Your Guide to Every Final Fantasy Game: From the Best to the Most Recent
Final Fantasy games are a big deal. Whether it’s the main numbered installments, like Final Fantasy 6 or Final Fantasy 15, or related spin-offs, like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, fans are just as invested now as they were back in 1987 when the first Final Fantasy game hit the market. Even so, each new addition manages to feel fresh without each one feeling stale or rehashed – a shortcoming that many other long-running series suffer from.
This is all despite each game being a standalone experience. Final Fantasy games can be played as independent experiences from their predecessors, with no story elements dependent on playing any of the others. Each installment has a unique look to its cast and immersive worlds, providing endless entertainment. If you’re planning on diving into the world of Eos, here’s everything you need to know about the best Final Fantasy games.
The Best Final Fantasy Games
Here are the best Final Fantasy games:
Final Fantasy 7
In many ways, Final Fantasy 7 is the series’ core. It’s the first main numbered installment, and it’s responsible for much of the series’ popularity. Final Fantasy 7 introduced many staples of the series such as the Materia system and the iconic Limit Break. It also has a unique world that runs on a Mako energy system, a central antagonist with a distinct look, and a cast that no other Final Fantasy game can compete with.
Final Fantasy 7’s story begins with a simple premise: a group of mercenaries are hired to escort a young girl named Aeris to her home in the Midgar Sector. As is the case with most Final Fantasy games, the story quickly escalates, and you find yourself saving the planet from a catastrophic event. Final Fantasy 7’s story manages to be much more linear and focused than its successors, which often feature convoluted and erratic plots.
Final Fantasy 7’s characters are unique and iconic in their own right. Each one changes and grows as players move through the plot, becoming icons of not just Final Fantasy, but of the gaming world at large. Square Enix pays particular attention to the development of both heroes and villains, creating polarizing and emotionally engaging characters. Aeris, for instance, is a young woman who is characterized by her gentle demeanor and kind personality. By contrast, Tifa Lockhart is a strong, confident woman with a rebellious streak and a thirst for adventure.
Final Fantasy 7 is also remembered for its dynamic and cinematic cutscenes, which have only continued to intensify with ongoing graphic developments in the gaming industry. It’s not just the cutscenes, either – the entire world comes to life in a fully interactive and immersive way. Raising characters’ stats is essential in Final Fantasy, but the series keeps players engaged and provides incentives for their hard work. Final Fantasy 7 offers opportunities for character development through bonuses, achievements, and quests, striking a balance between challenging and doable.
Final Fantasy 7’s momentum picks up as players progress, reaching climactic story arcs and allowing them to master their own unique playing style. The game’s music is unique to each installment, adding to the overall experience and immersion of the game.
Final Fantasy 7 is undoubtedly one of the best Final Fantasy games ever created, and the impact it had on the series is unmatched. It’s no wonder that fans have been clamoring for a remake of Final Fantasy 7 for years. While we wait for that to finally happen, there are several ways to be entertained while enhancing your current game.
Final Fantasy 8
Final Fantasy 8 is a major turning point for the series. It’s the first installment to introduce full 3D graphics, and it also set a major precedent for the battle system mechanics – a style that was used for all future Final Fantasy games.
Final Fantasy 8 introduces a cast of misfits who are forced to work together to save the planet. The story follows a group of mercenaries who aid Sarah, the daughter of the president of the Shin-Ra Company, on her journey. In the midst of their mission, however, they discover a much more significant problem. If you’re looking for a more focused story with a smaller cast of characters, Final Fantasy 8 may be the perfect game for you.
