Final Fantasy Square Enix has been around since 1987 and introduced the JRPG genre for the first time. Here are the best Final Fantasy games that you can play.
Final Fantasy itself is a gaming giant that is considered the original classic JRPG series, as well as the Square Enix franchise that is best known.
With a myriad of remakes and ports over the years, it’s hard to decide which version is considered definitive for all games. For those of you who are confused, which series of games to play, we provide recommendations based on the Metacritic rating.
Best Final Fantasy Games
1. Final Fantasy IX (PlayStation Version)
Series creator Hironobu Sakaguchi has claimed Final Fantasy IX as his favorite entry. It was also the last Final Fantasy he’d ever worked on.
Many Final Fantasy fans consider Final Fantasy IX to be the best Final Fantasy entry for the original PlayStation.
Set in a fantasy world called Gaia, FF IX has a war plot between several countries led by an ambitious queen.
Players will take on the role of a young thief named Zidane Tribal who joins a gang of thieves to overthrow the queen. The plot of the story will change when the main character realizes that Ratu is a puppet of Kuja.
With fun characters, a very colorful world, and an immersive battle system, there are many reasons why this game ranks so highly on Metacritic.
2. Final Fantasy VII (PlayStation Version)
Another best Final Fantasy game is Final Fantasy VII. This ultimate JRPG is a PlayStation 1 exclusive game that graphically revolutionized the Final Fantasy franchise.
While outdated, the 3D models were captivating for their time, and the compelling narrative of Final Fantasy VII was so enjoyable that it spawned numerous spinoffs and films.
It is the first Final Fantasy series to use CGI with fully rendered characters and pre-rendered backgrounds.
In the game, the player controls a former SOLDIER Cloud Strife who, along with a group called Avalanche, tries to stop Shinra and Sephiroth. Sephiroth himself is one of the most iconic villains in Final Fantasy.
3. Final Fantasy VI (Game Boy Advance Version)
Considered by fans to be Final Fantasy’s magnum opus, Final Fantasy VI is claimed to be the biggest Super Nintendo JRPG after Chrono Trigger.
Taking control of Terra Branford, he and twelve other party members attempt to stop the evil clown Kefka from destroying the world and becoming gods.
Final Fantasy VI stands out as one of the most complex Final Fantasy narratives in the entire franchise. In its time, the game’s visuals were among the best in terms of system and file size which was much smaller than anything else on the market.
In fact, when compared to today’s high-tech 3D adventure games, Final Fantasy VI is still very sophisticated. It features a lot of playable characters, a customizable battle system, and a huge list of sidequests.
The FF6 storyline that gives players various options to start with, and what storylines they want to enjoy. Last 2022, FF VII Remake was also available on PC.
4. Final Fantasy XII (PlayStation Version 2)
Another unique game in the Final Fantasy franchise is Final Fantasy XII. The game is set years before the events of Final Fantasy Tactics.
Players will take control of the young thief Vaan, who acts as the protagonist as the events of the plot unfold.
Final Fantasy XII is known for its unique battle system which is heavily based on the MMORPG style.
It’s arguably the perfect version of Final Fantasy XI’s system and uses the controversial gambit system to create battles with a fluid storyline.
5. Final Fantasy X (PlayStation Version 2)
Final Fantasy X takes you to the world of Spira and it is the first Final Fantasy game to grace the PlayStation 2.
One of the most beloved entries in the entire franchise, gamers must take control of the young blitzball player Tidus as he tries to save the world from the destroyer Sin.
Meanwhile, Tidus must also unravel the mystery behind why he was sent far into the future. Despite being notorious for questionable voice acting, Final Fantasy X remains an important release in Final Fantasy history.
6. Final Fantasy XIV Online: Shadowbringers (PlayStation Version 4)
The second Final Fantasy MMORPG started out in total chaos. Fortunately, the original Final Fantasy XIV was redesigned as Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn.
After the initial fiasco of the series, Square Enix hit the reset button on the project and ended up creating what many consider to be one of the best MMOs currently on the market.
Players can experience different areas based on previous Final Fantasy worlds while playing some tasks which can be very complicated and addictive. Shadowbringers is the latest XIV expansion with Endwalker releasing in November 2022.
7. Final Fantasy VIII (PlayStation Version)
Another controversial Final Fantasy entry, Final Fantasy VIII is a very unique JRPG due to its divided narrative and an unprecedented battle system that features crossing stats and Guard Troops.
Final Fantasy VIII’s battle system hasn’t been revisited as of today, possibly due to its overpowering abilities that spoil gameplay.
However, it is one of the first very romantic Final Fantasy entries in its subtext. In the game, the player controls the character Squall Leonhart, a student at a mercenary school who must stop the evil wizard Ultimecia from controlling time.
The location of FF VIII is set in an unnamed fantasy world with one moon. The planet has five of the largest landmasses.
Yoshinori Kitase gives each region a varied foreign atmosphere using the familiar international setting style. His inspiration comes from Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greek architecture, the city of Paris, and the futuristic society of Europe.
8. Final Fantasy IV (iOS Version)
Another best Final Fantasy game is the iOS version of Final Fantasy IV which was also known as Final Fantasy II when it was originally released in the United States.
This series tells the story of Cecil Harvey, a Dark Knight who is disillusioned after committing genocide in a small village.
He seeks Golbez to stop him in his quest to destroy the world. Final Fantasy IV is a powerful redemption story that is truly loved by many players around the world. He is arguably the first Final Fantasy entry that has such a complex and interesting storyline.
9. Final Fantasy V (iOS Version)
Final Fantasy V is arguably one of the most underrated Final Fantasy games in the entire franchise. It’s a job/class system that existed before in Final Fantasy III and expands on it in a way that has never been done before in a game.
Players take control of Bartz Klauser and his party members as they try to stop the evil Exdeath from sending the world into the Void.
Metacritic tied this entry with Final Fantasy XV and Final Fantasy XI, both of which have an 85% rating.
10. Final Fantasy XV (PC Version)
The newest mainline entry in the series, Final Fantasy XV allows players to control Noctis. The next King Lucis, who travels with his friends across Eos to save the crystal and stop the Niflheim army.
Using a realtime battle system and a unique storyline, Final Fantasy XV is a very different entry that should be played by all fans, old and new.
It’s worth noting that Final Fantasy XV was one of the first mainline Final Fantasy games to include a DLC scenario.
11. Final Fantasy XI (PlayStation Version 2)
via PlayStation
The first entry to try the MMORPG genre, Final Fantasy XI paved the way for its future successor, Final Fantasy XIV.
Even though the PlayStation 2 version lacked an internal hard drive and wireless internet connectivity, the game still did well for its time.
Depending on the class/job system, player interaction, and the world’s economy, Final Fantasy XI combines the franchise’s traditional systems with unique MMORPG gameplay.
Gameplay in the PlayStation 2 version of Final Fantasy XI combines the epic story of the iconic Final Fantasy with a player-focused narrative.
12. Final Fantasy XIII (PlayStation Version 3)
Arguably one of the most controversial Final Fantasy entries in the entire franchise, Final Fantasy XIII is a game that has won praise from reviewers around the world.
There, gamers play as a solitary but powerful lightning swordsman. Gamers need to guide him and his friends against the Sanctum, the government in the Cocoon world.
Trying to save Lightning’s sister, the heroes’ quest allows them to build a strong bond while also learning their duty to avoid becoming a monster.
13. Final Fantasy I (Pixel Remaster Version)
The 1987 title is by far the simplest. Taking control of four nameless protagonists from different classes, fans are treated to a quest like no other.
Players can upgrade classes and buy new magic spells until a strange time loop plot is revealed at the end of the game. The Final Fantasy franchise wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the popularity of this first entry.
14. Final Fantasy III (Pixel Remaster Version)
The various Final Fantasy III ports from the last decade are unique among FF port remasters. Almost a complete overhaul compared to the original series, players now control four characters with completely different names from the original.
They try to restore the balance of their world against the Dark Clouds. This is the first Final Fantasy to focus on the class/job change system, which was a staple in later entries such as Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy V.
15. Final Fantasy II (Pixel Remaster Version)
The sequel to the original Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy II is also the first game to set in a new world and include a complex story.
Playing as young Firion along with his three friends, they battle against the tyrannical kingdom of Palamecia after their family is killed in an invasion.
Final Fantasy II improves on what came before it while adding new quality of life changes that impacted the series afterward. That includes series staples like chocobos.
Closing
Well, that’s the best Final Fantasy game in Metacritic’s version. Final Fantasy has been a beloved video game franchise since 1987.
To this day, many video game fans are at least familiar with Final Fantasy. Many also have played it and even watched one of the films. Which version do you think is the best?
