i'm a bit of a noob so I'm not sure which would be the one for me. I've played VII, X and X-2 :confused:

Get both of them. They have different stories and are different from each other. You choose which one you like better, not anyone else.

Rider pretty much said it. Both those FFs have their fans so you're not going to get a straight answer here. The best thing to do would be to get both but if i were forced to choose between the two personally i would go for IX as I slightly prefer the story, characters and the emphasis on equipment and the certain "jobs" each character has.Also i'm not a fan of VIII's junction system

IDX is right, but I'd nudge it just over the line in favor of IX. I say this mainly because it has the spirit of the oldschools and I would hope that you'd get into those at some point. They have a lot to offer and IX might be a good spring board.

FF8: Semi-futuristic setting, sci-fi/love story, engaging characters (if not moody and stereotypical at times), addicting card-based minigame. Customizable characters, though the downside is that they end up being more or less the same.

FF9: Archaic castles-and-knights setting, fairytale-ish story (with some forced sci-fi, though it's less believable), slightly less engaging characters (though not as stereotypical), crappy card game. More strategy involved, as characters have different jobs.

For me, FF8>>FF9, but that's because I liked the story much better, and I would play a solitaire for 40 hours if it had an engaging story. :P (The soundtrack of 8 is better, too).

Moving to General Final Fantasy, since this is debating the merits of two particular FF games.

Tough one to pick from. If you like cartoony characters I'd go with IX. If you like more humanized characters go with VIII. But the main point for me is plot/memorable moments. I liked both of them and while VIII had a decent plot, IX had lot more memorable moments imo.

Still I feel like I got closer to the characters in VIII. I didn't mind the junction system too much and the limit-break system far outclasses IX's Trance system. I'm all over the place on this subject. I'd get both but if I had to choose...

Final Fantasy VIII wins.

FF9, any day of the week. :P

But given that the OP only has played stuff like FF7 and FF10 (heh, poor thing), I'd bet that FF8 is more suited for his/her tastes.

But yeah, ask me and I'd say FF9 any day of the week. :P

Well, since you already played 3 final fantasy you are not a noob anymore!!!

I would say buy both of them, as you can see, they are totally different game, not a sequal or prequal, if you can afford both at once, then save money then.

From my point of view, play FFVIII first, Squall is Cool, i kinda dislike Zidane....HAHA

I've seen a trend.
People who like VII, tend to like IX
While
People who like VIII, tend to like X

I think It depends on which one you liked more: VII or X

I'm more into realistic settings. I guess that's why I prefer VIII or IX in one argument. That's another reason why I don't watch much anime because I watch the ones where things happen that's very possible in the real world. I dunno why it's like that, but I'm fine with it.

Also, as far as I'm aware (I say that a lot huh?), a majority still says that VIII has the best musical soundtrack. I would have to agree :). Another reason why I love VIII. Music tends to suck me in if it's good.

But take my advice. Just get them both and play them. They're both good games like almost all FF's are and they're both different.

I'm more into realistic settings. I guess that's why I prefer VIII or IX in one argument. That's another reason why I don't watch much anime because I watch the ones where things happen that's very possible in the real world. I dunno why it's like that, but I'm fine with it.

Also, as far as I'm aware (I say that a lot huh?), a majority still says that VIII has the best musical soundtrack. I would have to agree :). Another reason why I love VIII. Music tends to suck me in if it's good.

But take my advice. Just get them both and play them. They're both good games like almost all FF's are and they're both different.Wow, I'm the total opposite. I first hated VIII 'cause of the realistic look (until I played the game). I also hated X for that same reason (although it's better than VIII, even though it's still a Shojo story, and the guys are still metrosexual)
I gave XII a chance and I like it way better that VIII & X (also the guys look like guys and less metrosexual)

Vaan and Larsa look like guys, eh?

I'd say 8 over nine.

I've seen a trend.
People who like VII, tend to like IX
While
People who like VIII, tend to like X

I think It depends on which one you liked more: VII or X

I guess I'm an exception to the trend. xD I disliked both VII and VIII completely but loved X. (Not so far as to say hate, but they bored me out of my skull. xD)

IX all the way. <3 (It has the best FF chara ever--Vivi! <3)

I'd say you should buy both.

I guess I'm an exception to the trend. xD I disliked both VII and VIII completely but loved X. (Not so far as to say hate, but they bored me out of my skull. xD)

IX all the way. <3 (It has the best FF chara ever--Vivi! <3)
The trend was only for people who like VII or VIII.
If you look back at the recent debates on which FFs are the best or how they rate, people tend to go with this trend.

Of course there's always exceptions like people who are just fans of the PS2 FFs, and like yourself, people who like other FF titles.

I started playing FF on the PSX. Started off with FFVII, found that boring as shit with some crappy and barely manageable music. Then went to FFVIII. Awesome opening (I was in awe when I saw the gunblade weapon). I had to do something so I turned up the volume on my speakers so I can hear the music while I did it. Then played FFIX. I thought it was okay. Didn't like how the character's were small little midgets AGAIN and some okay music. Good story line that was boring in alot of places, but not like FFVII.

Personally, I find FFVII to be the most boring of the FF's that I've played (and beaten).

My opinion of them is that Final Fantasy IX might be simpler in some ways, as Moguri mentioned, there is a junction system which I find confusing. If you get VIII you will find out about it but I would go with IX, it's my all time favorite final fantasy so I always choose it if someone asks which one to get but even though I haven't got all the way through VIII I'd say it is also a great game too.

I dislike Final Fantasy VIII because of the junction system. It was kinda confusing for me. Final Fantasy IX was simpler if you ask me.

Both of the are amazing, the music the story.
I just got of on the keyboard just thinking about them.

by VIII it's much bettter than IX

9

8 : if you like more futuristic
9 : if you like more fantasy

Although both are a bit futuristic

8 : if you like more futuristic
9 : if you like more fantasy

Although both are a bit futuristic

That's a good assumption, I would recommend playing both, it's worth the expierence.

I think IX is the greatest game ever created by the hands of man, so yeah, I'd say go with that. But I'd get both if I were you.

If you want a game to listen to a great story, I'd get FF8. If you're looking for a game for great gameplay, get FF9.
FF8's gameplay sucks ass, but it's got a great story. FF9 is really fun to play. :)

The thread's a little old, but I guess it would be ok to post in it.

And my answer is of course Final Fantasy IX. It's got everything you need: great story; great characters; great music and everything else in between.

Best to buy them both but if you have to choose one I'se say ffVIII

The first time playing Final Fantasy VIII I couldn't believe it was so well done that I couldn't put it down and I beat it in two days. Final Fantasy VIII and Lunar: Silver Star Story are the only two games where I like every single character on them. The music is excellent as well. However, you may not like the music until after you have played the game and know where each track fits into the game. I listened to the soundtrack before I played the game originally and I thought the music was OK until I saw how well it fit the areas. How the CG movies and gameplay were integrated in Final Fantasy VIII still stand as the best use of it on a game ever to this day. A three character party system like Final Fantasy VIII had seems to be pretty optimal for great camera angles.

Final Fantasy IX was pretty mediocre as a game for me. The CG is fantastic as usual since it is a squaresoft title. The music was selectively good. I disliked some of the characters like Quina. The battle system was slow and had flaws cutting your characters halfway off the screen with camera angles since it used a four character party. I really had a hard time getting into this one. It took me about a week to beat it. The overworld music was interesting however since it was a melodic version nof the theme song. The summons in IX looked wimpy in comparison to VIII. The world map in IX was not as well integrated into the game like VIII.

I have posted my qualms with Final Fantasy IX on another thread so you can look it up by clicking on my name. Final Fantasy IX is by no means a bad game but it was not in development nearly as long as Final Fantasy VIII and due to that, it lacks a tone of richness that VIII has. Final Fantasy IX is visually appealing but lacks the depth in the world, intuitive usage of NPCs (Non-Playable Characters), and an interactive battle system like VIII. Final Fantasy VIII's system is completely revamped however but it is innovative beyond any other RPG I have seen to date. Final Fantasy VIII doesn't work like a traditional RPG in many ways so if you are the type of person who wants to just gain experience and work your way through a game then play Final Fantasy IX but if you want an intuitive menu and battle system then play Final Fantasy VIII. You won't be worse off for playing both either.

Let us know what you think after you have played them.

buy both, they are old games so very cheap

buy both... saw them together on amazon for under 20bucks

but play IX first before VIII.