Which Final Fantasy Game Should You Play First?

With sixteen mainline titles and countless spin-offs to choose from, the Final Fantasy franchise can at first seem a little daunting to first-time players. However, unlike most other long-running video game franchises with numbered installments, most of the Final Fantasy games are standalone affairs, meaning that players are free to experience them in any order they like.

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Despite this, trying to figure out which Final Fantasy game to play first can still be a little tricky, as the best Final Fantasy games may not necessarily be the best Final Fantasy games for beginners. Certain installments are a lot easier to dive into than others, with battle systems and stories that are far more accessible than the ones found in some of the franchise's many other offerings.

5 Final Fantasy 13

An Underrated Relic that was Released at the Wrong Time

Final Fantasy 13 was released right around the time when open-world games were all the rage and so was heavily criticized for its linearity as a result. Had it been released either a few years earlier or later it would almost certainly have been received a lot more positively, although even back in 2009, this lack of exploration was far from the Achilles' heel that some people would have you believe.

Lightning is one of the best Final Fantasy protagonists of all time and her story is one that is well worth experiencing at least once. The game's linearity allows players to do this without any distractions, while also making it easier for players to empathize with the protagonists, who themselves are being forced to follow a fixed path. The game also has two direct sequels available, providing players with an obvious answer to the question of where to go next.

4 Final Fantasy 16

The Least Final Fantasy-Like Final Fantasy Game to Date

Like Final Fantasy 13, Final Fantasy 16 was heavily criticized upon its release. However, it wasn't the game's pacing or the level of agency that it granted its players that people had a problem with, but rather how far it at times chose to stray from the series' tried and tested formula. Put simply, there was a lot more emphasis placed on the "action" part of its action RPG genre, which itself was a far cry from the franchise's JRPG roots.

However, these changes arguably make the game a lot more accessible to casual players, as too do the timely accessories that can be used to further simplify combat. This ultimately results in one of the best Final Fantasy games for beginners, as it allows players to get a taste of the rich lore and fantastic storytelling for which the series is best known without having to worry too much about things like equipment and party management.

3 Final Fantasy 7 Remake

A Revitalizing Reimagining of an Awesome but Ageing Classic

Many consider Final Fantasy 7 to be one of the best video games of all time, although its graphics haven't really held up all that well when compared to some of the other Final Fantasy games. Thankfully, 2020's Final Fantasy 7 remake helps to bring the visuals up to modern standards, while also tweaking the battle system to incorporate a mixture of both real-time and turn-based combat.

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It's worth noting that Final Fantasy 7 Remake only tells around a third of the original game's story and so can sometimes feel a little bloated in places as a result. However, this extra content was also used to flesh out some of the game's secondary characters, which helps to make Cloud's relationship with Avalanche feel a lot more meaningful than in the original game. Some will still prefer the original, but the remake is the clear winner when it comes to accessibility.

2 Final Fantasy 6

The Best 2D Final Fantasy Game for Beginners

Unlike the original release of Final Fantasy 7, whose blocky graphics and awkward animations came right at the very start of the 3D era of gaming, Final Fantasy 6 was released at a time when 2D video games were at their peak. Kazuko Shibuya's pixel art is just as stunning today as it was back then, and the game's story remains one of the best that the series has to offer despite several decades having now passed.

Although the game does feature a fairly large cast of playable characters, its battle system is surprisingly easy to understand. Teaching characters new spells and abilities is simple too, and while some may prefer the job system from previous games, there can be no denying that Final Fantasy 6's battle system is a lot more beginner-friendly than the ones found in some of the other 2D Final Fantasy games.

1 Final Fantasy 10

The Best Final Fantasy Game for Beginners

Final Fantasy 10 was the first Final Fantasy game to be released on the PlayStation 2 and was really able to put that extra processing power to good use. The 3D graphics looked incredible for the era and still hold up well today thanks to the game's 2013 remaster. It's the storytelling that really helped to set Final Fantasy 10 apart though, with Tidus and Yuna's story able to tug on the heartstrings of players of all ages.

Combat in Final Fantasy 10 is incredibly intuitive although can be very difficult to fully master. The same goes for the game's sphere grid system, which provides players with a ridiculous amount of freedom when it comes to the way that they build their party. Then there's the soundtrack, which many consider to be Nobuo Uematsu's finest work to date and the perfect accompaniment to the game's epic narrative.

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FAQ

Q: Which Final Fantasy Game Should I Play First?

Final Fantasy 6, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, and Final Fantasy 10 are the best Final Fantasy games for beginners.