10 Reasons To Replay Final Fantasy IX After 20 Years
1. It's A Celebration Of The Series
Square evidently wanted to say goodbye to the fifth generation of consoles with something special. It was clear that this would be the last Final Fantasy release on the PlayStation, because the PlayStation 2 was already on the shelves.
In Final Fantasy IX, they took things back to their roots in a celebration of pretty much every release that came before.
While the previous three in the series had a futuristic and sci-fi setting, IX takes place in a more traditional fantasy world. The swords 'n' sorcery vibe is a throwback to the first five games in the series, as is the concept of mages and the presence of chivalrous knights.
There are a few homages to the previous three games too, especially in the gameplay. There is a nod to VIII with the card game, and the trance system is a rehash of the limit break.
This isn't to say that Final Fantasy IX is some kind of sickly nostalgia trip, whose only purpose is to celebrate the past. The characters and the world they inhabit are unique, as is the epic story. 20 years later it still stands out as a strong contender for the best in the series.