Final Fantasy Games With The Most Side Quests

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As a devoted fan, I must say that when it comes to side quests in Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), none compare to the mind-boggling ones found within the realm of Final Fantasy. From its mainline installments to its spinoffs, there’s an abundance of them, each one more captivating than the last. This legendary series made its debut on the NES in Japan way back in 1987, and it’s still going strong today, continuing to enchant gamers around the world with its intricate storylines and engaging side quests.

In Final Fantasy series, side missions can assume various shapes, such as assisting non-playable characters, participating in mini-games, or discovering unique equipment by delving into additional dungeons. Among the multitude of games available, seven titles stand out as offering the greatest number or most rewarding side quests. No need to worry about spoilers for this discussion.

7. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

Managing The Clan

In the game “Final Fantasy Tactics Advance,” players had the opportunity to establish a Guild or Clan. Within this rendition of Ivalice, these guilds would engage in combat with one another and undertake tasks to boost their standing. Many of the missions were personally handled by players, but most optional missions involved delegating party members to complete them instead. Completing some of the best party members and equipment required these optional missions, making them essential. Although the selection might not be as vast as other games in the series, there are numerous Clan missions available.

6. Final Fantasy 12

The Hunt Is On

In “Final Fantasy 12”, the action unfolded within the realm of Ivalice, featuring distinctive Clan-like elements, especially in the Hunt segments overseen by Montblanc the Moogle. Hunts resembled global bounty missions where players engaged in combat with rare creatures to win various rewards, and there were numerous such encounters.

Few Non-Player Characters (NPCs) had personal side missions, not a large number though. Scattered throughout the game were hidden dungeons that contained uncommon equipment, along with the usual role-playing game (RPG) elements. Additionally, there were optional Espers to discover, and in this version of Final Fantasy 12, Espers served as the Summon equivalents.

5. Final Fantasy 9

PlayOnline Was Bogus

In the days before the Internet reached its zenith, avid role-playing game (RPG) enthusiasts usually purchased strategy guides, with BradyGames leading the pack. For example, in the case of ‘Final Fantasy 9’, they concealed a large portion of their content via PlayOnline, an additional service linked to the guidebook that made completing the game challenging due to its abundance of side quests. In the 2000s, players had to perform tasks like writing letters for Moogles, gathering coins for Stellazzio, catching frogs, participating in the Treno Auction, and so forth. There was also an intriguing card game: Tetra Master. The Chocobo Hot and Cold quest, however, stood out as it involved a mini-game where players sought Chocographs, leading to various locations in the world. This was the optimal method for obtaining rare gear, and the Chocobo would evolve, acquiring new abilities such as crossing oceans.

4. Final Fantasy 10

Becoming A Blitzball Lord

In comparison to its predecessor, Final Fantasy X takes a small leap forward despite no longer featuring a global map for exploration. The process of obtaining the ultimate weapons is more intricate than usual, requiring players not only to find these weapons but also their respective Crests and Sigils. Certain side quests related to this were particularly challenging, such as evading lightning strikes. Yuna, the game’s Summoner, could acquire additional Aeons for battle, similar to Yojimbo. The game includes a Pokemon-esque side mission where players catch low-rank monsters, which in turn unlock harder boss battles at the Monster Arena. The most significant side quest within Final Fantasy X, however, is Blitzball, an extensive sporting event that takes place within the game’s universe.

3. Final Fantasy 15

The Franchise’s First Modern Open-World

In the main series of Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy 15 was the first title to embrace a fully open-world setting. This open-world environment featured numerous side quests assigned by non-player characters (NPCs), most of which involved collecting items or defeating monsters – standard elements for such games. However, there were also larger hunts available. One particularly outrageous side boss fight required players to vanquish Adamantoise, a colossal turtle that even Godzilla might find challenging. The protagonist, Noctis, could unwind with some fishing as well, since the game’s largest mini-game was significant enough to warrant its own VR spinoff titled Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy 15.

2. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

The Biggest Remake Yet

In the original Final Fantasy 7, there were numerous side missions and mini-games. However, the second remake project, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, takes it to a new level, similar to Final Fantasy 15. This game features a variety of fetch-style side quests given by non-player characters in an expansive open world. Additionally, like Chadley, the android character, players were tasked with collecting a significant amount of items such as Summon data.

Gold Saucer and Costa del Sol were bustling with various mini-games ranging from shooting galleries to motorcycle races. The most notable among these mini-games was Queen’s Blood, a card game steeped in a mysterious past. Additionally, the Gilgamesh side quest unfolded into an epic tale as it progressed.

1. Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn

Hard To Argue With An MMO

In essence, it’s not quite fair to include an MMO like Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn in this discussion because its core appeal lies in its vast array of endless side missions. Compared to its predecessor, Final Fantasy 11, Final Fantasy 14 has significantly more content due to numerous expansions released since it was relaunched. This game is not for the casual player, but if you’re looking for an immersive MMO experience, Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn offers a wealth of activities such as unlocking Jobs, fetch quests, mini-games, and more, making it an ideal choice to explore.

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2025-04-04 11:36