HeroOfTim
I've played worse games, to be completely honest. It's still terrible but I mean, I would rather play this over Castlevania Legends. At least this game is about 30 minutes long. At least this game actually has kinda nice backgrounds! Also, at least this game actually makes me feel something. Playing this game in this current day and age of the internet is a surreal out of body experience that everybody should go through.
I've flip flopped on my ranking of this game many times for various reasons. But after my last replay, I am setting in stone that normie take or not, this is my favorite game in the series.
Yes, the combat/difficulty is hilariously incompetent, which was the main thing holding it back for me before now, but honestly it's just one blemish on an otherwise amazing game. When it comes to gameplay, the map design is great (only topped by Aria and Dawn of Sorrow) and the movement mechanics are not only the best in the series but the best in the entire genre as far as I'm concerned. As for the rest of the game, it's a visual masterpiece with one of the greatest soundtracks in the entire medium of video games. Outside of the combat, this game perfectly appeals to why I personally love this series more than any of them.
Ecclesia, Dawn, the original Castlevania 1, I fully believe these are all better games. But I am satisfied saying that SotN is my personal favorite.
Yes, the combat/difficulty is hilariously incompetent, which was the main thing holding it back for me before now, but honestly it's just one blemish on an otherwise amazing game. When it comes to gameplay, the map design is great (only topped by Aria and Dawn of Sorrow) and the movement mechanics are not only the best in the series but the best in the entire genre as far as I'm concerned. As for the rest of the game, it's a visual masterpiece with one of the greatest soundtracks in the entire medium of video games. Outside of the combat, this game perfectly appeals to why I personally love this series more than any of them.
Ecclesia, Dawn, the original Castlevania 1, I fully believe these are all better games. But I am satisfied saying that SotN is my personal favorite.
2011
For some reason I feel weird putting a rating on this game, but it holds too much nostalgic value to me. I always come back to it and rediscover how much it actually rocks when you look past the cringe parts of the fanbase. The soundtrack is one of my favorites in anything ever.
1988
Severely overhated, in my opinion (taking later releases into account that is, the NES/Famicom version still sucks). I am one of FFII's biggest defenders.
The gameplay does suck for sure, however, I don't think it's quite as bad as people make it out. Again the Famicom version is just kind of bad but other versions are whatever.
The story, while absolutely nothing amazing, has a lot of ambition behind it and is ahead of its time in every sense of the word. Not very complex, but it is legitimately trying to convey some character work and themes here and it's really cool to see that in what would later become a very story focused series.
Great music too. Rebel Army my beloved.
The gameplay does suck for sure, however, I don't think it's quite as bad as people make it out. Again the Famicom version is just kind of bad but other versions are whatever.
The story, while absolutely nothing amazing, has a lot of ambition behind it and is ahead of its time in every sense of the word. Not very complex, but it is legitimately trying to convey some character work and themes here and it's really cool to see that in what would later become a very story focused series.
Great music too. Rebel Army my beloved.
2006
Despite some issues with the plot, this game's story is still very good. Oh, and the music is amazing and the gameplay is great.
(Replay) I genuinely enjoy the first half of this game. It's a pretty well designed NES game. Compare it to something like Castlevania 2, the secrets actually have sufficient hints (for the most part...), the palaces are fairly well designed... but after the first half I lose so much interest. It's not even that hard. It's just boring and I wished it would be over sooner. It's definitely better than Zelda 1 but I ain't replaying it anytime soon.
2021
The second funniest game I've ever played. Had a blast with everything about this game. Absolutely cannot wait for the coming chapters and will drop everything to play them immediately.
1986
(Replay) I have begun my replays of the series, and the first game... is not good! The dungeons aren't actually too terribly designed (besides Death Mountain which is ridiculous) but everything else here sucks ass under the condition that you don't use a guide. It is quite enjoyable with a walkthrough, and there's an undeniable sense of adventure and wonder in this world, but yeah nobody can defend the bombable walls, burnable bushes, etc etc etc and it amounts to a game that once was great but has not aged well.
(Replay) Always thought this game was mid and overrated, but on this replay I enjoyed it more than I ever have. The dungeons are pretty good, but the best thing here is the exploration in the overworlds. It's so much fun. Some people dislike how the game hides required items in out of the way locations you're never told about but I like that personally, I love being forced to explore and find stuff on my own and I see no reason why you wouldn't want to do that in a Zelda game. I don't care for the soundfont but the OST was undeniably pretty influential as it started so many iconic recurring songs.
Solid game. Even the worst stages, like 5', have fucking baller music so you can never not have fun. Maria is absolutely unplaytested levels of broken but in a fun way.
1991
IV is definitely the hardest FF for me to rank. On one hand, it's iconic. On the other hand, I don't entirely feel it's that good...?
I feel in my heart that if there was one Final Fantasy I would pick as my least favorite, it's this one, however I do enjoy it more than I and III, so I'm not sure at the end of the day.
The gameplay is underrated in my opinion. The lack of freedom only allows the game to create tailored challenges for your party and can be decently tricky at times. It's on the right track.
The story is just fucking dumb. It hurts because the first third, everything up through the paladin scene, is genuinely fantastic stuff. And then it just drops the ball so hard. Cartoonish twists, hilarious fake deaths (and a shit ton of them), thematic developments that feel like non-sequiturs. I'm curious why I don't see more people talk about this stuff and I feel like the only person who doesn't consider IV to be the first great FF like most others. Still, that OST bangs and I do enjoy my time.
I feel in my heart that if there was one Final Fantasy I would pick as my least favorite, it's this one, however I do enjoy it more than I and III, so I'm not sure at the end of the day.
The gameplay is underrated in my opinion. The lack of freedom only allows the game to create tailored challenges for your party and can be decently tricky at times. It's on the right track.
The story is just fucking dumb. It hurts because the first third, everything up through the paladin scene, is genuinely fantastic stuff. And then it just drops the ball so hard. Cartoonish twists, hilarious fake deaths (and a shit ton of them), thematic developments that feel like non-sequiturs. I'm curious why I don't see more people talk about this stuff and I feel like the only person who doesn't consider IV to be the first great FF like most others. Still, that OST bangs and I do enjoy my time.
The final boss sucks dick, balls, and ass all at once, but aside from that, this game is... surprisingly very good. The level gimmicks are honestly quite well implemented and the soundtrack is baller.
2016
Best fourth wall breaks gaming has ever seen when it comes to the puzzles. I used to love the story but my opinion has gone down over time. Still worth a playthrough at the very least.
One of the quintessential examples of a perfect remake. My only large complaint is the game telling you where to go at almost every point, but honestly if you ignore those pointers the game is actually a lot more open than it seems to be. Still lots of sequence breaking opportunities, still replayable as hell. Easily one of the best Metroid games.
2000
To say this game is special to me would be an understatement. Final Fantasy IX changed me. It literally changed my life and I would be a very different person without having played it. This game gave me direction, it gave me motivation, it gave me a reason to live. It taught me that life is beautiful and that leaving even just one positive memory in someone's mind means your life was worth living. This is my second favorite piece of media ever made and every day I feel like a better person because of it.