Final Fantasy has been in an odd place in the past ten years or so. There have been some quality remasters and ports that fans have appreciated, like Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles, along with more experimental titles like Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin.
Essential Final Fantasy Games You Have To Play To Understand The Series
From retro classics to modern masterpieces, these Final Fantasy games are essential for understanding the series' popularity today.
With the release of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth in 2024, things are starting to look up, though, as it was a critical darling that brought back the energy of old hyped up Final Fantasy games. While the future looks bright, that doesn’t mean there aren’t problems worth addressing, namely with combat. Let’s look at some RPGs released within the modern age of Final Fantasy and see what combat improvements they have made over this classic franchise.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
A-Number-One
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Released
- April 24, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based RPG, JRPG, Fantasy
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of the most recent turn-based RPG hits that proves there are still ways the genre can expand, instead of developers focusing all on action. There hasn’t been a new turn-based Final Fantasy in forever, with the most recent being the collection found in Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lets players use Quick Time Event-like tactics to enhance some attacks, along with the ability to dodge or counter enemy attacks. Every party member is unique with their abilities in battle, like how Lune’s magic builds, or Verso’s attacks get stronger depending on the grade value. Also, players can use guns or magic to attack weak points on monsters in battle, which may seem like a lot, but the learning curve is small.
Kingdom Hearts 3
Transformative Action
Kingdom Hearts 3
- Released
- January 25, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
The Kingdom Hearts series has always been about action and platforming, and Kingdom Hearts 3 compares most to Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Final Fantasy 16. While those two Final Fantasy games do have quality action, Kingdom Hearts 3 is slightly better simply because of how combat flows, as no one encounter will be like the last.
At its core, players can still swing Sora’s Keyblade around for some hack-and-slash action, or they can use magic. The key difference is that, depending on the combos used, Sora’s Keyblade can transform into different weapons like a spear, twin guns, or a massive drill. Also, there’s a parkour-like element where the environment can aid combos, and depending on where players are in the environment, they can summon Disney park attractions, like teacups, to swirl the party around.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Fluid Turn-Based Combat
Metaphor: ReFantazio
- Released
- October 11, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Studio Zero
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Metaphor: ReFantazio has a hybrid battle system akin to how Final Fantasy 7 Remake could technically be played in real-time or in turn-based battles, although the turn-based option in Final Fantasy 7 Remake was minimal. In Metaphor: ReFantazio, players can engage in turn-based battles and assign their party with classes called Archetypes. Certain Archetypes can play with others, meaning that new abilities will appear in battle for two characters to perform dual attacks.
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If players are at a high enough level, they can also just attack enemies in the field and destroy them that way. The action portion is less fluid than Final Fantasy 7 Remake, but the turn-based option is better, and the class system could rival classics like Final Fantasy 5 and Final Fantasy Tactics.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Flashy Auto-Battling
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
- Released
- July 29, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the latest new Xeno game that uses an MMO-style of combat where players can target enemies in the field, and then the party will attack automatically, similar to Final Fantasy 14 or Final Fantasy 12. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is much more active and flashy because the cooldown techniques can be combined with other characters to create combos, which will prompt Quick Time Event-like prompts.
A well-timed set of attacks could knock a larger enemy over, thus lowering its defenses. On top of that, two characters can form a bond and transform into mech-like entities for short periods to get an edge in battle. Final Fantasy 14 is a great MMO with an awesome Job system with plenty of cool skills and spells to perform, but it is far less active than what Xenoblade Chronicles 3 offers.
Valkyria Chronicles 4
An Active Strategy
Valkyria Chronicles 4
- Released
- September 25, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, RPG
Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles was a remaster that fans had been itching for a while, and it did not disappoint, as it is the standard for grid-based tactics. That said, the tactical genre has evolved since the PS1 days, and Valkyria Chronicles 4 simply has a more unique battle system. Instead of moving on grids, characters can move around the battlefield freely.
Enemies can fire and even kill characters in this movement period, giving each turn a more active feel. When players want to attack, all activity will pause as players line up the sights on their gun, or lock in with a grenade throw, and accuracy is everything. The game takes place in a fantasy-inspired version of World War 2, so this active feel to missions fits with the theme.
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy
More Than Just A Defense
Bravely Default
- Released
- February 7, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy was designed as a spiritual successor to old-school Final Fantasy in all but name, and it was a great 3DS experiment. Switch 2 owners can now enjoy it with the remaster, which showcases why it was impressive a decade ago, let alone now. The party consists of only four characters, and players can switch around Jobs as they see fit.
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Characters can equip one primary Job that they can level up, like a Black Mage, along with a secondary skill set, like a White Mage. Passive skills can also be equipped and swapped around, from increasing HP to increasing counterattacks. Most importantly, in turn-based combat, players can defend, Default, to gain points to then be Brave and yes, those points to act multiple times on another turn, hence the title. Between these points and Jobs, Bravely Default: Flying Fairy has a more strategic turn-based system than most Final Fantasy games.
Sea Of Stars
Once More With Heart
Sea of Stars
- Released
- August 29, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Sabotage
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
Sea of Stars is an indie RPG that is a throwback to the classic days of Final Fantasy 6 and other gorgeous pixel-art games from the 90s. Combat is turn-based, but active like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, wherein players can boost attacks with button prompts or defend in the same manner.
Characters can gain skills that only work with other party members, akin to the combo system in Chrono Trigger. Character progression is pretty average, along with the equipment system, but that shouldn’t detract from the engaging battle system that Sea of Stars has, especially compared to contemporary Final Fantasy turn-based systems.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A
Monster Catching Perfection
Pokemon Legends: Z-A
- Released
- October 16, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak, Creatures Inc.
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
There are plenty of monster-catching games out there with good mechanics that can rival the Pokemon games, including the bizarre spinoff that is World of Final Fantasy. However, at long last, the Pokemon series stepped up with Pokemon Legends: Z-A to create a new standard for the series. In terms of location, it can best be likened to Final Fantasy 7 Remake as it takes place within one city.
Players can catch Pokemon in designated zones and then fight trainers at night to become the city’s champion. Instead of taking turns in battle, Pokemon can use any of their four attacks one after the other and wait to act again until they go through the cooldown period. Because of this spam technique, it gives the game a more active feel, even though there is still turn-based DNA in the mix.
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From laugh riots to spoony bards, these Final Fantasy lines are unforgettable, and they will continue to be quoted for years to come.