I've played III (DS), VII, X, X-2, XII and that's it. I know my collection is pitiful, and I've only played the 'biggest' ones, or at least ones that are most popular. But I'd really like to play VIII and IX, they look like they're my kind of game. My favourite is VII - original - BUT LET ME EXPLAIN
Okay, my mum's ex-boyfriend gave me VII saying it was his friend's who thought it was pretty good but never got into it (basically he never got out of the first reactor) and said I should try it. I dismissed it saying I didn't like shooting games - this was before I'd actually started playing RPGs, and before I used the internet properly and became the civilised young lady I am now. :D - and after he explained that it wasn't, I gave it a shot.
I instantly fell in love. I didn't play it or like it because of the fanbase... I didn't know anything about animé or fandoms or Japan and this was when I was secluded and like... a normal pre-teen. And then I played VII and it just changed me~ And I am forever in debt to it. It's basically to me what II, V etc. are like to people who think those games are overrated; I didn't know it belonged to a series, really, I just... played it. I didn't know it was overrated, either. So before you accuse me of following the crowd or anything, no. I just love it so much, it's by far my favourite game of all time. The fandom scared me so I never entered it.
I love the music, characters, plot, setting, gameplay, atmosphere - everything about it. It really brought me into the awesome world of the internet as well, somehow~
I got X a few years later, and it was pretty good. The characters annoyed me, the voice actors annoyed me, although I loved the amazing plot, before the characters come into it. Gameplay kinda annoyed me, but that doesn't feature high in my priority list really, compared to other things like music, characters and plot. X-2 is hilarious, I borrowed it from a friend.
Oh and recently, I bought XII~ I really love it. Not only are the characters awesome, but the gameplay is actually really, really good. The new system is amazing, I love it. I'm not getting a PS3, so XIII is out of it... I just hope fourteen and forwards won't just be on the PS3 and whatever. :/ Don't you think it was awesome if Final Fantasy Fourteen (don't know the numerals for fourteen, not going to pretend) was on the Wii? And like, revolutionary? ;3
So yeah, that's basically my thoughts on the series, which isn't much. I won't play another game I love as much as VII - I'm just certain it would never happen, it always will hold a special place in my heart. AND I actually still play it. I played it today, actually~ After years of having it, I still like playing it with new goals in mind.
EDIT: Oh and on the topic of XII characters seeing as you're discussing them; Fran is hot, and Balthier is like, the best Final Fantasy character EVER. Okay so maybe he doesn't beat Aeris but she's in another level~ Best FF male of all time much, then?
Penelo annoys me too Arylett, for some reason. She's just too... bland. Vaan is just... yeah, Tidus Clone except ever so slightly less of a complete nitwit, Ashe is really awesome (AND I JUST NOTICED SHE HAS THE SAME VOICE ACTRESS AS RAINE FROM TOS I shall never look at Ashe the same again >>) Basch is the most irritating thing since sliced bread and... is that everyone? Fran's voice actress is absolutely awesome, and yeah.