Initially, Final Fantasy may not have been intended to pioneer video game innovation, but it undeniably progressed towards achieving that aim. This transformation seems to have begun with Final Fantasy 7, which was its debut on the PlayStation 1. The visuals of this game left everyone in awe, and ever since then, Square Enix has strived to create an impressive spectacle with subsequent installments.
In my opinion, while captivating graphics are undeniably impressive, they don’t always endure without a solid artistic approach. For instance, “The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker” maintains its charm on the GameCube far better than “The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess,” largely due to its cel-shading art style. Let’s explore the “Final Fantasy” series and highlight those that continue to captivate us thanks to their unique artistic designs, ranking them by style for a fresh perspective.
7. Platinum Demo: Final Fantasy 15
Shrinking Things Down For The Prequel
- Developer: Square Enix
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Released: March 30, 2016
- Platforms: PS4, Xbox One
The title “Platinum Demo: Final Fantasy 15” refers to a standalone prequel demo, offered for free prior to the main game’s release. In this prequel, you play as a young Noctis, accompanied by Carbuncle, an old friend who summons. Through dreams, Noctis navigates a fantastical version of his home, showcasing graphics comparable to the full game, yet with more flexibility in the environment design. The experience is reminiscent of the Alice in Wonderland stage from the first “Kingdom Hearts” game, considering Noctis’s moveset in this prequel resembles Sora’s. Although it’s creative and engaging, it’s unfortunate that a full spinoff wasn’t developed after this demo, given other spinoffs based on “Final Fantasy 15” were produced instead.
6. Final Fantasy 10
An Island Paradise
Final Fantasy X, for the PlayStation 2, stood out from other games in the series at the time due to its unique visuals and aesthetic, which have yet to be surpassed by any subsequent game. The world of Spira is primarily composed of water and islands, creating a tropical ambiance across its distinct nations.
This game is especially enjoyable during summer due to its tropical ambiance and water-focused gameplay, including the mini-game Blitzball. Although it might appear a bit outdated visually, even with the remastered version, Final Fantasy X continues to impress thanks to the unique art design of Spira.
5. Final Fantasy 4 (DS Remake)
Giving A Solid Entry A Facelift
On the DS, there were two significant re-imaginings for Final Fantasy, encompassing the third installment and Final Fantasy 4. Among these, Final Fantasy 4 stands out as the superior game due to its more fully realized world. This is the game from the SNES that pioneered storytelling with numerous main characters representing different countries and organizations in conflict. In this remake, characters are slightly caricatured, including villains, giving them a chibi-style appearance. Though it may not be the most realistic remake in terms of visuals, it is certainly the cutest, which makes it more impactful within the series’ grand narrative.
4. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Pixel Art At Its Finest
Among the visually appealing pixel art games in the Final Fantasy series, particularly those from the SNES era, a notable mention goes to Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. The Game Boy Advance’s graphics system, capable of enhancing colors, contributes to the impressive visuals in this game, making the sprites appear vibrant and detailed. It stands out as the most accurate portrayal of the Ivalice era due to its abundant races and characters. Given that the story takes place within a book in a child’s world, it is not surprising that Final Fantasy Tactics Advance exhibits a more imaginative art style, thus categorizing it as an isekai story.
3. World Of Final Fantasy
A Chibi-Tastic Adventure
World of Final Fantasy is a tribute to the franchise, featuring an adorable anime-inspired Chibi style in its design. Characters Lann and Reynn find themselves transported into a world that merges various Final Fantasy installments available at the time. Their mission involves assisting characters from different realms to overcome challenges, such as Cloud from Final Fantasy 7. The gameplay mirrors that of Pokemon, allowing players to gather monsters and employ them in combat by positioning them on their heads. Despite its quirky nature, the game offers a delightful experience for fans who are prepared for an amusing and light-hearted journey filled with unexpected twists.
2. Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales
An Odd, But Gorgeous Spinoff
Many people might not recall or have ever come across it, but Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales was a spinoff game released on the DS. It’s essentially a compilation of mini-games set within a central hub world, with the story loosely revolving around a Chocobo’s efforts to restore its home.
In comparison to other DS games of the time, the central part of this HUB is quite similar, but it’s the mini-games that make Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales stand out. The art styles change, but due to a storybook feel, many mini-games resemble being sketched with crayons. It’s unfortunate that more Final Fantasy games don’t have this artistic style throughout.
The main area of the HUB is roughly equal to other DS games from the same period, but it’s the mini-games that really make Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales stand out. The art styles differ, but because everything has a storybook quality, many mini-games appear as if they were drawn with crayons. It’s too bad more Final Fantasy games don’t incorporate this artistic style consistently.
1. Final Fantasy: The Four Heroes Of Light
Putting The Abstract To Digital Paper
In an attempt to return the Final Fantasy series to its classic roots, Final Fantasy: The Four Heroes of Light was the first step taken. Although it didn’t capture the zeitgeist as intended, it paved the way for the creation of Bravely Default under the Square Enix brand. Despite their visual appeal, these games lack the abstract and simplistic imagery found in Final Fantasy: The Four Heroes of Light. Exploring dungeons or towns often gives the feeling of moving through a spherical world. Nothing seems quite right, as if the entire universe was handcrafted using simple materials by an individual. Like other games in the series, it maintains a sense of childlike wonder, which is surprising given its challenging difficulty level and unsuitability for young players. This juxtaposition adds to the game’s captivating allure.>
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2025-01-23 10:35