Final Fantasy recommendations?

I actually just finished FF VIII couple of days ago. I had had the game for a long time, started to play it several times but always got something else on the way and lost the progress. You can't really jump to the game after long break so I always started from the beginning again :D All I can say that the game is great, isn't hardest one of the series to beging with but also has some secrets / subplots. Main characters are mainly ok, but the main guy is a bit too whiny to my taste.

Maybe I should jump to the FF VII next, I have never completed it fully, maybe I'm easily distracted or something :D But the VII is really great although the models are a bit dated. I really love the VII's magic / materia system over VIII's, also the main characters are better in my opinion. I still have XIII on Steam and X on playstation 2 (but really waiting it to be released on PC, hooking up my ps2 to the tv is a bit of a problem atm). So much to experience ^^

FFX was the best one for me. You can pick up a HD version now on the PS4 that also includes FFX-2 so I would recommend that.

all, they have all their own story and are unique experiences.. take them and play them one by one imo, i still have to play some of them. Have fun

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Play the first game in the FF XIII series. I heard it's like Gone Home but with a storyline.
Mario Hoops 3-on-3 is also a pretty good FF game.

I think X is quite easy to get into for newcomers. It's not that old-school, has a nice story and colourful worldbuilding. I really enjoyed its battle system, it's probably the only true turn-based system in FF (if I remember correctly - haven't played them all).

My personal favourites are VI and IX. VI's Steam version is based on a mobile port, so it has weird menus and ugly sprites, but I think the story was left untouched. IX is getting a Steam release soon. Both have awesome casts (and great, if a bit weird-looking, villains!). VI's world is steampunk-ish, while IX is mostly classic European fantasy, so it's a matter of your preference. Oh, and IX is slightly lighter, story-wise.

I think the best way to make someone a fan of the series is to make them play either FFVIII or FFX. Those two are my favorites, both touched me deeply. FFVIII was my first FF game, and this would be my first recommendation. But if you can't get past the older graphics and the lack of voice acting, go with FFX. Ideally, just play both. :)

I loved 7 for it's intuitive materia system. You could customize it with the right weapons/gear/materia combos to make yourself nearly invincible lol. Add a joined 3 materia weapon/armor with counter/all/group heal materia and everytime the toon is hit it heals everyone :P.
Grinding the materia levels was a bitch, and chocobo breeding nearly drove me up the wall until I got my first 2 golds. I think I nearly failed year 10 high school because if this game :).
8 was a huge change and the magic system was completely overhauled and many people hated it if they played 7 first, but I found once you got used to it, it worked reasonably well.
10 I barely played because I started a family at the time and my wife hated me playing games. But I've heard good things.
1-6 have gone thru a rebirth and are worth playing.
11+ I have no idea.
If your really want a good game in the same style, try Phantasy Star IV - it's available on steam in one of the sega packs - well worth it - IMHO one of the best RPG's ever made. Not a lot in the way of customization of toons but a solid story.

1- Final Fantasy 8
2- Final Fantasy 9
3- Final Fantasy 7
4-Final Fantasy 13

Im expert in final fantasy games believe me

From the ones I played:
FF1 - A little old, and not really great game. I would not recommend this for introduction with the series. Contains hilarious bug, which can switch the story to "A four warriors of light were walking on the stairs so long that one of the guards turned to Chaos and run away"
FF2 - Rather nice attempt to add real story to FF. I am not sure if you can play it in English on anything except Game Boy Advanced.
FF3 - Slightly worse story than FF2 in my opinion, better character development system. 3D remake got terrible graphics.Might still be a good game as a first Final Fantasy to play in the series.
FF4 - Second Generation (SNES) Final Fantasy, introduction of new battle system. Very nice story about transporting Whales to the moon. 3D remake looks terrible when you compare it to original game, thanks to the terrible texture resolution.
FF5 - The game about evil tree trying to crush crystals and disintegrate the world. It does this that well that one of characters gets blasted three games into the future. My favourite SNES FF game, with very interesting character development system. New remake is 2D, but Square-Enix decided not to break the tradition of downgrading graphics in their remakes.
FF6 - Proof that the clowns are evil. Something like 14 playable characters, not counting temporary ones. More hilarious bugs (one character can visit it's own grave)
FF7 - First third generation (PSX) FF. In a city living under pizza you join a group of eco-terrorists and start blowing up nuclear reactor's in heavy population area, because power company is evil. After they try to lock you down, player characters decide to kill power company's ex-head of security named Sephiroth. It is a good place to start, but install some graphic upgrading mods. Fun fact - during combat FPS are capped at 15. Also you can't get the best magic without breeding chickens.
FF8 - Emo teen is trying to get amnesia by pushing monsters into his brain, while trying to kill Witches, Friends and some country's President. The only game in the series which allows you to take advantage of unconscious teenage girl, and where two gardens decide to settle their differences with motorcycles and forklifts. My favourite game in the series, probably because it was a first FF which I ever played. Also a good place to start.
FF9 - Return to traditional fantasy world. Guy with tail tries to kidnap princess, while flying in a ship. Her mother decided that she doesn't like kidnappers, so she tries to kill them both with an army of cloned mages. It's got most obvious end boss in the history of games. Remake should be available soon, take a peek at minimum requirements - almost identical to PSX specifications.
FF10 - Fourth generation Final Fantasy (PS2) Underwater Polo player finds out that his team and home town were destroyed by strange monster, so to take revenge on him he decides to kill best friend of this imaginary friend. Also it shows other problems with imaginary friends and proves that killing girlfriends is not always a bad idea. It is first game with full voice acting, so finally you can hear your character laugh.
FF10-2 - First sequel ever! (kinda weird considering it was something like thirtieth game in the series) Three girls are searching for a boyfriend and super weapon, while trying to develop technology for FF7.
FF Tactics - Technically a third generation FF, with slightly simpler story, focused on tactical combat. It is very different from the other games in the series, but good one. You can get it on the smartphone now.
FF Tactics Advance - a GBA remake of FF Tactics, in which they changed graphics, levels, game mechanics, story and characters. So what they didn't change comparing to the PSX original? Well, title is kinda similar. A little too childish in my opinion.

I never played any other game from the series, so I can't tell you anything about it.

And I almost forgot. There are minor spoilers in the text above.

played almost all of them (except the MMOs). if you're new then either 9 (for a classic feel) or 12 (better battling) would be the best choices. followed thereafter by 7 (story and combat) and 6 (story and general feel).

I recommend: Final Fantasy Tactics - my favorite game ever ;)

play all (if possible) my personal fav are v + tactics (havent played all myself either xD, but slowly playing 1 by 1)
also check out dragon quest, quite the same style of games with some difference
also might wanna check ys series out too along with tales series
all are great jrpg :)
so to answer your question, FF i - iii lacking something due aged, for example magic spells / class personality, etc.
and for recommendation, try to play all (again xD) bcz im pretty sure every1 suggestion will based on their own fav which differ from each others
u wont get exact answer, but i heard ff vi and vii got best stories !

Final Fantasy VIII

FF IV -> The most beautiful story & ost
FF IX -> What could go better than a beautiful friendship & love? Yeah nothing :3
FF IV -> Play it, get addicted immediately. I like Kain's story
FF VII and FF VIII, because they're mainstream... And great game xD

Then there's this, where everyone forget about tactic series
FF tactic advance -> You know I really fond of the gameplay, I want to play more and more

8 It has to be one of my favorites.

I would personally suggest: FFIV (one of my favourite stories and some of my favorite characters, even tho it's a quite straightforward game), FFVII & FFVIII (they're classics, the stories are good and there are a lot of side missions and secrets) and FF X (there should be an HD version for ps4 whit the sequel included; good story and a more relaxed combat system compared to the others. I honestly think it could be a good start for people who've never tried the serie!)

I played majority of them. My all time favorite is 7 because it was what introduced me into the RPG genre. I wouldn't rush into playing 7 though. Just wait it out a few more years to play the remake with way better graphics. I also loved 8 and the triad card games in there. A lot hated 8 though, so be warn you may not like it. Maybe get FFX/X-2 remake to start off? Better graphics and you can play blitzball in FFX.

Every one of them

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a Darklord

I'd say do VII to X first, maybe even XII. If, after playing these, you love everything Final Fantasy (you should!) and you want to complete the series play the NES and SNES games. I couldnt take FF XIII for more then 30 minutes so I can't say much about that one.

Edit: Oh and as SilentVinyl said, Crystal Chronicles was nice aswell, it's pretty different from the rest though

6

Where to play each game if you decide what to play

Final Fantasy - GBA (Dawn of Souls) or PSP (graphically enhanced PSP release)
Final Fantasy II - GBA (Dawn of Souls) or PSP (graphically enhanced PSP release)
Final Fantasy III - 3D port for DS / PSP / PC
Final Fantasy IV - PSP for best version of original game, most content available
Final Fantasy V - GBA release
Final Fantasy VI - GBA release
Final Fantasy VII - PC or PS1 (PSN available)
Final Fantasy VIII - PC or PS1 (PSN available)
Final Fantasy IX - PS1 (PSN available)
Final Fantasy X / X-2 - PS3 features International version enhancements that the PS2 originals didn't get outside of Japan and Europe
Final Fantasy XII - PS2 exclusive
Final Fantasy XIII (and sequels) - Heard of some performance issues and DRM fun on PC, so PS3 might be best unless you want PC resolutions

Final Fantasy Tactics - PSP enhanced remake, on PSN (PAL regions have it, North America region has PS1 Classic version)

Original series: IX, VII, V, XII, III.
Spin-Offs: The Crystal Bearers, Tactics, Tactics Advance, Tactics A2, Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon.