Summary
- Some Final Fantasy games focused on just one hero, limiting or eliminating party members entirely.
- Final Fantasy 14 and 16 offer experiences with minimal party interaction, but emphasize the solo journey.
- Lightning Returns and Crisis Core highlight solo protagonists with unique mechanics, appealing to players seeking a challenge.
Since it debuted on the NES in 1987, Final Fantasy has been built on party systems. Players could create four characters based on Jobs like Black Mage or Thief, and then that was the party they played as. As the series progressed, the party was given more personalities, and there were even instances where party members came and went as the story progressed.
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While the party systems have changed in Final Fantasy games, some entries went bizarre and focused on just one hero. They either had no party members whatsoever, were limited to rotating members, or were determined based on player input. Let’s go through these offbeat Final Fantasy entries and rank how fun they were, even without big party system setups. The fewer the party members, the better the game's ranking will be, along with the game's overall quality.
7 Final Fantasy 14
The MMO Scene
Final Fantasy 14
- Released
- August 27, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen - Language, Mild Blood, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Genre(s)
- MMORPG
Final Fantasy 11 and Final Fantasy 14 are both MMOs that can technically be played alone, but Final Fantasy 14 made this concept easier with more quality-of-life improvements. Players can design their character, from their looks to their Job, and explore a vast world without a party to slow them down.
Part of the fun of an MMO is playing with friends or even strangers, though, so while it is possible to play the FF MMOs alone, it goes against their core design, along with other multiplayer-focused games like Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles and Final Fantasy Explorers. That said, Final Fantasy 14 deserves a quick nod for those who enjoy solo runs in their RPGs, even if it's not the "ideal" way to play this MMO.
6 Final Fantasy Mystic Quest
America’s RPG
Final Fantasy Mystic Quest
- Released
- October 5, 1992
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Final Fantasy Mystic Quest was North America’s one shot at getting a core game designed just for them. The protagonist is Benjamin, a warrior, who improves his stats via items and weapons gained on his adventures, along with traditional EXP.
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It works more like The Legend of Zelda’s gear progression system, except as a turn-based RPG. Benjamin is accompanied by a rotating cast of party members along the way, including the ninja Tristam. Typically, players aren't alone with Benjamin for long, but they can never choose who joins him in this small two-party system. Benjamin's companions come and go with the whims of the story.
5 Final Fantasy 16
The Power Of Ifrit
Final Fantasy 16
- Released
- June 22, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Final Fantasy 16 is the latest mainline entry in the series, and it stars one core character: Clive. Throughout his journey, AI-controlled party members will accompany him, like his wolf Torgal.
Most of the story missions give Clive someone to fight alongside him, but side content is typically reserved for Clive alone. Then there are the Kaiju-like Eikon battles, which transform Clive into Ifrit. These are largely solo experiences, too, and are without a doubt the highlight of the entire game.
4 Dirge Of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7
Vincent’s Revenge
Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7
- Released
- August 15, 2006
- ESRB
- Teen // Mild Language, Use of Tobacco, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Action RPG
Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7 is a spinoff of Final Fantasy 7 that takes place after the game and movie, Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children. It stars Vincent Valentine, who is given support by various characters like Reeve via his comm channel, but they never appear to aid Vincent in battle.
Players go through linear missions, taking down a Shinra successor organization called Deepground with various guns they can tinker with. Some sections made Cait Sith playable too, but Vincent was the main attraction in this Devil May Cry-style action game.
3 Platinum Demo: Final Fantasy 15
Noctis’ Dream
- Developer: Square Enix
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Released: March 30, 2016
- Platforms: PS4, Xbox One
Platinum Demo: Final Fantasy 15 was released before the main game came out, but it wasn’t a typical demo. Instead, it was a prequel starring a younger Noctis who fell into a dream world with his animal buddy, Carbuncle. It played and looked more like a Kingdom Hearts game, with Noctis given goofier weapons like a toy hammer to dampen the violence.
Even though it was a short experience, fans absolutely loved the Platinum Demo, even more so than the main game. Of course, at the time, they hungered for a new Kingdom Hearts entry, which may be why, but years later, it’s still a fun RPG to play in an afternoon.
2 Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13
Dressing For Success
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13
- Released
- November 21, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 was the final entry in the Final Fantasy 13 trilogy. Each game whittles down the number of party members, with this entry starring just one character: Lightning. The gameplay is still turn-based at its core, but Lightning can now change into various outfits to fit different Jobs.
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Also, the time-traveling aspect of the previous game returns, except it's technically more of a time loop akin to adventures like The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask. This makes the game harder, but also more rewarding for players who stick with it.
1 Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7
Zack’s Back
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7
- Released
- March 24, 2008
- ESRB
- Teen // Blood, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 is another Final Fantasy 7 spinoff, and it was a more traditional action RPG compared to Vincent’s side quest. This game was a prequel starring Zack and set right before the main game's events kick off. Zack had some support at home base, but his missions were solo affairs.
Zack has access to his trusty blades and various Materia he can fuse to create new loadouts. Thankfully, this PSP game can be enjoyed on modern consoles thanks to the remaster, and it’s one of the best games in the series, especially for players who like the challenge of a solo adventure.
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