazed how much on the nose you are 😂

[@kayla_Ra]

Final fantasy 3 or Final fantasy 6 seems to be shiney and magical gem from the past. Love your videos John 🌟 Started on FFVII and also played VIII and X and have been curious about Final fantasy VI have never played it but life and game backlogs has not allowed it yet

[@superricky9223]

You have to play Final Fantasy 6 when you can you can Suplex a train in the game story is really good with good characters in it more chance to play it with the pixel remaster out final fantasy 1-6 looking to get it on the switch then have more time to play it with it be hand held and life getting in the way

[@stannisthemannis5535]

My favorite thing about Sunday is watching my Jacksonville Jaguars but a new video from happy console gamer is definitely 1B

[@GameTales111]

Final Fantasy 12 was the last one I could get into, X was the last one I loved. I just miss the turn based combat, I really hope that Square sees the success of Baldur’s Gate 3 and copies it’s turn based combat for Final Fantasy 17. That might get me back into the franchise.

[@itskeopi]

Johnny, man.. you are the best. For years and years now your hard work with these videos have left me with a lot to think about and always with a smile. All the best to your and your family!

[@lankylemon8555]

I'll always cherish turn-based systems but I think FF7 remake hits the sweet spot between action and thoughtful strategic combat

[@el_oh_ell]

Then they should take that system and make a triple A mana game with it. They spun off final fantasy to make an action series already.

[@domymbd]

I think FF7 Remake is the only one in the whole series with a good action-oriented combat system.

[@ShonnDaylee]

I can't stand the dumbed down action combat. It's awful. Lacks strategy, and trades it for over-the-top action. Very meh....

[@blackout1518]

@@ShonnDayleefinal fantasy has always been over the top. Action combat fits the series so much more than turn based ever has which is why they’ll never go back so deal with it

[@ElBribri]

For me FFX kinda killed FF for me, the way was uninteresting to me, the narrow hallway trend started with this game and for me all games from there on have felt NOTHING like a FF game (expcet for 12), and to this dya, I've been uninsterested in FF, not one catches my eye and attention as they used to

[@cloudbloom]

These games were such a huge part of my life since i was 14 and first laid eyes on ff7 at a friend's house around 97/98. Been a die hard fan ever since, it's wild to have played ff16 all these years later and still feel that same excitement. Thanks for the nostalgia as always Johnny! Hope the fam is doing well🙏 *i still have my original ps1 copies of 7-9, tactics, anthology and my copy of 7 has a misprint on the back label. I love holding on to the very games i got for Christmas as a teenager, having those physical copies is part of the fun of collecting games and I'm always amazed by your massive collection

[@jeffreyluzunaris8257]

I love the series so much! I’m kinda in that same realm where I completed most of the games. I played some of 11 and 14 but mmo really not for me. Once the game lost the “world map” it’s when it changed for me. Like exploring the world map and going wherever you want on your gold chocobo…I miss that part so much! Still love the series though.

[@chrilz1498]

I really value you sharing this, Johnny, especially as a fellow love of the series with an entirely different history-my first experience was playing 7 as a 25-year-old back in 2020. If nothing else, I think it’s beautiful that the same series can impact both of us deeply even if it’s in unique ways. I really respect your points, and I’ll second having humor for XVII, haha

[@haydenradcliffe]

I'm currently in the process of trying to get into Final Fantasy, and I've been watching many of your FF videos. This was a great one to watch because it really helps me pick which ones I should be giving a try. Currently I'm thinking I'll play FF7 remaster, FF3, FF9, FF10, maybe FF12, and FF16. Love your passion in these videos

[@jaybee4288]

If you’re really going to play them fully, these games are a lot of hours and will consume your gameplay for some time. 7, 9 or 10 are a good place to start. Not too retro. I’d steer away from 12 as a first one to be honest, it’s something to try if you’re a fan of the series, very divisive though. 15 much the same.

[@AbstractM0use]

Awesome. I sort of envy people new to FF7 that get to experience it for the first time with the remake. It's a different experience, though. The original is revered for a reason, despite how dated it looks. (And yes it looks dated which is why fans have begged for a remake for decades) Gameplay-wise, you'll have a better grasp on playing FF9 if you play the original FF7 first. The classic ones are like watching silent movies, if you're used to voice acting (which begins with FF10).

[@retrohollandia]

Any day that my favorite gaming tuber talks about my favorite series is a great day.

[@ValcristRoda]

I hope you go back to the XIII trilogy someday! Maybe you'll see it from a fresh perspective! The pulse quests are where the combat really shines. There's a reason they use the stagger system in future FF games. It's pretty satisfying when you get it.

[@phoenixxxashez]

As someone who's played and beaten the first two XIII games in the trilogy (Haven't finished Lightning Returns yet) I really didn't mind the games. Maybe it's just because I'm a casual gamer and don't really care all that much as long as I find a game fun and decent. I don't really complain.

[@Evan2768]

Ff13 and 13-2 are my 2 favorite final fantasy games. I find them beautiful, nostalgic, moving, and fun. The music alone is enough for me. I agree that the stagger system is very well done, but also the paradigm system shines the further you get into the game, and especially on hard difficulty. The combat requires strategy and timing to be mastered. I also wish people would revisit these games with a fresh mind… maybe one day we’ll get a remaster.

[@marcotalotta]

This is, by far, the best place to talk, learn about and remember moments related to video games. The rest available everywhere else feels -to me- like they've been losing focus, they've been missing the point. Johnny, your vision and way of relating to video games and everything around them, the stories you tell and your genuine enthusiasm is exactly what why I come back to your channel every week, knowing that there's a relatable friend that will tell me one more story in the most honest and passionate way.

[@duncanhenderson7094]

There’s a lot of positive things to say about the Final Fantasy series and I feel that each numbered entry having its own identity, is part of being a Final Fantasy game. I think the developers feel they can do more with the ever advancing technology, so I’m excited to say what they do next!

[@aniketsanyal5586]

Looking forward to this video, great work Johnny! Loved your channel since 2012 and Sunday uploads with a mug of tea in hand is a special thing ... currently playing the pixel remasters for Final Fantasy on switch and even doing another FFX playthrough (a personal favorite)!

[@EdwinTheGreat337]

Here is the story. My first turn-based JRPG was Wild Arms(loved that game). I bought Resident Evil (finished many times).My friend has FF7 and we traded our games . We used to play football and basketball together. He got into a car accident. He didn't die but he is a vegetable. Yeah.... I'm crying

[@L0stV1k1ngz]

Sorry to hear that brother. This world is cruel, I hope you find comfort in knowing you both shared time in the world of Gaia ❤️

[@EdwinTheGreat337]

@L0stV1k1ngz Thank you brother. It's been close to like 25 years now. What I learned is your mom will love you no matter what. His mom takes care of him. He doesn't have a father.

[@James-gj8rn]

My favourite Final Fantasy used to be the cliché choice Final Fantasy VII but overtime i have really come to appreciate Final Fantasy IX and now Final Fantasy IX is one of my favourite games of all time, i love the show and the stories Johnny

[@gabrielknight5726]

I think people can expect game to be what they want before playing it. And they can oftentimes be disappointed. Or they can meet a game where it is and appreciate it for what it has to offer

[@NostalgiaGaming]

Your comparison to Star Wars is spot on! Final Fantasy has always been such a huge chunk of my life with video games since childhood. Even if it’s never quite my jam again, I’ll always want to play and try to appreciate the new entries for what they are. And I could talk about FFXI for hours… best and worst thing to happen indeed…

[@The80Kat]

I absolutely love part 10. It was the second game I bought for my ps2, the music, the fmv’s the graphics!!! Changed my life.

[@mjolnir_swe]

Me too. I kinda liked the combat also. The last true FF for me.

[@pcm2fchris]

rad video. you touch on all the things that have changed. for me, the biggest thing - and what makes newer games feel less FF - is the thinking/strategic/study element. Old school FF rewarded you for *studying* the game. You had to put in work - your hand certainly wasn’t held, like today - and you were rewarded. Victory in the newer games (starting with 10) really doesn’t require much study or strategy. The old games you had to treat almost like a subject at school. You had to do homework on them. But in doing so, you developed ways, *on your own* and almost accidentally, of breaking and beating the game. Thus the game rewards you richly. That, to me, is the biggest difference. In the old games you had to figure it out - enter World Map and free exploration. Here’s the game: figure it out. In the newer ones, there’s almost a fear of the player getting too frustrated, and gameplay is interrupted every 10 mins by a cinema. Cheap victory is forgettable. Victory after trials and frustrations and study and intelligence, is legendary and memorable.

[@MrTTar]

As someone who got into the series in the 2000s and has enjoyed each game, it just pains me a little that Final Fantasy has got from being arguably the premier RPG series, to just "very good" games (albeit with very high production values). I enjoyed the likes of Shin Megami Tensei V, Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Tales of Arise, and Octopath Traveller 2 far more than Final Fantasy XVI - which would have been shocked to me 20 years ago.

[@blubblurb]

Now that you mention it, Tales of Arise also hooked me more than FF 16. Even Ys VIII did more to me than FF 16.

[@StudioLontas]

Final Fantasy is my favorite game series ever. There's so much I could say about it but I don't want to clog up the comments, so here's one of my most special FF experiences: It was the early 90s. I was 12 when I discovered that Square was messing with the numbering and that we in North America did not get a release of Final Fantasy V. "Those jerks, they're holding out on us!" I thought. I emailed them (on America Online, haha) and asked them to translate the game and release it in America. They actually responded! The rep said something like "Final Fantasy V will not be translated from Japanese" and then went on to explain the company's official position and more stuff I can't quite remember. Man, I sure wish I still had that email! That would be an amazing artifact to show people today, especially after V has now gotten more than one official translation. Anyway, fast forward to summer vacation in 1998. That year I discovered not only emulators, but translation patches! I came across the fan translation for FFV (which I think was the first game to ever receive a fan translation ROM patch). You wouldn't believe me if I told you how excited I was. I could FINALLY play this "lost Final Fantasy game" in English! It's like I stumbled on a hidden treasure and none of my non-nerd friends could understand why I was so hyped about it. Needless to say, that game became my entire summer. Eventually I bought the Japanese SFC cartridge and to this day FFV remains one of my favorite games and favorite memories. Oh, and his name will always be Butz to me. "Bartz" who?

[@VeggieGamer]

My Top 3 are 7, 9 and 6. I felt exactly the same as you with 13, and never played 15 or 16 (they just look so... joyless). Hope some are enjoying them still, but I would love the excitement and adventurous feeling to be back in 17 (and give us some more interesting looking characters, PLEASE)!

[@robertharper3114]

And locales!! For heaven sakes, bring back the world map! And the turn based combat!! These new developers don't know what Final Fantasy is, and they're chasing the Call of Duty crowd while leaving the fans who brought the series to where it is, in the dust!! Sad!!

[@mcihay246]

16 is definitely not joyless in regards to gameplay with the means of self expression through combat, and there are definitely moments of both tragedy and levity within the plot. There's a difference between just watching someone playing the game, and actually playing it to understand the potential. Not saying that it's perfect or it applies to everyone however, because no game applies to everyone.

[@VeggieGamer]

@@mcihay246 True, but the trailers did nothing to get me to want to play it. I don't have time to play every game to find out if they are or just appear to be joyless. :(

[@mcihay246]

@@VeggieGamer That's fine. If it's not going to look like it's your thing, then that's a great indication of not buying it.

[@robbiestroud2858]

Thank you for making me care about games I've never played. "The characters were weird..." lol, very funny episode as you're puzzled about how you feel about it all. LOVE THIS! Your introspective thoughts are worth hearing. Respect.

[@rendelldraw]

FF VII: Rebirth so far appears to be what a modern FF game should be like -- a grand adventure across a big world, with friends (that you can issue commands to) you meet along the way. 😃 I'm glad that they didn't ditch the ATB system -- it's pretty much one of the most recognizable gameplay elements the series has. I just wish there's a mode that nerfs the normal attack damage and that it can't deal killing blows -- you'd have to mainly deal damage using ATB skills and finish off enemies with it. Basically the button-mash attacks are just there to speed up the ATB gauge.

[@PhazeyBlur]

Not only issue commands you can control them too, and iirc in the menu you can change your party order so if every time you're in a party and you don't want to play as Cloud during battles, when battle starts the camera will automatically change to the character you set as leader so you could play as Tifa/Aerith/Barret pretty much from the mid to end game if you want.

[@TheDneaves]

I do like the artwork for the original game, that's a cool t shirt. Ideas for future episodes I would like to see • Top ten final fantasy games • Top ten Zelda games • Top ten consoles • Video game movies

[@MarkDavidBlack]

What would be the OP method of emulating the old pixel final fantasy games? I enjoyed this video. I feel like the original final fantasy games had more heart. Also I enjoy the turn based combat a lot more than these newer titles.

[@Agostoic]

The PSX one? It's the same og experience w/QOL improvements that smooths it out.

[@Morriganhailey]

Final Fantasy 6 did something to my brain. There is a bridge between me before and after FF6... Terra Branford will forever be one of my most beloved character. Terra's theme omg, it's the best, a hymn to RPGS

[@excrono]

3:25, you lightly touch on Nobuo Uematsu’s soundtrack to Final Fantasy 6 (3) as being elevated. I challenge you to listen to the whole OST in full 1-2 times. How does it make you feel? John Williams made using melody as a leitmotif famous, but Uematsu uses flue instrument samples for that, different melodies communicating the same thing thought the entire score. Its mixing/mastering is also elevated. Listen to the progression from 4, 5 to 6. Each builds a on the other. It might be the most Sophisticated soundtrack for any medium. I kind of feel left out that you only present the NA FF experience, three were three games on the SFC/SNES, Final Fantasy 5 is a beast of a game in its own right and has been subsequently released in North America. The FFV soundtrack is on the same level as Seiken Densetsu 2 and 3 (drum/bass, melody use). FFVI is in the god tier along with Tales of Phantasia or Rockman & Forte, the SNES soundtrack being used to its maximum potential.

[@Mindblazter80]

Yes ff6 have the best music ever. Its still in my head today. And for me, thats the real and only ff game ever.

[@mcihay246]

I totally understand the fear of being addicted to FFXIV. I honestly don't blame you for feeling that way, and also being rather jealous of others that have the time to play it. You certainly have your priorities straight, and also have somewhat immaculate discipline.

[@danholo]

The magic of "Final Fantasy" ended with 9. Uematsu's scores can't be overstated. While X has some, it's still not the same. I still enjoy the games a lot, FFXII really had a great battle system but some of the core of what makes FF is lost. FF7 remake sort of revived it but that is maybe because of the nostalgia: it has the music, humor and light-heartedness, alongside a serious theme. Can't wait for Rebirth!!

[@mbern4530]

That is why I love ff12, it broke from the mould and felt fresh. Different composer, different art direction and an actual mature story as opposed to what came before. It's still my favourite.

[@danholo]

@@mbern4530 music in 12 is godsend and gambits are awesome. atmosphere in that game was really something.

[@Jon_Cummins]

Ya, Monolith Soft broke off from square just in time to avoid their more western, cinematic, action based FFs. And their Baten Kaitos series remains my favourite; a perfect balance of classic FF style mixed with incredible, enchanting fixed camera visuals, the evolution of what FF9 & chrono cross were doing, and I'm still waiting for something to continue in that direction.

[@buckaroo1010]

The timing on this video is crazy, currently replaying the first Final Fantasy with the pixel remaster. Very nostalgic as it was my first video game I played when I was 4 years old in the 90s and my older brother introduced it to me. Back then I thought defeating Garland (the first boss in the prologue) and rescuing the princess was the end of the game. All these years later playing FFXVI and getting this story about the bond between brothers struck a chord with me. Overall I will always be nostalic for the old entries, but I look forward to and enjoy the new ones too. Even though each game is different I always feel the universe as a whole remains consistent, I just imagine each entry taking place at different points in time or in different timelines. And yes they may play differently but we always have the old ones to go back to and there's also spiritual successors such as Octopath Traveler, etc. Great video Johnny!

[@zombathon3370]

I honestly miss the turn based combat so much but at the same time grew to appreciate the new action combat as well. I'm just hoping one day Square decide to give us a FF game in a turn based style again with an awesome over world to explore with a great cast of party members 😀

[@johnnyflannigan136]

Turn based is too boring now after playing modern games so long.. Though I did just replay chrono cross and loved the way they did turn based.. And of course classics like chrono trigger and ff7 are still great to play but modern games are better imo. Ff7 remake did a great job of modernizing turn based

[@drawcomics]

I've always thought that when Hironobu Sakaguchi left he took the heart of FF with him. He was the guy that started it, and he brought the magic.

[@blubblurb]

On that note, I hope you played The Last Story. It's IMHO not as good as a FFX, but it got me emotionally invested in the characters.

[@gilator.]

Octopath traveler is the New final fantasy, its the true

[@twilightofthegods33]

Always enjoyable to listen to your passion. Great episode as usual

[@madguitar1086]

Okay, so after 9, everything is weird. Weird weird weird weirdy weirdy weird weird. We get it.

[@TomSlemmons]

Your final fantasy journey overlaps so much with mine in many ways. I think anyone that started from the beginning with the NES and SNES games must have similar feelings about where the series has gone. Those early games were part of our childhood and the emotions we felt while playing them were felt during key formative moments in our lives. Even just the box art stirs up an emotional response whereas the box art from the newer games do not. I imagine that people who grew up with the later games feel the exact opposite. But the thing that resonated most with me was your question: what is FF? What defines it as a series? As a person that gave up actually playing with XIII I’ve come to feel that the series has no core identity. It maybe never did. During different eras there have been trends and through lines, but rather than being existential to the series, those elements were probably an extension of who made the games. Each entry is a reflection of those creators’s interests and curiosities with little regard for “what is FF?” The only thing that really ties the games together might just be the name. As a fan whose childhood gaming memories are so closely tied to FF this is a bit of a depressing conclusion to reach but I think it’s close to the truth. And TBH it’s not a FF only phenomenon, if you squint hard enough you can see similar tends in other long running series like Star Wars and Star Trek. These franchises have become so huge and unwieldy that they can’t help but evolve away from the “source material.” Thankfully for those that want to, there’s always a chance to go back and relieve those early entries.

[@jong2359]

This is true for almost everything in our culture. We are giving way to an era of developers/creators that are starved for attention, devoid of creativity, and looking to use video games/media as a platform to push their social beliefs instead of a canvas to tell a story outside of our reality. The era of game devs making games for the sake of fun, gameplay, or story alone is dead... that would require knowing what you want to be, and then executing on it without needing approval from everyone else - and without feeling the need to broadcast at every opportunity.

[@TomSlemmons]

I wouldn’t go so far as to say game developers have no creativity. On an individual level the people that make these games are incredibly talented. My guess is that now development studios and distributors and the fan base have all changed and grown and now no single creator or creative team is given the same kinds of freedom to drive development. The game development world is a totally different beast than in the late 80/ early 90s.

[@happy_camper]

X-2 is really underrated in the grand scheme of things. I love that game lol.

[@StrawberryBored]

I really love 16. I love the older ones too. Maybe it’s because the first one I played was 10 in high school but I don’t mind the action combat

[@GalathNox]

This video seems weird without Andrew. That FF video with him has always been one of my favorites. Actually got me into the series since I never got into it before.

[@blastedmcgraw152]

I’m with you, John. I’m 45 and have been playing this series from the beginning. It’s not the same anymore. Your feelings reflect mine…I want nothing more than to enjoy this series, but it’s not always been easy, especially since the turn of the millennium What gives me hope is the remake of 7, which was the most I’ve enjoyed Final Fantasy in decades. If they can somehow harness that magic into the next mainline game, I will be thrilled.

[@Jon_Cummins]

Ya, Monolith Soft broke off from square just in time to avoid their more western, cinematic, action based FFs. And their Baten Kaitos series remains my favourite; a perfect balance of classic FF style mixed with incredible, enchanting fixed camera visuals, the evolution of what FF9 & chrono cross were doing, and I'm still waiting for something to continue in that direction.

[@MARK111174]

1 to 9 were good

[@Jon_Cummins]

Ya, Monolith Soft broke off from square just in time to avoid their more western, cinematic, action based FFs. And their Baten Kaitos series remains my favourite; a perfect balance of classic FF style mixed with incredible, enchanting fixed camera visuals, the evolution of what FF9 & chrono cross were doing, and I'm still waiting for something to continue in that direction.

[@Rex_Cosmos]

That last comment you made really resonated with me. Ever since FF12, there’s been a lack of humor in the series. I think that’s partly why people gravitated to Balthier. He was the closest thing to a comic relief in that game. I’ve moved on from FF to Ni No Kuni which doesn’t hit the Highs of a classic FF but has a nice balance of humor, drama, and whimsy.

[@ShoZama85]

14 has a great amount of humor especially with Hildebrand

[@AtotheZness]

Had a friend spoil FF7 to me in elementary school. Said “Don’t level up Aerith. She dies.” Can you believe that!? Sadly, I don’t see FF7 the way others do. FF8 though. Now that game made me a fan. The graphics, music, GFs, romance. I’ve never been the same.

[@HisShadowX]

6:41 So I'm a little bit younger since I was born in 85. So Final Fantasy 3 or 6 was my favorite. I still remember back in the early days of the internet when Final Fantasy 7 announced and of course they were going to Sony, I was one of those people hoping they were coming back to Nintendo but of course as we all knew that was never gonna happen. In fact I waited to switch to Sony at the last possible minute. Basically when they announced Final Fantasy anthologies. So basically an uncensored version of Final Fantasy 6. That's of course when I jumped ship and went to Sony. Now I remember my first time playing Final Fantasy 7. I was disappointed mainly because I didn't like Cloud's look at the time. I like the fact on the older Final Fantasies you could sort of switch who was your main character. Even in Final Fantasy 4 you know you don't necessarily have to have Cecil as your front person. You could kind of switch it to Cain if that's your person. And of course Final Fantasy 6 you don't even need to recruit the main character of the game. In fact there is no one main character. Now when I got Final Fantasy 7 again I really liked the game. I was more disappointed with the graphics because for years and years I was seeing the screenshots of the CGI. So that's what I thought I was getting. And of course when I played the game I realized okay I didn't get that. But as for Final Fantasy 8 keep in mind I just got a PlayStation and maybe less than a year later Final Fantasy 8 came out. I remember seeing the demo from the Parasite Eve disc and I was thinking wow this looks cool but am I gonna be disappointed again? But then of course they actually showed gameplay. So and when Final Fantasy 8 came out I remember I didn't hear much about it online like I did Final Fantasy 7. I actually walked into a blockbuster and there you go it was out there and of course I got my father to buy it you know since they were in the bargain bin. I don't know I feel like it really didn't get good press like Final Fantasy 7 did. But funny thing though with that Parasite Eve demo disc that came with Parasite Eve that's where I first played Xenogears and when I played Xenogears I thought it was the worst game ever. In fact the demo ruined the game for me until of course I had to return a Christmas present and I could get two games. One I got Chocobo Dungeon 2 which I completely hated and then of course I got Xenogears because it was a Squaresoft game. Little did I know once I got past the area where the demo ended the game just completely opened up and it was the best really Squaresoft game I have ever played.

[@TheLegendofLeo]

You should play XIII-2! It’s the best in the 13 trilogy by far, almost entirely because of its good combat. The combat feels like a blend of XIII and X-2, where different monsters fill the roles of different dress spheres.

[@dannylenz3006]

This was your best show for me i grew up on final fantay! I miss diving into them and getting away for hours of grinding and exploring it feels like we'll never be there again. Not like how big 1,2,3 and 7 really were. I truly miss those days. Some games are close but just cant touch those times it feels like to me. This was my favorite show you've put out for me yet man!!!

[@joshdrewpic]

"It's Final Fantasy in name, not in feel" I felt that. Dragon Quest is an interesting comparison, there have been changes to that game series but it has always held on to it's feel, whether that be it's art style, tone, world, etc. It feels like the games belong together.

[@sheskimusic]

LOVE THIS VIDEO!! Finishing FF IX. Probably complete today. LOVE THE GAME!

[@genevieveernould7604]

Thanks Johnny for this video! I myself am a huge fan of the series, which I started with the IX! Loved it at the time, and I went on playing X and XII. The one that put me off track with the series was XIII, for the exact same reasons you mention. At that point, I was so disappointed I started to grind my teeth on other series, dragon quest VIII just arrived in Europe! But also, square Enix started to remake all their old games, which I bought and played for the first time. Here is what I wanted to say: I feel so much closer to the first entries of the series, coming from IX and X, than to the latter! Final fantasy's soul lies there for me too. And like you, I want to love final fantasy again, and feel that it's going away more and more. And okay.

[@josephmorales3478]

This is how I felt about the Warcraft franchise. Got into 3 when I was 12. Went back and played 2 and the expansion. Then wow came out and bam.

[@VEN0M415]

You hit me with so much nostalgia with that timbits box at 11:14.. maaan I miss that era of tims 😭

[@twlightdiffusion3491]

I do like how they are all uniquely different games with their own stories and worlds to explore and I also keep an open mind with each release”I try my best “. In all 14 of the single player games. For me personally, other than the music, the atmosphere and the world exploring of course. My favorite thing about this long running series is having a large party to control and get to meet and get to know all these different personalities that join your adventure and you get to customize these characters to how you want to use them on your team. I like having 7 or 10 party members and being able to swap them in and out of combat. I love the turn base in final fantasy 10 like an old school style and also the “ATB”system which is a perfect mix of action and turn based combats. I hope they return to something like this in the next adventure or at least anything closer to final fantasy 1 through 10. I enjoy them all in my own way, but these last two with final fantasy 15 and 16 it takes huge leaps away from what makes final fantasy special and nostalgic in my eyes and in having those stronger emotions and memories I hold dear. Keep up the good videos and I hope for the best for the real FF fans in the future!

[@dragerv4118]

Man you changed a lot from the un squadron review. I'm happy to see you still doing this. Cheers!

[@theGrouchy1]

Loving the hair Johnny! Keep rocking it 😎🤘

[@Ysabeau92]

Yes! I’m glad we’re having the convo, I’ve been a fan for years but I didn’t start with the 4. So for me, each game was getting weirder and bolder but not quite doing the THING. We got 15… where the world lore was in random papers and in 16 we’re killing off magic…. I love the advancements we’ve gotten with FF. The graphics, the weird stories, the Chocobos, ya gotta love them. But what about a magical world, that’s boundless, full of people, possibility and maybe even saving your friends and your town? Idk the fantasy thing. That THING, it’s missing for a game called Final Fantasy. I love Final Fantasy 7, it has a lot of world building and it draws you into the world and it’s conflict. The remake is amazing. I’m biased but the magic system is so good. I wish they’d head in that direction

[@BenedictJamesWee]

Final Fantasy fan here. I agree with most of your points and for me it's been a rocky road from XIII onwards. As much as I wanted XVI to be good I found myself running to other FF games to get my fix after I finished the game. It was too sad and there was zero whimsy which has made me never want to visit the world of Valistheia ever again. I am super thankful for XIV. After YoshiP saved the game it's everything I wanted in a Final Fantasy game. There's Jobs, Magic, Dungeons, the whole catalogue of creatures, funny stuff, sad stuff, great music etc. all packaged in an engaging storyline that extends seemingly forever. I too had to change as FF changed, but I chose Eorzea to cushion the disappointment of the mainline games.

[@gametourny4ever627]

Thank you Johnny for your thoughts and journey down Final Fantasy throughout the years. I feel the series has lost a sense in itself. I thought Lost Odyssey and Last Story from Sakaguchi were better and more in tune to where they have gone. I don’t know if this is possible but I would love a follow up video from you on some of the side games and others that came out later. Like I would love to hear your thoughts on the original Final Fantasy 2, original Final Fantasy 3, Mystic Quest, Final Fantasy 5, The Three Legend games despite them being Saga games, the Adventure game despite it being the first Mana game, my favorite, Final Fantasy Tactics, along with their sequels, Crystal Chronicles on GC, Type O, Dirge of Cerebus, Stanger in Paradise, and of the course the 7 remakes. Alot to chat about but enjoy your story’s and opinions as they mirror my own in alot of ways.

[@CitroenC407]

I'm about to embark on my first ever foray into the world of Final Fantasy, starting with the first games pixel remaster. I probably wouldn't have ever played any FF game at all (I've never been a big RPG guy) but your videos have always made me wonder "what if?" about this series. Your passion and enthusiasm about it has made me far too curious now. I've bought several of the pixel remasters (the first three FF games) in the last sales and am very keen to finally get to play it and experience these worlds for myself for the very first time.

[@fydiousmckormick]

I’m kind of surprised that the changes of writers and directors isn’t mentioned as a reason for some of the changes to the games.

[@tanjounokamioku]

Holy shit Johnny, you absolutely nailed it. I've started FF with 1, and played 16 on release. 16 became my all time favorite. With the franchise, I changed. And so should people. I can understand the purism from frustrated players, and I know there is not one perfect game. But as you said, you played, you liked it! I played, I liked it. Because we both opened ourselves to new experiences, without fear of losing the old (it will always stay there, and it may come back at any time, you never know!). I just like having a really nice, open, and, specially, calm talk about the stuff I like.

[@drakabeko5145]

FF2US/4JP was so awesome when it first came out. It had the coolest duo, Dark Knight Cecil and Dragoon Kain. It was such an upgrade over FF1 in every way, except that I really wish it somehow kept a job system.

[@NickkaFlickkaWang]

Yes final fantasy has changed but so have we. I've been a fan since SNES and I have love for them all. 1 thing that hasn't changed is the way these games evoke emotions. I'm almost finished with 16 and it's felt like Final Fantasy to me because of the emotions I've felt during this journey. All great things have to change to stay relevant.

[@MacVerick]

Almost feel like 17 will be a Souls-Like

[@NBFS_ART]

I growed up with this series. And it was always with me. Starting with Final Fantasy VII in 1997 and till this days and FF XVI, and im still big fan of Final Fantasy games. This series makes me big jrpg lover and collector.

[@peloi111]

Thanks to you I came back to Final Fantasy. FFx2 was the first one I played when I was young, I agree in that it is weird, but that game opened a door for me. Recently I played FF7 for the first time, I completely fell in love with it and now I am in FF9. Hoping to play some of the classics some day! Those NASTY addiction pictures are awesome :D All gamers get to that point a few times and. it's good to recognize which things in life, we must stay away from

[@phoenixxxashez]

I roll my eyes every time people say that 16 doesn't feel like a Final Fantasy and doesn't even give an explanation or reason why. Just because they "feel" it is not valid. I've been a long time Final Fantasy fan myself and it was like any other Final Fantasy to me that I've played besides not having the turn based or ATB combat.

[@BombShopUniverse]

I started JRPGs on my 12th birthday and my dad got me FF8. Ive been hooked since then and am very critical of newer titles (13 and 15..). 8 will always hold a special place in my heart but I also feel like your favorite is USUALLY where you started (heavy emphasis on usually)

[@matthewpinder4279]

I literally just dropped £99 on a physical copy of the Pixel Remasters for Switch. Was wondering if I'd done the right thing and then Johnny drops this video. I so did the right thing 😅

[@juniorloco101]

I'm a recent fan. Started with FFT a few years ago; I own IV, VII as well, but still haven't passed them. Whenever I play them, it's like I'm reading through a book about a grand adventure, several plots into one, characters with arcs you want to uncover. I wished I had more time to spend with these games, but I'm glad to have discovered them for my own!

[@BoomstickGaming]

Very solid retrospective! I have a somewhat odd "favorites" combo. Final Fantasy 4... AND... Final Fantasy 15.

[@queelude9]

I was just watching the Final Fantasy 7 ending with the prelude music playing while going through the stars and just remembering being a young man 25 years ago listening to that thinking there is a whole world and universe of adventure just outside the door.. It definitely put me on a path of adventure, found family, a lot of scrapes and a little mischief, don't know if I would be the same person without it.

[@REVOLVERE]

FF9 imho captured the whole essence of what Final Fantasy stood for from top to bottom. From the incredible art style, top tier world building, loveable characters, meaningful storyline, timeless soundtrack and the airships. You can't forget about that air ships. A few games like FF10 and FF12 kinda came close but ultimately missed the mark for me. Can't forget about OG FF7 obviously. I should mention that FF14 high-key picked up the torch and ran with it in all of those aspects but that's an online game. Being an mmorpg has and will always be a huge barrier for players. Especially with the paid subscription and how most fans enjoyed the single player aspect of the series. And yes, I and completely aware of how much value the free trial access is for FF14 leading up to Heavensward. But that still leads to a paid subscription. Hopefully that single player update for FF14 comes out soon because I would totally jump on that ASAP. All that being said, I feel like FF16 is a step in the right direction. I should mention that I did every single side quest and beat FF16 in about 3 months after release. FF7R is super underrated imo and it became one of my most favorite games of all time. Rebirth is gonna be insane, I already know it. Final Fantasy has and will always be a part of my life no matter what.

[@theraycat9681]

I'm kind of glad FF8 was my very first Final Fantasy back in 2002 when I was 12. Made me appreciate the highs it had so I can enjoy the highs of other titles even better like 7 or 10..or even 6! Yes, the nostalgia is strong.

[@Renkaru]

I remember playing Final Fantasy 1 on the NES at a cousins place for the first time, it was such a mind blowing experience.

[@SirFragalot]

I started Final Fantasy with 9. I actually accepted that each Final Fantasy is it's own unique game and that was totally cool with me. I actually respected every Final Fantasy up to 12. However, 13 was the game that really started to turn me off to Final Fantasy. The problem I had with 13 was the level design, and going from the what we had from previous games to something less open was a big turn off. 15 and 16 I was welcoming to the whole switch to action but I just never felt like those game had the depth of previous Final Fantasy games and I disliked them. For me I'm open to change with Final Fantasy, but the thing is I'm not open to is losing the depth and complexity of previous games which 13, 15 and 16 seemed to do. 14 is incredible though.

[@aaronharrellmusic]

I started with FFVII, and it was my first big RPG. Before that, the only RPG I'd played was Lagoon (which I know is hated, but I love it) and Brave Fencer Musashi (if you want to count that - since the RPG elements were very light - and of course, the FFVIII demo that was included). I went back with emulators later on and played what I'd missed, and have enjoyed FF since. That said, I definitely agree that it's moved very far away from it's established feel. Final Fantasy XIII was a game that I got to relatively late (2011?). I wasn't very active in modern gaming from around 2006 - 2010, mostly due to being broke, spending all of my money on music stuff, and playing retro games I'd missed out on. I was blown away with FFXIII, and while I agree the exploration wasn't there at all (I've 100%ed Star Ocean 3 on three separate occasions, and definitely appreciate towns and exploration in my RPGs), the graphics, story, and charm were still there. XIII-2 made everything worth it. The fact that it somehow perfectly combined FF and Pokemon was magical for me, and I highly recommend even forgoing the story (which, as convoluted as it is, I still enjoyed) in favor of the constant dopamine hits that you get from recruiting several creatures from the Final Fantasy franchise (as well as some characters from XIII).