FINAL FANTASY IX for Android
"FINAL FANTASY IX for Android brings the classic adventure to mobile devices. Experience the engaging plot, stellar gameplay, and stunning graphics, all accompanied by an amazing soundtrack. Be prepared for grind-heavy elements and some bugs, but overall, fans of the series won't want to miss this return of a fan-favorite RPG."
Reviews
- The game is a faithful port of the original, with updated graphics and smooth gameplay.
- The nostalgic experience of playing FFIX on mobile is a delight for long-time fans.
- The addition of features like auto-save and cheats enhances the gameplay experience.
- The game frequently crashes or gets stuck on a black screen, especially on newer Android devices.
- There are issues with the game freezing during key scenes, making it unplayable for many users.
- The app has not been updated in a long time, leading to frustration among players who want a fix.
- graphics172 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their significant upgrades from the original PlayStation version, with many users noting the enhanced HD visuals, smooth performance, and nostalgic charm. While the character models and overall aesthetics are described as beautiful and well-polished, some players have reported minor issues such as graphical glitches and inconsistent performance on certain devices. Overall, the remastered graphics contribute positively to the gameplay experience, making it a standout mobile port.
“Phenomenal characterization, interesting narrative, expansive world, and artistic graphics which have a nostalgic feel to them.”
“The graphics in this game are great on my Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, as well as on my Galaxy S9 and S8 Plus.”
“The updated visuals and UI are beautiful.”
“Extremely glitchy graphics and in play is jumpy too!”
“Poor tap detection makes the game almost unplayable; visuals are grainy to the point you can't tell what anything is; no explanation as to how anything works.”
“It's got pseudo-HD graphics: backgrounds aren't remastered at the same resolution as the character models.”
- story132 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of the game is widely praised for its depth, engaging characters, and emotional impact, with many players expressing nostalgia for its classic narrative. While some reviews note technical issues that hinder the experience, the overall consensus is that the storyline remains compelling and well-crafted, making it a standout element of the game. However, a few players feel that it does not measure up to previous titles in the series, citing convoluted plot points and a lack of character investment.
“The gameplay and story are very rich and have me very hooked.”
“The story was so deep for me and I loved the characters.”
“This game is a work of art with a great story.”
“However, while FFIX does a lot of technical stuff right, the story for this game pales in comparison to previous titles.”
“At no point did I feel invested in any characters or the game's story - which disappoints me.”
“The plot is also all kinds of convoluted and nonsensical.”
- stability93 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 76 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is highly inconsistent across different devices and operating systems. While some users report smooth performance with no crashes, many others experience frequent freezes, particularly during specific scenes or on newer Android versions. Overall, the game appears to have significant stability issues that detract from the experience for a considerable number of players.
“There were no glitches, and the phone was just as normal as it would be using a regular keypad.”
“Alot of people having issues on Android 11 and not updating. I just purchased on Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra; despite that, it runs great, no freezes so far, works as it should. Don't let old reviews make you miss out on reliving a classic!”
“Ported perfectly to the Android system with no glitches whatsoever.”
“I hate to leave a bad review on one of my most favorite games, but the app is too buggy and crashes way too much.”
“Do not buy - game will not run on newer Android devices; it simply freezes with a black screen on launch.”
“The game will open and go to the title screen but freezes to a black screen and exits the app completely.”
- gameplay65 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this title is generally praised for its smooth mechanics, engaging story, and nostalgic graphics, making it a standout RPG on mobile platforms. While many players enjoy the rich content and seamless experience, some report technical issues such as crashes, lag, and input recognition problems, particularly on certain devices. Overall, it offers a substantial amount of gameplay, with many users noting the potential for over 100 hours of playtime, though some express concerns about stability and performance.
“The gameplay and story are very rich and have me very hooked.”
“Amazing app, great gameplay and graphics and controls and everything all around it really brought me back to my old PS1 days and nostalgia.”
“This game has a well-crafted story, epic and atmospheric fantasy environments, and well-structured, non-linear gameplay with plenty of side quests and potentially 100+ hours of gameplay.”
“Seriously a bummer, as this is an integral part of the gameplay.”
“The game will not recognize my button input to advance the scene, the two text box part within the first 30 minutes of gameplay.”
“Too many bugs to list, can't even receive a text without some catastrophic mid-game nuclear meltdown, the standard UI is not smooth at all, battle UI is even worse, and you'll get about an hour of actual gameplay with a full battery charge.”
- music32 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting the impressive soundtrack composed by Nobuo Uematsu, which evokes nostalgia and enhances the overall atmosphere. However, several users have reported significant issues, such as music looping bugs and interruptions during gameplay, detracting from the experience. Despite these technical problems, the soundtrack remains a standout feature, often described as one of the best in video game history.
“Great music, great cast of characters, great visuals, great game!”
“One of the best video game soundtracks ever!”
“The music creates a pleasant atmosphere.”
“The only option I'd appreciate being added is to turn off the game music while still hearing the sound effects.”
“Music loop bug - broken port; it is such a shame such a wonderful game has not been given the care it deserves.”
“As it stands now, the game is broken: the music tracks restart after every random battle instead of carrying on from where they left off like in the original on PS1.”
- optimization29 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with many players praising its touch screen controls and smooth performance on higher-end devices, while others report significant lag and stability issues, particularly on older or less powerful phones. Some users highlight the need for further optimization and bug fixes, especially regarding menus and loading times, to enhance the overall experience. Overall, while the game runs well on certain devices, it struggles with performance on others, indicating a need for broader compatibility improvements.
“I've never played the original, but the controls are optimized for mobile and it works amazing, if you ask me.”
“The optimization for touch screens is impressive and surprisingly refreshing.”
“Works perfectly on my tablet, no performance issues at all 3 hours in.”
“I lost several hours of grinding; this is hashing the experience for a paid application. I need better performance.”
“Can't play on Moto G; please optimize performance.”
“The game is alright, but a lot of optimization still needs to be done, especially with menus and loading.”
- grinding16 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious but manageable, with some appreciating optional boosters and speed-up options that alleviate the monotony. While level grinding is necessary for progression, many feel it can detract from the overall experience, especially without cheats. The engaging storyline and combat system help balance the grind, but frustrations arise from the save process and the potential for losing progress during grinding sessions.
“I lost several hours of grinding; this is hashing the experience for a paid application. I need better performance.”
“Makes level grinding take longer than it should, and running around through town is a punctuated experience.”
“Tired of losing grinding levels.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users highlight the game's emotional depth, praising its touching and sweet storyline that evokes nostalgia and a sense of belonging. The combination of a compelling narrative with engaging gameplay elements has left a lasting impact, making it a cherished favorite in the RPG genre. Overall, the emotional resonance of the game is a significant factor in its appeal.
“Touching, sweet story combined with a bit of level grinding and one of the best combat systems from the Final Fantasy series.”
“This game is amazing! The storyline is very emotional, with a perfect beginning and perfect ending. I hope we can have more games like this on our Android phones.”
“This is the game that pulled me into the RPG genre and made me feel a sense of belonging.”
- monetization5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the absence of in-app purchases, favoring a one-time payment model that ensures ad-free and seamless gameplay. While some consider the price of $20.99 to be high, many feel it is justified given the lack of additional costs and the overall value provided.
“Fair price for no ads and seamless gameplay.”
“I'd rather pay for a game than have in-app purchases.”
“20.99 might seem steep, but with no in-game purchases, it's actually the cheapest game I've played.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its humor, featuring dynamic characters that provide comic relief and unexpected twists, particularly through the serious yet funny character of Steiner. Players appreciate the clever job references and find the overall experience entertaining, even poking fun at common frustrations like long download times.
“Steiner is my favorite because he is so serious yet funny.”
“Full of humor, comic relief, as well as class (job) references sums everything up in this game.”
“This gameplay has changing gameplay, it keeps you excited, the characters are moving and funny; it's a total experience.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, users highlight the game's strong story and engaging gameplay as key factors contributing to its high replayability, with many recommending it for multiple playthroughs.
“Great story, great game with plenty of replay value, definitely recommend.”
“Runs great and the replay value is high!”
“Good replay value.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a richly crafted story set in epic fantasy environments, complemented by a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere. Its non-linear gameplay and abundance of side quests contribute to an immersive experience, promising over 100 hours of engaging content.
“This game has a well-crafted story, epic and atmospheric fantasy environments, and well-structured, non-linear gameplay with plenty of side quests and potentially 100+ hours of gameplay.”
“The music creates a pleasant atmosphere.”