While the role-playing recreation (RPG) has grow to be a catch-all style, now encompassing an virtually foolish vary of video games that don’t share a lot in frequent, there was one online game franchise within the ’90s that was the quintessential RPG. Yes, we’re speaking about Final Fantasy from Square Enix.
The fantasy Japanese RPGs debuted on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1987, however they grew to become cultural touchstones within the ’90s on Super Nintendo. From there, the collection made an extremely profitable bounce to 3D on the unique PlayStation earlier than the mainline collection began to take extra dangers, together with the elimination of turn-based battles and massively multiplayer on-line recreation (MMO) entries.
Most Final Fantasy video games are on the very least good, whereas many are nice — and others are masterpieces. With the remake of the enduring Final Fantasy VII launched a number of months again, we determined to rank all the finest Final Fantasy video games.
Further studying
1. Final Fantasy VI
Far and away the perfect mainline Final Fantasy recreation, 1994’s Final Fantasy VI is an absolute triumph in each sense. Originally launched in North America as Final Fantasy 3 (sure, it’s complicated), Final Fantasy 6 was the final 16-bit mainline entry. It featured a stellar solid of greater than a dozen characters and ushered within the steampunk-style world design that might carry over to the PlayStation video games within the late ’90s. This is the place excessive fantasy grew to become the stuff of legend, and magic was changed by scientific advances and the burgeoning expertise from the Second Industrial Revolution.
Perfectly paced, Final Fantasy VI achieved such excessive ranges of narrative impression due to its setup. The first half introduces the solid, from the compelling beginning protagonist, Terra Branford to the insurgent treasure hunter Locke Cole, all who need to take down the Empire.
The linearity of the primary half permits these characters to develop, to allow you to construct connections with each — a formidable feat contemplating there are roughly a dozen main gamers in your facet. But the again half of the sport opened issues up, permitting you to finish aims and dungeons in a non-linear order. This stage of freedom was astonishing on the time. Robust customization options, together with distinctive magic spells, a modified summoning system, and a wealth of weapons, made the normal lively time battle system really feel like a continuing pleasure.
Everything in Final Fantasy VI, from the story to fight programs to the world made for an almost flawless Final Fantasy expertise. This was Square at their very best. While it might sound dangerous that Square hasn’t bested Final Fantasy VI within the 25 years since its launch, it’s actually a testomony to FFVI’s staggering greatness. It could very nicely be the perfect turn-based RPG ever made. You can play it now on PC, Android, and iOS.
2. Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy VIII might be the weirdest and boldest entry within the collection. That’s a giant motive why we like it and why it’s slotted so excessive on this listing. Because it’s so bizarre, VIII by no means lived as much as the legacy set by VII and VI, regardless of being one of the vital distinctive video games within the collection. Time brings perspective, although, and that’s true for Final Fantasy VIII. With a remastered model on PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC, now’s an ideal time to offer it a shot.
We’ll always remember Final Fantasy VIII, which reinvented the lively time battle wheel with out fully abandoning the collection’ roots. The new junction system changed armor and different equipment for personalization, and every primary character had a set weapon that drastically affected their fight model. The largest change, nevertheless, was the elevated emphasis on summoning. Throw in a neat collectible card recreation and a radically completely different scaled leveling system, and Final Fantasy VIII felt like the primary actually daring step in a brand new course. All of those gameplay adjustments labored in extremely fascinating methods, permitting gamers to decide on how they needed to strategy the expertise.
The planet — a futuristic set of 5 landmasses based mostly on Europe — had a stage of element we hadn’t seen in a Final Fantasy recreation so far. While Final Fantasy VII launched 3D fashions, Final Fantasy VIII considerably refined their designs so we may see Squall (probably the greatest main protagonists) and buddies in higher element. We’re blissful that Square Enix is lastly displaying VIII some love, too. All of the mainline video games above and beneath it have acquired ports or remasters for contemporary consoles. The similar is now true for Final Fantasy VIII.
We wouldn’t suggest enjoying it as your first recreation, although. Final Fantasy VIII is dated, even with its spiffy new remaster. It’s an especially advanced recreation, and if you happen to’re not ready to deal with its idiosyncrasies, it may flip you off to your entire franchise. Our picks instantly above and beneath are much better beginning factors.
3. Final Fantasy X
Is it controversial to say that Final Fantasy X is a top-three Final Fantasy recreation? Probably. But right here’s the factor: Final Fantasy X is as phenomenal at this time because it was in 2001. The PlayStation 2 allowed the visuals to maneuver to the subsequent stage, making the Asian impressed lands of Spira and character fashions look extra practical than ever earlier than. A principally linear expertise, Final Fantasy X has spacious and various environments together with dungeons that includes some glorious puzzles.
Final Fantasy X additionally has the best relationship in collection historical past. Watching Tidus and Yuna’s bond develop as he accompanies her on a quest to destroy Sin is a continuing delight. The cutscenes, which featured full voice performing for the primary time, had been mightily spectacular and nonetheless look nice at this time. Yes, we even love the notorious laughing scene, as a result of Tidus and Yuna are cute. The narrative, advised solely by Tidus’ perspective is extra centered than most Final Fantasy storylines. Sure, it’s corny at instances, however the corniness winds up making it extra affecting.
Moreover, Final Fantasy X changed the lively time battle system with actually typical turn-based fight. The sphere grid added depth to the leveling system, providing you with way more decisions that primarily allow you to rework a personality’s supposed class. And, after all, who may overlook Blitzball, the underwater sport that made Tidus well-known. A standalone Blitzball recreation could be nice, proper? The direct sequel isn’t as spectacular, however it’s nonetheless price enjoying within the HD assortment for PS4, Xbox One, Switch, or PC.
4. Final Fantasy XII
Revisiting Final Fantasy XII through the HD remaster for PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch revealed an understated fact concerning the 2006 PS2 traditional: It’s a contemporary masterpiece. The first mainline, non-MMO to drop random battles in favor of real-time fight, Final Fantasy XII was divisive amongst followers. Since it performed so extremely completely different, it was arduous to check Final Fantasy XII to some other Final Fantasy recreation. More than a decade later, Final Fantasy XII stays incomparable, and that’s why it’s so excessive on this listing.
The wondrous world of Ivalice is crammed with fascinating characters and richly detailed environments. The fight, formally generally known as the Active Dimension Battle system, was extremely deep because of the gambit system and modified Limit Break system referred to as Quickenings. The License Board added additional nuance to the leveling system, much like the Sphere Grid in Final Fantasy X.
Admittedly, Final Fantasy XII‘s opening handful of hours don’t excite as a lot as another top-tier Final Fantasy video games, however as soon as the world opens up and also you get used to the novel battle system, the world of Ivalice homes one of many deepest and most rewarding Final Fantasy experiences round.
5. Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy IX felt like a throwback expertise even if it launched close to the tip of PS1’s lifecycle in 2000. The world of Gaia dropped science fiction in favor of a extra medieval vibe seen in early entries. The return to excessive fantasy made Final Fantasy IX really feel fairly novel on the time, particularly for the reason that visuals just about topped out the ability of the PS1’s 32-bit capabilities. In some ways, Final Fantasy IX is essentially the most conventional of the 3D-era Final Fantasy video games. The lively time battle system is at its finest right here.
However, it stands out most as a result of it combines the fantasy-infused medieval environments of the early video games with the stellar writing of the science fiction-laced romps that might comply with. The characters are fascinating, the world is compelling, and the gameplay feels positively retro in one of the simplest ways. Final Fantasy IX is as pure and joyous at this time because it was practically 20 years in the past. Final Fantasy IX is available on many platforms, together with Switch, PS4, Xbox One, Android, iOS, and PC. Be warned, although: It’s as conventional because it will get relating to JRPGs. Final Fantasy IX is grindy, and the overwhelming majority of your time is spent preventing random encounters.
6. Final Fantasy IV
The first entry within the collection for the Super Nintendo, Final Fantasy IV is mainly the primary Final Fantasy that really mattered. No offense to the primary three video games within the collection, however Final Fantasy IV turned the franchise right into a juggernaut. Final Fantasy IV ushered within the lively time battle period, a system that continued uninterrupted till Final Fantasy X.
The class system additionally acquired a pleasant new layer, as every class felt designed to inform a selected side of the story. The story primarily follows Cecil, his love curiosity Rosa, and his longtime good friend Kain, however a large solid of supporting characters contribute to the wacky story that revolves across the Lunarians, a race who lives on a faux moon close to Earth.
The introduction of the lively time battle system and the brand new concentrate on character-driven narratives made Final Fantasy IV really feel an enormous minimize above its predecessors. Final Fantasy IV is an important entry within the collection, and it stays one of many best. The 3D remake on DS, PC, and cell is one of the simplest ways to play it at this time.
7. Final Fantasy VII
Arguably essentially the most iconic entry within the collection, Final Fantasy VII‘s slotting on this listing may disappoint its most loyal followers. Let us clarify. Final Fantasy VII has a superb and transgressive story, that includes a few of the most deservedly beloved characters, each good and villainous, in collection historical past. We love Final Fantasy VII.
But the nostalgia-blinded reminiscence of Final Fantasy VII, and the limitless hype surrounding it ever since, usually conceals its blemishes. The battle system was painstakingly sluggish, the bounce to 3D was terribly ugly (these palms!), and gameplay-wise, it didn’t do a lot to construct off of Final Fantasy VI. In quick, it wasn’t a swish transfer to the 32-bit period.
It’s an important recreation, however it’s additionally essentially the most unplayable of the post-NES entries at this time. Still, Final Fantasy VII might be an important entry within the collection moreover Final Fantasy IV, and the action-oriented PS4 remake permits a brand new era of followers to expertise the fantastic story. If you need to play the unique, you’ll be able to seize it on PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, iOS, and Android. With some mods on PC, you’ll be able to really get the sport wanting fairly good.
8. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
Let’s be clear: Final Fantasy XIV could be on the very backside of this listing if it wasn’t for A Realm Reborn, the relaunch of the troubled 2010 MMO that was shut down and relaunched all within the span of three years. Final Fantasy XIV was dangerous. A Realm Reborn, which reappeared in 2013 on PC, PS3, and PS4 the next 12 months, is fantastic. Featuring a wealth of quests, raids, and fascinating PvP battles, A Realm Reborn is the kind of MMO you can simply sink a whole lot of hours into.
The planet of Hydaelyn is without doubt one of the finest Final Fantasy settings ever designed, and the story and lore are up there with the perfect of the perfect when it comes to MMOs. Three nice expansions have been launched since launch, together with the latest and glorious Shadowbringers.
Final Fantasy XIV is the last word communal expertise for collection followers. Even if you happen to don’t fancy your self as an MMO fan, Final Fantasy XIV may very nicely change your thoughts.
9. Final Fantasy VII Remake
After years and years of ready, Final Fantasy VII Remake launched with the consensus that it’s simply “pretty good.” Although issues may’ve been rather a lot worse, they might’ve been rather a lot higher, too. Linear gameplay and overblown chapters crush what’s in any other case a visually astounding and fulfilling recreation. That stated, it’s nonetheless Final Fantasy VII, and the expanded tackle Midgar remains to be one you must expertise.
Essentially, Final Fantasy VII Remake appears like a extra linear Final Fantasy XV with a extra complicated battle system. When your Buster Sword is swinging at full velocity, there are few video games that really feel as visceral and satisfying as Final Fantasy VII Remake. However, there are too many moments when issues aren’t going the best way they need to be, resulting in an in the end disjointed expertise.
Final Fantasy VII Remake didn’t reside as much as the hype that preceded it. Still, it options the beginnings of probably the greatest tales in video video games advised by a contemporary lens, and for that, it needs to be counseled.
10. Final Fantasy V
Gameplay-wise, Final Fantasy V is beautiful. The final of the strict medieval-themed Final Fantasy video games, this SNES traditional stays as playable at this time because it was in 1992. The Job system acquired a staggering overhaul, which gave followers sheer limitless potentialities for approaching the lively time battles.
Final Fantasy V would most likely be a lot larger on this listing if it wasn’t for the story and characters. Square clearly spent a ton of time crafting an enthralling gameplay expertise, and it confirmed. But whereas scripting this entry, we truthfully couldn’t keep in mind a single character’s title or any of the plot.
After studying a synopsis, we remembered why we forgot all of it. And we’ll certainly play Final Fantasy V once more solely to overlook the story another time. The uninteresting and unmemorable story undercuts a few of the finest gameplay the collection has ever seen. You can play the remastered model of Final Fantasy V on PC, iOS, and Android.
11. Final Fantasy XI
Like Final Fantasy XIV, it’s arduous to check Final Fantasy XI to different mainline numbered video games within the collection. The first of two Final Fantasy MMOs, Final Fantasy XI began off as a mean MMO expertise. While not significantly stunning, nobody may have anticipated what it might develop to grow to be over the course of the subsequent decade and past. First launched on PS2 and PC, it will definitely landed on Xbox 360 as the primary MMO on Microsoft’s console.
Set within the sprawling world of Vana’diel, Final Fantasy XI emphasised enjoying with buddies to finish difficult dungeons and purchase higher and higher loot. Five expansions, quite a few add-ons, and seasonal occasions would comply with, with the ultimate piece of content material arriving in 2015. Console servers had been turned off in 2016, however you’ll be able to nonetheless play on PC at this time. Final Fantasy XI grew to become an important, if pretty conventional, MMO over time, handsomely rewarding those that caught with it for years.
12. Final Fantasy III
Final Fantasy III, the true Final Fantasy III, didn’t attain North America till the 2006 Nintendo DS remake. The 1990 Famicom recreation was really the primary within the collection to essentially begin leaning into a few of Final Fantasy’s most well-known programs. Namely the Jobs and summon programs.
The DS remake is fascinating to look at as a result of it’s rendered in full 3D however largely performs just like the NES entries. The story performs out equally to the primary recreation within the collection. Overall, Final Fantasy III is the perfect of the NES-era video games, because it reveals a franchise within the midst of welcome change. The best strategy to play Final Fantasy III at this time is on iOS, Android, and PC.
13. Final Fantasy XIII
Final Fantasy XIII actually regarded the half when it launched on PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2009. The animations had been lovely, the character fashions had been practical, and the environmental particulars had been fine-tuned. Final Fantasy XIII additionally introduced again the lively time battle system, however it felt way more simplified than earlier than. The consequence was a collection of random battles that might virtually fairly actually be accomplished by urgent the identical button time and again. You may even set it to auto-battle, which truthfully mirrored the mindlessness of what you probably did more often than not anyway.
The primary downside with XIII was how linear it was in comparison with earlier video games. That, added onto the rote science fiction story, made for a form of style movie-esque Final Fantasy expertise. It was good to return to Final Fantasy’s Japanese roots, however it felt just like the most secure Final Fantasy recreation Square Enix had ever made. It’s nonetheless a enjoyable recreation, and to its credit score, the story does get higher if you happen to transfer onto Final Fantasy XIII-2 and Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII when it’s over. Though Final Fantasy XIII hasn’t been ported to present era consoles, you’ll be able to play it on Xbox One through backwards compatibility or PC.
14. Final Fantasy
While some iconic franchises produce memorable classics out of the gate — Mario, Zelda, Mega Man, and many others. — others, like Final Fantasy, take a number of entries to hit their stride. While Final Fantasy was considerably revolutionary on the time in 1987, that includes a comparatively massive overworld, strategic turn-based fight, and an epic story following 4 Light Warriors, it has languished in relative obscurity ever since.
It’s a grand RPG by NES requirements, however there wasn’t sufficient customization or selection to maintain it from devolving into tedium at instances. If you’ve by no means performed it earlier than, you may need to test it out to see the place the franchise began, however it doesn’t maintain up tremendous nicely and was rapidly outshined in ’90s. The best strategy to play Final Fantasy with out utilizing an emulator is to purchase it for iOS or Android.
15. Final Fantasy XV
The most up-to-date entry within the mainline collection took quite a lot of dangers. We’ll give it that. But it added as much as create an expertise that felt distinctly un-Final Fantasy-like. The western RPG affect is instantly on show. Final Fantasy XV is an open-world motion RPG that totally drops random encounters in favor of a real-time battle system.
It’s extra thrilling and flashy on the floor, however the action-based battles lack the depth and complicated nuance of earlier Final Fantasy video games (and fall means in need of the same system in Final Fantasy XII). The primary characters, a bunch of trendy and arguably unbearable adolescents, communicate and act like they belong in a brooding emo band. Sure, the open world is fairly and fascinating, however the story falls flat and the DLC expansions had been uneven. Final Fantasy XV isn’t a foul recreation, however it’s essentially the most underwhelming 3D-era Final Fantasy by a mile. It’s accessible on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
16. Final Fantasy II
Final Fantasy II wasn’t formally localized till 2002, practically 25 years after its preliminary launch on Famicom. Now it’s playable on a myriad of platforms together with Android and iOS. It’s an fascinating piece of gaming historical past for certain, however Final Fantasy II is kind of forgettable. Subbing a conventional leveling system for one which solely develops what you utilize, Final Fantasy II‘s turn-based random battles are competent but lack weight because of peculiar system. It tells a conventional story about taking down a villainous empire, but the writing doesn’t match what we’d grow to be accustomed to all through the SNES and PlayStation eras. It’s a superb expertise, however Square hadn’t fairly discovered the proper components for Final Fantasy success. And it confirmed. But if you happen to’re curious, you’ll be able to obtain Final Fantasy II on iOS and Android.
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