As someone who grew up playing these iconic games, I must say that compiling this list has been a walk down memory lane for me! But if we’re talking about which Final Fantasy game resonated most with my gaming journey, it’s got to be Final Fantasy 7.
As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but acknowledge that the Final Fantasy series has birthed both exceptional gems and a few duds in the gaming world. Every Cloud Strife brings a sense of joy and adventure, but unfortunately, there have been characters like Lightning who seem to pull down the overall score.
This issue arises because the series often prioritizes evolution, which doesn’t consistently lead to advancement. At times, instead of maintaining what is most effective, Final Fantasy has been marred by excessive alterations to the formula.
A few ground rules: no sequels, no spin-offs, no remakes that completely change the game (all apologies to Stranger of Paradise), and MMO expansions are factored in and not considered separate.
Let’s start by tackling the most critically panned main entry in the entire Final Fantasy series first, shall we?
16 Final Fantasy 2
The Grind is Real
Despite frequently receiving criticism from fans, Final Fantasy 2 stands out for significantly enhancing the narrative of its predecessor. It tells a story reminiscent of Star Wars, focusing on themes of rebellion against an oppressive empire.
People dislike Final Fantasy 2 because they find the game’s play mechanics poorly designed, particularly the method of enhancing stats through performing actions instead of progressing through levels.
This results in repetitive combat that can be quite frustrating within the game series, as players are often compelled to repeatedly employ the same magical abilities or attack patterns to overcome the obstacles they encounter.
15 Final Fantasy 1
An Increasingly Ironic Title
Originally pioneering, the very first installment of Final Fantasy has unfortunately fallen prey to the passage of time as well. When it debuted, it stood out for its expansive game world, intricate narrative that played with time, and job system boasting complexity beyond that of its contemporary games.
In simpler terms, due to changes in gaming preferences over time, some people might find Final Fantasy’s traditional gameplay and narrative style less appealing today. Despite not being poorly designed, the game can become quite monotonous and tedious during certain parts of play.
If only Jack Garland had been around in the ’80s to give things a fresh look, but unfortunately, Nintendo would have had to censor his colorful language constantly, which was indeed his most appealing trait.
14 Final Fantasy 3
The Dark Side of Crystals
Among the Final Fantasy games on the NES, Final Fantasy 3 stands out as the finest due to its extensive job system, the innovative summon monster feature, and a surprisingly vast world given the limitations of the hardware.
To put it simply, you can’t deny that Final Fantasy 3 is exceptionally challenging. Those who have encountered the rat boss when trapped in mini form, battled dungeons and bosses requiring specific roles, and braved the torment of the Crystal Tower will attest to its toughness.
1) In contrast, the 3D reimagining addressed certain problems within Final Fantasy 3, yet it was the classic version that resurfaced in the Pixel Remaster collection, granting novice players an opportunity to relish in genuine retro terror.
13 Final Fantasy 13
One Path to Boredom
Final Fantasy 13 is a gorgeous game with a fantastic soundtrack. The compliments end there.
The narrative can be perplexing, as it fails to take pauses to clarify fundamental ideas that might be new to viewers or readers.
In most parts of this game, the environment follows a straightforward route with only slight detours. The cities and intricate dungeons found in earlier Final Fantasy series are scarcely seen.
In the game, since characters typically stick to their assigned roles throughout the play, there’s little motivation to experiment with different character classes as the job-switching system becomes unnecessary.
Final Fantasy 13-2 significantly enhanced its gameplay and narrative compared to its predecessor, yet some might argue that the previous game represented a notable departure from the norm for the series.
12 Final Fantasy 11
A Tale Too Old For Time
To be honest, I find myself appreciating Final Fantasy 11 for what it was back then, rather than criticizing it as a terrible game. It’s simply a relic of the past, outshone by its more streamlined and user-friendly successor, Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn – Eorzea.
For those accustomed to the many quality-of-life enhancements in contemporary MMOs, diving into Final Fantasy 11 might prove challenging due to its complex setup process that appears needlessly time-consuming.
Among all the Final Fantasy games, there’s a strong case to be made that Final Fantasy 11 is most in need of a contemporary remake. However, given the prosperity of Final Fantasy 14, one might wonder if players would be keen on revisiting it.
In the Dawntrail updates, Final Fantasy 14 offers a cross-over dungeon from Final Fantasy 11. This could be an excellent method to explore its universe, as it provides the experience without requiring you to play through the original game itself.
11 Final Fantasy 15
A Road To Nowhere
Initially conceived as a spin-off from Final Fantasy 13, Final Fantasy 15 underwent significant changes to become an entirely new game, retaining many of its original characters and setting.
Fans were treated to an adventure narrative reminiscent of a road trip, accompanied by a truly outstanding battle system. This system recalls the swift, dynamic gameplay found in the Kingdom Hearts games.
A challenge with this game lies in its narrative, as players are expected to complete additional reading or viewing outside the game itself to fully understand the plot.
In addition to the main storyline of Final Fantasy 15, certain segments were included in downloadable content (DLC), which players had to purchase separately. Consequently, those who only engage with the primary gameplay may find it challenging to fully comprehend the plot.
10 Final Fantasy 12
A Trip to the Wrong Ivalice
In the eyes of many fans, Final Fantasy 12’s standing is somewhat divisive, largely due to its lead character, Vaan. This aspiring sky pirate often leaves a negative impression on players and frequently plays second fiddle to the other characters in the party.
People who are not distracted by Vaan’s wavy locks will discover an extraordinary tale rich in political machinations and fantastical battles.
Final Fantasy 12 boasts vast underground labyrinths teeming with potent adversaries that will test your mettle. Moreover, it showcases one of the most sophisticated artificial intelligence systems for party members in any role-playing game.
9 Final Fantasy 4
From Darkness To Light
Final Fantasy 4, a game that continues to captivate Japanese enthusiasts, represents a progression from all previous Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) titles, showcasing advancements in its design.
Final Fantasy 4 refines the narrative of an evil empire, as seen in Final Fantasy 2, and clarifies the role assignments from Final Fantasy 3 that are still relevant today, all while enhancing the strategic, turn-based combat gameplay that was originally introduced.
In the initial installment of Final Fantasy 4, players found a strong connection with the characters due to engaging dialogues and captivating storylines.
As a passionate gamer, I must admit that the unexpected plot twists towards the end of this game left me scratching my head. They seemed to emerge out of the blue and drastically changed the narrative in a way that didn’t quite sit right with me. However, despite these issues, the overall experience was engaging, and even the final dungeon was exciting to explore.
8 Final Fantasy 5
This is a Job For Bartz
Similar to how Final Fantasy 4 evolved from its NES predecessors, Final Fantasy 5 further refined its gameplay mechanics. Notably, the job system was significantly enhanced, allowing players to combine skills they’ve learned, resulting in an impressive variety of potential character configurations.
Among all the Final Fantasy games up till then, Final Fantasy 5 stood out as the most somber. Unlike its predecessors, it wasn’t the first to feature a party member, but it was the one that left an authentic emotional imprint when such events transpired.
In the realm of Final Fantasy 5, Gilgamesh made his debut in the series, a character whose interdimensional journey has been woven across the franchise. Fervent fans can only anticipate the possibility of revisiting the universe of Final Fantasy 5 one day and witnessing his fated confrontation with Bartz as prophesied.
7 Final Fantasy 16
Game of Chocobos
In a fresh twist for the Final Fantasy series, Final Fantasy 16 delves into courtly machinations reminiscent of Game of Thrones and mature themes. Given that the creators of Final Fantasy 14 are involved in its development, anticipation surrounding the game has been significant.
Fans experienced a shift towards an action-packed style that hadn’t been prevalent in primary Final Fantasy series so far, featuring a protagonist who could instantly call upon summoned creatures during gameplay.
As a dedicated fan, I can confidently say that the combat system in Final Fantasy 16 is truly remarkable within the series, but it’s essential not to approach it with expectations of the traditional turn-based battles from earlier games. Instead, prepare yourself for an exhilarating, dynamic battle experience!
It seems that some action game enthusiasts might find Final Fantasy 16 too simple, as they may have honed their skills playing games like Devil May Cry or Elden Ring.
6 Final Fantasy 9
Stealing the Spotlight
Following the unconventional gameplay and environments presented in Final Fantasy 7 and 8, Final Fantasy 9 reverted back to its original themes, offering a realm steeped in magic and swordplay.
Players who anticipated a simple, NES-like narrative were taken aback by the game’s richly developed characters, heavy themes exploring life and mortality, and the grandeur of its battle sequences.
In contrast to the fact that the item-based ability system doesn’t offer as much thrill as those found in other games, Final Fantasy 9 truly shines with its exceptional combat and boasts some of the finest minigames within the series, with Chocobo Hot and Cold being a particular highlight.
In a more straightforward manner, one could say: Final Fantasy 9 struggles with its final enemy, who seemingly appears without warning for the sole reason of providing combat opportunities. Despite this flaw, the game’s other 99.9% is exceptional, which explains why whispers of a remake have fans eager to reunite with Zidane and the Tantalus Theater Troupe.
5 Final Fantasy 8
The Best Looking Guy Here
How might a company proceed after launching a significant game like Final Fantasy 7? By breaking new ground for the franchise: introducing a heartfelt romance narrative.
The romantic story between Squall and Rinoa unfolds throughout different eras and dimensions, making fans hopeful for their union. The characters’ development is a significant factor contributing to the game’s enduring charm, explaining why it remains popular even today.
Although Final Fantasy 8 boasts one of the most peculiar worlds and gameplay mechanics in the series, this very uniqueness is what makes it stand out so vividly. The sorceresses, time manipulation, Guardian Forces, and enigmatic patrons of the Gardens all create a lasting impact.
While the plot twist about amnesia may seem unconvincing and has not improved with age, it ultimately doesn’t cause significant long-term harm to the overall narrative.
4 Final Fantasy 10
Forget About The Laughing Scene
Too bad that Final Fantasy 10 is frequently recalled due to the humorous scene, since it’s one of the top-tier games within the series.
Final Fantasy X boasts a wealth of features including its pioneering character customization through the skill tree system, an abundance of activities to engage in, and a heartfelt narrative centered around themes such as loss and self-sacrifice.
The tale is what’s garnered the game immense praise among enthusiasts, as Tidus’ adventure through the mysterious land of Spira, their ongoing conflict with Sin, uncovering Yuna’s purpose, and learning the truth about the world’s destiny are all compelling elements to explore.
Now that the High-Definition Remaster offers American players a taste of the additional content previously enjoyed by Japanese and European gamers, there’s little excuse for not revisiting this timeless game on contemporary platforms.
3 Final Fantasy 14
MMO Final Fantasy Done Right, Eventually
The most popular Final Fantasy game in history faced a challenging beginning; its initial release was criticized heavily, nearly causing irreversible harm to the franchise’s reputation.
When Naoki Yoshida and his team took over, they revamped it into one of the best MMOs of all time.
The key to Final Fantasy 14’s success is its amazing story told across multiple expansions, helped by the fact that the game incentivizes veteran players to help out new ones so they can get the best experience possible.
It can take hundreds of hours to get caught up in Final Fantasy 14’s story, and it’s worth the journey, especially if there are friends around willing to go on the adventure.
To be honest, had it not been for the misstep known as Stormblood, your game would have claimed the number one position. I’m afraid, Hien, your expansion isn’t quite engaging enough to hold our interest.
2 Final Fantasy 6
The FF SNES Finale
Square Enix concluded the Final Fantasy series on the Super NES console with a powerful finale, pushing the hardware to its absolute limits.
It’s astonishing, almost like magic, that a game released three decades ago could contain such an extensive narrative and rich content within such a compact cartridge.
Back in the day, I’d argue that Final Fantasy 6 boasted some of the finest visuals and audio on the Super Nintendo, no question about it. But let’s be real, those graphics and sounds are a distant memory now in this modern gaming world.
This game is often hailed as a timeless masterpiece because it boasts an extraordinary narrative and memorable characters, offers a superb combat system featuring diverse party members with distinct skills, and delivers a shocking plot twist in the second act that dramatically alters the game’s course.
Despite being eclipsed by its successor during its release, some enthusiasts consider this entry as the most exceptional Final Fantasy game in the series.
1 Final Fantasy 7
Cloud’s Still On Top
What else could take this spot, save for the game that made Final Fantasy a household name?
For many gamers, the tale of Cloud Strife holds a special place in their hearts for decades, as his fight to preserve the planet feels increasingly resonant and pertinent in today’s world.
In simpler terms, the Materia system represents an organic progression from traditional character classes. It links abilities with usable items, thereby guaranteeing that any combination of characters can be effective during gameplay.
In a significant shift, Final Fantasy 7 marked a departure from the constraints of the Nintendo era, enabling Square Enix to craft a mature and captivating narrative.
Once the restraint was taken off, the developers demonstrated the remarkable capability that this series had, given the chance to fully flourish.
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2024-11-29 17:09