FINAL FANTASY Ⅸ

The port of this game is excellent in so many ways, but I’m reviewing this only 3 stars because the game was (obviously) originally designed to be used with a controller, but the physical controllersupport is *so bad* in FFIX for iOS that playing with a controller is essentially impossible. I have tried multiple controllers, but all have the same issue (which is corroborated by some google searches): almost any single button-press is interpreted as multiple button-presses. For example, if you press your controller’s select button to “attack”, you won’t have a chance to choose which enemy you’re attacking, because your button-press is interpreted as multiple presses. Too bad, because I really want to play this game with a physical controller!

I’m very sad to give this a low star review. I love all the added quality of life improvements that have been added. The only reason it’s a 1 star is due to the lack of updating it gets and conspiracy from Square Enix. FF9 was my favorite title on the PS1 generation and I love it!! I have been waiting a while to grab it but since it has never gone on sale and I simply love the title I chose to pull the trigger and get it. - Little did I know Square was planning on launching all of their previous FF titles in special bundles. Can’t blame them for that but it brings me to my next point: it almost seems that now that those titles are being released by Square there are no intentions to keep this version updated. It is completely misleading to the consumer to still allow an app to be downloaded/purchased with no intention to maintain its relevance on a new system software. I just recently downloaded this and I can’t even play it now!! I just got to Lindbulm!! These sort of back door tricks should not be allowed on the Apple platform. The least they could do is reach out to the developer to have it updated; if not, remove it from the store. They effectively allow you to pay $20 for a game that can’t even be played on their new OS. Buyers beware. - If they update it or have plans to rectify the situation I will gladly remove my review as I hold the game in incredibly high regard, if not: you’re paying money for something you can’t even play.

UPDATE: No longer works with new version of iOS. Can’t help rating until its fixed. This game is just as good as I remember however the ease of use button mashing on the console does not translate well to the touch screen for people without bony fingers making it difficult to select players, attacks, talk options and so on. I'm fine with most of these as its something I can work around however there is one issue that is really stoping me from giving this amazing game 5 stars. There needs to be a way to set the auto attack command to something other than just the generic attack such as there is in the iOS version of FFIV. Having this option would make the endless battles we are in a lot less tedious giving the player more time to just have fun. Auto-attack makes battle nice unless one of your auto attackers is a Mage who hits for 20 points of damage and triggers a 200 point damage counter attack, if we could set his auto-command to say defend if we're trying to conserve MP or fire if we're trying to destroy an enemy that would be an outstanding improvement. Please add this option, I really love this game and this option would be the cherry on the cake.