Summary
TheFinal Fantasyseries is one of the longest-running video game series in the world. To those who have never played a single entry but may have wanted to, jumping straight in may feel daunting, given the large number of games to choose from. With a few exceptions, each title isa standalone anthology story, meaning that a newcomer could get started in just about any of them.
EveryFinal Fantasyhas something unique to offer, and every gamer has their own valid tastes and preferences. One player’s favorite may be at the bottom of another player’s list. That being said, each of the following has been carefully selected for its suitability as an entry point with a little guidance that should help those experiencing analysis paralysis find a way to get into one of the best video game series of all time.
It is important to know right off the bat thatFinal Fantasy 14is an online game, which means that it conforms to many of the trappings associated with a persistent, online multiplayer setting. While many may assume that this would makeFinal Fantasy 14very different from the single-player offline games, the narrative, gameplay, and aesthetics are remarkably consistent with the rest of the series,especially in the excellent expansions.Final Fantasy 14plays like a “greatest hits” of sorts and openly celebrates and references other games in the series.
However, as with allFinal Fantasygames, newcomers aren’t expected to have any prior knowledge to enjoy the game. Unlike the previousFinal FantasyMMO, players are not as forcefully encouraged to form groups. While the story can, for the most part, be experienced solo, the game is still best played with friends, and the community is already one of the friendliest around. It may not rank highly as a first-time title, but for those who enjoy the MMO genre or have friends who are chomping at the bit to spend time adventuring across the world of Eorzea or enjoy long-running, ongoing stories,Final Fantasy 14is not a bad jumping in point.
While it may seem more logical that a purist should start with the very firstFinal Fantasy, anyone interested in seeing the series' roots in its pixel era should really tryFinal Fantasy 4. The first three games, while an interesting part of video game history and still viable options for first-timers and well-remade for thePixel Remakes, were made during Square’s early experimental era.
Final Fantasy 4supercharges all the lessons from the previous three games with a stellar presentation and story.It has well-balanced gameplay,all the tropes emblematic of the franchise, and a somewhat shorter, less investment-heavy playtime than other games in the series. Of course,FF4is still on the “retro classic” side, and those who find themselves struggling to settle in may want to try one of the more modern entries. Those who want more should tryFinal Fantasy 6for another great story orFinal Fantasy 5for great battle mechanics and a more light-hearted experience.
Picking up the most widely-known and beloved game in the series might be tempting, but there are some caveats to be aware of withFinal Fantasy 7, and this applies to both the 1997 original and theRemaketrilogy. The original was one of the earliest attempts at using 3D extensively, and it shows. Unlike other games that use chibi models with stylistic flair, characters can look very basic and underwhelming to gamers with modern sensibilities. The PS1 original is still excellent, but fully enjoying and appreciating it will require some adjustment of expectations.
As for theRemake, it is important to understand that, as a story spread across three games, the pacing, feel, and story play out quite differently. Combat is more action-oriented than turn-based, but this may be more of a selling point than a dealbreaker for some. Most importantly, it isn’t strictly a remake, ascertain story elements have been changed. The ability to appreciate some of the changes is dependent on knowing the context of the original’s story, as the main target audience for theRemaketrilogy seems to be existingFF7fans.
As a series, theFinal Fantasyseries has changed a lot. From pixels to pre-renders and then full 3D, from limited text to full voice acting,from generic fantasy to contemporary cyberpunk, and back again. For anyone looking to get a feel for the spirit of the series, there’s no better thanFinal Fantasy 9,which is not only mechanically and narratively safe but all-around solid.
Final Fantasy 9was created as a loving homage to the earlier games, but it has one of the strongest casts carrying one of the series' finest stories. Just like the previous two games, the game uses 3D models againstgorgeous pre-rendered backgrounds. The lack of voice-acting means that there is plenty of reading, but this, along with the theatrical sets and pseudo-chibi models, imparts a charming, visual-novel-like quality to the experience.
Despite having been originally released two decades ago,Final Fantasy 10is widely considered to be the most accessible “modern"Final Fantasygame. This is because it comes with all the features expected of a modern video game: voice acting, functional tutorials, realistically proportioned and expressive character models, and a reasonable difficulty curve. TheHD Remasteralso does a great job of bringing some of the more aged elements up to snuff for modern hardware.
While some fans are critical of its linear design, those unaccustomed to the conventions and mechanics of the Japanese roleplaying game (JRPG) genre will appreciate the guard rails. Although allFinal Fantasygames have aimed to be newcomer-friendly,Final Fantasy 10does an exceptional job of easing players into its battle system, which is widely consideredthe most stripped-down but refined iteration, and while the protagonist is divisive among fans, absolute newcomers may be able to empathize best with Tidus' “fish out of water” journey.
