This is an amusing thread - I thought I'd share my experience in it.
Here's where I'm coming from - I'm 28 and I don't consider myself an RPG fan; I'm a *Final Fantasy* fan - scratch that - addict.
I've been playing them since the original first came out and loved every one of em - straight through. They're not all equal of course but I loved em all. My MP3 folder is filled with countless Final Fantasy soundtracks and re-recordings of Final Fantasy music and my office is full of Final Fantasy Toys.
Final Fantasy was the only reason I was still playing video games past high school. When a new ones would come out - I'd borrow a Playstation, rent the game and play it through, non stop. To me, ever game up till X-2, although varied had the spirit of Final Fantasy at it's core - it's hard to explain, It's the way the characters and the story and the world were weaved together that gave it the "Final Fantasy" essence.
I skipped Final Fantasy XI because that was just retarded - Final Fantasy isn't online OR multiplayer and should have been graced with a "Spin Off" title because that's what it was.
And unfortunately, Final Fantasy XII wasn't a Final Fantasy either - Beautiful game, great production value, gamplay that is probably enjoyable for those who like that type of gameplay.
Just not the spirit of Final Fantasy.
It's the only Final Fantasy that I've ever gotten rid of. Pity too... the metal collector's edition box was pretty cool.
*Crossing my fingers for XIII
