Most Unusual Final Fantasy Games

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Key Takeaways

  • Final Fantasy games surprise fans with unique entries and spin-offs, showcasing the series’ versatility.
  • Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is a rhythm game celebrating the series’ music with cutesy characters and RPG elements.
  • Final Fantasy 16 shocked gamers by abandoning turn-based combat for fast-paced action reminiscent of Devil May Cry.

As a long-time fan of the Final Fantasy series, I must say that Square Enix never fails to surprise me with their innovative and unusual takes on the beloved franchise. From Dirge of Cerberus’ third-person shooter gameplay to Stranger of Paradise’s mature prequel spin-off, these games have always pushed the boundaries of what we expect from a Final Fantasy title.

Final Fantasy games span a wide spectrum, encompassing classic role-playing game elements to radical revisions of the format. Even after numerous years, fans remain uncertain about what surprises lie ahead, whether in the main series installments or spin-offs.>

It might have seemed unimaginable to many gamers that these games below would ever exist, but Square Enix surprised everyone by creating these unique spin-offs of Final Fantasy. To their credit, most of these games were well-received and demonstrate the extraordinary nature of Final Fantasy when it dares to be peculiar.

6 Theatrhythm Final Bar Line

A Rhythm Game Celebrating The Series’ Music

This is the newest installment in a rhythm game spin-off collection, highlighting and honoring the unforgettable music from the Final Fantasy series. While it isn’t surprising to showcase such series’ music, given regular concert tours featuring their iconic soundtracks, what stands out is the blend of RPG elements and unique visuals in this game.

Besides the music, the game also features adorable renditions of famous characters from Final Fantasy, including heroes, villains, and monsters. The base game offers 385 tracks to listen to, and additional songs have been included in downloadable content. With so many songs and challenging difficulty settings, Final Bar Line promises numerous hours of gameplay.

5 Final Fantasy 11

An MMORPG That Revolutionized The Genre

In the transition from Final Fantasy 7 to Final Fantasy 10, these 3D adventures continued expanding in scale. Given this growth trend, it seemed likely that the eleventh numbered game would be the largest single-player Japanese Role Playing Game (JRPG) and boast the most impressive graphics of its time. However, Square Enix opted to venture into the realm of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs). This title pioneered crossplay compatibility between PS2 and PC, marking a significant milestone as one of the first widely successful MMORPGs originating from Japan.

It wasn’t possible for everyone to access online play on the PS2, which means some fans might have missed out on playing Final Fantasy 11 at its peak. However, the game’s historical significance is indisputable. Square attempted to recreate the game’s immense popularity with Final Fantasy 14, but it initially struggled before undergoing a major overhaul, transforming it into one of the most acclaimed and user-friendly MMORPGs in recent years.

4 Dissidia Final Fantasy

A Fighting Game With A Twist

The PSP was perfect for JRPG journeys, as its portable nature made grinding less tedious during daily commutes to work or lunch breaks. In addition to classic adventures within Final Fantasy on Sony’s handheld device, it also featured an uncommon fighting game called Dissidia. This wouldn’t be remarkable if it were a typical fighting game like Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat, but Dissidia stands out because players can move around in a 3D environment and engage in an unusual combat system that incorporates some aspects from the series’ turn-based foundations.

In this game, players must manage both their Battle Readiness Value (BRV) and Health Points (HP), plan their attacks carefully to avoid depleting all BRV at once, and use it tactically for an advantage in combat while momentarily exposing themselves to danger. It’s a unique mechanic for a Final Fantasy game, but it adds an exciting element of strategy, making the experience enjoyable.

3 Dirge Of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7

A Third-Person Shooter Starring Vincent Valentine

Final Fantasy 7 is known for its unique qualities, and fans anticipate such eccentricities from its universe and characters. However, Dirge of Cerberus deviates significantly by shedding role-playing game (RPG) aspects to focus on being a more conventional third-person shooter.

The concept isn’t poorly thought out, yet the gameplay could use improvement. Despite this, it was incredibly exciting to explore and engage in the world of Final Fantasy 7 with such high-quality graphics. In conjunction with Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children, it marked a significant moment as these characters were given voices and personalities for the first time on screen.

2 Final Fantasy 16

A Numbered Title That Does Away With Turn-Based Combat

The evolution of Final Fantasy 15 dates as far back as the anticipation leading up to the PS3’s release. A decade filled with trailers and excitement built up high expectations that were difficult to meet. Conversely, Final Fantasy 16 had a more streamlined unveiling and launch process, but it took some gamers by surprise in other aspects.

Primarily, the game did away with all its turn-based mechanics, favoring instead the swift action that’s characteristic of games like Devil May Cry. While it retains a Final Fantasy feel visually, the gameplay is speedy and relies more on quick reflexes rather than strategic planning and move preparation.

1 Stranger Of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin

An Action Game Taking Place Before The Original Final Fantasy

Stranger of Paradise stands out as one of the most unconventional games in the Final Fantasy series. Beyond its unusual premise, the gameplay is engaging and even more enjoyable when played cooperatively with friends. However, it also offers a lot of peculiarities and surprises. The game serves as a prequel to the original Final Fantasy, focusing on Chaos, the main villain from that game.

In addition to various songs by artists like Frank Sinatra and Limp Bizkit, the game incorporates them throughout its play. The game aims to surpass previous “Final Fantasy” series in maturity, yet it seems to equate maturity with an increase in profanity and violence. Consequently, it comes off as immature rather than serious.

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2024-10-12 08:38