Summary
- Final Fantasy 16 is a massive fantasy experience with rich lore, character development, and action combat.
- Final Fantasy 12, an underrated gem, features a thrilling story with unique characters and the Gambit System.
- Final Fantasy 10-2 offers a shocking sequel with a different story and new character development for Yuna.
The Final Fantasy franchise is one of the most vast and beloved game series in history, with well over forty games in its collection and more always around the corner. Starting in the late 1980s, a game studio previously known as Squaresoft, now Square Enix, released a title that would change not only the JRPG environment, but the entire gaming world. The success of the first game would spark an anthology series of fantasy and heroism, with each Final Fantasy game telling a new story with new characters and dilemmas.
Among the many, one of the most celebrated is Final Fantasy 10. Praised for its world-building and focal story, FF10 remains one of the most consistently replayed Final Fantasy games in history. The main roster of characters remains favorable among most others, and the game's tragic romance still leaves an impression on players years later. With so many games in the franchise, newcomers to the game will want more experiences similar to Final Fantasy 10, and thankfully, there are plenty.
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8 Final Fantasy 13
An Exciting Adventure For Die-Hard Fans
Final Fantasy 13
- Released
- March 9, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Final Fantasy 13 received a mixed reaction from the majority of Final Fantasy fans. Some hail it as a classic, while others don't sing its praises. However, FF13 provides an entertaining story and is one of the last main Final Fantasy games to feature turn-based gameplay.
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The game featured a wide variety of unique characters with interesting stories that took up conflicting positions in the plot with one another, making the narrative more engaging. The story was overall well-received, and the twists and turns and creative bosses left favorable impressions.
7 Final Fantasy 16
A Massive Fantasy Experience
Final Fantasy 16
- Released
- June 22, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Final Fantasy 16 is one of the most recent releases in the franchise and one of the most expansive games to date. The story of FF16 follows Clive, who sets out on a mission of justice after the raiding of his homeland, which upended his life and caused him to lose his entire family.
Clive's quest from unwilling soldier to beacon of light elevates him as a main protagonist, and his journey along the way is filled with significant character development. FF16 provides a lore-heavy universe with rich story elements and combat to match. Players can utilize the action combat system to dive into combo-heavy builds while taking on cinematic bosses in large-scale environments. The style and direction of FF 16 will appeal to fans of FF10.
6 Final Fantasy 12
A Diamond In The Rough
Final Fantasy 12
- Released
- October 31, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
FF12 has garnered a cult following and is regarded as one of the most underrated Final Fantasy games that deserves a chance. The game features a thrilling story following Vaan, who hopes of breaking away from the conflict of war and reaching the skies for freedom as a pirate. Through a series of coincidences, he finds himself entangled with a rebellion that may decide the fate of the world, not just his home.
In addition to a satisfying story, FF12 is highly praised for its combat system, introducing the Gambit System. Fans of FF10 will feel right at home with the unique cast of characters and large-scale battles.
5 Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn
Step Into The World Of Final Fantasy Inside An MMO
Final Fantasy 14
- Released
- August 27, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
- Platform(s)
- PC, macOS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s)
- MMORPG
Final Fantasy 14 is the re-release of the Final Fantasy franchise MMO, Final Fantasy 11. A Realm Reborn is a massively multiplayer online game that allows players to drop into a fantastical world filled with the best elements of the Final Fantasy franchise.
Players can choose from over a dozen classes that fit their personality and playstyle, and take on lengthy quest lines that not only make them a vital piece of the puzzle but explore numerous characters, both protagonist and antagonist. The combat of Final Fantasy 14 ARR is also celebrated for its perfect-build-of action focused gameplay, allowing players strategic control in a party-heavy environment.
4 Final Fantasy 15 Royal Edition
One Of The Most Innovative Final Fantasy Games
Final Fantasy 15
- Released
- November 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
In the fifteenth installment of the Final Fantasy franchise, Square Enix places players in an enormous open world to explore the story of Noctis, a young prince with the fate of his kingdom hanging in the balance. War erupts, and Noctis must set out with his small group of trusted friends to combat the forces of darkness and learn about the power that stirs within him.
Fans of FF10' s winding story will enjoy FF15, which covers years as Noctis matures and develops as a character. The Royal Edition of FF15 is the ideal version of this title, since it comes with its additional content and needed quality-of-life changes.
3 Final Fantasy 7 Remake Saga
A Stunning Retelling Of A Classic Story
Final Fantasy VII Remake
- Released
- April 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Final Fantasy 7 is arguably second to none when discussing the most popular Final Fantasy game in history. With an enormous fanbase, FF7's popularity has earned it a modern-day remake and retelling of the regional story for current-generation consoles.
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The world of Midgar and fan-favorite characters like Cloud and Sephiroth make their way into the hands of today's gamers to deliver a breathtaking story with intense gameplay. The FF7 modern saga is on its second release, with the third and final installment already being announced. This fresh imagining of one of the greatest stories in Final Fantasy is an excellent opportunity for fans to jump into a new game.
2 Final Fantasy 8
A Gold Standard Of Fantasy Storytelling
Final Fantasy VIII Remastered
- Released
- September 3, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Dotemu, Square Enix
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Final Fantasy 8 stands in a league of its own for its innovative setting and its incredible story of conflict and romance. Squall Leonhart serves as the main protagonist, the leader of a group of mercenaries who take on a devilish witch who has seized control of a powerful military force and seeks to induct the world under her rule.
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FF8 has one of the best stories in the franchise and one of the coolest weapons in video games: the Gunblade. FF8 is a terrific game to jump into after FF10, despite a stark contrast between the two.
1 Final Fantasy 10-2
A Shocking Sequel For The Fans
Final Fantasy X-2
- Released
- November 18, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Product Development Division 1
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix, Electronic Arts
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
- How Long To Beat
- 31 Hours
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
The perfect segue from Final Fantasy 10 has to be Final Fantasy 10-2. Players jump back into the same world with a different story as they take control of Yuna, who has changed considerably after the events of the previous games.
Now a Sphere Hunter, Yuna and her allies seek to prevent a worldwide war from breaking out as multiple factions seek to fill the vacuum left by the destruction of Sin. While Yuna has shed her summoner role, she still remains hopeful that the world can change for the better.
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