Final Fantasy is a massive series, even if you’re only looking at the mainline games. A lot of entries have some kind of feature that is more on the experimental side, and that can help or hurt the game depending on how much you enjoy what makes it different from the rest of the series. Because each game is unique, the series overall tends to experiment with various styles and stories, which makes it difficult to create a ranking that suits every player. Therefore, this ranking of all mainline Final Fantasy games tries to take into consideration the fact that every player’s ranking will be different depending on their preference. With that said, here is every Final Fantasy game from worst to best.
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16. Final Fantasy 3
The earliest games in the Final Fantasy series feel like they don’t get anywhere near the same level of attention as more recent games, particularly those from Final Fantasy 6 and on. This could be partially due to them having the classic pixel style, which isn’t as much of a draw for some players compared to the 3D style you see starting in Final Fantasy 7. But the real reason for Final Fantasy 3 coming in last is because this is the game that started the job system that would be built on for plenty of subsequent games. Unfortunately, the first version of the job system was confusing at best and made the game feel unapproachable at times. This would be adjusted somewhat in the Pixel Remaster, but when only considering the original versions of every game, Final Fantasy 3 is lacking.
15. Final Fantasy
The original Final Fantasy is fine. It’s a classic story of good and evil with a bit of a time loop twist. The series has evolved a lot from its first entry, and the result is that Final Fantasy doesn’t always feel like it fits with the rest of the series, and it gets overshadowed by so many later games. While it’s rather generic overall, you can still enjoy the game, especially if you like classic RPGs, as Final Fantasy embodies the genre at that time. Similar to Final Fantasy 3, the Pixel Remaster makes Final Fantasy easier than it was at its initial release, but it still includes a pretty harsh grind.
14. Final Fantasy 2
Final Fantasy 2 improves on the foundation set up by the first Final Fantasy, but it’s still on the more generic side. It also has one of the worst endings in the series, as your party defeats the evil emperor and everything just kind of sorts itself out after that. Like Final Fantasy, it’s fun if you enjoy the old-school style of RPGs, but it’s fairly forgettable compared to a lot of the later games.
13. Final Fantasy 15
Final Fantasy 15 had a difficult development period, and that was reflected in the final product. Originally created as the highly anticipated Final Fantasy Versus 13, Final Fantasy 15 ended up being assembled from the pieces of that original idea. There are parts that are fun, of course, and pieces of the story that are interesting. However, the game has an overall disjointed feeling that can be confusing to play through, as some moments just don’t feel like they make sense. At least the scene of the four main guys pushing their luxury car down the road is entertaining on its own to give you a laugh.
12. Final Fantasy 4
Final Fantasy 4 was a turning point for the series, and it’s still remembered fondly today, making it one of the 2D games that’s worth trying even if that’s not your usual fare. This was the first game that really gave its story and characters more attention. Compared to earlier games, you have a plot that’s more developed and characters that have backgrounds that make them more fleshed out. Luckily, this new, more in-depth storytelling stuck through the rest of the series, which led to Final Fantasy being known for its incredible stories in the following games.
11. Final Fantasy 5
As far as the story is concerned, Final Fantasy 5 is decent, but not amazing. The story starts off much slower, and the stakes don’t seem as high as in previous games, where you’re often fighting to save the entire world. However, Final Fantasy 5 plays an important role in the overall series by giving you the best gameplay system so far, which would then improve in subsequent games. Building on the job system, Final Fantasy 5 found a design that worked by giving you a bunch of job options and letting you decide what role you wanted to give each character, which you can then swap out for other jobs. The result is that you get a ton of customization options for how you fight, and that would be a great boost for how the job system would be refined and redesigned moving forward.
10. Final Fantasy 12
Final Fantasy 12 gets overlooked a lot, and its politics-heavy story likely doesn’t help make it memorable. The game puts so much time and attention on the world that the story is set in that it feels like the characters don’t get as much development. Instead, they’re just there to carry you through the world and its political issues. The Zodiac Age version of the game makes improvements, but you still have characters that need more development and their own arcs. The ending then feels rushed in terms of actual gameplay and turns out to be forgettable at best.
9. Final Fantasy 11
Final Fantasy 11 was the franchise’s first attempt at an MMO, and that made it the test run for Final Fantasy 14. However, Final Fantasy 11 was insanely difficult when it was first released. If you tried to play it solo, you were at constant risk of leveling down, which was an actual feature of the game that basically punished you for dying by taking away experience. On top of that, you had some raid fights that were brutal before patches adjusted them. In the middle of it all, the game was fun, and it says a lot about it that there are still players running around Vana’diel today.
8. Final Fantasy 13
Final Fantasy 13 gets a lot of mixed opinions. The first 12 hours or so are rather linear, but that makes sense given the story. However, that linear beginning gets a lot of negativity, and Final Fantasy 13 opens up when you reach Pulse, letting you start exploring the way you can’t in the opening. While the story isn’t the best in the series, it isn’t the worst either. Combined with the gameplay, you have an entry that’s pretty average overall, setting it in the middle of the ranking. The real gem is Final Fantasy 13-2, which improves on Final Fantasy 13 across the board.
7. Final Fantasy 8
Similar to Final Fantasy 13, Final Fantasy 8 is a rather middle-of-the-road game for the overall series. Squall isn’t the most interesting protagonist, but the cast around him is fun and the story is actually tragic. By trying to prevent her demise, Ultimecia starts the very events that lead to it, which is a classic trope. However, Final Fantasy 8 brings in one of the best mini-games: Triple Triad. It’s simple and fun, making it easy to pick up. Final Fantasy 8’s not the best game in the series, but there are still bright spots, giving it a comfortable spot in the middle.
6. Final Fantasy 16
The most recent entry in the series, Final Fantasy 16, took quite a few experimental paths in its design. In some ways, that paid off. In others, it didn’t. The combat and summoning system are unique and fun, especially if you like the more action-based combat rather than the traditional turn-based style. Additionally, the story is quite a bit darker, as Final Fantasy 16 is the first game in the series to get an M rating. The characters are fleshed out and compelling, especially since you get to see three different ages of Clive’s life. However, the ending portion of the game feels more rushed than the rest of it, and the open-ended style has some flaws.
5. Final Fantasy 14
The second try at an MMO for the series, Final Fantasy 14 pulls off the task with the help of A Realm Reborn, making the original release version of FF14 much more bearable. With Final Fantasy 14, you have hundreds of hours of content to explore, and that number keeps increasing as patches and expansions are still being made for the game. Of course, not all of the content is going to suit every player, which was recently made obvious with the negative feedback Dawntrail received. If you enjoy MMOs and want a game you can sink a ton of time into, then Final Fantasy 14 is a great option. However, it has a monthly subscription and the content cycles are slow, which means that you might not find it consistently worth the monthly fee.
4. Final Fantasy 6
Often considered the best of the 2D Final Fantasy games, Final Fantasy 6 perfected the style. You have a cast of characters that are introduced in memorable ways, especially Terra, and they each have fleshed-out stories that make you root for their success. Meanwhile, you have a villain whose insanity is the side effect of an experiment conducted on him, which makes him truly frightening because he holds a very nihilistic world view and he isn’t afraid to use his power to keep people in line. In combination with the story, you have a combat system that gives you a high amount of customization in how you fight. The story and gameplay finally come together to create a masterpiece with Final Fantasy 6.
3. Final Fantasy 10
Like Final Fantasy 6, Final Fantasy 10 also finds a winning combination in its story and the way it lets you customize your party to fit your combat style and be prepared for any battle you encounter. The characters are full of surprises, and the overall story has a somber tone. Mortality and fate are constant presences, but so is the desire to find a solution for Sin that doesn’t require sacrifices. The emotional elements and heartbreaking ending keep this game in your memory, and even hearing the soundtrack—particularly, “To Zanarkand”—those feelings come rushing back. While the game is dated now, it was advanced for the time it was released, and it still holds up well enough to enjoy.
2. Final Fantasy 9
A fan-favorite game, Final Fantasy 9 does a great job at blending a story filled with serious, dark themes with lighthearted moments that keep you from getting too depressed. The characters are interesting, and the music is as great as the rest of the series. Despite its age, Final Fantasy 9 still holds up well today, and having abilities be learned through equipment gives the combat system a simplicity that you don’t consistently find in the series. Final Fantasy 9 is a solid game across the board that excels with its characters and stories, and the only downside—depending on the player—is often how slow combat feels compared to other FF games.
1. Final Fantasy 7
Of course, Final Fantasy 7 takes the top spot. Even without considering the ongoing remake trilogy, Final Fantasy 7 was the game that proved what the series was capable of and set the tone for the rest of the 3D games, having been the first of them. It’s difficult to not love the characters and feel the dystopian weight of the world, especially with Shinra’s antics. Then, you have a fleshed-out villain with an actual motive behind his actions, and the knowledge that he was once seen as a hero. The combat is smooth and limit breaks are satisfying. On top of it all, you get a great blend of sci-fi and fantasy, whereas many games lean more towards one or the other. It’s not surprising that Final Fantasy 7 tends to be the reigning favorite amongst fans as it’s the best the series has to offer.
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