Games
Sony
Microsoft
Nintendo
Other Platforms
Upcoming &
Recent Releases
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Final Fantasy IX
Universal acclaim
Based on 22 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 105 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
Game Info
Publisher: Square Electronic Arts
Developer: Square Soft
Genre(s): Role-Playing Game
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: November 14, 2000
Summary
Also On Metacritic
GAMES: Final Fantasy XII
Cheat Codes & Hints: Adrenaline Vault Cheat Code Central Game Revolution GamePro GamePro Guide GameSpot GameSpot Guide Happy Puppy IGN
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
Our favorite PS one Final Fantasy. [Nov 2001, p.46]
Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
Pushing the humble PSone to its absolute limits, Square have done the impossible and actually improved on FFVIII's visuals.
Read Full Review >Core Magazine
Gorgeous graphics, pleasant music, and an engaging (although somewhat cliché) story combine in a fitting conclusion to the PlayStation series of Final Fantasy titles.
Read Full Review >GamePro
It does, at times, go beyond expectations to give gamers a true masterpiece.
Read Full Review >GMR Magazine
The crystals return to the series, along with a four-member party, blue magic, and black mages. [Feb 2003, p.97]
Hot Games
A triumph of style with a touch of whimsy, this Fantasy is the perfect finale to an era of PS RPG gaming.
Read Full Review >Gaming Age
It just does everything in the most solid way possible. An intriguing storyline, characters you actually care about, tried and true FF gameplay, a memorable soundtrack, beautiful, polished graphics, and not many crazy "systems" to learn and master.
Read Full Review >Daily Radar
If nothing else, Final Fantasy IX is a work of utterly sumptuous beauty, with gorgeous environments, jaw-dropping cut-scenes and detailed characters.
Gaming Maxx
Square went all out and put together a masterpiece that could only leave us all in anticipation of Final Fantasy X on the Sony Playstation 2.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
Yet another outstanding FF sequel, this time with a return to its roots. [Jan 2004, p.188]
Antagonist
It's a cap to all the Final Fantasies and still a masterpiece alone. It's not perfect, but it's as good as traditional RPGs get.
Happy Puppy
But for the feel of nostalgia bolstered by the still-capable technology of the PlayStation, this game can make you feel actual delight--something that's tough to do in these cynical times.
Read Full Review >netjak
There are so many humorous moments in the game, but at the same time, many emotional moments as well. Throughout my journey, I connected with the characters, as they truly came alive for me. Few games were as engrossing as this, as it really captivated me with its fantastic story and entertaining twists.
Read Full Review >IGN
Final Fantasy could go on forever re-creating its particular spin on the traditional heroic quest, and it would be a success every single time, but I can't help feeling as if something that features this kind of majestic visual craftsmanship ought to host a story built with equal care.
Read Full Review >Gamestyle
A masterpiece of an adventure game. For anyone not to fall in love with it would truly amaze me. Everything is set just right and you are drawn into the story right from the very offset.
Read Full Review >Spank!
The twists and turns of the plot are brought to life on screen in a way that leaves you itching to find out what's round the next corner.
CNET Gamecenter
Continues the series' long-standing tradition of quality in one of the most compelling RPGs ever. This is the last Final Fantasy game that will appear on the PlayStation, and SquareSoft has definitely saved its best for last.
Gamezilla!
With a storyline that drew me in more than most games I’ve played recently, graphics quality that I thought was impossible on my TV, and a cast of characters that amused and delighted, I’ve found a game that I love.
Read Full Review >Cincinnati Enquirer
One of the best games in the coveted series and one of the top RPGs of the year.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
As with Final Fantasy VII and VIII, the music arrangements are distinctly synthesized and sound 16-bit.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
But big steps towards a deeper, more immersive experience haven't been made here. Even the most impassioned player must start asking for more out of the Final Fantasy institution.
Read Full Review >GameCritics
Doesn't offer very much that is new. The game is more than a little formulaic at times, using rehashed bits from other Final Fantasy games and not taking them any further.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 105 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Morgan F gave it a0:
Boring, boring, boring. The plot is so shallow that makes you doubt your intelligence, the gameplay makes you want to cut your hands ang the graphics sucs. It is the most overrated game ever. I want my spended hours back!
Lev gave it an8:
Favourite FF out of the PSX FF titles, not counting Tactics. The whole game reminds me of the kind of adventure stories I liked (and still like!) as a kid. It has one of the best worlds that appear in a Final Fantasy, and the characters are really different so anyone can choose his/her favourite out of them. Battle system is simple and effective. Random encounters could get annoying after a while but I think it works best in this game out of all the FFs.
d k gave it a10:
This is what Final Fantasy is meant to be. Instead of taking on a semi-realistic tone like ffvii and ffviii, it went back to Final Fantasy's original roots. It balanced everything out; it had a great story and great graphics, and it had a gameplay system that kept characters from becoming overpowered too easily. It also had a great soundtrack! This is easily one of my favorite games of all time, and definitely my favorite Final Fantasy of all time.
Stephanie R gave it a10:
For all Final Fantasies, this has GOT to be the best RPG for me. It goes back to all the old tradition of Final Fantasy. This game has the best character developtment and you can completely feel being in the character's shoes. Final Fantasy X was a dissapointment. Good graphics, bad storyline. Stopped Final Fantasy VIII at Disc 2. Final Fantasy VII was also good! :) What separates this from ANY OTHER Final Fantasies is it's magical atmosphere, you can completely feel the fantasy world, and be in the shoes of a thief (who is light hearted and funny, which in my opinion makes a good hero) saving the princess in a world full of mysteries.
Concrete C gave it a10:
This is the best FF game on the PSX. Hands down. Characters are unique, you have to balance your party correctly, the battles are not HP-massacres but more displays of strategy made before the battle and reaction. The story itself is developing not only unexpectedly but also there is depth hidden in what the characters go thru and say. The graphics are the best in any PSX game, next to Metal Gear Solid. Just take a look at the Flare spell or at the Summons... like Bahamut, Madhin and Ark. The rendered sequences are spine-chilling. The weapon design is beautiful. The venue-design is exceptional. I never found any reason to criticize this game. It's a little easier than FF6 though. Plus I found interesting that the villain is actually vulnerable compared to ever insane Kefka or the corrupted and furious Sephiroth. If you hate this game, it is your loss.
C. M. gave it a9:
No. 9 just barely edges out no. 7 as the second best game in the Final Fantasy series (the top spot belongs unquestionably to no. 6, which may just be the best role-playing game ever made, or at least the best that I've had the privilege to experience). It was intended as both an homage to and a synthesis of the previous games in the series, which makes for wonderful in-jokes for those familiar with the franchise. It's also one of the most humorous and whimsical RPGs I've played, two qualities that I value greatly in the genre; at the same time, however, it offers a deep and engaging storyline and mythos as well as a passel of fun characters (some more fun than others, granted) and a dazzling display of imagination. Best of all about the game, however, is the gameplay itself. The abitilies system (and most everything else in the game) is extremely user-friendly while never seeming too simple, and the synthesis shops are a great addition. Complaints? In my opinion, the tone of the game gets too serious as the storyline progresses, clashing with the initially established bright, colorful, whimsical feel. Battles, unfortunately, can get repetitive, especially when grinding (this is one aspect where 9 does not trump 7). And as is often the case with RPGs, the storyline gets needlessly confusing and murky as complications arise, requiring a great memory or a flow chart to keep track of exactly what's going on and why. (The ending's also a little disappointing.) But despite all that, Final Fantasy IX is a fantastic game that any RPG fan should definitely play, if they haven't already.
Evan gave it a10:
Why most people I've talked to skipped out on this one I will never know. EVERY aspect of this Final Fantasy game is superb. The characters, the story, the abilities system, the game world and especially the art.
