Give us your unbiased opinion on what FF you think have the best:

• World
• Story
• Cast
• Gameplay
• Just your favorite

Let us have a healthy and unbiased discussion of these topics (and I just love making lists). Considering I have only played the games up to FFXII, I can't really comment on the more recent ones unfortunately.

My list:

• World: Final Fantasy XII It's just too damn rich and interesting of a world to explore. It's also incredible how many huge cities you have in the game, filled with different people, races, and all the different factions and groups you find throughout the game. Also love the fleets and character designs! The judges are such cool villains.

• Story: Final Fantasy XII Again, I think the more adult and star wars-esque narrative gave this game a very interesting story and fantastic plot twists. Basch and Gabranth plotline is fantastic! Too bad we have a really weak MC here. On the other hand, it feels like you are witnessing a galaxy-sized conflict take place in front of your eyes as a passenger from the sidelines with Vaan. Sometimes, it's ok not to be the chosen one for a change.

• Cast: Final Fantasy IX The FF that gave us predetermined jobs and seemingly stereotypical characters to fit into their respective archetypes, but that eventually, and surprisingly so, delve into some of the most unique and emotional character development I have ever seen in the series. The loyalty-pledged Warrior Steiner, the artificial Black Mage Vivi, the princess-on-the-run Garnet, the charismatic and mysterious Thief Zidanne. Some of these characters are so much more than what initially meets the eye, and their intertwined individual journeys pay so damn well by the time they all meet in the end. I feel the conclusion of the main plot a little bit weak and out of place compared to the flow of the overall narrative, thus giving the best story to FFXII.

• Gameplay: FFX-2 This game may have had a lot of problems, but the combat was never one of them! It has one of the most fluid, dynamic and fun turn-based combat systems to date. And lowkey, the best job system of the series (rivaling only FFV imo).

• Just my favorite: FFVIII This game means too much to me. I see its flaws, but I also see the good. Nostalgia plays a big factor here, though, but there's so much this game does well. The GFs are some of the coolest summons of the series. The gunblade is badass. The Ragnarok is badass. The story (overall) is pretty good. Squall does resonate with me, and his inner monologues let us accompany this flawed and broken character in a much more intimate way than other MCs. FFVIII also has one of the best and most addicting card games of the series (that can break the game lmao), and the junction system, while divisive, let's you make the game as easy or as hard as you want it to be. Overall I love this game, but I know it's still somewhat the black sheep of the 3D era, that not many people could vibe with. And that's ok.