Final Fantasy 9 was the last FF game on the playstation console and it improved in almost every way from previous Final Fantasy games. Visually it left 7 and 8 far behind, its world maps, towns and misc locations featured stunning backdrops that the characters could freely walk through and interact with other people. Square heard the outrage of FF7 fans and decided to go back to something similar to materia system. This time instead having MP (magic points) and using weapons to learn abilities. Final Fantasy 9 boasted some great new features but it was hit hard when the playstation2 came out soon after its release and it suffered reduced sales.

Some new features introduced in this game was the Active Time Event or ATE. Time Events were simply small scenes involving other characters conversations etc at another location, some of these were optional while other were compulsory.

Final Fantasy 9's graphics were tweaked once again and advanced from FF7 and 8. The characters were more detailed and didn't appear "blocky" like parts of other FF games. The FMV sequences were pure quality, they felt so real it was like a movie where characters had actually acted out the scenes. Gameplay was very smooth in Final Fantasy 9 and no major glitches were noticed. Square really did took advantage of the new Sony Dualshock controller with the analog stick, this made playing the game alot easier.

FF9's battle system uses the Active Time Battle System (ATB) which was widely used in previous games. Basically, you select a command, a bar fills up and once its full you perform your action - this can be very tedious and takes time. The faster your character is - the faster his/her bar fills. As you are attacked, another gauge fills, when this is full you can unleash the FF9 equilivent of the limit break called trance. Each character has a unique special trance technique that increase strength, speed and abilities. As said previously, the traditional MP system returned to FF9 with the FF8 junction system dropped. Summons also feature in this game and finally, the time in which it took to summon Eidolons was decreased significantly. Also mentioned briefly above, abilities are now learned from weapons and obviously better weapons = better abilities. Weapons can be upgraded at various Synthesis shops throughout Gaia.

Once again, side quests are involved with FF9 including the famed Chocobo: Hot & Cold. Also there is another card game called Tetra master that is similar to FF8's 'Triple Triad'. Personally I like the FF8 version alot better than Tetra Master. Although they function similarly, FF8's was simply more enjoyable for me.

Once again, Nobuo Uematsu composed the great music for another addition to the Final Fantasy family. The game did feature some decent music in parts of the game but overall it didn't compare to the music of FF7 and 8. I dont think it had that "edge" on important scenerios that those games had. There are exceptions to this, songs such as "Melodies of Life" and "Chocobo Theme", they brought some life to parts of the game.

Overall Square did a good job on this game, although some areas lacked and others excelled, the story, characters and setting came together very well and this game should be recommended to all RPG gamers.