Ninjas are at all-time high thanks to the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows but there are more examples of RPGs with them present. There are plenty of cool ninjas in the Final Fantasy series. The most prominent of which has to be Yuffie from Final Fantasy 7. While she doesn’t dress like a ninja, she does have some smooth skills in battle, especially in the current remake project.
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Other notable ninjas include Edge from Final Fantasy 4 and Shadow from Final Fantasy 6. Besides named characters, players have been able to inhabit the roles of Ninja Jobs since the first game, and how they play changed between titles. Among the many choices out there, what Final Fantasy games have Ninja Jobs?
8 Final Fantasy
From Thief To Ninja
Final Fantasy (1987)
- Released
- December 18, 1987
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Entertainment System, PC, PS1, PS4, PSP, WonderSwan, Nintendo Game Boy Advance, Android, iOS
The first Final Fantasy technically had Jobs as players could assign their four party members with the Warrior, Thief, Monk, Red Mage, Black Mage, and White Mage. Players were locked in after their picks but halfway through the game players could advance these Jobs and suddenly some weak Jobs would become incredibly powerful. The Thief could advance to the Ninja and obtain more equipment unlocks and Black Magic spells of all things. Black Magic is not a common trope for Ninja Jobs in these games which makes them one of the powerful versions in the series.
7 Final Fantasy 3
The First Reversible Job System
Final Fantasy III
- Released
- April 27, 1990
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Final Fantasy 3 is the first game to include a way for players to learn Jobs as they progressed and to switch them on the fly, unlike the first game. However, Western fans couldn’t play this 1990 NES game until 2021 via its Pixel Remaster edition but they did get to engage with the DS 3D remake in 2006. There are differences between these versions to make the Ninja stronger, or weaker. For example, in the 3D remake version, Ninjas can use Throw to toss items at enemies but lack a more diverse equipment set while the non-3D versions give the Ninja more gear to use.
6 Final Fantasy 5
Jobs With A Story
Final Fantasy 5
- Released
- December 6, 1992
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Final Fantasy 5 included a Job system too which advanced some things from the previous iteration. Mastering Jobs can allow players to cross-class by transferring abilities around to create unique combos.
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Ninjas can be obtained after the party gets to the Fire Crystal automatically in the story. Ninjas can equip a weapon in each hand without any penalties, making their physical attack power legendary and they can use the Throw command too. Dual-Wield can be transferred to other Jobs to make them just as strong.
5 Final Fantasy 12
License To Kill
Final Fantasy 12
- Released
- October 31, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Final Fantasy 12 handles Jobs a bit differently than most games in the series as every character starts at a specific place on the License Board but can broaden their horizons as they branch out in this Chess-like skill tree. There are twelve Jobs each tied to the signs of the Zodiac and the Shikari Job, which is the Ninja and Thief combined equivalent, falls under Pisces. Vaan, who is the main character, begins in this area of the License Board, and with LP, License Points, players can gain equipment unlocks for things like Daggers, Ninja Swords, and Light Armor.
4 Final Fantasy 14
Too Many Classes To Count
Final Fantasy 14
- Released
- August 27, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen - Language, Mild Blood, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Genre(s)
- MMORPG
Final Fantasy 11 was the first MMO in the series and with each new expansion came a new set of Jobs to master. Final Fantasy 14 was the evolution of its MMO systems but players didn’t have to wait long before they could become a ninja unlike Final Fantasy 11 which locked it behind its first expansion: Rise of Zilart. Like the original Final Fantasy, players had to first become a Rogue, aka the Thief equivalent, and then they could go on a side quest to unlock the Ninja Job. Unlike Ninjas in other games, Final Fantasy 14’s gave them abilities to deal with multiple enemies at once and it wasn’t just about mastering equipment.
3 Final Fantasy Tactics
Two Hands, Two Weapons
Final Fantasy Tactics
- Released
- June 20, 1997
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Mild Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Tactical, RPG
was the first game that gave Western players access to a swappable Job system and also the first tactical RPG entry. Unlocking Jobs required leveling up one or multiple Jobs and skills could be passed between them like in Final Fantasy 5.
Also like Final Fantasy 5, the biggest reason to get a Ninja was to dual-wield weapons without penalty. Unlocking the Ninja Job required progressing into the Archer, Geomancer, and Thief Jobs. Ninjas were also available in the indirect sequel that still took place in Ivalice, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.
2 Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes Of Light
A Cuter Ninja Assassin
Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light
- Released
- October 5, 2010
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Alcohol Reference, Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light is a weird spinoff in many ways like Jobs now being referred to as Crowns. Players could gain Crowns as they progressed in the story, and equipping them would change that character’s class. Crowns could be adorned with jewels to boost their effects in battle. Ninjas could be unlocked later in the game and they had an incredible passive ability to lessen the frequency of random battles, which other forms of the Ninja in Final Fantasy could have used. This spinoff is largely seen by many fans as the predecessor to Bravely Default which did feature Jobs.
1 Stranger Of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin
The One Action Example
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin
- Released
- March 18, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is a reboot, reimagining, and prequel to the original game all rolled into one of the easiest Soulslikes to get into for beginners. Like Final Fantasy Tactics, players had to level up Jobs to unlock others. A Ninja required players to advance in the Thief and Samurai Jobs which sort of made sense. Jack, the hero, could become any Job while his teammates were locked into a handful with Jed being the only other character who could become a Ninja.
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