Almost everyone has a favourite Final Fantasy. Even if they only like one game in the series, it’s likely that they will get right into at least one.
But one of the truly wonderful things about the series is that each game is entirely different to the others, and it’s entirely subjective what a person will and will not enjoy.
With that in mind, here’s my ranking of the Final Fantasy games, from top (favourite), to bottom (least favourite). After you read through it, I’d love to hear what your personal list is!
(Please note I’ve left the two Final Fantasy MMOs, XI and XIV, off the list, because I haven’t spent enough time with either).
Final Fantasy XII
Starting off controversially, my favourite game in the series is this one. I found the political plot interesting, and the characters had a lot of charisma (Vaan aside). I also enjoyed the MMO-lite style of gameplay, as it suited a fluid flow through the game – the lack of transitions in and out of battle helped create a more believable world. The side quest monster hunts were also very enjoyable, and the setting of Invalice itself was a vibrant one.
Final Fantasy VIII
Of the PlayStation Final Fantasy games, this is my favourite. Once again, I found the world to breathe in a way that neither Final Fantasy VII or IX could capture, and while it was melodramatic, I did enjoy the plot and characters. What let the game down slightly was the draw system, which I felt cumbersome, but the GF system, and the huge range of visually entertaining summons more than made up for that.
Final Fantasy VI
This was always going to be up there, wasn’t it? The plot is simple by the standards of later Final Fantasy games, but it did benefit from the genocidal Kefka. The way the plot shifted through a wide cast of characters, and was dominated by some truly amazing set-pieces (such as the opera scene), leaves VI as a magical game, even all these years later.
Final Fantasy X
To me, this game has the best combat system of all Final Fantasy games; using the turn-based system in a strategic and layered manner which was both able to build tension (the harder bosses), while keeping the lesser fights as less of a button mashing experience that ATB systems can sometimes be. It’s just a pity that most of the cast are so forgettable and the plot struggles with a hefty dose of Days of our Lives.
Final Fantasy XIII
The most polarising Final Fantasy game to date, but one I feel is unfairly maligned. For starters, the combat is dynamic and exciting, and although the game is very linear, that works to its benefit – in most JRPGs towns and other non-combat areas are little more than restroom breaks with an illusion of interactivity and non-linearity. XIII simply did away with that illusion.
The plot was wholly enjoyable too, though I suspect it didn’t resonate with western audiences as much – the metaphoric play on individual desires vs. social responsibility and commitment vs. obedience to the elders is no longer a tension in the individualistic western world, but it is still a topic being worked through in Japanese society.
Final Fantasy I
As primitive as this game is, it holds a special place in my heart, being the kick off point to a wonderful series that I’ve loved ever since. Modern takes on the game have updated the visuals and improved the fidelity of the music, but it’s still the same, plot-light grind-heavy experience it always was. Pure nostalgia.
Final Fantasy X-2
Another game that has been treated unfairly over time. Perhaps people went into it expecting an epic plot, but this light-hearted ‘expansion pack’ was never meant to provide that. Instead, it offers up a different take on the world of Spira, and bubbles merrily away through an altogether pleasant quest. The combat system – a forerunner to Final Fantasy XIII’s, is also dynamic and exciting to play with.
Final Fantasy V
Often times this is the forgotten Final Fantasy, with IV getting remakes and sequels, and VI getting plaudits as the “best Final Fantasy ever,” people often forget just how good V was. Thoroughly charming characters and one of the best examples of the job system to date see this one through. It deserves a proper remake now.
Final Fantasy II
The first Final Fantasy game with a plot. Yes, it’s a simple plot. Yes, the combat system is somewhat broken (though if you can restrain yourself from gaming the system you’re in for a good time), and yes it’s as grind heavy as the first game, but there’s some good variety here with characters that come and go from your party (is this the first case of a JRPG where a main character can actually ‘die’?).
Final Fantasy IX
This one didn’t resonate so well with me. The characters I found to be one-note, even by Final Fantasy standards, and the plot just a touch too contrived in setting up set-pieces. Still, it’s a big game with plenty to see and do, and plenty of hidden extras, so it’s hard to be too critical of the game.
Final Fantasy IV
Perhaps I’ve just played this game one too many times. Though the plot is still enjoyable enough, the game itself is just a touch too limited, with characters set on predetermined parts, with little room to customise, other than giving them better equipment. It’s also one of the more grind-heavy Final Fantasy games.
Final Fantasy III
The first time the western world saw this game was with a DS 3D remake, and while it was fun to experience a bit of history, it’s easy to see why this game took so long to come our way. Job classes are obscenely simple, the plot is linear as anything, and there’s nothing memorable about any of the characters or environments you visit.
Final Fantasy VII
It’s just a broken game in the modern world. The aesthetics are that bad that I get headaches playing this game, with ugly, clashing colours and polygons that barely represent people. While I don’t care if a game looks simple, I do care if it breaks rules of aesthetics, and it’s for that reason that I would love to see VII get a remake so I can give it a proper chance again.
So, that’s my list! What’s yours?
Always interesting to hear people's opinions when it comes to FF. I'll be honest, my version would almost be the opposite of yours: I'd put FFVII and IX at the top, with XII and VIII much closer to the bottom, haha. I haven't played a lot of the older titles, though, but when I get a chance to do so that might change my opinions of the rest.
So much of this comes down to taste, though… For me, VII and IX were two of the first FF's I played and I was much younger, so you might think that I wasn't as much of a critical-thinking gamer, but I've replayed both in the past year or so. For me they hold up against the test of time, and I still love them as much as I did when I first played them. In both cases, the stories really stand out for me, and I loved the darker mood of VII.
I quite liked X as well, but though I own X-2, I haven't gotten a chance to give that one much time. I'd like to get around to it soon, though, mainly because I'd like to see how it expands upon X's story. (and Paine is pretty badass!)
Always interesting to hear people's opinions when it comes to FF. I'll be honest, my version would almost be the opposite of yours: I'd put FFVII and IX at the top, with XII and VIII much closer to the bottom, haha. I haven't played a lot of the older titles, though, but when I get a chance to do so that might change my opinions of the rest.
So much of this comes down to taste, though… For me, VII and IX were two of the first FF's I played and I was much younger, so you might think that I wasn't as much of a critical-thinking gamer, but I've replayed both in the past year or so. For me they hold up against the test of time, and I still love them as much as I did when I first played them. In both cases, the stories really stand out for me, and I loved the darker mood of VII.
I quite liked X as well, but though I own X-2, I haven't gotten a chance to give that one much time. I'd like to get around to it soon, though, mainly because I'd like to see how it expands upon X's story. (and Paine is pretty badass!)
Good to hear from you, apricotsushi!
I expect I am right in the minority with my list – I don't see it for whatever reason, but the likes of XII and VIII don't have the same flaws to me that others see.
I honestly haven't found a single thing I don't like about XII, in particular. What didn't you enjoy about the game – I'd be interested to hear your perspective.
Good to hear from you, apricotsushi!
I expect I am right in the minority with my list – I don't see it for whatever reason, but the likes of XII and VIII don't have the same flaws to me that others see.
I honestly haven't found a single thing I don't like about XII, in particular. What didn't you enjoy about the game – I'd be interested to hear your perspective.
Always happy to chime in 🙂
Well, I think what turned me off more than anything with XII was the battle system… I don't play MMO's and I actually like turn-based battles well enough, so the gameplay really just wasn't my thing. I'd say I ended up putting in over 30 hours (if my memory serves me right), but in the end I just couldn't grow to like the style and had to put it down, though I would've liked to see it through to the end.
With VIII, I just didn't like the story, for the most part. I didn't find anything wrong with the battle system though drawing was a little "meh" and it freaks me out how much you can abuse it so early in the game, haha.
So it seems to me like if both the battle mechanics and the story aren't doing it for me, I'm likely to put it down… I guess I can't trudge through the game with only one or the other. It's a slippery slope!
Always happy to chime in 🙂
Well, I think what turned me off more than anything with XII was the battle system… I don't play MMO's and I actually like turn-based battles well enough, so the gameplay really just wasn't my thing. I'd say I ended up putting in over 30 hours (if my memory serves me right), but in the end I just couldn't grow to like the style and had to put it down, though I would've liked to see it through to the end.
With VIII, I just didn't like the story, for the most part. I didn't find anything wrong with the battle system though drawing was a little "meh" and it freaks me out how much you can abuse it so early in the game, haha.
So it seems to me like if both the battle mechanics and the story aren't doing it for me, I'm likely to put it down… I guess I can't trudge through the game with only one or the other. It's a slippery slope!
I'm by means an FF expert. I haven't played any of the older games (pre VI) and my time with the PS2 ones is limited. I do however have to disagree with you on VII. I find it still playable to this day. I'm actually still slowly creeping through it on my PSP and enjoying my time with it.
I'm by means an FF expert. I haven't played any of the older games (pre VI) and my time with the PS2 ones is limited. I do however have to disagree with you on VII. I find it still playable to this day. I'm actually still slowly creeping through it on my PSP and enjoying my time with it.
Last time I tried to play it, it was on a big TV, perhaps it would be better on PSP' smaller screen.
I shall have to test this theory out!
Last time I tried to play it, it was on a big TV, perhaps it would be better on PSP' smaller screen.
I shall have to test this theory out!
I've played most, but not all of these. Obviously the first has a special place for me as it was the first in the series I played, and VI changed my perception on what rpg games were, but 10, 7 and 12 are probably my 3 favorites in that order. Something about 10 really stuck with me – as soon s I beat it, I played through it again.
I've played most, but not all of these. Obviously the first has a special place for me as it was the first in the series I played, and VI changed my perception on what rpg games were, but 10, 7 and 12 are probably my 3 favorites in that order. Something about 10 really stuck with me – as soon s I beat it, I played through it again.
lol, you're "one of those" eh? I'm referring to those people who call FFVII the lowest… sigh. I do understand that the game isn't perfect and that everyone has thier favorties… but FFX-2 over FFVII? That just throws out your entire credibility scale for the entire post.
lol, you're "one of those" eh? I'm referring to those people who call FFVII the lowest… sigh. I do understand that the game isn't perfect and that everyone has thier favorties… but FFX-2 over FFVII? That just throws out your entire credibility scale for the entire post.
^Except he doesn't like the game because it's exceedingly ugly to the point where it brings down its playability, which is a legitimate complaint. I know several people who hate it for that same reason. FFX-2, on the other hand, doesn't suffer from any sort of playability issues. I don't see how he's lost any sort of credibility.
I agree with G&B on FFX, though I'd place it more towards the end because it's issues brought the gameplay down as well.
Anyways, my fave is Final Fantasy V, for similar reasons to those stated, except I find those reasons to be incredibly important to me.
^Except he doesn't like the game because it's exceedingly ugly to the point where it brings down its playability, which is a legitimate complaint. I know several people who hate it for that same reason. FFX-2, on the other hand, doesn't suffer from any sort of playability issues. I don't see how he's lost any sort of credibility.
I agree with G&B on FFX, though I'd place it more towards the end because it's issues brought the gameplay down as well.
Anyways, my fave is Final Fantasy V, for similar reasons to those stated, except I find those reasons to be incredibly important to me.
I couldn't do a list like this as I have not played all of the Final Fantasies. FFIII just couldn't hold my attention, and I don't remember I, II, and V all that well.
I couldn't do a list like this as I have not played all of the Final Fantasies. FFIII just couldn't hold my attention, and I don't remember I, II, and V all that well.
I'm not sure how I could relate to anyone who put XIII and VIII so much higher than VII and IX. I absolutely hated those games. The characters were terrible and the stories I couldn't bring myself to care about at all. Playing XIII for 10 hours was like an act of masochism.
I'm not sure how I could relate to anyone who put XIII and VIII so much higher than VII and IX. I absolutely hated those games. The characters were terrible and the stories I couldn't bring myself to care about at all. Playing XIII for 10 hours was like an act of masochism.
Hi Phayke,
Thanks for dropping by to say hello!
Final Fantasy XIII clicked with me about 20 hours in. Before then I thought it was a middling game, but after that I utterly adored it. I didn't find the characters of VIII or XIII terrible at all – indeed, compared to VII and IX I thought they were superb.
Different strokes for different folks! 🙂
Hi Phayke,
Thanks for dropping by to say hello!
Final Fantasy XIII clicked with me about 20 hours in. Before then I thought it was a middling game, but after that I utterly adored it. I didn't find the characters of VIII or XIII terrible at all – indeed, compared to VII and IX I thought they were superb.
Different strokes for different folks! 🙂
As the author indicates in the first couple lines – every FF is going to strike people in different ways. That's completely fair…but this list is so far off the mark from conventional standards that it's hard to put any stock in it.
VII was by no means the worst, though you need to look at it from the view of anyone who knows why the graphics were 'unpolished', Squaresoft had held the game back changing its release date so many times people were begining to believe it would never be, the lead designer at the time has admitted to finsih the game would have taken them several more months as they had only just started with the 3D designing (being used to 2D) the game was suppose to span 4 discs like VIII and IX. In the end there is nothing really wrong with the game apart from the fact Square rushed its final developement. If your really that pissed with it id recommend a PC version of VII and maybe an hour trawling the net for the HD models that have been created and released by the fans of the game, it certainly helps