So recently I finished playing Final Fantasy X. Yes, I know I'm a bit behind the times, but the good news is I was able to cross a significant chore off my bucket-list; I now have played and finished all of the first ten installments of the Final Fantasy franchise. Of course, it will probably be debated ad infinitum which is the best Final Fantasy, but I now have the luxury of bringing to the table my vast wealth of experience and game-play to the discussion. Without further ado, here is where I rank each of the first ten Final Fantasies.
10) FF II (Final Fantasy Two)
Despite its bad rap, in many ways, I would actually say I enjoyed playing Final Fantasy II. It has decent game play for its time, apart from its chaotic leveling-up system, and it introduces several important Final Fantasy concepts like chocobos and the character of Cid. Unfortunately, apart from a few contributions that have now become staples of the franchise, Final Fantasy II feels very little like a classic Final Fantasy game, and it is very much regarded as the black sheep of the bunch. To be fair, it’s not so much a bad game as it is a bad Final Fantasy game.
9) FF III (Final Fantasy Three)
Final Fantasy III (Also known as the beta version for FFV) is a decent RPG that epitomizes what Final Fantasy is all about in that the player controls four heroes who explore a unique fantasy world gathering powers and collecting crystals. It is marred mostly by its tedious and brutally unforgiving dungeons in addition to a clunky class system. While its story and visuals are slightly more interesting, they are not enough to overcome the game’s technical problems. Overall, FFIII feels old and tired, which is probably because it is. On the other hand, this DS version looks amazing!
10) FF II (Final Fantasy Two)
Despite its bad rap, in many ways, I would actually say I enjoyed playing Final Fantasy II. It has decent game play for its time, apart from its chaotic leveling-up system, and it introduces several important Final Fantasy concepts like chocobos and the character of Cid. Unfortunately, apart from a few contributions that have now become staples of the franchise, Final Fantasy II feels very little like a classic Final Fantasy game, and it is very much regarded as the black sheep of the bunch. To be fair, it’s not so much a bad game as it is a bad Final Fantasy game.
9) FF III (Final Fantasy Three)
Final Fantasy III (Also known as the beta version for FFV) is a decent RPG that epitomizes what Final Fantasy is all about in that the player controls four heroes who explore a unique fantasy world gathering powers and collecting crystals. It is marred mostly by its tedious and brutally unforgiving dungeons in addition to a clunky class system. While its story and visuals are slightly more interesting, they are not enough to overcome the game’s technical problems. Overall, FFIII feels old and tired, which is probably because it is. On the other hand, this DS version looks amazing!
8) FF VIII (Final Fantasy Eight)
Final Fantasy VIII starts off with a bang with an awesome battle sequence and a couple of sweet cut-scenes. Then, things settle down pretty hard once the player realizes the game is about kid mercenaries who fight a witch atop a flying school. While the magic system is sometimes enjoyable, other times it feels pointless, and the fact that you can only (sparingly) upgrade weapons rather than buy new ones is a strange aberration from most Final Fantasies. In fact, with a somewhat nonsensical story and off-beat game mechanics, Final Fantasy VIII is the most unusual game of the series.
7) FF I (Final Fantasy)
Ah, this is where it all began. While obviously the game mechanics are now a bit antiquated, Final Fantasy's style and story (Go the CASTLE to find the ORBS and save the PRINCESS) is remarkably similar to the nine successors that followed it. Personally, I find it refreshing to know that the simple, uplifting, and admirable story of Final Fantasy has changed little from one game to the next, and that it started with the first one. Though the game itself is horribly old, even to a retro gamer like myself, the original Final Fantasy is still playable and even quite enjoyable to this day.
6) FF X (Final Fantasy Ten)
Final Fantasy X has the most incredible graphics of all the original Final Fantasies, and that's not just because it's the most recent game on this list. It's clear that its creators spent a large fraction of their time on the visuals in addition to the game's overall setting, which I think is one of the most intriguing and realistic fantasy worlds ever designed. Its characters are expressive and alive made possible through the introduction of voice-acting, and the game's battle system is clever and well thought out. Now if only the main character wasn't annoying...
5) FF V (Final Fantasy Five)
In some ways a typical RPG fare, Final Fantasy V excels with its vibrant and expansive world and dynamic job and class system. In a game where battles can sometimes become tiresome, by offering dozens of skills and abilities Final Fantasy V gives its player a near endless amount of ways to vanquish bad guys and turn its main characters from level one peons into powerhouses. With three worlds to explore, OP weapons to unlock, and a host of treasure, espers, and skills to discover, there aren't too many more exciting Final Fantasies than this one. FF V has a special place in my heart as it was my first Final Fantasy.
4) FF IV (Final Fantasy Four)
In addition to having better graphics than its predecessors, where Final Fantasy IV succeeds is its story. For the first time in the series, the player can connect to the different (and individual!) characters in ways that feel real. FFIV doesn’t act like a game. It moves like a living story with people who bleed, live, and love. There are just too many precious memories in this one to count whether it’s when Cecil becomes a Paladin, when Palom and Porom sacrifice themselves, or when Edge is forced to confront his parents. Everything you ever wanted in a story is in Final Fantasy IV all wrapped in a brightly colored world and beautiful musical score. Oh, and you get to fly to the moon!
3) FF IX (Final Fantasy Nine)
"How do you prove you exist? Maybe you don't exist...." While its critics will say Final Fantasy IX is a love letter to the older games, shying away from the hi-tech steam punk worlds of the previous few installments, anyone who looks carefully at it will notice a complexity not to be found in any game. While there is plenty of silliness (Quinna!), at the same time the game asks questions like what it would be like to be a clone especially if you knew your life would run out in a matter of years. The characters and their world feels in-depth and solid, and so does everything that happens in it. A personal favorite of mine with some great side-quests, a great mini-game and a charming yet gripping story.
2) FF VII (Final Fantasy Seven)
The RPG that revolutionized RPGs. While the 3D is terribly clunky by today’s standards, for 1997 there was nothing better. With a fast action paced story and several memorable cut-scenes, FFVII just about stole everybody’s heart when it came out. Sephiroth is on-record the coolest villain in the series, and his slaying of Aerith (be honest, you spent a ton of time leveling her up, didn’t you?) is considered the most shocking moment in gaming history. With its elegant magika system, yellow-spiky haired protagonist, and a plot that Tolkien would have trouble following FFVII is considered one of the best video-games of all time.
1) FF VI (Final Fantasy Six)
With an impressive array of characters and villains, a vibrant and tantalizing world, and a majestic soundtrack it is nearly impossible to find anything wrong with Final Fantasy VI. All its elements work perfectly in tandem with each other to create memorable moment after memorable moment with hardly a breath in-between. The Opera House. The escape from Figaro Castle. The Phantom Train. Oh, and let’s not forget the little matter of Kefka freakin’ blowing up the world! Epic on every level from its story to characters to setting, there is little doubt Final Fantasy VI is the greatest game this series has to offer.
With an impressive array of characters and villains, a vibrant and tantalizing world, and a majestic soundtrack it is nearly impossible to find anything wrong with Final Fantasy VI. All its elements work perfectly in tandem with each other to create memorable moment after memorable moment with hardly a breath in-between. The Opera House. The escape from Figaro Castle. The Phantom Train. Oh, and let’s not forget the little matter of Kefka freakin’ blowing up the world! Epic on every level from its story to characters to setting, there is little doubt Final Fantasy VI is the greatest game this series has to offer.
Well, what do you think? Do you agree with my list? What are your favorite Final Fantasies? Which one spoke to you the most? Which one did you play first? Let me know in the comments. As your reward for reaching the end of this month's edition, below is the full orchestra version of FF X's To Zanarkand by the one and only Nobuo Uematsu. Thanks for dropping by and I'll see you next time!