Final Fantasy IX is undoubtedly one of my favourite games from the entire franchise. It was first released back in 2000 (2001 or so in South Africa), right at the end of the PlayStation 1 era. With the PlayStation 2 launching around the same time, the game was sadly, overlooked and missed by many.
It’s a darn shame really, because Final Fantasy IX is honestly freaking amazing, even by today’s standards – though I will admit that it is perhaps a teeny bit dated. Still, I replayed it just last year, and enjoyed it probably just as much as I did over a decade ago, if not more.
If you’ve been dying to give Final Fantasy IX a go yourself, well, you’re in luck. Square Enix announced back in January that they’d be bringing their beloved title to both mobile and PC. It’s been out on mobile since February, and now, finally, it’s available on Steam too.
Zidane and the Tantalus Theater Troupe have kidnapped Princess Garnet, the heir of Alexandria. To their surprise, however, the princess herself yearned to escape the castle. Through a series of unusual circumstances, she and her personal guard, Steiner, fall in with Zidane and set out on an incredible journey. Meeting unforgettable characters like Vivi and Quina along the way, they learn about themselves, the secrets of the Crystal, and a malevolent force that threatens to destroy their world.
The only annoyance I had with Final Fantasy IX when replaying it last year was the random encounter system. It’s an archaic feature that I’m not particularly fond of (never have been if I’m being honest). Thankfully, with this modern version, Square Enix have included some in-game boosters, like high speed and no encounter modes. Those should alleviate these minor issues somewhat.
Final Fantasy IX is 20% off at the moment, and is selling at R184. It’ll be running at that price all the way until April 20th. For an old game, it seems a tad expensive I’ll admit, but I do really think the game is worth every last cent. If you’ve not played it, and consider yourself a Final Fantasy fan, seriously, what are you waiting for?
Last Updated: April 15, 2016
Original Heretic
April 15, 2016 at 10:08
R184 for a game that’ll keep you busy for about 100 hours? How is that expensive?!?
But yeah, this one was really good. One of the few FF games I didn’t finish. I loved how they did the skill system in this one, where you learn the skills via clothing. Got new armour/weapon/boots? Hmmm, damn, better hold off equipping those until you fully learn that awesome skill you’ve been plugging away at!
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 15, 2016 at 10:29
Never got round to playing this one…
hairyknees
April 15, 2016 at 10:54
FIX IT <3
hairyknees
April 15, 2016 at 10:54
Yeah fair point, but I know people will have issue because it’s a game that’s over a decade old 😛
Original Heretic
April 15, 2016 at 10:56
You mean the spoilt idiots who value graphics over gameplay? “You mean I can’t run it at 12K graphics with 180fps? Sounds like a crap game.”
hairyknees
April 15, 2016 at 13:13
That’s basically it 😛 me, I’d happily throw R184 at this game!
Original Heretic
April 15, 2016 at 13:27
In a heartbeat. Only reason I’m not already scrambling for it is because I already have too much to play. Just got Dying Light (Enhanced). Busy downloading Dark Souls 3. And Zombi. Still want to finish Divinity: Original Sin. There are not enough hours in the day to finish all these games!!
hairyknees
April 17, 2016 at 22:57
Dying Light will keep you busy for a good long time 😛
Admiral Chief in New York
April 15, 2016 at 10:09
FF…
Not
even
ONCE
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 15, 2016 at 10:23
You’re missing nothing. Ignore the ponies. They get excited for carrots.
hairyknees
April 15, 2016 at 10:53
I LOVE CARROTS! Wait, what?
VampyreSquirrel
April 15, 2016 at 10:26
Me neither
hairyknees
April 15, 2016 at 10:53
SIES X 2
VampyreSquirrel
April 15, 2016 at 11:10
Shut your face! Filthy Alliance SKUM!
FOR THE HORDE!!!
Ottokie
April 15, 2016 at 11:17
FOR THE ALLIANCE!
*Not in pvp though xD
VampyreSquirrel
April 15, 2016 at 11:22
lol, so true with the PvP. I however do have 3 Alliance characters, but that will probably be the sum total of them. I prefer Horde.
Ottokie
April 15, 2016 at 11:26
I am ready for big change. Maybe going over full horde next expack. That way I solve my alt leveling addiction as well.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 15, 2016 at 10:32
I’m also not voting for the Freedom Front
hairyknees
April 15, 2016 at 10:53
SIES
Admiral Chief in New York
April 15, 2016 at 10:57
The only thing SIES here is that you don’t play enough scary games
hairyknees
April 15, 2016 at 13:12
I’ve had my fair share! 😛
Ottokie
April 15, 2016 at 10:16
Bought it the second I got home. Now I just need to download it xD
Admiral Chief in New York
April 15, 2016 at 10:39
WHAT ABOUT TW3?
Ottokie
April 15, 2016 at 10:49
Played a few hours last night 😛
Admiral Chief in New York
April 15, 2016 at 10:54
AND?
Ottokie
April 15, 2016 at 10:57
Great game, I just suck at combat. That gryphon tore me apart like wet toilet paper the first time.
Admiral Chief in New York
April 15, 2016 at 10:58
What difficulty?
Ottokie
April 15, 2016 at 11:16
Just above the crazy/insane setting
Guild
April 15, 2016 at 10:36
Never played it. So I’ll get it and add it to the Steam backlog 😛
Acornbread
April 15, 2016 at 18:39
Can anyone comment of the PC port? Steam user reviews are very positive, which is suspicious after the botched ports of 7 & 8. I’d like to give this a try, missed it when it was released.