Final Fantasy IX came out in Fall 2000 and was the last FF game for PSX. The battle system is like most FF games, but the way your learn the spells is nothing like any other games. To use a spell, and learn it, you must equip certain items and get enough AP to use them without having the item equipped. You can also learn abilities such as HP + 20% from the items. You can equip a certain number of these spells at at time. Also, when taking enough damage, character go into a trance, which makes their power and abilities go up.

The game starts off with Zidane, the main character, and a group known as Tantalus tries to kidnap Princess Garnet by performing a play called "I want to be your canary". Much to their surprise, Garnet wants to be kidnapped! Unlucky for the group, Steiner, leader of the Knights of Pluto, tries to stop them but Tantalus's ship gets shot down and the group must make an emergency landing in the Evil Forest. As they make their way out of Evil Forest, a whole new adventure unfolds as they find out what Queen Brahne, Garnet's mother and Queen of Alexandria, is trying to do.

Main Characters:

Zidane Tribal: Zidane is a 16-year-old thief that works with the group knwn as Tantalus. He has no parents and lives life trying to find out his origin, all he can remember about his birth is a strange blue light. He is fairly strong and has amazing Trance abilities

Garnet Til Alexandros 17th (Dagger): Garnet is the Princess of Alexandria. She is very beautiful, smart, and surprisingly strong. She can use powerful summons and White Magic, making her a key member of the team.

Vivi Ornitier: Vivi is a young Black Mage whose only family, his grandfather, died a while back. He goes through life wondering about his existance. He uses powerful magic and with Steiner, he is a key member of the team.

Adelbert Steiner: Steiner is a very strong Pluto Knight that protects Alexandria with his life. His current job is to protect Garnet. He can use powerful Sword Art attacks and with Vivi in the party, he can use the very
strong Sword Magic.

Freya Crescent: Freya is a dragon knight from Burmecia. She is very skilled with a spear and can use the jump ability to fly into the air and damage her enemies or she can use her Dragon abilities.

Quina Quen: Quina is a gormand from Qu's Marsh. She lives her life to eat new foods and is only travelling with the group so she can sample new foods. She uses Blue Magic that she learns from eating enemies.

Eiko Carol: Eiko is a young summoner from Madain Sari. She uses Powerful White Magic and Summons as well. She is a good character, but Garnet is much better.

Amarant Coral: Amarant is a thief that is travelling with the group so he can fight Zidane once more. Although he is stubborn, his Throw attack is very strong, depending on the weapon you throw.

Kuja: Although he may seem to be just another one of Brahne's cronies, he is very powerful and is very evil. He is the one who makes black mages. He is from the planet of Terra, and- ooops, I have said too much...

Queen Brahne: This powerhungry witch is Garnet's mother? No way! Well, it's true, and she is out to take over the world, even if it means killing Garnet...

The rating is on a scale of 7.

Graphics: 7

The graphics are really good. They go along with the backgrounds well, and meet the standards of a FF game. The movies are amazing, and unmatched by anything.

Storyline: 7

This storyline is almost better than the FF7 storyline, the way it unfolds is great, almost unmatched by all!

Sound/Music: 7

The most amazing music ever in a game, for sure! The soundtrack is great, and the ending music is in plain English! Amazing!

Control: 6

It's pretty easy to control, but in some parts, near the end of the game, the control gets really annoying!

Characters: 7

Without a doubt, the best set of character in a FF game. They all have uniques personalities, and all are pretty good in combat.

Length: 5

It only took me about 36 hours to complete the game first time around. But if you play the game to its fullist, and do absolutely everything, than it takes a really long time to beat!

Ending: The best FF ending ever! And so unexpected too!

Environments: 7

Everything looked so good, the world map was amazing, and the battle screen was really good as well!

Battle Mode: 7

The best battle system in a FF game so far, the spells are really cool, and the enemies, even cooler!

Difficulty: 7

Although it doesn't take that long to beat, you will probobly need a guide of some sort to help you through the game.

Items: 6

Lots of key items, and tons of equipment, some new items as well, not just the same old FF items.

Fun Factor!: 7

Tons of fun, the ending for sure! There's lots of mini-games, and the game is plain out fun!

Overall: 7

Just about as good as Final Fantasy VII!

Recommendation: Buy it! I got mine really cheap, $35 Canadian, so under $30 US for sure! Not to mention the game itself!

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