June 6th, 2000 - We finally get some more concrete information about Final Fantasy IX's cast, and we must say that it's the most 'complete' set of characters we've seen since Final Fantasy VI.

Be warned; there are slight spoilers ahead, but you should just regard the following information as introductions to the characters.

Zidane Tribal

Also one for the girls, or so we hear. ;)

The mainstay of Final Fantasy IX, Zidane is a likeable young man who is high-spirited and optimistic - always trying to keep morale high within the party. With a bit of a soft-spot for Garnet, Square localisation expert, Maki Yamane, comments that Zidane is "not a jerk, like Squall" and that "He's a player, or tries to be anyway...".

At the beginning of the game, he's only 16 years of age and has no recollection of his past (sound familiar?), but, more interestingly, as the game goes on Zidane will mature to become an adult as he strives to discover his past.

Battle Details
Part of the 'Thief' class, Zidane possesses a Steal ability which can secure some of the best equipment in the game. Also, Zidane can use an interesting tactic whereby he uses a diversionary ploy to attack the enemy from behind.

Princess Garnet Til Alexandros the 17th

The rich girl is a bit 'out of touch' with everyday life.

The young and beautiful daughter of Alexandria's corrupt Queen Brahne, Garnet has difficulty in communicating, and generally getting along with, the commoners she has now befriended after her kidnapping (or 'rescue' in her eyes) from the palace. Because of this, Zidane tries to educate her in how to go about things more appropriately.

Battle Details
A sort of White Mage, Garnet heals and supports fellow members with her white magic, and also dishes out the damage with her monster summoning abilities.

VIVI Ornitier

"How do you prove we exist? Maybe we don't exist..."

Central to Final Fantasy IX's story, and the second-most important character after Zidane, VIVI is a somewhat troubled Black Mage at only 9 years of age. Although he is very clumsy (weren't we all at that age?), he's an extremely gifted wizard and very adept at the art of Black Magic.

Like Zidane, VIVI cannot remember any of his short past, and the realisation that he's the only Black Mage not under the mystical control of Queen Brahne entices him to join Zidane (when he comes to kidnap Garnet) in the search for answers - not least to his own existence.

Battle Details
VIVI's main weapon is the ability to cast devastating Black Magic attacks on any foe. Interestingly, if Steiner and VIVI are in the party at the same time, VIVI can enhance Steiner's large sword with elemental magic.

Adelbert Steiner

We bet the poor bloke feels a bit out of place at 33 years of age! ;)

Loyal to the end, the huge Knight that is Adelbert Steiner serves as the leader of the only male regiment in Alexandria, the Knights of Pluto, but sees his only duty as being to protect Princess Garnet at all costs. Seeing Zidane as bit of a bad influence on Garnet (well, he is a thief after all), tensions between Steiner and Zidane grow throughout the game.

Steiner will spend a lot of the game trying to investigate why the once good Queen Brahne has changed so dramatically.

Battle Details
As he is so large (and, of course, a Knight), Steiner's main strength in battle lies within his physical attacks - the game's heaviest equipment can be equipped to him and he can also learn devastating combination attacks.

Quina Quen

Is it hygienic cooking in a marsh?

Definitely the strangest character of Final Fantasy IX, Quina is a mysterious creature who lives in Qu's Marsh (click here for a screenshot). Pretty much nothing is known about Quina, not least its gender (or indeed if it has a gender), but we think it's safe to say that it enjoys eating and cooking seeing as Quina is a chef by trade.

Battle Details
Quina's choice of weapon is a huge fork which enables it to Eat the enemy in order to learn their attacks.

Eiko Carol

A bit like Mogly, Eiko was brought up by some Moogles.

A prodigal young girl at only 6 years of age, Eiko is the only remainder of a tribe of summoners. Afraid of being on her own, she lives as the only human in a family of Moogles (click here for a screenshot).

Despite her young age, Eiko develops quite a crush on the adult Zidane, forming a rivalry with Garnet.

Battle Details
Eiko is obviously weak at physically, be possesses ability when using White Magic and summoning healing creatures.

Freija Crescent
Long-time friend of Zidane and one of the last surviving Dragoon Knights, Freija joins-up with the party in her search for her lost love with some enthusiasm.

Battle Details
Possessing powerful fighting skills, Freija's battle technique is modelled on the traditional Final Fantasy Dragoon with the Jump command taking her off of the battle screen before she makes her attack.

Salamander Coral

Looks like a bit of a chicken to us. ;)

Huge in stature, Salamander reluctantly fights alongside Zidane because of a trick the young thief played on him some years back. An independent person both in and out of battle, Salamander relies mostly on his strength more than his brains.