Few game series have changed as much over the years as Final Fantasy. From turn-based RPGs and tactical adventures to massive online worlds, the series has constantly reinvented itself while keeping its focus on great stories, characters, and worlds. That variety is a big part of what makes Final Fantasy so special , but it also makes choosing the best games surprisingly difficult.
This list focuses on the 10 Final Fantasy games that stand out the most, whether they are beloved classics or entries that have sparked plenty of debate among fans.
My Top 10 Final Fantasy Games
1. Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VII Opening
Final Fantasy VII is arguably the most recognisable game in the entire series. With its iconic characters and vast world, this entry is responsible for making Final Fantasy a global phenomenon. Even people who have never played it have probably heard of the Buster Sword or at least know about the villain Sephiroth, the One-Winged Angel.
All of that recognition stems from the game's gut-wrenching story, which starts as a relatively focused conflict with Shinra but quickly evolves into something far more personal and ambitious, with worldwide implications. It's remarkable to think that it has been almost 30 years since the game came out. But even with its obviously aged visuals, FF VII is still an easy recommendation to anyone looking for their next great RPG.
2. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
Following up the original with Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade might seem like an odd choice , at first glance, they might appear to be the same game. However, the remake manages to stay relatively faithful to the 1997 original while expanding its story and giving every character more time to shine.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is only the first part of a new trilogy, but it is already a staple of the series. Whether you have known these characters for decades or are meeting them for the first time, this is an amazing RPG that you won't regret playing.
3. Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy X is one of those games where the story stays with you long after you finish it. It follows Tidus, a blitzball player who gets transported into another world and tasked with helping Yuna on her pilgrimage. This creates a relationship between the two characters that stands at the heart of the entire journey, with the game taking its time building it before delivering an ending that still hits hard.
The music is everything in FF X. That opening track alone signals the kind of journey you are about to go on , pure perfection before you even know what lies ahead.
4. Final Fantasy XIV
Final Fantasy XIV: A Real Reborn Official Art
An MMORPG might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Final Fantasy, but Final Fantasy XIV has managed to turn the series' usual focus on story and characters into something that spans years. There are multiple expansions, hundreds of hours of content, raids, dungeons, and pretty much every type of online activity you could want from the genre.
What people sometimes forget is that, underneath all of that, this is still a Final Fantasy game. The characters and the story are always the main focus, supported by plenty of cutscenes, dialogue, and side missions that make the world feel alive. FF XIV strikes the perfect balance between an MMO and a single-player RPG.
5. Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is a remake of the original Final Fantasy Tactics and is vastly different from the previous entries on this list. This is a grid-based tactical RPG where positioning, strategy, and character abilities all matter. The Job system gives you plenty of control over how your party develops, while battles require careful thought about placement and team synergy.
The story follows Ramza as he gets caught up in a political conflict between the powerful forces of Ivalice, meeting a wide cast of characters and forming relationships that give the journey its emotional weight. Despite the different combat system, it still carries the sense of adventure and drama that makes it feel unmistakably like Final Fantasy.
6. Final Fantasy VI
Final Fantasy VI Official Art
Few games from the 16-bit era feel as ambitious as Final Fantasy VI. The story follows a large group of characters caught up in a conflict with the Empire, with the game giving its entire cast room to take centre stage rather than relying on a single clear protagonist. The gameplay looks simple on the surface but allows for surprisingly complex builds, while boss fights constantly introduce new mechanics to keep things interesting.
Then there is Kefka , one of the best villains in the series and perhaps the purest example of evil in Final Fantasy. He doesn't need a complicated motivation. He is evil because he is evil, and watching him cause absolute chaos is still entertaining decades later. For a game this old, the scale of what Square managed to create remains genuinely impressive.
7. Final Fantasy XV
A road trip with your friends probably isn't what most people expect from a Final Fantasy game, but that is exactly what makes Final Fantasy XV so memorable. It's also one of the most controversial games on this list, often criticised for having enormous potential it doesn't always fulfil , from characters that sometimes feel underdeveloped to gameplay that takes some getting used to.
Those criticisms are valid, but they have never stopped the game from being genuinely enjoyable. Going into Final Fantasy XV expecting it to be Final Fantasy VII or VI misses the point. Seen for what it is , a fun but flawed game , it is still very much worth experiencing.
8. Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy IX Alexandria Castle
Zidane, Vivi, Garnet, Steiner, and the rest of the party give Final Fantasy IX a charm that is difficult to find elsewhere in the series. Almost every character has a personality that makes them easy to get attached to, bringing the series back to its more traditional fantasy roots and making the journey feel genuinely special.
The turn-based combat is very good, though it can be painfully slow at times and some battles become more frustrating than they need to be. Thankfully, the characters and story do most of the heavy lifting. That charm is the main reason to keep coming back to IX.
9. Final Fantasy XIII
Being chosen as a hero sounds like a good deal in most Final Fantasy games. In Final Fantasy XIII, it's a curse. The game's characters are branded as l'Cie and forced into a fate they never asked for, giving the story a strong focus on escaping an imposed destiny. That premise sets this entry apart from most other FF stories, even if the game itself is another example of an entry with huge potential that doesn't always deliver on it.
Despite its shortcomings, the characters are still compelling and the story , while linear , is interesting and easy to follow. The visuals, both at launch and to this day, remain the undisputed highlight of the experience.
10. Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy VIII Opening
The jump from the 16-bit era to Final Fantasy VIII was massive, and Square used it to experiment with almost everything. VIII was the first Final Fantasy on the original PlayStation, and it brought a new graphical style, more realistic character designs, and systems that were very different from what came before. Some of those ideas work brilliantly, while others don't work as well. The story follows Squall, a young SeeD member who gets drawn into a conflict involving a mysterious sorceress. This might seem like a fairly simple premise. However, Squall's character development is unlike anything we have seen in the FF series, which makes for a great and intricate story.
The biggest problem with Final Fantasy VIII is the games around it. Final Fantasy VII came before it, while Final Fantasy IX and X followed it, and all three are often held up as some of the best games in the series. That makes VIII look worse by comparison than it really is. Sure, it has its problems, but there is a lot to appreciate in one of the series' most experimental entries.
Why Final Fantasy Still Matters
Final Fantasy has changed enormously over the years, and that is a big part of what makes choosing the best games in the series so difficult. From classic turn-based RPGs to tactical games, sprawling MMORPGs, and modern reimaginings, each entry offers something different.
Not every game on this list will be everyone's favourite, but that variety is exactly why Final Fantasy has remained so memorable for so long. Whether you want a great story, interesting characters, deep gameplay, or simply a world you can get lost in for hundreds of hours, there is a Final Fantasy game for you.
