Summary
- Final Fantasy franchise started strong, with titles in the 90s laying the foundation for unique elements seen today.
- Final Fantasy 3 introduced summons, despite questionable job system decisions, making it an important evolution in the series.
- Final Fantasy 7's groundbreaking nature elevated the franchise and remains a crucial game in the series with a remake trilogy.
After hitting a chord with players following the release of the first Final Fantasy, Square never looked back. They turned this fledgling JRPG title into a franchise for the ages that is still churning out amazing games to this day.
7 Final Fantasy Games With The Most Side Quests, Ranked
Square Enix's Final Fantasy RPGs are known for having plenty of optional content, and these games are stuffed with side quests.
The 90s were a time when Final Fantasy hit its stride, establishing several iconic recurring elements in the series that help every Final Fantasy game feel unique yet familiar at the same time. Modern Final Fantasy fans who haven't checked out the classic titles in the series are missing out on something truly special.
7 Final Fantasy 3
The Job System In This Title Was Revolutionary
Final Fantasy III
- Released
- April 27, 1990
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix, Tose
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo DS, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Wii U
While Final Fantasy 3 may have made some questionable decisions regarding its job system, the game as a whole is incredibly important to the evolution of the series. It was the first time that summons were introduced in the series, which speaks for itself.
As long as players don't mind some frustrating moments in an otherwise great game, Final Fantasy 3 will be right up their alley. This old-school JRPG is more accessible than ever before, courtesy of the Pixel Remasters that are absolutely fantastic and a great way to help this game reach modern audiences, especially since the only other translated version of this game existed in the form of the 3D remake.
6 Final Fantasy 4
A Story-Heavy Approach That Respects Almost Every Recurring Theme In The Series
Final Fantasy 4
- Released
- July 19, 1991
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Square
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Final Fantasy 4's story-driven approach was a huge part of what made the game so special. Not being able to configure party members was odd given the sheer number of playable characters in the game, but this party-switching mechanic wouldn't arrive anyway until the sixth mainline entry.
What makes the game's narrative so special is how the recurring elements of the game feed into the plot. Summons are more relevant than ever, and Cecil's change in character is reflected by his job changing mid-way through the title, reflecting how the story and gameplay are tied together in a neat little bow.
5 Final Fantasy 5
Fans Love How Robust And Exciting It Is To Master Jobs And Become Stronger
Final Fantasy 5
- Released
- December 6, 1992
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Mild Fantasy Violence, Partial Nudity
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Players who want to enjoy one of the best gameplay-driven titles in the series will love to give Final Fantasy 5 a shot. The title is full to the brim with a litany of jobs that can be mastered and changed at any time.
8 Best Final Fantasy Games That Have A Ninja Class
These Final Fantasy games feature ninja classes, offering a more varied gaming experience.
This ensures that the gameplay remains fresh as players change the jobs of their party members constantly to help them acquire the best abilities possible. By the end, the simple Freelancer job will turn into a powerhouse that will let players run circles around Exdeath as they unleash a beatdown for the ages on this hateable antagonist.
4 Final Fantasy 8
The Junction System Is A Mixed Bag, But The Rest Of The Game Is Charming In Its Own Way
Final Fantasy 8
- Released
- February 11, 1999
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Final Fantasy 8 is unfairly labelled as the black sheep of the franchise, what with its poorly-implemented Junction system encouraging grinding and breaking the game if a player draws too many units of one magic. However, in many ways, this is precisely what makes Final Fantasy 8 special, since many fans like to take an overpowered party in combat and steamroll their foes.
The narrative has some questionable moments, but the visuals of this title were groundbreaking back in the day and will appeal to a player's nostalgia. The Guardian Forces are a huge part of the game, with every summon being quite grandiose and adding to the visual flair in combat.
3 Final Fantasy Tactics
An Amazing Strategy Spinoff That Fans Love
Final Fantasy Tactics
- Released
- June 20, 1997
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square
- Genre(s)
- Tactical, RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation (Original)
No one expected a Final Fantasy spinoff with turn-based strategic gameplay to win over audiences, which is why Final Fantasy Tactics deserves all its plaudits. It's set in the detailed world of Ivalice, ensuring that fans who love epic storylines with a ton of politics will love what this title has to offer.
6 Best Final Fantasy Games That Have A Samurai Class
Become the feared warriors of Feudal Japan in these Final Fantasy games.
The brilliant mind behind Tactics Ogre brought his expertise to this spinoff, developing a battle system that fans love to this day. Final Fantasy Tactics is harder than the average game in the series, but worth checking out for players who want to witness the best game set in Ivalice for themselves.
2 Final Fantasy 7
The Greatest Game In The Series That Elevated The Franchise To New Heights
Final Fantasy 7
- Released
- January 31, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation (Original), PC, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4
The legacy of Final Fantasy 7 speaks for itself. The title was so groundbreaking that it's currently enjoying a remake trilogy that gives players another reason to check out this masterpiece.
From the ambitious story to the iconic materia system, there are so many ways Final Fantasy 7 keeps fans engaged. It's the most important game in the series and perhaps the first example of a AAA title that put a ton of money into its marketing and turned the franchise into a household name across Japanese shores.
1 Final Fantasy 6
Almost Everyone Considers This To Be Their Favorite Final Fantasy Game
Final Fantasy 6
- Released
- October 11, 1994
WHERE TO PLAY
By the time SquareSoft got to work on Final Fantasy 6, they had become very adept at developing games on this engine. Realizing that they could make things bigger and better than ever, the company decided to split the game into two distinct halves.
This led to the creation of the World of Balance and the World of Ruin, setting the stage for an incredible Final Fantasy game that fans can't stop raving about to this day. The nonlinear gameplay in the World of Ruin was groundbreaking back in the day and continues to wow fans with its scope and innovation.
8 Best JRPGs Of The 90s, Ranked
Between the Game Boy and the PS1, the 90s were a golden age for RPGs, and these were some of the era's best examples of the genre.