As one of my favorite games of all time (in my top five for sure) and an integral part of my childhood, this classic JRPG has always held a very special place in my heart. But even when I put aside those rose-tinted nostalgia goggles, I can safely say that this one is a timeless gem and well worth playing if you haven't done so yet.

I've played through the entire game and completed all side objectives multiple times back in the PS1 glory days, when FFIX was in its original 4-disc form. When I found out that this perennial fav of mine was being brought to PC in a remastered state, I was overjoyed-- and also, like many other fans, a bit worried that the port would be of poor quality. I anxiously awaited its release, and when it finally came out I was extremely relieved to see that the game was nearly perfect. They even kept the quality of the lovely and memorable musical score intact.

The character models look better than ever in high-res, and for those less fond of that JRPG grind there are now optional cheats to breeze through the game (though I'd never touch 'em, personally. I'm an FFIX purist like that!)

Controls work fine with either a controller or keyboard/mouse, but I recommend using a controller as that is the way the game was meant to be played.

The only issue I've got (and it's a relatively minor one that not much could've been done about) is the blurry backgrounds, which in most PC resolutions are quite noticeably fuzzy. This is unfortunate, as these pre-rendered backgrounds feature some very stunning art and help to create the game's amazing atmosphere. But fortunately they can still be appreciated, even in this state. It's far from a deal-breaker, at least for me. It bugged me a lot at first, but I can deal with it now. It just takes some getting used to, and it also depends on the specific resolution you're using.

The story and its characters remain as timeless and charming as ever, and it's the same emotional thrillride for me that it's always been. I will never stop adoring this game, and I'm really pleased to have it back in my life.

It's also worth mentioning that if you enjoy finding a whole lotta secrets and all sorts of hidden goodies, this one will not disappoint. Persistence and exploration are rewarded.

TL;DR --> An above-average port of the best Final Fantasy game of them all. If you haven't played FFIX yet, you're missing out.

As one of my favorite games of all time (in my top five for sure) and an integral part of my childhood, this classic JRPG has always held a very special place in my heart. But even when I put aside those rose-tinted nostalgia goggles, I can safely say that this one is a timeless gem and well worth playing if you haven't done so yet. I've played through the entire game and completed all side objectives multiple times back in the PS1 glory days, when FFIX was in its original 4-disc form. When I found out that this perennial fav of mine was being brought to PC in a remastered state, I was overjoyed-- and also, like many other fans, a bit worried that the port would be of poor quality. I anxiously awaited its release, and when it finally came out I was extremely relieved to see that the game was nearly perfect. They even kept the quality of the lovely and memorable musical score intact. The character models look better than ever in high-res, and for those less fond of that JRPG grind there are now optional cheats to breeze through the game (though I'd never touch 'em, personally. I'm an FFIX purist like that!) Controls work fine with either a controller or keyboard/mouse, but I recommend using a controller as that is the way the game was meant to be played. The only issue I've got (and it's a relatively minor one that not much could've been done about) is the blurry backgrounds, which in most PC resolutions are quite noticeably fuzzy. This is unfortunate, as these pre-rendered backgrounds feature some very stunning art and help to create the game's amazing atmosphere. But fortunately they can still be appreciated, even in this state. It's far from a deal-breaker, at least for me. It bugged me a lot at first, but I can deal with it now. It just takes some getting used to, and it also depends on the specific resolution you're using. The story and its characters remain as timeless and charming as ever, and it's the same emotional thrillride for me that it's always been. I will never stop adoring this game, and I'm really pleased to have it back in my life. It's also worth mentioning that if you enjoy finding a whole lotta secrets and all sorts of hidden goodies, this one will not disappoint. Persistence and exploration are rewarded. TL;DR --> An above-average port of the best Final Fantasy game of them all. If you haven't played FFIX yet, you're missing out.