13 Video Game Sequels Better Than Their 'Classic' Originals

The question here is: just how much do I hate myself? Why would a man in my position publicly denounce one of the most beloved games of all time, and one with a fanbase so notoriously rabid, in favour a sequel two times removed? Is it a flagrant act of incendiary trolling, or the desperate behaviour of a self-hating masochist?

I'll tell you which: neither. Although I do hate myself, and it's always fun to wind-up the internet, I happen to believe the statement is true. Final Fantasy IX is better than Final Fantasy VII. It's two better, in fact. Nine is two more than seven.

This opinion is in earnest. I like FFVII. In fact, I'd even say I'm rather fond of it. But it's not without its flaws (and sadly, judging from what we've seen so far, the remake is not set to address any of them). It feels rough around the edges now, but this helps it retain a certain quaint charm.

FFIX on the other hand, feels like a fully-polished, big-budget production. It's the real deal, as the gaming industry was becoming more familiar with such a concept.

The translation is absolutely flawless; it's one of the most entertainingly scripted games ever made. The locations are beautiful even today, with many of the hand-painted and pre-rendered backgrounds only grasping for resolution. And the depth of the world and its range of side-quests is as extensive as anything the series had offered prior.

It's classic Final Fantasy - both by intent, and by execution.