Summary
- Customization in Final Fantasy games varies from cosmetic upgrades to gameplay-altering changes.
- Hard-to-unlock weapons are a staple in the series, requiring time and patience to acquire.
- The materia system in Final Fantasy games allows for powerful weapon enhancements and combat strategies.
Final Fantasy games feature many weapons for players to choose from, but there are times when customization can be somewhat lacking in these titles. This is why fans cherish it when any game allows them to tinker with their weapons.
Customization options can range from cosmetic upgrades to meaningful changes that alter the way players approach combat. Either way, players will get a kick out of ensuring that their favorite party members boast the best weapons to obliterate any foe daring to strike them down.
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Hard to unlock weapons are a staple of the Final Fantasy series. These weapons can take time, skill and untold amounts of patience to acquire.
7 Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion
Zack's Sword Can Be Imbued With Powerful Materia
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion
- Released
- December 13, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen due to Blood, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Crisis Core allows players to witness Zack Fair's history and the events that led to Cloud developing a trauma that he shrouded in ignorance for the longest time. The materia system was revolutionary in the Final Fantasy franchise, making it clear why this crystallized mako has wormed its way into so many Final Fantasy 7 games. Crisis Core is no exception. Zack Fair is an amazing character who can use materia to enhance his moves in combat. By the end of the title, players can acquire seriously powerful materia to make their enemies pay as the Buster Sword is custom-fitted to suit a certain playstyle.
6 Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
More Powerful Weapons And Diverse Materia To Choose From
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
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Given that the weapon system in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is almost identical to the one in Remake, it's easy to see why many of the customization mechanics persist too. Players can use various weapons in combat, improve them individually, and use materia to gain access to unique abilities. However, fans were miffed about certain changes. Weapons now automatically upgrade instead of offering players a choice, which ends up reducing the level of weapon customization in this title compared to Remake.
5 Stranger Of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin
Collect Smith's Hammers To Customize And Improve Weapons
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 is one of the most underrated Final Fantasy spin-offs in the franchise, and more fans need to check it out. It may seem rather cringeworthy after seeing the previews, but one glance at the combat system is enough to change everyone's minds. It helps that this game allows for a decent degree of weapon customization, allowing players to acquire three Smith's Hammers. These can upgrade weapons' special effects, change them outright, or improve their affinities to certain jobs.
4 Final Fantasy 10
Customize Weapons' Auto-Abilities After Reaching Guadosalam
Final Fantasy 10
- Released
- December 17, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
It takes a while for players to unlock weapon customization in Final Fantasy 10, but it's a worthwhile wait. Once Rikku joins the party in Guadosalam, players can decide which weapons get the auto-abilities they want to make combat easier.
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While this makes for a fun degree of customization, it is hurt by the fact that the ultimate weapons of each party member don't benefit from this system. Still, that doesn't reduce the excitement for players who are willing to put in the grind for the game's best weapons and prefer to customize the ones they do find, however they like.
3 Final Fantasy 7 Remake
The Materia System Is As Great As Ever
Final Fantasy 7 Remake
- Released
- April 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen due to Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Final Fantasy 7 Remake was bound to be a nostalgic trip, and the materia system would just be another part of the fun. Players loved the idea of acquiring these powerful crystals and applying them to their weapons to enhance their abilities.
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Along with this, every weapon in the game featured an upgrade tree that could be developed to make these armaments more potent than ever. This ensured that combat in Final Fantasy 7 Remake never got old, allowing players to mix and match various weapons and their customizations to deal with the game's many threats.
2 Dirge Of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7
The Game Has Its Issues, But Gun Customization Is Great
Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7
- Released
- August 15, 2006
- ESRB
- Teen // Mild Language, Use of Tobacco, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Action RPG
Final Fantasy 7: Dirge of Cerberus is far from the best Final Fantasy spinoff fans can enjoy. Still, for all its faults, the extensive weapon customization of this game should be lauded. Players will acquire a bunch of barrels, boosters, and accessories to pair up with their weapon. This allows every weapon to develop a personality of its own with the player's input, giving combat a personal touch that may just be enough for people to look past this title's faults.
1 Final Fantasy 7
The Revolutionary Materia System Is Still Paying Dividends
Final Fantasy 7
- Released
- January 31, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- RPG
At the end of the day, there's only one game that deserves the greatest plaudits for combining Final Fantasy's vast array of abilities with a system that encourages weapon and armor customization. The joy of obtaining different materia and watching it acquire new levels is a huge part of what makes Final Fantasy 7 so special.
Every weapon that players get throughout the game boasts either solo or paired materia slots, encouraging players to try and optimize their build. This system can get finicky when players have too many different materia to keep track of. Still, there's something about the incredible power held in these crystallized mako that turns the simple act of weapon customization into one of the core gameplay loops for Final Fantasy 7.
- Creation Year
- 1987
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Creator
- Hironobu Sakaguchi
- Latest Release
- Final Fantasy 16
- Creator(s)
- Hironobu Sakaguchi