Dissidia: Final Fantasy NT is only a few weeks away from making his debut in the PS4 home console, and we’re quite excited. I mean, what is more, satisfying than taking your favorite main Final Fantasy character of the series, and tag-teaming against others? Though the game is not the first entry of this cross series (Dissidia: Final Fantasy first came out on the PSP in 2008), it will undoubtedly serve as a first-time experience for many FF fans.
To celebrate the upcoming release, we’ve decided to do a countdown of the main Final Fantasy titles, ranked from worst to best. After all, its the perfect season to dust off your old consoles and enjoy these classics. While the series may not be as popular as the Super Mario series, many brand-name companies - such as Louis Vuitton, Audi, and Prada- have acknowledged its existence and have collaborated with the series, to reach a bigger audience. Just like a novel, Final Fantasy brought fans to a universe where they would get to know the heroes, laugh and cry with them. Please, be aware that “best” doesn’t always rhyme with “popular”(I’m talking to you FFVII fanboys), as we will mostly look at the pros, cons, and innovations of the different entries of the series. As always, feel free to share the article and let us know what you think about the list, in the comment section. Just don’t send me any personal hate mails, please!
15 Final Fantasy XIII
Final Fantasy XIII was supposed to be the promising entry that defined the JRPG of the eight generation era. However, the game was a major disaster when It released in 2009.
Don’t get me wrong, the game’s graphics are a masterpiece, the combat system is very engaging, and the orchestral score is emotionally compelling. It’s just that the game goes against everything the Final Fantasy series stood for. Instead, the game follows a linear path which forces the player to commit itself to the story; the plot itself is unintriguing and confusing; the characters are merely forgettable, and the upgrading system (Chrystarium system) is just frustrating. I mean, why would I have to wait for nearly mid-game to unlock all of the different jobs, from the Paradigm Shift, and pay a fortune of Crystogen Points (FFXII’s incantation of experience points), just to unlock a small upgrade or skill? Come on! Also, the fact that the AI controls your other characters is a bit frustrating as you cannot elaborate any attack plans with them. On top of it, the game didn’t feature any signature mini-games, aside from mounting and item-hunting with Chocobos. While strong sales justified the creation of two more sequels (Final Fantasy XIII-2 and Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII), XIII is definitely at the bottom of our list.
14 Final Fantasy XI
Final Fantasy XI was Square Enix first major attempt at breaking the online gaming market. Released for Windows PC, PS2 and PC, XI is still a played MMORPG, as Square Enix still have their online servers for the PC version (the company closed its console servers in 2016). The game itself is great looking for a sixth-generation title. Its’ strongest feature is that you’re able to have a sub-job alongside your main job - upon meeting certain requirements. The game also offers plenty of quests, which will keep the players busy.
FFXI’s a difficult MMORPG, in the sense that players will need to learn for themselves how to survive in the game - unless a skilled player mentors you. This issue brings another problem to the game: Its EXP system. In a nutshell, characters lose EXP if they die, in which they may also be down leveled should they perish too many times. This system may discourage new players as a simple mistake can be costly to them. Finally, the game doesn’t offer any unique content once you’ve reached LVL 20. In other words, you’re mostly left to complete quests and upgrade your character - which is boring.
While It is hard to rank an online game of an offline series, FFXI may either bring you nostalgia or will remain one of the FF titles you never played, and that’s okay.
13 Final Fantasy III
While Final Fantasy III has only seen an original release in Japan, in 1990, a remake of the game later came out in the Nintendo DS, on 2006. While the DS version was my first experience of the game, FF III is far from being my favorite game of the series. Now don’t get me wrong, I was born in the 8-bit era, so I know how to appreciate a game, despite not having top shot graphics; the game just doesn’t appeal to me. Just like the original Final Fantasy, FF III follows four orphans who must restore balance in the world. Its incredibly rich system allows you to choose from more than 26 classes. Players are also able to change their jobs during the game - the first game of the series to do so- at the cost of a temporary stats penalty in the DS version.
III’s biggest letdown is its’ hard difficulty. For some, it may be a blessing, but for any RPG newcomers, this may not be the best title to start the series. Also, FF III’s story didn’t impress me as it is too basic and predictable. Yes, I’ve played the DS version, but my opinion remains the same. While FF III may not be the alpha game of the series, It remains an interesting entry that mostly die-hard FF fan will enjoy.
12 Final Fantasy V
While Final Fantasy V came out in Japan, in 1992, the game only released six years later, in North America. While the game mostly retains the series’ core, V is often considered to be the first comical entry of the series. Players get to control Bartz and his allies, as they try to save the Crystals, to save the world. While its bright and warm graphics are something fans can remember, its Job system is its’ most robust feature. Not only do players get to level up their characters, but they also get to level up their Job levels with AP. Additionally, players can also equip a secondary job to characters, allowing to customize their party further.
While the gameplay remains a core element of FFV, its’ setting and presentation are perhaps the weakest points. First, the characters are simply boring. Unlike FFIV’s cast, FFV simply fails to keep me attached to the main party as they’re just not exciting. Even the main villain, Exdeath (who comes out of nowhere), doesn’t bring me much emotion. The story is also fundamentally weak and confusing, at times. While FF V is still an enjoyable entry, it is far from being the best.
11 Final Fantasy II
While the original Final Fantasy served as the blueprint of future entries, II introduced many vital elements of the series, such as having different playable characters; enriched story content; Chocobos; and the recurring Cid. The game’s soundtrack was also a real gem at the time (the battle theme is epic!), and it could even be considered as the first real dark-toned entry of the series, as death was a strong theme.
However, not all of its’ innovations were good. For starters, the password system is easily one of II’s biggest cons. Essentially, it forced players to learn passwords from NPCs to progress in the game. This system is frustrating, as you could get stuck easily in the game, upon failing to speak to the rightful NPC. The gameplay is also one of the most broken in the series. While it ditches the traditional use of EXP, it instead employs a broken leveling system in which the characters’ stats are determined by their offensive and defensive gimmicks. This system was very exploitable as players could merely attack themselves to level up in a short amount of time. The bosses were also true farces as most of them could easily be disposed of with status effects (or the Death magic). While FF II is not without its flaws, It is still a game that stands through time.
10 Final Fantasy I
The original Final Fantasy released in 1987, and it is still a classic game that can be enjoyed to play. Yes, the game is not perfect; it has a very average story and is very straightforward, but who cares? The game is responsible for being the prototype of the most recognizable video game RPG series of all-time. While its popularity was only second to Dragon Quest (called Dragon Warrior, initially) at the time, Final Fantasy still brought iconic features that will define its’ future entries.
FF1 set itself with the party system, as opposed to rival Dragon Quest in which players would only get to control a single hero. Furthermore, players get to see their heroes battling their enemies in FF1 with few attack animations, while Dragon Quest transported the player to the first-person view with literally no animation. However, FF1’s biggest feature is its job class; while players only have access to the primary job classes - such as Fighter, Black Mage, White Mage, Red Mage, Thief, and Black Belt, their jobs can be upgraded to a more powerful one, later in the game. In the end, FF1 may feel like an old game, but we need to give it credit for starting the FF dynasty.
9 Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
The original Final Fantasy XIV was such a mediocre MMORPG that Square Enix had to build another game from the ground up. Officially titled Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, the game wants us to forget about the original game so badly, that even its plot has been conditioned to eliminate any remains of XIV’s original story.
FF XIV: ARR is a significant upgrade to the original in every major point. While I’m not a big MMORPG player, FF XIV: ARR is the only MMO that I’ve paid a monthly subscription to play, and it was worth every penny spent.
8 Final Fantasy XII
FF XII is one of the most divisive games of the series. Either you loved that game to death, or you hated it with passion. Essentially, FF XII feels like an offline MMORPG, as players get to wander through the vast world of Ivalice by either advancing in the main quest or either completing hunt quests. The story also contains many elements from the classic FF series, such as nations at war, evil empire, and crystals that need to be retrieved. The gameplay feels like a mix of certain elements from FF X and FF XIII as you can issue commands to your characters (Gambit) and swap between party members in battle. Guest characters also join you throughout the game, but they’re solely AI controlled. The most remarkable feat is its impressive cities. FF XII makes you feel like you’re walking inside a full town, compared to previous entries where you have the impression of exploring a compressed city.
For the hate part, the License system is very frustrating, as it forces players to spend License Point to unlock the right to use specific pieces of equipment or skills. I find it a bit inconvenient not to be able to use a hard-fought armor just because I didn’t unlock Its license yet. FF XII characters aren’t much of a forte neither. Except for Balthier and Fran, the other characters fails to leave an impression and their presence may even annoy the players. FF XII music is also one of the least inspiring of the series. Save for the beautiful theme of Eruyt Village, the soundtrack feels more like a blockbuster movie than a Final Fantasy game. While FF XII is a good game and is pleasantly time-consuming, Its drastic change may only appeal to niche gamers.
7 Final Fantasy XV
Despite being in development hell for a decade, FF XV released to critical acclaim. The game’s open world remains its most active feature as it gives you the freedom to either proceed with the main story or to explore the map, in search of side-quests and mini-games. While fans loved the camaraderie between the main cast, the strength of the game truly reside in the gameplay, as It is now played as a real-time action-RPG (called Active Cross Battle). With this change, FF XV’s combat system is the most engaging of the series, as battles don’t stall, even after having many enemy encounters. While XV’s music is mostly orchestral, It is brilliantly able to make the player aware of how important a specific event is. FF XV also winks at the series by allowing players to purchase BGMs of previous entries of the series.
FF XV is not a perfect game. One of its most significant flaws is that its magic system was simplified to only include Fire, Blizzard and Thunder spells. Though players can increase the spell potency and add buffs/debuffs, It’s a real letdown for Final Fantasy fans since the series is known for its signature spells. Also, the lack of job class is a significant problem, as It forces you to adopt a physically offensive job instead of having the player suits its’ desired fighting style. Despite that, FF XV serves as a credible introduction to the series for Generation I players.
6 Final Fantasy IX
To this day, Final Fantasy IX remains a heated debate subject, between my brother and I. The game was largely favored by both purist and new coming fans at the time. In a way, It brought back the classic elements of the series (medieval-era, traditional job class, story plot), while fully tapping onto the PlayStation power. While its’ two-part scheme and combat system is nothing out of the ordinary, the game mostly shines by its high-quality graphic and principal cast. Players get to be more easily attached to the characters as their lively dialogues, interactions and backstories help to develop their personality and growth.
Its most significant disappointment is the plot. Although It was heavily inspired by earlier entries, It doesn’t bring anything new to the series and may be considered too cliche, at times. Also, FF IX’s music is hardly one of Uematsu’s best work as he fails to keep us captivated. Unlike the One Winged Angel (FFVII) and Liberi Fatali (FF VIII) signature tracks, FF IX doesn’t have a single record that fans can associate with the game. Despite that, FF IX was Square’s grand finale to the PS, as it successfully bridged veterans and new fans together.
5 Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy IV is probably the game that will leave you the most emotional of the series. Its tragic story is perhaps one of the best written in the Final Fantasy series. FF IV fans will remember Tellah’s death scene as one of the most poignant moments in the game. From Cecil’s transformation as a Paladin to Kain’s path to redemption, every character has their own story that will captivate players.
FFIV gameplay sets itself differently. It is the first FF to include a party of five people in combat. However, its most significant contribution to the series will remain the Active Time Battle (ATB) system. FFIV score also remains a high tier in the series. While every fan got his particular track, “The Red Wings” track is the song that perfectly introduces the setting of the game. While fans criticized the SNES English translation, later remade versions of the game have adjusted it. Final Fantasy IV popularity is such that it spawned a sequel, called Final Fantasy IV: The After Years, nearly 20 years after IV’s release.
4 Final Fantasy X
If Final Fantasy VII can be considered the Michael Jackson of the series, FFX can easily be the Backstreet Boys. In 16 years, since its first PS2 release, FFX spawned a direct sequel (FFX-2), an HD remake of Sony’s succeeding platform (PS3 & PS4) and sold more than 11 millions of copies. Its’ success is well justified, due to the fact that FFX was a revolutionary game in many ways.
In terms of the presentation, FFX graphics is seriously an update. It is also the first Final Fantasy that included voice acting. This element brings much more liveliness to the characters instead of relying on their dialogue and movement to understand them. While the main cast seduced the players, Tidus & Yuna personal journeys are the real spotlights, as they both experience internal conflict - which is relevant to their growth. The gameplay also heavily diverts from the traditional Active Time Battle (ATB) system and instead opts for the Conditional Turn-Based System (CTB) and allows every member of the party to join the battle, instead of continually editing your party. The mini-games remain amongst the most interesting of the series where you can play blitzball, learn the Al Bhed language, monster hunting and many more. Lastly, FFX music got legendary pieces, most notably Suteki Da Ne, a Japanese ballad that fits perfectly with Yuna & Tidus intimate moment.
3 Final Fantasy VII
At this point, Final Fantasy VII doesn’t need any introduction as It is one of the greatest video game ever made. Everything about this game is so darn good. Its setting follows the path of his predecessor, as It is set in a more advanced technology world. Its characters are amongst the most popular in the video game universe (Cloud, Sephiroth, etc.). Its music may be considered as one of the best video game soundtracks ever created, with iconic tracks such as One Winged Angel, and Aerith theme (her death is easily the most tragic one, in video game history). Even the gameplay is revolutionary while keeping the series’ old entries concept. Also, the inclusion of Materias and the possibility of creating devastating combination is beyond equal. FF VII also allows you to relax from the main quest and to do mini-games, in which they are majorly located in the Gold Saucer, an amusement-themed park.
I know, you must be wondering why would “the greatest Final Fantasy ever made” would not top the ranking list. While the game’s success also partly benefited from being the first Final Fantasy to be made in 3D, players need to remember that many previous FF games helped to shape the game. Its characters versatility has been inspired by the job selections of some early FF games, and its Limit Break system and settings are based on Final Fantasy VI. While Final Fantasy remains the flagship title of the series, we can still not forget about the contribution of its older brothers. Random fact, did you know that FFVII could’ve been rated M, due to its explicit language, back in the PlayStation? You’re welcome.
2 Final Fantasy VI
Final Fantasy scholars mostly consider Final Fantasy VI as the best Final Fantasy of its entry. While we all have our favorite FF, FF VI is a masterpiece that left its influence in the RPG universe. While the plot remains average, the characters (14 playable characters) are among the best created of the series. Though Terra is considered the main character of the game, every other party character seems as much important as her. In fact, one of the game’s highlight is when the player can choose between three characters’ scenarios (Terra, Locke, and Sabin). The character selection was a rarity at the time, as many video game RPG were forced to keep the canonical linearity. FF VI was also applauded for tackling head-on some real-life issues, such as depression and people ending its own life. It is also the first game that incorporated mini-games, in the story’s progression. Its strategic, tactical mini-game even inspired the FF VI Fort Condor tower defense game.
Concerning its gameplay, FF VI is also responsible for many innovations. One of Its most significant contributions is the Desperation Attack. Typically, a character can perform a special attack if his HP is low. It has since been translated into future FF games; such as Limit Breaks (FF VII & FF VIII); Trance (FF IX); and Overdrive (FFX). On a personal level, Sabin’s Blitzes remains one of its unique features, as the skills must be executed with commands that will remind gamers of Street Fighter II. This feature would later reappear in FF VII, in Zell’s Limit Break, Duel. Overall, FF VI keeps the player captivated by surprising players with unexpected elements. To that end, its legacy can’t be ignored in the Final Fantasy universe. Now if you’ll excuse me, but I got an opera to attend!
1 Final Fantasy VIII
How can one of the most underappreciated entries of the series manage to land at the top of our list? Quite simple: Final Fantasy VIII is the most innovative Final Fantasy ever made. It dared to bring the series out of its comfort zone. Just like FF VII, VIII’s diverts from the traditional medieval/science fiction settings and goes with the most realistically modern environment of the series, at the time. The story is also an enduring tale of well-driven action and love mixed with the most impressive FMV cutscenes ever done in a PlayStation game (just look at the game’s intro). FF VIII’s soundtrack is easily one of the best of the series; its main theme Liberi Fatali was even used by the American synchronized swimming duo team, for their 2004 Olympics’ performance.
While the Junction system has been severely criticized for its complexity, real FF fans will know that t is the most developed system of the series as it allows players to shape their character as they see fit accurately. Its’ other innovations include replacing the Magic Point (MP) system, with a numeric amount of magic that player may draw from enemies; having enemies stats adjusted to your level; and including the famous Triple Triad card game - which garnered a large fanbase. In the end, FFVIII might have been the black sheep of the series, but its different approach is the reason why we rank it as the best of the series. Oh, and before social media were even popular, Selphie was writing posts on The School Festival Committee profile page of the Balamb Garden Network. Just saying.
