I will never forget my first ever experience with that game.
For Christmas in 2001 or 2002 (I completely forget when it was) my grandma gave all of us grandkids Wal-Mart gift cards and we all went crazy!
I remember heading immediately for the video games aisle. At the time we only had the PS1 and I had played a decent amount of Final Fantasy 7 and 8, Resident Evil, and a few PS1 oddities like King's Field, Dark Stone, and a few more.
As a kid, I had no idea that there was a ninth Final Fantasy and seeing this game on the shelves really blew my mind! In fact, Final Fantasy was one of the main reasons I learned Roman numerals.
Having only played Final Fantasy 7 and 8, coming to this game with its steampunk-esque setting was completely different.
I don't remember a whole lot about actually playing through the game, other than getting stuck on Black Waltz #1 and his fucking Sea Lion or whatever. But the music and the characters are what have stuck with me the most these past 20 years.
For one, the soundtrack is PERFECT. The world map theme is the best in the series. THAT BATTLE THEME, oh my god is it great. Then there's the town themes like Lindblum, Dali, Conde Peite, and damn near all of them! Nobuo Uematsu really outdid himself with this one!
The world map theme from Final Fantasy 9
But man, the CHARACTERS. Zidane is one of, if not the BEST, main protagonist of any fucking game ever made. Vivi's character development from a shy, clumsy little fella to a brave, courageous, spell slinging badass is some of the best development in the series! I can't really describe it without giving away any good parts of the story but take my word for it! It's gold.
The overall story of the game is incredible, with Kuja being one of the most interesting main protagonists of any JRPG. I wish I could say in all of Final Fantasy, but Kefka, Sephiroth, and Ultimecia are just as interesting and absolutely sadistic.
I'd love to say more, but I'm getting really tired and just wanted everyone to know how great Final Fantasy 9 is and that you should play it!