Classic RPG Final Fantasy IX is now available on Android

Following an announcement at the end of last year, Square Enix has brought its classic role-playing game, Final Fantasy IX, to Android through the Google Play Store. Originally released in 2000 for the first PlayStation, the mobile version of the game incorporates a number of modern features on top of the original game.

Final Fantasy IX tells the story of the character Zidane and his Tantalus Theater Troupe compatriots, who have captured Princess Garnet of Alexandria. Forced to work together, they fight a malevolent entity that threatens to destroy their world.

You'll fight off enemies in turn-based combat with a wide cast of characters. While fighting, you can fill up your characters' Trance gauges, which grant more power to skills when used. As you level them up, these characters will gain new abilities eventually mastering them to the point where they can be used without equipping items.

To modernize the game, Square Enix has added a number of new features. These include HD character models and cinematics, along with a high-speed mode, auto-save, and a "no encounters mode," which cuts out random enemy encounters from the game.

Final Fantasy XI requires Android 4.1 or higher, and is available on Google Play now for $16.99. However, between Feb. 10 and 21, you'll be able to get the game for 20% off.

Joseph Keller