Top 10 Best Final Fantasy Video Games

WatchMojo

"Final Fantasty" includes some of the best games of all time. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at the best the "Final Fantasy" franchise has to offer.

Transcript

00:00 Welcome to WatchMojo and today we're looking at the best the Final Fantasy franchise has

00:17 to offer.

00:27 Number 10 - Final Fantasy Tactics

00:37 As Final Fantasy's first foray into the tactical RPG genre, Final Fantasy Tactics succeeded

00:42 as not only its best spin-off, but one of the best games in the series.

00:54 Created by Yasumi Matsuno, the man behind the excellent Ogre Battle series, Tactics

00:59 featured grid-based combat and boasts a wide variety of classes the players can assign

01:03 their characters to.

01:04 The game follows the story of Ramza Veove, a cadet who finds himself right in the middle

01:08 of the War of the Lions, a civil conflict over the throne of Ivalice.

01:12 With its riveting plot, addictive gameplay and exceptional presentation, Tactics is a

01:16 must-play for any Final Fantasy fan.

01:26 Number 9 - Final Fantasy XII

01:36 Expanding on Tactics and the world of Ivalice, Final Fantasy XII was a groundbreaking title

01:40 for the PlayStation 2 that introduced many unique changes to the Final Fantasy formula.

01:45 Most notable of these changes was the ADB system, which eliminated random battles, instead

01:49 taking place on the same field the player explored.

01:52 Accompanying that was the Gambit system, which allowed players to assign fixed commands to

01:56 its AI party members.

02:09 The plot itself is the weakest part of Final Fantasy XII, as the protagonist Vaan was not

02:14 an important figure amidst all of the politics that were going on.

02:17 However, the rest of the game more than makes up for it, cementing it as one of the best

02:21 JRPGs the PlayStation 2 has to offer.

02:31 Number 8 - Final Fantasy XVI

02:48 The first Final Fantasy to reach next-gen consoles, XVI is a game-changer in more ways

02:52 than one.

02:53 It features high-octane real-time combat, which is extremely reminiscent of the Devil

02:57 May Cry franchise.

03:07 The narrative has a much darker and adult tone compared to the rest of the franchise,

03:11 following the former Prince Clive in his quest to destroy all the Mother Crystals that decay

03:15 the land.

03:16 Another highlight is the Icon Battles, which are out of something you'd see from an episode

03:20 of Attack on Titan with its gigantic set-pieces and dramatic moments.

03:42 Number 7 - Final Fantasy IV

03:52 Without a doubt, Final Fantasy IV is one of the most important entries in the franchise

03:56 given the precedence it set going forward.

03:58 It revolutionized Final Fantasy with its active time battle system and excellent storytelling,

04:03 something uncommon at the time.

04:04 It features a party of characters who are determined by the narrative rather than player's

04:08 choice, creating an interesting dynamic.

04:10 Three among them is Cecil, the protagonist, whose journey from Dark Knight to Paladin

04:14 is unforgettable to say the least.

04:22 Final Fantasy IV is such a gem of a game that it continues to stand out amongst its modern

04:27 contemporaries despite its age.

04:40 Number 6 - Final Fantasy X

04:53 To say we were all blown away when Final Fantasy X was released back in 2001 is truly an understatement.

04:58 The PlayStation 2's technology pushed the franchise to new heights, making for visuals

05:02 that are deemed incredible to this day.

05:05 The game follows Blitzball superstar Tidus as he's whisked away from Zanarkand into

05:09 the world of Spira.

05:10 Here, he must go on a pilgrimage with the summoner Yuna to defeat the monstrous Sin,

05:14 a gigantic whale-like beast that terrorizes the land.

05:24 FFX was a unique hit and became the first game in the franchise to get a follow-up sequel

05:37 with Final Fantasy X-2.

05:48 Number 5 - Final Fantasy VII Remake

06:03 Ever since Square Enix showed a tech demo of FF VII's opening at E3 2005, fans had

06:08 been desperate for an updated version of the beloved classic.

06:11 Fast forward almost 15 years later and the wish of Final Fantasy VII Remake had finally

06:16 been granted.

06:17 Dropping the original's turn-based combat, Remake features a unique blend of real-time

06:20 action with the ATB bar.

06:30 The game only covers the Midgar section of the story, which had upset some fans.

06:34 However, it more than makes up for this with shocking narrative changes, leaving room for

06:38 more hype for its upcoming sequel, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.

06:58 Number 4 - Final Fantasy XIV

07:10 The original version of Final Fantasy XIV was an absolute disaster to such a degree

07:14 that Square Enix decided to start it back up again from scratch.

07:18 Taking its place was a realm reborn, an upgrade in every way.

07:21 FF XIV has one of the strongest stories in the franchise, with the Scions of the Seventh

07:25 Dawn fighting against the mysterious Ascians being at its forefront.

07:29 Gameplay-wise, it has an incredible amount of things to explore and do, like its dungeons

07:32 and trials, that are so good you'll be wanting to replay them often.

07:44 Final Fantasy XIV is also notable for its excellent expansion packs, which continue

07:47 its ever-growing story as well as adding a wide array of new content.

08:10 Number 3 - Final Fantasy IX

08:22 The swan song for mainline Final Fantasy on the PS1, Final Fantasy IX is a throwback to

08:26 earlier games in the franchise while also maintaining modern improvements from its era.

08:30 The game stars Thief Zidane, who, after kidnapping Princess Garnet, ends up becoming her protector

08:35 from evil forces.

08:46 With its outstanding characters, locations and story, Final Fantasy IX oozes charm.

08:51 The game also distinguishes itself for being the last game where franchise legend Nobuo

08:55 Uematsu was the sole composer.

09:06 Number 2 - Final Fantasy VI

09:16 For many, this is the best game in the franchise, and it's hard to argue against that.

09:20 Final Fantasy VI is the complete package, and boasts one of the best stories in gaming

09:24 supported by a richly developed cast who each have their own personal arcs and goals.

09:28 Of note is its villain Kefka, the comedic evil clown standing out as the biggest threat

09:33 any group of heroes in the series has ever faced.

09:45 Final Fantasy VI is a timeless classic that needs to be played by anyone even remotely

09:49 interested in the franchise.

09:58 Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

10:02 Final Fantasy VIII

10:03 Don't let its weird leveling system prevent you from playing this.

10:15 Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII

10:17 More than just a prequel, this game will break your heart.

10:29 Final Fantasy XV

10:30 Despite its setbacks, the game is still worth your time.

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10:59 Number 1 - Final Fantasy VII

11:01 Final Fantasy VII raised the bar for RPGs and made Final Fantasy the mega-franchise

11:18 it is today.

11:19 Deep in lore, the plot is one of the most beloved in all of video games, still vigorously

11:23 discussed by fans.

11:24 And its storytelling has made all the more engaging through a well-written and memorable

11:28 cast of characters such as Cloud, Tifa, Barret, as well as villain Sephiroth and a soundtrack

11:33 that is perfectly tied to its themes and tones.

11:35 Final Fantasy VII's tracks have never left listeners' hearts and minds, with One-Winged

11:39 Angel remaining a standout.

11:55 These elements have truly earned Final Fantasy VII its status of masterpiece.

11:58 It's no wonder, then, that this entry continues to be the main focus of the company Square

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