I might be the odd one out in saying that FFX is among my least favorite of the Final Fantasy series. I still think it is a good game, but I dislike the cliches in the story, and I deeply dislike Yuna. This isn't to diss on FFX but, instead, to point out how hard it is to recommend a good FF to start with. If I started with FFX, I would have never played the rest of the series.
I think it is better to ask your friend about what matters most to her.
- A portable game that is smaller in scope or a sweeping epic that is best viewed on a TV?
- Cutting edge graphics and voice acting or an old school RPG?
- A story that features love and friendship as central to the plot or a story that features political intrigue?
- A story that delivers a fantasy experience or a story that deconstructs the fantasy hero (FFVII) or deconstructs the fantasy (FFXII).
- A story that is well contained in one game or a story that is part of a series?
etc.
Edited to add: Also, the kind of battle system and game play style could influence how much she gets into the game. As much as I love the earlier games, the battles now feel a bit tedious to me because I'm used to a different style of play. I have to be in the right mind set to enjoy them, although I *do* enjoy replaying the really old FFs. On the flip side, even in new games like FFXIII, the battles can feel extremely tedious especially when they are unavoidable whereas FFXII allows you to avoid some random encounters. But, games like FFXII require the player to be interested in a more thinky, challenging tactical RPG style of play whereas FFX battles are also engaging due to tactics but the battles are very easy because of how the game lets you switch your party members in and out.
Edited again: OOH! Forgot to add this: What other elements in a game does she like? The puzzles in FFX are my favorite part of that game (wish those puzzles were in all of the later FF games) but some people dislike puzzles. The card game in FFVIII is so addictive that people thought I had purchased FinalFantasy: Triple Triad. I disliked the minigames in FFVII but I know people who love those arcade style racing games.
no subject
I think it is better to ask your friend about what matters most to her.
- A portable game that is smaller in scope or a sweeping epic that is best viewed on a TV?
- Cutting edge graphics and voice acting or an old school RPG?
- A story that features love and friendship as central to the plot or a story that features political intrigue?
- A story that delivers a fantasy experience or a story that deconstructs the fantasy hero (FFVII) or deconstructs the fantasy (FFXII).
- A story that is well contained in one game or a story that is part of a series?
etc.
Edited to add: Also, the kind of battle system and game play style could influence how much she gets into the game. As much as I love the earlier games, the battles now feel a bit tedious to me because I'm used to a different style of play. I have to be in the right mind set to enjoy them, although I *do* enjoy replaying the really old FFs. On the flip side, even in new games like FFXIII, the battles can feel extremely tedious especially when they are unavoidable whereas FFXII allows you to avoid some random encounters. But, games like FFXII require the player to be interested in a more thinky, challenging tactical RPG style of play whereas FFX battles are also engaging due to tactics but the battles are very easy because of how the game lets you switch your party members in and out.
Edited again: OOH! Forgot to add this: What other elements in a game does she like? The puzzles in FFX are my favorite part of that game (wish those puzzles were in all of the later FF games) but some people dislike puzzles. The card game in FFVIII is so addictive that people thought I had purchased FinalFantasy: Triple Triad. I disliked the minigames in FFVII but I know people who love those arcade style racing games.