Final Fantasy Games With The Best English Voice Acting, Ranked

As a longtime fan of the Final Fantasy series, I have to say that each game brings something unique and special to the table when it comes to voice acting. However, if we’re talking about performances that truly resonated with me and added depth to the characters, there are three games that stand out.

In July 2001, voices were introduced into the popular series, Final Fantasy, marking a significant milestone. Japanese gamers were the first to enjoy this vocal addition in their release of Final Fantasy 10 for the PS2. North American players had to wait until December to immerse themselves in this groundbreaking RPG experience.

As a dedicated gamer, I was thrilled to experience the first major motion picture installment of the franchise back in July 2001 – “Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within”. Ever since then, the main games and numerous spin-offs have been graced with voiceovers. What makes these games stand out are not only the serious, dramatic performances but also the comical ones. They cater to a wide array of tastes, undeniably so.

8 Stranger Of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin

Jack Loves Chaos

Final Fantasy Games With The Best English Voice Acting, Ranked

Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin may not feature Shakespearean acting, but it certainly delivers some entertaining performances. The initial reveal of the game sparked the meme “Chaos” due to its heavy presence in the first trailer. The protagonist, Jack, embodies an intense anger towards Chaos, which is vividly portrayed throughout the completed game.

The game has a bunch of cheesy performances which is odd because it seems like it wants to take itself seriously as a Soulslike experience. This juxtaposition may be why the performances are well-liked because they feel out of place but aren’t bad either.

7 Dissidia Final Fantasy

Going Beyond Fan Fiction

Final Fantasy Games With The Best English Voice Acting, Ranked

In simpler terms, “Dissidia Final Fantasy” was a combat game for the PSP (PlayStation Portable), which featured many of the series’ primary characters up until that time. For the first time, notable characters such as Zidane from “Final Fantasy 9” and Bartz from “Final Fantasy 5” were given voices by voice actors. The game offered excellent performances and was essentially a tribute to fans with its unique fighting mechanics inspired by the series.

Among the numerous characters in the game, Kefka stands out as a character who seems to have been influenced by The Joker from the ’90s Batman cartoon. This interpretation is evident in the voice acting and the gameplay, making for an engaging spinoff on the PSP, offering more narrative depth than one might expect.

6 World Of Final Fantasy

A Cheerful Pokemon-Like Romp

In my gaming experience, I’ve found that World of Final Fantasy seems tailored specifically for fans like me. Instead of the usual action-packed combat games, this one offers a captivating turn-based RPG with an engaging monster-catching system. As twin characters, we find ourselves immersed in a world filled with iconic Final Fantasy villains and heroes. Interacting with them, we strive to make a difference and save the day.

In contrast to the more serious tone of “Dissidia Final Fantasy”, “World of Final Fantasy” adopts a cuter art style. However, characters like Lightning from “Final Fantasy 13” aren’t tailored for a young audience; instead, they maintain their serious demeanor in chibi form, which creates humorous situations. This role-playing game (RPG) is designed to be enjoyable for players of all ages, offering a lighter experience.

5 Final Fantasy 4 (Remake)

A Classic Gets A Voice

In contrast to Final Fantasy 3, which was a fresh experience for the West without any nostalgic value, Final Fantasy 4 is one of two remakes in the series (the other being Final Fantasy 3) that brought a delightful surprise to longtime fans. For those who have been following the Final Fantasy 4 series, it was a joy to hear characters like Cecil, Kain, Rosa, Rydia, and many others speak in this remake.

Square Enix managed to fit an impressive amount of sound into that cartridge, making the game’s audio quite effective on the DS. The acting was also well-done. Unfortunately, it’s disappointing that earlier installments in the series did not receive a similar DS remake.

4 Final Fantasy 10-2

Things Lighten Up In Spira

In the realm of “Final Fantasy 10,” we witness the groundbreaking debut of voice acting, marking a significant stride for the series. Although the overall acting was commendable for a PlayStation 2 game, certain scenes garnered notoriety through internet memes. One such instance is Tidus’s exaggerated laughter that echoes throughout the gaming community.

In the sequel, Final Fantasy 10-2, with its broader scope of acting, the lively spirit seems more suited. The game carries a mix of intense moments, as it revolves around Yuna’s quest to find Tidus. However, compared to the original, the atmosphere in this world is more vibrant, offering a more enjoyable living experience. This is mirrored by the improved voice acting.

3 Final Fantasy 7 Remake

A Rebirth Of Fan Favorite Heroes

In the past, Cloud and his companions weren’t just text on a screen for the first time; they had voices in “Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children,” “Kingdom Hearts,” and other adaptations. However, the “Final Fantasy 7 Remake” is different as it returns to the roots of these characters. Square Enix invested significantly in this remake, from enhancing the graphics to refining the gameplay and voice acting.

Everything fortunately fell into place in the end. Both Aerith and Jessie stood out particularly, as their characters were more fully developed by the game. The Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the second installment of this remake trilogy, is also impressive, with Cid delivering a remarkable performance throughout the storyline.

2 Final Fantasy 12

The Star Wars Of The Franchise

As a dedicated fan, I’ve always appreciated how previous games in the series drew inspiration from Saturday Morning Cartoons and anime for their voice performances. It was satisfactory, to say the least. But then came “Final Fantasy 12”, which raised the bar for the franchise significantly by predominantly basing its performances on British accents. There were also hints of Gaelic and American accents scattered throughout, much like in the “Star Wars” universe, to add depth and authenticity to the world.

In the realm of Ivalice, a world blended with various ethnicities, airships floating above, and a myriad of environments, there was an authentic sense of inhabitation. Notable characters like Balthier, reminiscent of Han Solo, and his companion Fran, who had a sleeker build similar to Chewbacca but possessed the ability to produce more than just growling sounds, really stood out.

1 Final Fantasy 16

Game Of Thrones Caliber Levels Of Grit

In terms of storytelling, Final Fantasy 16 seemed to build upon the narrative foundations laid by Final Fantasy 12. The main distinction lies in the darker tone of Final Fantasy 16’s setting, as the world is on the brink of collapse due to unchecked greed. This somber atmosphere was skillfully portrayed through Ben Starr’s powerful portrayal of Clive, our main character. Ralph Ineson, in his role as Cid, delivered another impressive performance, particularly notable in live-action content.

In this game, the players’ exceptional effort is so evident that they deserve individual recognition, as they aimed to make Final Fantasy 16 resemble Game of Thrones in terms of its themes. Indeed, it achieved a striking similarity, with its intense and violent scenes, and there were numerous emotional moments that brought tears to the eyes.

2024-08-08 05:34