Highlights
- Final Fantasy 2 may not be the best in the series, but it laid the foundation for future games and introduced iconic elements like the Chocobo.
- The original Final Fantasy is a classic, but it lacks the depth and evolution seen in later games. Remakes have improved it, but it still feels dated.
- Final Fantasy 13 is a polarizing entry, with a satisfying battle system but linear level design and flat characters. It's a modern title that did some things well, but also fell short in some areas.
Among fans of JRPGs, there is no developer greater than Squaresoft (later Square Enix). Their success story is legendary and an inspiration to many. The company developed many underselling titles before eventually creating the right mix of ingredients that resulted in the game that pulled them out of bankruptcy, Final Fantasy. Of the entire franchise, the most amount of love and care is spent in developing the main series of games. They are the culmination of the blood sweat and tears of some of the greatest minds the company has pulled together.
Although all of them are worthy of praise and respect, this list will rank them based on which ones deserve your praise the most as well as provide a bit of insight into each game. A special mention to the MMOs of Final Fantasy that will not be ranked: Final Fantasy 11 (a historic MMO from the golden age of MMOs that contributed to much of 14's initial design) and Final Fantasy 14 (a great testament to the entire series in MMO form that unites Final Fantasy under one banner).
Updated by Peter Hunt Szpytek on September 1, 2023: This list was updated to include a video (featured below.)
14 Final Fantasy 2
Final Fantasy 2 is not necessarily the "worst" game in the series, but in terms of its legacy and influence compared to the rest of the mainline games it simply just doesn't stack up. Its story is definitely the weakest as it is basically the first entry where well-defined characters were present. And as first attempts usually go, it wasn't exactly the cream of the crop.
It is, however, important to note that without 2 there wouldn't be a 3, 4, 5, and so on. Without lows, there can be no highs. Even more important to note is the fact that this game was the birthplace of the iconic Chocobo (among other elements). Even if it is last, this fact alone elevates it leaps and bounds above other, Chocobo-less video games.
13 Final Fantasy
Alongside Final Fantasy 2, comes the original Final Fantasy. Being the progenitor entry in the series, it is the very foundation that the entire series is built upon. The core gameplay elements, many of the original, more basic monsters, the classes, and essentially the overarching theme that each Final Fantasy game builds around were conceptualized with this title.
However, what places it low on the list is the exact same fact. All of these ideas were rudimentary and had yet to grow and evolve into everything we know and love about the series today. There have been remakes and reimaginings of the inventive gem of a game, but as it stands, the original remains to be just as antiquated of an experience as you would expect.
12 Final Fantasy 13
Potentially a very controversial entry, Final Fantasy 13 is placed just above two of the founding fathers for essentially the exact opposite reason. It is a modern title that did many things... interestingly. For as many things that it does well, it does just as many not as well.
While not universally loved, the battle system was probably one of the more satisfying elements of the game. In terms of level design, it is very widely referred to as a "hallway" or "hallway simulator" as it is notoriously linear to a fault. On a more subjective note, the characters are somewhat flat in terms of identity and motivations.
11 Final Fantasy 15
Remember how Final Fantasy 13 was linear to a fault? Another polarizing entry, Final Fantasy 15 game came across as the exact opposite, being seen as an open world just for the sake of it. As such, It is colloquially seen as the game where "four friends go on a road trip."
To its credit, however, this can also be seen as the advantage it has over Final Fantasy 13 as the cast of characters is easily the game's strong suit. They aren't quite more memorable than many of the fan favorites from other games, but while playing they make the game just that much better as you watch said friends spend time together and learn about each other and their bond takes them through many trials and tribulations.
10 Final Fantasy 4
With Final Fantasy 4, the series really started its growth into a household name among fans of RPGs. The major point to look back on in this title is the depth of the story and its characters. While the gameplay is not astounding, this game cemented the series as one full of impactful ideas and moments.
While somewhat sappy, the grief felt by almost every character you meet makes you take them seriously (or perhaps not, depending on your view). Aside from the common dungeon crawling sections, the gameplay for the most part acts as a conduit to lead you to the next story point, whether it be a cinematic event or a challenge that blocks your path. While not quite there yet, this is where the formula began to be perfected and set the series up to begin exceeding expectations.
9 Final Fantasy 3
Final Fantasy 3's legacy is similar to the other titles in the first four. The first entry laid the groundwork for the rest of the games and the second was an experiment on how to build upon it. While the fourth game was a study on how the story of a Final Fantasy should be, Final Fantasy 3 was a study of how the gameplay should be. The jobs, the classes, the abilities, it's all here. What this game lacks in its light story it makes up for being the one that started probably the most fun aspect of the series which is gameplay variety.
How does it stand on its own, however? Decently. The original sold well in Japan, a telling sign that they were on the right track. The DS remake for the game, however, updated the classic in essentially every way while still preserving that unforgiving NES/SNES difficulty that makes revisiting these old games a definite treat.
8 Final Fantasy 12
While every entry is ranked, it is at this point in the list that each entry will become a clear-cut matter of "Which one of these great games is greater" as it would be easy to envision any of these titles claiming the number one spot for someone different. Firstly, however, we have Final Fantasy 12, the decidedly most underrated of this half.
The story is complex, the characters are complex, and the gameplay? While it is pretty simple in terms of depth, what really shines is how much is packed into this title. The amount of time you can spend doing side content in this game is pretty staggering. With all the types of quests and items to find, the game exemplifies the classic RPG spirit of getting carried away with things other than the main quest perfectly.
7 Final Fantasy 8
Final Fantasy 8 is a tricky beast to describe, which is one of the things that makes it great. For better or worse, this is one of the more creatively inspired games with many deviations from the usual Final Fantasy-esque elements. The draw system, the junction system, and the way summons work, all are elements unique to this game
Gameplay wasn't the only thing that differed either as a good chunk of the game is spent both watching and controlling an entirely different party of characters with different abilities and character dynamics. It makes the story somewhat confusing to follow at times, but in the end, it all comes together. Is it good? Yes, very much so. How good exactly, is different for many.
6 Final Fantasy 9
The final game released on the original PlayStation, Final Fantasy 9 was released at an odd time in the year 2000. Most notably, it was released after the PS2 came out, making it technically the last generation from the get-go.
However, this doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things as the game itself remains beloved by those who played it. It was a return to form after Final Fantasy 8 that was very much appreciated. It doesn't rank high due to its legacy, but for its ability to hit every note right. It has the combat people loved from Final Fantasy 7, the quality of cinematics from 8, the fantasy influences from the earlier titles, and a whole host of deep characters with intriguing stories to tell.
5 Final Fantasy 5
Final Fantasy 5 is essentially the culmination of everything that Squaresoft learned from the previous four games. They combined the storytelling methods from Final Fantasy IV, although with a much more humorous approach this time, with the successful gameplay additions from 3, and boom. A perfect storm of Final Fantasy elements that remains one of the most replayable entries to date.
The story boiled down is relatively straightforward, four, characters embark on a strange journey guided by the crystals to defeat the evil warlock Exdeath. The magic comes in the shenanigans that ensue along the way. Better yet, is how well the job system has been refined since its implementation, giving you limitless variety for play.
4 Final Fantasy 16
Final Fantasy 16 is the most action-centric Final Fantasy of the lot; it also takes a lot of inspiration from Western Medieval times. This makes it not as visually captivating as some of the more surreal worlds from past Final Fantasy games, but it delivers one heck of an experience that makes it worthy to bear the title of its forebears.
The game strides to keep an atmosphere of epic proportions and has the perfect soundtrack to help it meet its goal. It has the most impressive visual graphics and particle effects thanks to the latest gaming technology backing it up.
3 Final Fantasy 10
In terms of storytelling, Final Fantasy 10 has probably the best outward appeal of any Final Fantasy game on paper. While the world of Spira is still one of fantasy and technology, the cast of main characters is so down-to-earth and relatable in the real world that it is impossible for most people not to get sucked in.
Even though the elements of both gameplay and narrative are not all perfect in their execution, it all works out to be a net positive. If it has any advantage over the other top three games it would be its commitment to providing the player with numerous hours of enjoyment, whether it's through the fun mini-games, the atmosphere of the cinematics, or the uniqueness of its soundtrack.
2 Final Fantasy 6
Most people would consider Final Fantasy 6 to be the Final Fantasy magnum opus and for good reason. Whenever the question, "Can video games be art?" is asked, this is usually one of the examples people would bring up. If you would consider Final Fantasy V as a triumph in gameplay then VI would be the series' triumph in storytelling. It's that good.
With deep characters with complex motivations as well as stellar art and music direction, most flaws can be forgiven as the positives more than makeup for them. The gameplay doesn't lag behind either as it is the last mainline game on the NES and SNES before the company's foray into the modern generation of game consoles, the developers were at their peak and delivered the best experience possible for games of that time period.
1 Final Fantasy 7
The lasting impact that Final Fantasy 7 had on the series is immeasurable. The original game has the most number of sales, it has the most number of sequels, prequels, side games, as well as even a movie, and it has brought in the most number of players into the Final Fantasy series as a whole. You could debate that it might not be the "best" Final Fantasy game, but it came at the perfect time and at the perfect point in the series to become Squaresoft's lucky number seven.
It is a rollercoaster of emotions told over three discs on the PlayStation 1 and features some of the most iconic scenes, characters, and monsters from the overarching franchise. It has aged quite well and plays just as well today as it did back then. It stands as the active time battle's purest form and the materia system provides an enjoyable amount of customization for the characters.