Every Final Fantasy Game Ranked: A Fan's Journey Through Time
Hello, fellow adventurers! Today, we're embarking on a thrilling quest to rank every single Final Fantasy game. Now, I know what you're thinking, "How can you possibly compare a game like Final Fantasy VII to Final Fantasy XV?" Well, grab your Buster Sword and your Royal Guard, because we're diving in! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and every final fantasy game ranked.
The Beginning: The Originals (Final Fantasy I - III)
Final Fantasy (1987) - A Humble Beginning
Kicking off our list is the original Final Fantasy, the game that started it all. This 1987 classic introduced us to the Active Time Battle system and a world filled with crystals and airships. It's a nostalgia trip, but it's showing its age.
Final Fantasy II (1988) - The Forgotten Gem
Final Fantasy II, or IV as it's known in Japan, is often overlooked. But don't sleep on it! It introduced us to the job system and had a compelling story. It's a bit rough around the edges, but it's a solid entry in the series.
Final Fantasy III (1990) - The Job System's Peak
Final Fantasy III, or VI in Japan, is where the job system truly shone. With its memorable characters and intricate story, it's a fan favorite. The opera scene alone is worth the playthrough.
The Mainstream Era (Final Fantasy IV - X)
Final Fantasy IV (1991) - The Storytelling Pioneer
Final Fantasy IV, or II in Japan, was the first game to focus on a single character's journey. It introduced the Active Time Battle system to a wider audience and had a compelling story. It's a classic for a reason.
Final Fantasy V (1992) - The Job System's Masterpiece
Final Fantasy V is often considered the peak of the job system. With its open world and character customization, it's a blast to play. The storytelling might be a bit weak, but the gameplay more than makes up for it.
Final Fantasy VI (1994) - The Opera of Opera
Final Fantasy VI, or III in Japan, is often considered the best in the series. With its memorable characters, intricate story, and the iconic Opera scene, it's hard to argue against that. The job system's return was a welcome one.
Final Fantasy VII (1997) - The One That Started It All (Again)
Final Fantasy VII is the game that brought Final Fantasy to the mainstream. With its epic story, iconic characters, and groundbreaking graphics, it's a masterclass in JRPG storytelling. The combat might be a bit dated, but it's still a blast to play.
Final Fantasy VIII (1999) - The Time-Compression Classic
Final Fantasy VIII is a divisive game. Some love its time-compression mechanic and unique story. Others find its combat repetitive and its story confusing. But there's no denying its impact on the series.
Final Fantasy IX (2000) - The Medieval Fantasy
Final Fantasy IX is a love letter to classic Final Fantasy. With its medieval fantasy setting, memorable characters, and the return of the job system, it's a breath of fresh air. It's a bit simplistic compared to its predecessors, but it's a joy to play.
Final Fantasy X (2001) - The Last of the Old Guard
Final Fantasy X was the last mainline Final Fantasy game on the PS2. With its unique Sphere Grid system and a compelling story, it's a fitting end to the old guard. The voice acting might be a bit cringe, but it's still a fantastic game.
The Spinoffs (Final Fantasy Tactics - Crisis Core)
Final Fantasy Tactics (1997) - The Strategy Masterpiece
Final Fantasy Tactics is a tactical RPG gem. With its deep strategy gameplay and engaging story, it's a must-play for any Final Fantasy fan. It's a bit complex, but it's incredibly rewarding.
Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings (2007) - The Portable Strategy
Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings is a portable spin-off of XII. It's a simplified version of Tactics, but it's still a lot of fun. It's a great game to play on the go.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (2007) - The Prequel Adventure
Crisis Core is an action RPG prequel to Final Fantasy VII. It's a bit repetitive, but the story is engaging and the combat is solid. It's a must-play for any VII fan.
The Modern Era (Final Fantasy XIII - XVI)
Final Fantasy XIII (2009) - The Linear Storyteller
Final Fantasy XIII is a divisive game. Some love its linear storytelling and unique combat system. Others find it repetitive and lacking in exploration. But there's no denying its impact on the series.
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn (2013) - The MMORPG Phenomenon
Final Fantasy XIV started as a failure, but it was reborn as a phenomenon. With its engaging story, challenging gameplay, and a dedicated community, it's a must-play for any Final Fantasy fan.
Final Fantasy XV (2016) - The Royal Road Trip
Final Fantasy XV is a road trip game at heart. With its engaging brotherhood story and unique combat system, it's a blast to play. The story might be a bit confusing, but it's still a fantastic game.
Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020) - The Remake Revolution
Final Fantasy VII Remake is a masterclass in game design. With its engaging combat system, memorable characters, and a compelling story, it's a must-play for any JRPG fan. It's not a traditional remake, but it's still fantastic.
The Mobile Era (Final Fantasy Brave Exvius - War of the Visions)
Final Fantasy Brave Exvius (2015) - The Gacha Adventure
Final Fantasy Brave Exvius is a mobile gacha game. It's a bit repetitive, but it's still a lot of fun. The story is engaging and the gameplay is solid. It's a great game to play on the go.
Final Fantasy War of the Visions (2019) - The Strategy Gacha
Final Fantasy War of the Visions is a mobile strategy gacha game. It's a bit complex, but it's incredibly rewarding. The story is engaging and the gameplay is deep. It's a great game for strategy fans.
The Future (Final Fantasy XVI)
Final Fantasy XVI is the next mainline Final Fantasy game. Not much is known about it yet, but it's set to be a PS5 exclusive. It's sure to be a fantastic game, and we can't wait to see what it brings to the series.
And there you have it, folks! That's every Final Fantasy game ranked. Of course, this is just one fan's opinion, and I'm sure you have your own rankings. But that's the beauty of this series - it's all about your personal journey. So, grab your Buster Sword and your Royal Guard, and let's adventure together!