I'd argue that FFIX is the most Final Fantasy of the Final Fantasies. It embodies so much of what gives the franchise its identity, with callbacks to the very earliest entries and plenty of new elements that give the whole thing a unique spin. It has a compelling, deeply moving story, a beautiful setting, and perhaps Uematsu's best work as a composer. It is slower paced than the games that came just before it, but this is a game worth taking your time with. I consider this the last truly great Final Fantasy game.