Ranking Final Fantasy Games Part II

This article is a continuation of our exploration of the Final Fantasy series, where we rank the games from worst to best based on our personal experiences

So, let’s continue our journey.

10. Final Fantasy XII

Final Fantasy XII is a great game, and the Zodiac Age remake only makes it better. This game introduced a Gambit system and removed random encounters, which had become a characteristic of the Final Fantasy series.

The Gambit system in Final Fantasy XII is a unique gameplay mechanic that allows players to customize the behavior of their party members during combat. It enables a high degree of automation and strategic planning, making battles more dynamic and engaging.

Zodiac Age adds a job/class system to the game, something that has been missing since Final Fantasy V (forget about X-2; I can’t classify Dresspheres as a class, lol).

Many fans have described the story of Final Fantasy XII as boring and slow, but I found it to be quite captivating due to its expertly crafted political drama set within a unique fantasy universe.

Overall, Zodiac Age is a solid game and worth playing, whether you’re a newcomer or a die-hard Final Fantasy fan looking for a nostalgic entry.

9. Final Fantasy IX

Meet our latest candidate for a remake, Final Fantasy IX! This is the game that Square Enix used to bring the franchise back to its roots again, “Fantasy”. The game utilizes a charming world and heartfelt characters that captures the magic of the 2D era while successfully transitioning to 3D.

In this game, Squaresoft introduced a new mechanic called The Trance system that allows characters to temporarily gain enhanced abilities during battle. This mechanic is interesting, but not perfect as the state fills are relatively slow compared to other systems in the series.

I would recommend you to explore this game to feel how the classic fairy tale Final Fantasy was like during the era of the machine and science fiction. Don’t worry about the story, character, and the narrative because it’s one of the strengths of this game.

About the ost, it’s Final Fantasy with one of the best soundtracks ever. No joking, I love the melodies of life so much.

8. Final Fantasy

This is the story that saved Squaresoft financially and launched the entire Final Fantasy franchise. Without it, we would not be able to enjoy all of the masterpieces that followed. We need to appreciate this game even more!

I would describe this game as simple and archaic. However, this simplicity provides a unique charm that sets it apart from its successors. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of classic games, but this title is definitely worth a try, especially if you want to experience the game that laid the very foundation for all Final Fantasy games!

7. Final Fantasy XVI

Star light
Say goodnight
Star bright, where have you fallen?

The newest mainline Final Fantasy game follows the story of Clive Rosfield on his quest to avenge the second Eikon of Fire, which killed his brother. Everything about this game is nearly perfect—the story, characters, cinematics, and more. It is truly a beautiful experience.

While I enjoy the game, there is a fundamental aspect that defines what makes a Final Fantasy title: its RPG elements. Unfortunately, this game lacks those elements. There are no status effects, and every character except the protagonist feels like an NPC, making the game resemble Devil May Cry more than a traditional RPG.

Despite these shortcomings, it’s not bad at all. The action is fantastic, the world-building is rich, and the political intrigue feels reminiscent of Game of Thrones. It captures the essence of Final Fantasy, even with the absence of certain attributes.

One aspect I particularly appreciate is how summons are utilized. Unlike in Final Fantasy XV, where they appear as random giants or spirits in times of danger, summons in this game are integral to the experience, functioning as Eikons (similar to Bijuu in Naruto).

You should definitely try it, especially since this game is no longer a PlayStation 5 exclusive.

6. Final Fantasy VII

Who hasn’t heard of Cloud Strife and his gang? This series is so popular that even non-Final Fantasy fans are familiar with it. The story, art, and characters make this game iconic, establishing it as the face of the Final Fantasy franchise for many years.

The trilogy remake is currently in progress, with the second entry, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, released in February 2024. This game also has a canonical sequel movie titled Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.

Even with the remake series, I still encourage everyone to play the original game. Personally, I prefer the Remake due to its significant improvements in graphics, gameplay, and visuals, but the original series holds a special place in gamers’ hearts.

5. Final Fantasy IV

This game introduces a new mechanic called the Active Time Battle (ATB) system, which has become a staple in subsequent Final Fantasy titles. Unlike traditional turn-based systems where players take turns in a fixed order, the ATB system allows characters to act as soon as their ATB gauge fills up.

Once the ATB gauge is full, players can choose from various actions, such as physical attacks, magical spells, special abilities, and item usage, depending on the situation and conditions.

Prior to this game, Final Fantasy titles typically followed a fairy tale narrative, where the world is in danger, and a hero emerges to defeat the villain, concluding the story. However, Final Fantasy IV breaks this mold by deeply exploring Cecil and its companion.

One of the best Final Fantasy and Classic MMORPG. Totally worth your time!

4. Final Fantasy VI

Deciding which game is better between Final Fantasy IV and Final Fantasy VI was a tough call—it’s almost a tie! However, I have to give the edge to Final Fantasy VI, mainly because of its story. The narrative is what truly defines Final Fantasy and is a significant part of what makes these games so memorable.

At the time, Final Fantasy VI was impressive, as it was one of the first to utilize the Super Nintendo’s capability to display 256 colors on-screen. This allowed it to deliver an emotional and compelling tale without relying on HD graphics or lengthy CGI cutscenes.

The game also introduced a new mechanic called “Espers.” Similar to traditional summons in the Final Fantasy series, Espers not only serve to be called upon in battle but also play a crucial role in the magic system by allowing characters to learn spells and gain stat enhancements.

For me, this game stands alongside other masterpieces in the Final Fantasy series and is definitely worth trying!

3. Final Fantasy VII: Remake

Final Fantasy VII’s immense success at the time motivated Square Enix to bring this classic title into the modern era, and they have successfully delivered on that promise. It’s more than just nostalgia; they have revitalized the series, making it one of the best modern Final Fantasy titles.

The remake is the first part of a planned series that will retell the entire story of the 1997 classic, focusing on Cloud Strife and his allies as they battle the Shinra Corporation.

The game combines fast-paced action with the Active Time Battle (ATB) system, making it both dynamic and strategic. This contrasts with Final Fantasy XV and XVI, where players often just mash buttons to perform actions. Additionally, Final Fantasy VII Remake allows players to control one character while issuing commands to others, a feature that Final Fantasy XV and XVI lack.

The only drawback is that exploration is quite limited, primarily confined to the slums, which may not be visually refreshing. However, this is understandable, as Square Enix has promised to focus on exploration in the second installment of the trilogy.

Overall, this game is a must-play!

2. Final Fantasy X

The best mainline Final Fantasy game, hands down—no debate for me. The fact that this is the last game in the series to feature (mostly) traditional turn-based combat makes the nostalgia hit even harder. I still remember how shocked I was the first time I saw it; the graphical leap from Final Fantasy IX was absolutely massive.

The story follows Tidus, a star athlete from the advanced city of Zanarkand. During a game, he is suddenly transported to a different world, where he joins Yuna and her companions on a mission to save Spira from the destructive force known as Sin.

Everything about this game—the cast, the OST (this is the last game where Nobuo Uematsu composed the entire soundtrack for a single Final Fantasy game), the story, and the visuals—is absolutely perfect.

Bet you can’t help but cry when “Suteki da ne” starts playing. Lol. Trust me, you need to experience this masterpiece for yourself.

1. Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth

As a continuation of Final Fantasy VII: Remake, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth is essentially an upgraded version of its predecessor. Unlike Remake, Rebirth offers a vast landscape reminiscent of Final Fantasy XV, but without the sense of emptiness.

Building on the synergy system from the Intergrade DLC, Square Enix successfully delivers the game we’ve been waiting for. The combat is fluid, featuring a wide array of skills and combinations that players can utilize.

Regarding the story, it feels disjointed; after all, Cloud is not a reliable narrator. We will need Part 3 to clarify everything that has happened in this game. Still, I love every interaction with each character, the ability to choose which relationships to improve, and the freedom to respond based on our preferences.

As for exploration, I really enjoy it. There are so many things to do in this world, with tons of interesting mini-games. “Queens of Blood” is my favorite, lol.

I have no complaints about the soundtrack; Loren Allred delivered the main song beautifully, capturing Aerith’s true feelings in the game.

Deep down, I truly hope that Part III will provide a great climax to close this trilogy, answering every question that arises while playing Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. God, please don’t let Square Enix disappoint us with the final installment.

That’s all I have to say; this article is already too long. I’m not sure of the purpose of this article since I just wrote my opinions here, but I hope it can help!