The Final Fantasy franchise has defined the RPG space for years. Since 1987, it has sought to change the gaming landscape with revolutionary ideas, graphics, and combat systems. Since the first entry, no two games have ever used the same mechanics. Even when a previous game became incredibly popular, the franchise still pushed the envelope with new and exciting changes in the next entry.
With over 100 entries to the series, it is no wonder the series has become iconic; not just within the JRPG space, but in gaming as a whole. Not every game was a hit, but that is to be expected. There are plenty of phenomenal games to choose from.
If you have just joined the series, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. The key to know is that, for the most part, you can start anywhere. That said, here are the five best Final Fantasy games of all time, all of which could be an accessible place to start.
5. Final Fantasy VI
Final Fantasy VI is such an interesting case. The game was released during a stretch when Square started confusing the numbering system in America (IV was released as 2 in the US, VI as 3 in the US). As a result, many people did not appreciate these games in the way that they should have.
This changed when they re-released these games on Playstation, and Final Fantasy VI in particular began to truly gain the credit it deserved. The music in this game, for one, is iconic. The storyline, a common theme to the best entries, was also incredibly well done. A female lead with a fantastic story and personality is a rarity in these games, but was nailed here.
Many have this game as the top in the series. The battle system is solid, using the classic ATB (Active Time Battle) system with pre-defined character jobs. They used the classic 2D sprite art, which is timeless. The cast of playable characters is the largest in the series of mainline games.
The overall battle mechanics are a bit basic. You learn spells organically and equip summon crystals for additional abilities (an inspiration for the GF system in Final Fantasy VIII). More unique systems are found higher on the list, but the game is a classic masterpiece. It is also easily accessible on all systems now through the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam, and mobile.
4. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
The first thing to know about this entry is that it is part 2 of a three-part trilogy remake, so I highly recommend playing Final Fantasy VII Remake before diving into Rebirth. Rebirth essentially took everything that made Remake great and enhanced it even further.
Final Fantasy has made the shift from turn-based style combat to an action combat. In this game, the combat is smooth and nearly flawless. The balance real time action with the ability to make strategic menu based choices, so a player can effortlessly switch between characters and execute moves.
The materia system is also back, which allows for full customization of every character to any style a player chooses. This allows for unique strategies that fit a person’s play style. Weapon and armor customization also helps to build unique stats for each play-through. The added symbiosis system allows characters to work off each other, creating even more unique combinations to play with.
The world is open, and the visuals are beautiful and mesmerizing. The story enhances and builds upon the original while providing a unique perspective that still feels related. The game gives you endless hours of side missions and mini-games to play, providing content for playthrough after playthrough.
The game is a remake, which does mean that many of the ideas are based upon the original. Therefore, it gets docked some points in creativity, and the ending can feel a bit unfinished. Technically, it is unfinished, since the third part of the trilogy is yet to be released. Overall, this game is engaging, enjoyable, and modern, and a fantastic entry to the series. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is accessible on PlayStation 5 and Steam.
3. Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy X is similar to Final Fantasy VII in that it was completely revolutionary at its release. The art style, for one, was incredible for the day and age it came out. Square Enix pushed the Playstation 2 to its full capacity. It had stunning visuals and cutscenes.
Final Fantasy X was also the first Final Fantasy game to get voice-over acting. While, at times, the voiceovers were cringy and awkward, that they existed at all was a new and engaging element to the series that helped rope you in.
The battle system was also creative and engaging. Final Fantasy X moved away from ATB to CTB (Conditional Turn-Based Battle) in which you could switch out characters mid-battle. The growth system using the sphere grid also allowed for customization within job types.
The biggest flaw of the game is that it gets knocked for being incredibly linear. You do not have much opportunity to explore until the latter end of the game. The game was challenging but manageable. However, the mini-games and side quests can be time-consuming and tedious, which hurts the overall product.
The storyline, while confusing to follow at first, is the strongest asset to the game. It was really deep, emotional, and captivating. Once again, Final Fantasy outdid itself. This game marked the end of the true golden age for the series. One of the greatest runs of games you may ever see a series make. The game is accessible on most platforms, including Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Steam, as an HD Remaster.
2. Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions
Final Fantasy Tactics came out around the same time as Final Fantasy VII did, so at the time, it got buried a little. This is a shame because the game is fantastic. It is not part of the mainline series and instead is a spinoff set in the world of Ivalice (later revisited in Final Fantasy XII). This style of game is very different from the other Final Fantasy entries, but it was executed perfectly, in my opinion. It is a pure tactical turn-based strategy game. Each character has a move action and an ability action, and they take turns on a board similar to a chess board.
The tactics job system is also the best in the series. There are a plethora of jobs for your characters to unlock, each with types of abilities to set up any strategy. This gives the game high replay value, as you can play with different combinations and strategies every time. Beyond the gameplay, the storyline is one of the best in the entire franchise, which is quite an accomplishment in itself. Square was able to fully develop multiple characters, execute the storyline, and present clear moral dilemmas. It presents a world where the good and bad are not clear.
By balancing challenging but not impossible gameplay and offering a never-ending opportunity to try out new strategies and ways to approach the game, Tactics hit all the right notes. Another near-perfect entry to a series of fantastic games. Final Fantasy Tactics is only available on mobile and PlayStation Portable, but hopefully, that will change soon.
1. Final Fantasy VII
There could be no other number 1. Final Fantasy VII is held in such high regard for a reason. It is the game that truly put the franchise on the map. It is the highest selling non-MMO entry in the series. It also truly helped popularize the JRPG genre in the United States.
The story told here is timeless. By utilizing 3D imagery and graphically enhanced cut scenes, Square was able to affect the player’s emotions like never before. The story makes sense and is highly engaging, but the emotional pull is what makes it stand out above the rest. At the time, the direction was revolutionary.
While some may have a hard time connecting to the art style in a more modern era, the classic feel can be nostalgic. The battle system is highly customizable through the materia system, and the continued use of ATB mechanics allows for strategic gameplay. The OST is also iconic and recognizable, and even the characters are so well-developed that they have become major figures in pop culture. The game was so well-received that it ultimately earned a sequel, a prequel, a movie, a remake trilogy, several mobile spin-offs, novels, and animes. That is impact!
The game launched the entire series onto the worldwide stage for good. It deserves the fame it has. Final Fantasy VII is not just the best Final Fantasy game; it is in discussion for the best game of all time. Final Fantasy VII is accessible on all platforms, including Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam, and Mobile.
