🗡️Best Final Fantasy Games Ranked
Final Fantasy has shaped JRPGs for decades through epic stories, memorable characters, and evolving battle systems. Rankings spark endless debate because each entry balances innovation against nostalgia and technical ambition. Vote on the attributes that matter most to you.
What counts: Best combines critical scores, sales impact, innovation, and lasting fan arguments. Figures are approximate round numbers.
Final Fantasy VII▲ Rising
FF7 brought cinematic storytelling and a brooding anti-hero to the masses on the original PlayStation. Its mid-game twist and Sephiroth confrontation remain unmatched in emotional payoff. The title still leads sales and influence decades later.
Release Year: 1997Metacritic: 92/10Sales (millions): 14 MMain Platform: PS1Avg Hours to Beat: 40 hrs
added by IJRin 7 rankingsFinal Fantasy VII
44Final Fantasy VI▲ Rising
FF6 delivered an ensemble cast and opera-house setpiece that redefined what a 16-bit RPG could achieve. Kefka's nihilistic rise gave the series its darkest villain. Its freedom after the world breaks still feels radical.
Release Year: 1994Metacritic: 91/10Sales (millions): 3 MMain Platform: SNESAvg Hours to Beat: 35 hrs
added by IJRin 6 rankingsFinal Fantasy VI
30Final Fantasy X▲ Rising
FF10 introduced voice acting and a sphere-grid leveling system that rewarded exploration. Tidus and Yuna's romance and the Zanarkand reveal created lasting emotional resonance. Its linear path still divides players.
Release Year: 2001Metacritic: 92/10Sales (millions): 8 MMain Platform: PS2Avg Hours to Beat: 45 hrs
added by IJRin 5 rankingsFinal Fantasy X
26Final Fantasy Tactics▲ Rising
Tactics took the series into deep strategy territory with its job system and political intrigue. The Church of Glabados conspiracy and Ramza's tragedy made it a cult classic. Its difficulty curve remains punishing and rewarding.
Release Year: 1997Metacritic: 80/10Sales (millions): 1 MMain Platform: PS1Avg Hours to Beat: 50 hrs
added by IJRFinal Fantasy Tactics
23Final Fantasy V▲ Rising
FF5 perfected the job system with dozens of classes to mix and match. The light-hearted tone and memorable boss fights made it a fan favorite for replayability. Its crystal theme ties the series together.
Release Year: 1992Metacritic: 83/10Sales (millions): 3 MMain Platform: SNESAvg Hours to Beat: 30 hrs
added by IJRFinal Fantasy V
18FF16 embraced mature themes and action combat in a dark medieval world. Clive's revenge arc and Eikon battles deliver spectacle and weight. Its linear focus divided fans but earned strong reviews.
Release Year: 2023Metacritic: 87/10Sales (millions): 3 MMain Platform: PS5Avg Hours to Beat: 35 hrs
added by IJRin 2 rankingsFinal Fantasy XVI
18Final Fantasy IX▲ Rising
FF9 returned to fantasy roots with charming designs and a story about identity and theater. Vivi's arc and the final dungeon deliver the series' most heartfelt moments. It remains the most re-played mainline entry for many fans.
Release Year: 2000Metacritic: 87/10Sales (millions): 6 MMain Platform: PS1Avg Hours to Beat: 38 hrs
added by IJRin 2 rankingsFinal Fantasy IX
17FF4 pioneered the active time battle system and introduced a dark tale of redemption with Cecil's arc. The moon sequence and multiple party switches set a template for future entries. Its story still holds up as tight and tragic.
Release Year: 1991Metacritic: 82/10Sales (millions): 3 MMain Platform: SNESAvg Hours to Beat: 25 hrs
added by IJRin 2 rankingsFinal Fantasy IV
17FF8 leaned into romance and a time-compression plot that still sparks debate. The junction system let players break the game in creative ways. Squall's growth from loner to leader gives it emotional weight.
Release Year: 1999Metacritic: 86/10Sales (millions): 9 MMain Platform: PS1Avg Hours to Beat: 40 hrs
added by IJRin 2 rankingsFinal Fantasy VIII
16Final Fantasy XIV▲ Rising
FF14 rose from disastrous launch to become a critically acclaimed MMO with Shadowbringers and Endwalker arcs. Its job system and story focus set a new standard. The community-driven redemption story is legendary.
Release Year: 2010Metacritic: 86/10Sales (millions): 27 MMain Platform: PCAvg Hours to Beat: —
added by IJRin 3 rankingsFinal Fantasy XIV
16Final Fantasy X-2▲ Rising
FFX-2 flipped the script with a bubbly tone and job-based dressphere system. The sphere hunt and multiple endings rewarded completionists. Its lighter approach still divides fans of the original.
Release Year: 2003Metacritic: 85/10Sales (millions): 4 MMain Platform: PS2Avg Hours to Beat: 35 hrs
added by IJRFinal Fantasy X-2
15Final Fantasy XIII▲ Rising
FF13 streamlined the series into a cinematic corridor with paradigm shifts. Lightning's determined arc and the fal'Cie mythology created a divisive but visually striking entry. Its linearity still polarizes.
Release Year: 2009Metacritic: 83/10Sales (millions): 7 MMain Platform: PS3Avg Hours to Beat: 45 hrs
added by IJRFinal Fantasy XIII
8Final Fantasy Crisis Core▲ Rising
Crisis Core told Zack's tragic prequel story with flashy action combat. The ending remains one of the series' most tear-jerking moments. It added depth to FF7 lore.
Release Year: 2007Metacritic: 83/10Sales (millions): 3 MMain Platform: PSPAvg Hours to Beat: 20 hrs
added by IJR
8FF12 shifted to real-time gambit combat and a vast open world inspired by Star Wars. Balthier's sky-pirate swagger and the political plot gave Ivalice new depth. Its license board rewards long-term planning.
Release Year: 2006Metacritic: 86/10Sales (millions): 6 MMain Platform: PS2Avg Hours to Beat: 60 hrs
added by IJRin 3 rankingsFinal Fantasy XII
4FF11 brought the series online with deep MMO systems and Vana'diel's vast world. Its long-running community and challenging endgame raids defined a generation of players. The story expansions remain epic.
Release Year: 2002Metacritic: 75/10Sales (millions): 0.5 MMain Platform: PCAvg Hours to Beat: —
added by IJRFinal Fantasy XI
1Final Fantasy III▲ Rising
FF3 introduced the job system that would define the series for years. The floating continent and crystal themes created a classic adventure. Its 3D remake brought it wider attention.
Release Year: 1990Metacritic: 78/10Sales (millions): 1 MMain Platform: NESAvg Hours to Beat: 25 hrs
added by IJRFinal Fantasy III
-2Final Fantasy II▲ Rising
FF2 introduced keyword-based story progression and a radical leveling system based on usage. The Emperor's tyranny and rebel theme set an early template. Its experimental nature makes it a curiosity.
Release Year: 1988Metacritic: 70/10Sales (millions): 2 MMain Platform: NESAvg Hours to Beat: 20 hrs
added by IJRFinal Fantasy II
-3XIII-2 added time travel and monster taming to fix many complaints about linearity. Serah and Noel's journey across eras gave more freedom. Its multiple endings rewarded exploration.
Release Year: 2011Metacritic: 79/10Sales (millions): 3 MMain Platform: PS3Avg Hours to Beat: 40 hrs
added by IJRFinal Fantasy XIII-2
-5Final Fantasy IV: The After Years▼ Falling
The After Years expanded FF4 with new chapters and a lunar theme. It revisited beloved characters in a darker light. Its episodic release model was ahead of its time.
Release Year: 2008Metacritic: 68/10Sales (millions): 0.5 MMain Platform: WiiAvg Hours to Beat: 30 hrs
added by IJRFinal Fantasy IV: The After Years
-5FF15 focused on road-trip camaraderie and open-world exploration with a brooding prince. The final chapter's emotional payoff after years of updates cemented its legacy. Driving and camping remain signature moments.
Release Year: 2016Metacritic: 81/10Sales (millions): 10 MMain Platform: PS4Avg Hours to Beat: 40 hrs
added by IJRFinal Fantasy XV
-6Type-0 delivered a dark war story with a large class of playable cadets. Its real-time combat and permadeath mechanics created tension. The ending's bleak tone stands out.
Release Year: 2011Metacritic: 72/10Sales (millions): 1 MMain Platform: PSPAvg Hours to Beat: 30 hrs
added by IJRFinal Fantasy Type-0
-6Final Fantasy VII Remake▼ Falling
The Remake expanded Midgar into a living city while keeping the core story beats. Combat blends action and strategy in a fresh way. Its cliffhanger ending left fans eager for more.
Release Year: 2020Metacritic: 87/10Sales (millions): 7 MMain Platform: PS4Avg Hours to Beat: 35 hrs
added by IJRin 3 rankingsFinal Fantasy VII Remake
-10Final Fantasy Legend II▼ Falling
Legend II mixed RPG and monster-collecting elements in the SaGa sub-series. Its world-hopping story and fusion system gave high replay value. It remains a cult portable favorite.
Release Year: 1990Metacritic: 72/10Sales (millions): 1 MMain Platform: GBAvg Hours to Beat: 20 hrs
added by IJRFinal Fantasy Legend II
-15Final Fantasy Mystic Quest▼ Falling
Mystic Quest simplified the formula for Western audiences with straightforward dungeons and a young hero. Its accessible design made it a gateway title. The music remains a highlight.
Release Year: 1992Metacritic: 65/10Sales (millions): 1 MMain Platform: SNESAvg Hours to Beat: 15 hrs
added by IJRFinal Fantasy Mystic Quest
-17Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings▼ Falling
Revenant Wings brought real-time strategy to Ivalice with sky-pirate themes. The story continues Vaan's journey after XII. Its aerial battles offered new tactics.
Release Year: 2007Metacritic: 70/10Sales (millions): 1 MMain Platform: DSAvg Hours to Beat: 25 hrs
added by IJRFinal Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings
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