Summary
- Final Fantasy games sometimes exceed high fan expectations, like FF10 and Stranger of Paradise.
- FF games that excel in combat and storytelling, like Crisis Core and Final Fantasy Tactics, stand out.
- Spinoffs like Dissidia and World of Final Fantasy prove to be unexpectedly enjoyable additions to the series.
Given the historical nature of the Final Fantasy series, it's easy to see why fans have high expectations for every title in the series. Some of these JRPGs do justice to the franchise's reputation, while others buckle under the weight of these expectations.
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It can be argued that almost all Final Fantasy protagonists have a compelling story, although these examples tend to stand out.
Along with this, there are rare instances where some Final Fantasy games end up surpassing all expectations to become incredible titles that fans will have a great time with. These games should be celebrated because of their special nature and serve as an example to future titles in the genre that should also aspire to exceed expectations.
8 Final Fantasy 10
Fans Had High Expectations For A PS2 Final Fantasy Game, And FF10 Somehow Exceeded Expectations
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
- Platform(s)
- PS2
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
It's a testament to the quality of Final Fantasy 10 that this title somehow managed to surpass the exceedingly high expectations that fans had. SquareSoft needed to make a splash in the sixth generation of consoles, and Final Fantasy 10 was a resounding success.
The snappy turn-based combat and a story for the ages had turned it into the greatest Final Fantasy game in the eyes of many, which is no mean feat. It's also considered the peak of the series, since the franchise has struggled to find its identity ever since following the merger with Enix.
7 Stranger Of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin
Despite The Poor Previews, The Combat Of This Title Is Excellent
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
- Developer(s)
- Team Ninja
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
The much-maligned previews to Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin left expectations criminally low for this title. The constant mentions of Chaos, coupled with what looked like uninspired combat, didn't inspire confidence in this title at all.
Team Ninja took this as a challenge and released what is one of the best real-time combat systems fans can get their hands on. The robust job system keeps movesets fresh and engaging, while the refreshing twist on the narrative of the first game is a love letter to fans who harbor a deep love for this series.
6 Final Fantasy Tactics
No One Expected This Spinoff To Become One Of The Best FF Games Ever Made
Final Fantasy Tactics
- Released
- June 20, 1997
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square
- Genre(s)
- Tactical, RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation (Original)
Final Fantasy spinoffs have a pretty mixed reputation, but the series was still riding high on a wave of success back when Final Fantasy Tactics was announced. Fans were worried about the switch to the turn-based strategy genre, but Yasumi Matsuno silenced critics with his brilliant approach to combat design.
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His expertise with Tactics Ogre went a long way in making Final Fantasy Tactics one of the games in the franchise, spinoff or otherwise. The rich worldbuilding of Ivalice, the title's compelling storytelling, and an intricate combat system ensured the runaway success of Final Fantasy Tactics far beyond what fans suspected.
5 Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7
Justifies Its Existence And Boasts One Of The Most Emotional Stories In The Series
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7
- Released
- March 24, 2008
- ESRB
- Teen // Blood, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation Portable
It was easy to look at Crisis Core as a shameless way to cash in on the hype of Final Fantasy 7, but these fans didn't know about Hajime Tabata and his skill as a designer. He wasted no time in crafting a prequel that took on a real-time action approach and let fans control Zack Fair, a character integral to Cloud's growth in the series.
The story introduces several familiar and new characters while expanding on the lore of the series. All of this culminates in a tearjerking ending that made Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 a must-play and helped it stand miles ahead of the poorly-received Dirge of Cerberus.
4 Final Fantasy Type-0
The Real-Time Combat Feels Better Than It Has Any Right To Be
Final Fantasy Type-0
- Released
- October 27, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
It's easy to look at Final Fantasy spin-offs with a bit of hesitation, which is why fans didn't know how to react to Type-0. It didn't help that the game was set in the same universe as Final Fantasy 13 and only received a Japanese release.
It wasn't until the release of Type-0 HD that Western fans got to enjoy another incredible Final Fantasy game with Hajime Tabata's fingerprints all over it. The action combat was simple yet satisfying, the large number of playable characters was fun to control, and the story had many emotional highs & lows that will leave fans crying at the end of a magical adventure.
3 Dissidia Final Fantasy
A Fighting Game Spinoff With Incredibly Compelling Action
Dissidia Final Fantasy
- Released
- August 25, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
Dissidia Final Fantasy is a fighting game that seemed a bit too ambitious for its own good. However, all players needed to do was interact with the combat system for a few fights to understand why this title became an instant classic in the eyes of many.
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Aside from Final Fantasy 7 and its remake, Tifa has also been in several spin-off Final Fantasy titles.
The combination of Bravery and HP attacks added a unique flair to the combat system. This, coupled with some amazing fan service that didn't seem too cheap, makes both Dissidia and the 012 expansion two of the best Final Fantasy fighting games on the PSP.
2 Theatrhythm Final Fantasy
A Rhythm Game That Has No Business Being So Enjoyable
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy
- Released
- July 3, 2012
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Rhythm
Final Fantasy's amazing compositions make it perfect for a rhythm game. Still, expectations were tepid at best for Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, only for the game to let fans enjoy one of the most polished and charming games around.
It was a highlight on the 3DS and a title that more fans should check out if they love quality rhythm games. It's easy to see why more Theatrhythm games were greenlit following this title's success, allowing Final Fantasy veterans to enjoy quality bits of fan service that weren't cheap or phoned in at all.
1 World Of Final Fantasy
What Could've Been A Throwaway Spinoff Becomes A Love Letter To The Series
World Of Final Fantasy
- Released
- October 25, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
The overly cute aesthetic of World of Final Fantasy made it feel like a throwaway game in the eyes of many. However, it was only a given that a turn-based Final Fantasy game would have a unique mechanic to make combat feel fresh and engaging.
Stacking monsters to buff the party made for a simple yet great way to refine the combat system. The charming aesthetics added to the feel-good nature of the experience, to the point where most players didn't mind the slightly slow pace of the gameplay.
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