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Final Fantasy IX:
Platform: Playstation Publisher: Square EA Developer: Squaresoft Projected Release Date: Late 2000
Well it's almost time for the Final Fantasy series to make one last appearance on the Playstation. While many of the other development houses have shifted their flagship series over to the more powerful systems on the horizon, Square is giving the 32-bit world one more journey before they move their prized franchise over as well.
The game's story is a mystery as Square has remained tight lipped on the matter. However, information pertaining to the characters is available to a degree. Among the known characters there are Adelbert Steiner, who is a knight to the royal family, Zidane Tribal, a teenaged lad who's a thief who likes the ladies, VIVI Ornitier, a nine year old black wizard (now how many old school FF fans are thrilled to see the return of the black wizard...come on, show of hands), Eiko Carol, a six year old, Quina Quen, a creature obsessed with eating, Garnet Til Alexandros 17th, the princess, and thought of by her subjects as a bit of a brat, Freija Crescent, a troubled knight, and Salamander Coral, who thinks that pure might will win the day.
Those brought up on the Playstation's installments to the series (Final Fantasy VII and VIII) will probably be taken aback by the character design, while veterans will have fond memories of the 8 and 16-bit games in the series. This is because Yoshitaka Amano, character designer from Final Fantasy I to Final Fantasy VI, has returned to design the characters and monsters for this installment. Also returning are Nobuo Uematsu to take care of the game's musical score, and, of course, Hironobu Sakaguchi will be in charge of this Final Fantasy as well.
While the last two games have had a modern, futuristic feel to them, Final Fantasy IX is making a return to the series' roots, as the fantasy elements have become the focus. Set in a medieval environment with floating islands, super deformed characters, and magic, there is a very quasi-nostalgic quality being given off by the game.
The game's battle system is still unknown at this time. However, players will be able to have four characters in their party, the magic system will be based on magic points again, and, by popular demand, the summoning sequences will not be so long.
It's rather interesting that the Final Fantasy series takes a look at the past as it gets ready for one last go on the Playstation. Bringing back some of players' favorite aspects of previous installments while keeping the fancy stuff that has come since, Final Fantasy IX looks like an interesting way for the series to march out of the 32-bit era.
Previewed by Kaspian May 22, 2000
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