Final Fantasy IX

Final Fantasy IX: A Return to Roots

Final Fantasy IX is a 2000 role-playing game for the PlayStation. It takes place in a classic fantasy world called Gaia and is a nostalgic return to the series’ medieval roots after the futuristic settings of Final Fantasy VII and VIII. The story follows a thief named Zidane Tribal, who, along with his theater troupe, attempts to kidnap Princess Garnet Til Alexandros XVII of Alexandria. This seemingly simple plot, however, is a cover for a much larger, world-threatening conflict.

The party grows to include the young Black Mage Vivi, the loyal knight Adelbert Steiner, and others. They discover that Queen Brahne’s aggression is being manipulated by a mysterious villain named Kuja, and they must uncover his true motives to save their world from destruction.

Gameplay and Combat

The game uses the traditional turn-based combat system of the earlier Final Fantasy games, but with a number of modern updates. When you encounter an enemy, the game transitions to a battle screen where characters on both sides take turns attacking.

• Active Time Battle (ATB): The game uses the ATB system, where each character has a bar that fills over time. When it’s full, they can take an action.
• Movement and Abilities: Unlike its PS1 predecessors, characters in Final Fantasy IX move around the battlefield during combat, which adds to the visual flair.
• Customization: A key feature is the ability for characters to learn a variety of skills by equipping different weapons and armor. As they earn Ability Points (AP) from battles, they can “master” a skill, allowing them to use it even when the equipment is unequipped.
• New Mechanics: The game introduces a few new mechanics, like the Steal ability, which allows Zidane to take items from enemies, and the Jump command, which allows the Dragoon character Freya Crescent to leap into the air and avoid attacks before coming down with a powerful strike.
• Trance: Final Fantasy IX also introduces the “Trance” system, which is similar to the Limit Break from Final Fantasy VII. When a character takes enough damage, their Trance bar fills up, and they can unleash a more powerful form or set of abilities.
• Summons: Another classic feature of the series, characters can summon powerful creatures, or “Eidolons,” to assist them in battle.