[psychosyd]

I consider FFV to be in league with FF2j... its a different taste, a different style and certainly a different feel.

Final Fantasy IV was good, yes, very good in fact, I rank it with 6 and 7 as my favorites... but because of the nature of the FF games, you cannot fairly compare one to another because they do not relate in story, and many times style. You can in that they are all FF games, and everyone is itching to see what new ideas they can come out with and how they compare... blah blah blah this is getting nowhere

FFV music is actually quite interesting, especially for its time... I happen to have the soundtrack to V/VI in buying Anthologies, and I enjoy both soundtracks for what they are, and the timeframe they were made in. FFV lacks a bit in graphics compared to its previous 4 yes, but thats because of the character models they had to work with... you say FFV's characters were boring and generic, I say IV's are, the only real change you get is Dark Knight Cecil to Paladin Cecil, once you have them they are set in their stereotype (if you want generic, go 3... the onion kids is generic). V humanizes your characters, makes them a bit normal, and the labeled trained "Knight" or "Sage". No, in fact, you have the oppertunity to turn everyone into what you want, as in a D&D... a true RP... your getting the oppertunity to cater and design your characters as you will. I find that fascinating... so many different character models, and choices you have to work with. I could make Bartz a Dark Knight, by crossing knight with black magic skills, or maybe stick him with monk and equip sword or something... or my personal favorite of just giving him 2Hands and doubling with various sword classes... much like FFT has to offer, except its MUCH earlier than FFT. That is really how I consider Final Fantasy V... the precourser to a much much better game later. The story is a bit rushed IMHO, but its not bad, it makes sense, its a bit of a spin off the previous (and future) final fantasy's (What is hte obsession with crystals anyways...) but you cant say its dry, maybe more nothing new. It also set up FF6's WOB, WOR idea...

I don't nessecarily like FFV as my personal favorite game, but I get a lot of fun out of it and think its actually pretty good, especially with what they had to work with, they really tested new ideas, and new things... as each FF has... tried out new concepts and really just put the players into a new experience. (My personal least favorite that I dont like is actually FF2, but Im only in the first say... 10-15 minutes of it, I just don't the system of that game, in my opnion)