Summary
- Final Fantasy games excel through escalating storylines, engaging combat, and expanding mythology.
- Final Fantasy Type-0 stands out as one of the darkest entries with fast-paced combat and engaging characters.
- Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth offers a thrilling journey with drama, betrayal, and improved combat, making it an incredible JRPG.
For nearly forty years, the Final Fantasy franchise has been responsible for some of the industry's most celebrated and influential JRPGs. The combination of rich, complex mythology with both turn-based and real-time battles has been a slam-dunk since the series debuted in 1987. One of the many reasons for that success has been Square-Enix's ability to create compelling worlds and systems that improve as players progress.
Many of Final Fantasy's best games are ones that have seen an escalation in the story, the expanding world, and increased threat levels. The further into an adventure that players find themselves, the more intrigue and chaos they find themselves in the middle of. The series has always had the incredible ability to merge its distinct flavors of traditional fantasy and science fiction with engaging combat systems. These games have been ranked based on their stories, escalation in combat and stakes, as well as the expansion of their own self-contained mythology.
8 Most Fun Final Fantasy Games, Ranked
Let the good times roll with these cheerfully chaotic Final Fantasy games.
5 Final Fantasy Type-0
One Of Final Fantasy's Darkest Entries
Final Fantasy Type-0 HD
- Released
- March 17, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Suggestive Themes, Drug Reference, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix, HexaDrive
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Final Fantasy Type-0 was one of the last games in the Fabula Nova Crystallis subseries, which has been dormant since FF15 launched in 2016. This fascinating Final Fantasy spin-off series ties back into the franchise's origins, with a focus on crystals as the baseline of its mythology. Type-0 made excellent use of that to inform its world and characters. With its fast-paced action combat system and charming cast of characters, Final Fantasy Type-0 is still one of the franchise's most fascinating entries.
Taking place in the land of Orience, Final Fantasy Type-0 is also one of the darkest games in the franchise, opening with a dead Chocobo and a bloodied soldier. It introduces its fast and furious combat system in tandem with its characters, with each one complimenting the other as the game progresses. Each new student introduced pushes the narrative forward, as its complex tale of political maneuvering and interpersonal relationships are a delight to watch unfold. The combat also improves over time. Adding more party members and taking part in the game's real-time strategy-style skirmishes brings a sense of variety that is unique to Type-0.
4 Final Fantasy 12
Slick Combination Of Political Intrigue And Excellent Writing
Final Fantasy 12
- Released
- October 31, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Final Fantasy 12 takes place in the kingdom of Ivalice. This setting was first introduced on the PS1 with Tactics, and has become one of the franchise's most popular locations. With FF12, Square made Ivalice the focus of a mainline entry for the first time. The game explores a world rife with political drama and conspiracies, and features a remarkable real-time combat system that would go on to influence the franchise in significant ways. Final Fantasy 12 has become one of the most important entries in the history of the series.
After they leave the charming city of Rabanaste, the party finds themselves on one of the most epic, legendary journeys in the franchise. Its complicated tale of betrayal and loyalty is phenomenal, and only gets better as more characters are introduced, and the stakes begin to rise. The complexity of the battle system also starts to come into better focus once players get deeper in, as the flexibility and customization of FF12 pushes the pace of the game brilliantly. Becoming involved in its thrilling story, exciting combat system, and deep mythology is what allows Final Fantasy 12 to get better and better as it goes on.
3 Final Fantasy 13
The Debut Of Fabula Nova Crystallis
Final Fantasy 13
- Released
- March 9, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Final Fantasy 13 marked the beginning of the Fabula Nova Crystallis subseries, which Square-Enix used to tap into the origin of the franchise with crystals as the focus of the mythology. What would become a series of games starring a stoic sword fighter named Lightning first launched in 2009, and was the primary Final Fantasy story for nearly five years. However, the first entry still managed to stand out as the best in the trilogy.
Final Fantasy 13 takes a bit of time to get moving. It carefully maneuvers chess pieces around in the first 2–3 hours in order to set up its stakes and establish what is still one of the best parties in the franchise. But once the player reaches chapter three, the story starts to open up and combat comes into its own. Final Fantasy 13 finds its footing rather quickly after that. The interactions between the party members become much deeper and more engaging, and the complexity of the combat starts to show off in full force.
2 Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Avalanche's Journey To Face Sephiroth Is An Incredible Experience
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
- Released
- February 29, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- RPG
After deciding to split the remake of Final Fantasy 7 into a trilogy, it was exciting to think about where Square-Enix would take the second chapter, and they didn't disappoint. Released four years after the first chapter, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth chronicles the party's fateful journey from Kalm to the Forgotten Capital and spends a considerable amount of time re-establishing where everyone is and what's at stake.
Every Game That Is Part Of The Final Fantasy 7 Universe
Only the most diehard Final Fantasy 7 fans will have heard of, let alone played, all of these games.
It was a good decision, especially for people who came into Rebirth cold. But once the party departs Kalm, it becomes a non-stop thrill ride full of drama, betrayal, and poignant discussions about life and the fragile nature of humanity. Each section improves upon the last, as players go from one exciting location to the next, all while being treated to some delightful callbacks to the original game and some incredible open-world exploration and combat. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is an intoxicating experience that knows just when to up the stakes and how to challenge the player. Exploring its vast world and engaging with its improved combat system makes for one of the most incredible JRPGs ever made.
1 Final Fantasy 10
The Best Final Fantasy To Start With
Final Fantasy 10
- Released
- December 17, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Final Fantasy 10 was one of the reasons that many people bought the PlayStation 2 back in the year 2000. It was one of the most anticipated games of 2001 and was a landmark release for both the franchise and JRPGs. Set in the world of Spira, Final Fantasy 10 tells the tale of Tidus, a young man who is tasked with escorting a summoner named Yuna on a pilgrimage to defeat an ominous force known as Sin. This setup is what makes FF10 so special, as the path to getting Tidus to meet Yuna is a winding road that takes him from the depths of an ancient city to the shores of Besaid.
Once players enter the expansive world of Spira, Final Fantasy 10 starts to open up and becomes one of the most compelling, expertly told stories in franchise history. The chemistry between these outstanding characters is undeniable. Its traditional turn-based combat system is easily the best version of the classic combat, introducing new special abilities via the Sphere Grid. Final Fantasy 10 is still one of the most popular entries in the history of the series. Its commitment to an unfolding, dramatic narrative steeped in Polynesian mysticism and fabulous battle system are just a few of the reasons why that is.
8 Best Final Fantasy Games If You Love Exploration, Ranked
Players who love getting lost in immersive worlds tend to gravitate toward the following Final Fantasy games.