I want to give Final Fantasy a try...

If you aren't into turn based rpgs and games with lots of text, you should probably avoid Final Fantasy games.

IV is a fine place to start, then VI when you can find it. VII and IX are also good entries.

I think FF X is the best as the first one. Then probably IX or VII. Then, the rest :P

If you've got a way to play it, X would be a good one to start on.

My most favoritue FF of all time is VI, but as it isn't released on PC yet (and not even rated yet, like IV is) you'd have to emulate it to play it ;p Still it's the last one (and best one) of classic 2d top-down FF games with awesome story, world, lore and charasters (Terra... <3).

From Steam avaiable ones - if you don't mind outdated PS1-era graphics - go for FF7. While graphics may seem oldish it's still great story with a ot of awesome plot-twists and awesome characters and absolutely iconic lore (it's the FF that spawed the most of sinoff games, mangas, animes, etc, it has very developed world you can really dig into). If more moders nad polished graphics are important for you - FF XIII is not so bad (yet nowhere close in gameplay/story epicness of VI/VII), cannot say much about IV as I didn't play modern version, only original one.

Dont waiste your money for this kind of games.

Final Fantasy VI, VII, IX, X are great games. I know a lot of people won't agree with me but I really liked VIII also. Start with VI or VII.

First one I ever played was 7 and now I love the series.

this one

Weird that nobody said to start with III.

I'd say start with VII. Its widely regarded as one of the greatest games ever made and for me, its the most accessible FF title. The one issue with it is if you don't like playing older games. Its age shows in places, but the version available on Steam now is done quite well.

I am not much of a turn based fan, but I will play it and there occasions where I really like the game. FFVII really is wonderful though.

I'd start with whichever one looks more appealing to you. =P

I'd say you should stay away from FF VII, many FF fans consider it the weakest entry in the franchise, although most people also love it because of its nostalgic value.

Try IX, VIII or X.

My advice? IV, V VI, all of which can be played on emulators

IV: fantranslated jpn Snes rom (the US version was watered down in some ways), PS1/PSP collection version (original version but officically translated), GBA (original but with some other extras, sort of buggy though) DS (3d and some gameplay tweaks)

V: Fantranslated snes rom, PS1 version (from FF Chronicles), GBA (Has some extras)

VI: Snes rom, GBA (has some extras, though the music quality is worse)

I played every FF from I through VII in order, and I'm playing VIII now. I recommend you to do that, it's good for you to see the evolution of the game and how it improved.

Also, do not play the original NES versions of the first Final Fantasies, I recommend playing the Game Boy versions, I played both versions, and... let's say that the game boy's graphics are better for the eye. The gameplay is pretty much the same, with a few extra areas on Game Boy versions. Some people say the the music is better on NES versions, but personally I don't dislike the game boy's soundtrack.

IV-VII and IX are my favorites, though if you're a first timer you may want to start with IV as it's pretty straightforward and doesn't have a lot of optional stuff that may confuse people new to RPGs in general. V and VI have great characters, though V has a fairly complex job system (complex for people new to RPGs anyway) and VI is quite long (split into 2 parts) and has some missable stuff that you probably won't catch unless you're using a FAQ or walkthrough.

IX is also pretty straightforward so it could also be a good jumping in point, though some of the character designs are funky looking like the Monkey boy, the really fat Knight, and the Rat lady. And then there's Quina.

I haven't actually played any Final Fantasy games either o:

I do plan on getting the III and IV though because they remind me of a 3DS game :3

If you have to limit yourself to what's available on Steam right now then I'd recommend Final Fantasy IV or VII. I think both are really great, the first one has a more traditional fantasy setting, with only few more technologically advanced elements (like airships) thrown in. The seventh installment of the series is set in a more modern world, with corporations and genetic experiments, but at the same time it has magic (which is actually explained in game) and swords are as popular as guns (if not more :) ).

FF VIII is good as well (in my opinion) but it can be counted among the most controversial games of the franchise - some love it for its characters and story, others hate it for identical reasons. Anyway, you could try it after IV and VII, form your own opinion :) .

If you have access to other Final Fantasy games then you should definitely try out VI and IX. They are amazing as well. I might be biased, though.

Most of you guys seems to like IV the best, so I guess that's the best to start with :D

mmmm tough question Honestly :3

But yes I'd start with 4, I prefer the psp version rather than the steam one that's a direct port from the ds (I don't like the puppet look the chars have and the dialogues looks dumbed down, but it might be my imagination). I'm starting to play it as well, then I'll jump to 5 and then 6, maybe someday I'll play again the 8°. I left it around the second disc, I didn't like the magic system :)

4 (called 2 in states) is a great starting point. They do not do anything weird with magic or summons, it is not too complicated or weird. A sorta great point to it is that the characters are not customizable, so you do not have to worry about having some stupid unwin-able build and they work as real characters not just interchangeable minions.

8 is great, but has a weird magic system and a weird summon system, and you could spend 500 hours farming magic to boost your stats. 7 is legendary but has a weird magic system, and is really complicated and complex. The best story of any of the games, almost certainly, but such a long complex game most people do not finish it from my experience. A lot of the other games have weird job systems, etc.

FF3 (or 6 in some places) was the best ff for me.

you can play them in order at least 1-9 for pc (emulated), if you have a psp you can get a remake of the first games with colors, best soundtrack and those things.
current 3 in steam is a remake based on nDS, i played the SNES version and i love it.

some people recommend the XIII but its kinda long... also ther's XIII-2 and XIII lighting return so... u'll need some time for a release of those last 2 in steam.

personal opinion. also 9 was my favorite for play station ( yes, more than 7 and 8).

I played FF 6-9, my fav is 8, 6 is very good as well, 9 is so so and I did not like the style of 7

played every final fantasy up to final fantasy 10

5,6, and 7 are my favorites.

Play FF Tactics. Forget the base franchise, it's not as good (YOU HEARD ME).