"Which entry should I start with?" Discussion Thread

[The_Liquid_Laser]

Here are the starting points I would recommend to people based on what they like.

1) FF4 - This is the ideal starting point.  If you want to really appreciate the series during it's best years, then start with 4.  However, not everyone can get into SNES games, so it is best to know thyself.  How do you feel about games like Octopath Traveler, Chrono Trigger, Super Mario RPG or other SNES style games?  If you like these games, then you will probably like Final Fantasy as a whole.  So, ideally start with 4 and they play 6, 7, 9, and 10.  If you are still hooked after that then try the other entries.

2) FF10 - This is the second best starting point depending on your tastes.  If you need graphics and voice acting that are more like a modern game, then start here.  If you like 10, then try 12 and FF10-2.  If you are still hooked after that, then you can branch out to other entries like 7 and 9.

3) FF7 (original) - This is the third best starting point.  Start here if you want to know what the fuss is all about.  I would NOT recommend you start with the Remake.  (Remake is actually made for fans of the original FF7.)  If you really like FF7, then you can try the other FF entries.  It's one of the most important video games ever made, so at least you will be able to enter into any discussion about FF7 when it pops up (and it will continue to pop up).

4) FF1 - This is the fourth best starting point.  This is ideal starting point if you really want to experience the whole series.  However, I only recommend this to people who like 80's style RPGs like Etrian Odyssey, Phantasy Star, early Dragon Quest and old school tabletop D&D (2nd edition and earlier).  If you go this route, then play the NES or NES classic version.  I don't know why, but the other versions of FF1 (like the GBA version) have subtle changes that make the game suck.  This is one reason people bad mouth this game, but also a lot of people just don't like 80's RPGs.

Honorable mention:

Final Fantasy Tactics - This is not part of the main series, but is arguably the best Final Fantasy of them all.  If you like any tactical game at all, Fire Emblem, Valkyria Chronicles, Triangle Strategy, etc..., then you must play this game.  Both gameplay and storyline are fantastic.  The PSP version is the best version, but the PS1 version is good too.

Anyway, this is where I would recommend starting based on what your tastes are.  There are other really good games in the series, 6, 9, and 12, for example, but I just wouldn't start there.  Ideally, you'd start with 4 and then play all of the good story-based games in the series.  That is really the way to become a fan of Final Fantasy.