Summary
- Final Fantasy games cater to a younger audience with engaging stories and appropriate combat systems.
- Titles like Final Fantasy 12: Revenant Wings and Crystal Chronicles offer perfect entry points for kids.
- Final Fantasy 9 and 10 provide traditional fantasy JRPG experiences suitable for all ages.
Over the years, the Final Fantasy franchise has explored a host of complex themes and topics, examining everything from war to discrimination to eco-terrorism and political turmoil. But while the franchise is noted for its exploration of dark concepts, the series has also made an effort to appeal to the widest possible audience, making games that are absolutely perfect for younger children to partake in.
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Whether it's a game made specifically for a younger audience or a mainline title that is appropriate for a younger audience, Final Fantasy has routinely made itself approachable for kids. Some of them have used a grown-up story that speaks to a young audience, resulting in some of the most fascinating games in the franchise. These titles have been ranked based on their stories, combat systems, and how appropriate for kids they are.
6 Final Fantasy 12: Revenant Wings
Tactical Strategy Game On DS Is A Great Entry Point For Kids
Final Fantasy 12: Revenant Wings
- Released
- November 20, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
- Genre(s)
- Tactical, JRPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo DS
- How Long To Beat
- 25 Hours
Final Fantasy 12 took the series into a bold new direction, leaving the turn-based combat of yesterday behind for a focus on MMO-influenced action in the kingdom of Ivalice. Just one year later, Square would revisit the world of Ivalice with Final Fantasy 12: Revenant Wings, a tactical strategy RPG for the Nintendo DS that saw most of the main cast return and focused on a satisfying real-time strategy system that resulted in one of the franchise's most compelling entries.
Revenant Wings is a perfect way for kids to experience Final Fantasy, as its cute pixel art and adorable characters are fantastic. At the same time, the combat system is not too complicated for a younger audience. Kids will be drawn to its colorful battles, engaging story, and unique visual style, as this excellent DS strategy RPG is a great way for kids to jump into Final Fantasy. Though it is without a modern release, it's worth finding a DS for, as it is one of the most fascinating games in the series.
5 Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life As A King
WiiWare City-Building Game Focuses On Friendship And Family
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King
- Released
- March 25, 2008
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Wii
The Crystal Chronicles subseries was designed to appeal to a wider audience, and one of the most entertaining releases was My Life As A King, a city-builder that sees the player take control of Leo and rebuild his father's fallen kingdom. My Life As A King features an all-ages tale about the importance of family and persevering through adversity, all perfect themes to explain to children at an early age.
With its addictive city-building system, unique cast of characters, and fantastic combat system, My Life As A King is still a unique entry for the series. It is one of only two city-builders in the series, alongside 2017's Final Fantasy 15: A New Empire, and is still an absolute blast. My Life As A King would be perfect for a kid, as its vibrant world and city management are fun for all ages.
4 Final Fantasy 9
Traditional Fantasy JRPG Is Appropriate For All Ages
Final Fantasy 9
- Released
- July 7, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Violence, Mild Language
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- Unity
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Final Fantasy 9 was designed to return the series to its roots when it launched for the PS1 in 2000, a decision made after 7 and 8 took the franchise into a much darker, more science-fiction direction. It turned out to be a wise decision, as this spectacular JRPG is still one of the greatest of all time, and its reliance on traditional fantasy tropes makes it a perfect game for kids to jump into.
With a story focused on the themes of life and the importance of doing good while one is here, Final Fantasy 9 is a story that anyone of any age can appreciate. The combat system is one of the best in the franchise, and the outstanding soundtrack by Nobuo Uematsu is one of his finest works. Final Fantasy 9 has been remastered for all modern hardware, making it available on any platform of one's choosing, and is a terrific start for kids playing the series for the first time.
3 Final Fantasy 10
Iconic PS2 Game Is A Perfect Place For Kids To Start
Final Fantasy 10
- Released
- December 17, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- PhyreEngine
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Platform(s)
- PS2
- How Long To Beat
- 45 Hours
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Final Fantasy 10 is often touted as one of the best games in the series to start with, and with good reason, as this legendary PS2 JRPG is one of the most popular and beloved entries in the franchise. Set in the world of Spira, Final Fantasy 10 tells the tale of Tidus, as he travels across the land to escort a summoner named Yuna in her quest to destroy an ancient evil named Sin.
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Final Fantasy 10 features some of the franchise's most warm, welcoming characters and a story that resonates with people from every age group. Its themes of mortality and spiritual awakenings are still groundbreaking, and the combat is the best the turn-based system had ever felt to that point. Thankfully, Final Fantasy 10 is readily available on all modern hardware and is easily one of the best ways for a kid to experience the franchise.
2 Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition
Charming Action RPG Is One Of The Franchise's Best
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition
- Released
- August 27, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
- Genre(s)
- RPG, JRPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Weak
Following a dispute that resulted in them leaving for PlayStation in 1997, Squaresoft would not return to Nintendo hardware for seven years, when they released Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles for the GameCube in 2004. This absolutely lovely action RPG takes place in an unnamed fantasy world, but it remains just as gorgeous today as it did back in 2004, thanks to a contemporary remaster for the Switch and PS4 in 2020.
Crystal Chronicles uses a slick action combat system, where players control the party from a top-down perspective similar to something like Diablo. It features charming art direction, incredible music, and a terrific story based on the protection of life and its many wonders. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles remains one of the franchise's unique entries, as its combat system and satisfying story would be an excellent way to introduce a child to the series.
1 World Of Final Fantasy Maxima
The Best Way For Kids To Get Into Final Fantasy
World of Final Fantasy Maxima
- Released
- November 6, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Tose
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- OROCHI 4
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- How Long To Beat
- 36 Hours
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
World of Final Fantasy was part of an initiative inside Square Enix that was designed to challenge an audience that had shifted from younger people to adults, as the series had been producing some rather dark entries. To combat that, Square produced World of Final Fantasy, a game that celebrated the long-running legacy of the series and attempted to bring in a younger audience with its mash-up of classic characters and locations.
World of Final Fantasy is the story of Lann and Reynn, twins in the kingdom of Grymoire who are tasked with taming the monsters of the land while exploring a host of interconnected locations from the franchise's iconic lineage. Fan favorites like Cloud, Squall, and Terra all appear alongside others, and this remarkable turn-based JRPG is the absolute best way for a child to experience Final Fantasy. It features a wonderful chibi art style, a heartwarming story about the bonds of family, and a compelling combat system. World of Final Fantasy is available on all modern hardware, making it easy for anyone to play today.
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