The best Final Fantasy games of all time

On 30 March Final Fantasy XV received an official release date – 30 September 2016. For those of you who can’t wait that long, you can now download a new demo of the game if you own either an Xbox One or PS4.

In addition, Square Enix announced it would release a new film based on the franchise, “Kingsglaive” later this year.

With all this new Final Fantasy news dropping we thought now would be the perfect time to revisit the best games in the franchise.

Final Fantasy IX

Metacritic User Score: 94 / Metacritic Critic Score: 91

The last Final Fantasy on the original Playstation, Final Fantasy IX offered the very best the console and newer 3D games in the series had to offer.

It’s return to a cartoony graphics style evoked the original NES games, but the new turn-based job gameplay system added a depth not seen in previous titles.

It stands as one of the few numbered games in the series that chose to polish its core systems rather than introduce convoluted new features and as such still stands up today.

Final Fantasy Tactics

Metacritic User Score: 94 / Metacritic Critic Score: 83

The only non-numbered entry on this list and the only game in a different genre entirely, Final Fantasy Tactics is considered a modern-day classic by fans and critics alike.

The tactical gameplay required careful planning and positioning from its players and reckless decisions could result in permanently lost characters.

Despite the new playstyle, Tactics offered up a massive story of politics and betrayal never seen before in the series and has inspired countless imitators.

Final Fantasy VII

Metacritic User Score: 91 / Metacritic Critic Score: 92

The first 3D Final Fantasy title, Final Fantasy VII’s heartbreaking story is still discussed today. The spiky-hair and massive swords looked great at the time and were responsible for elevating the series to cinematic levels.

The game also introduced us to one of gaming’s greatest rivalries.

Final Fantasy VI

Metacritic User Score: 92/ Metacritic Critic Score: 91

Among Final Fantasy fans, opinion is typically split as to whether one game is better than the other with the exception of unanimously praised Final Fantasy VI.

The last game on the NES before the series made the jump to the Playstation, FFVI’s characters, story and musical score continue to resonate with players today.

The first game in the series to step away from classic fantasy towards a steampunk motif, the game also offered a shocking twist midway through, completely changing the gameplay dynamic and tone of the game.

Final Fantasy X

Metacritic User Score: 88 / Metacritic Critic Score: 92

Final Fantasy X was the first of the series to release on the PS2 and used the opportunity to boast some of the most impressive graphics available at the time.

Focusing on the romance of Tidus and Yuna, the game was elevated by offering full voice acting as the two lovers fought against an ever-encroaching shadow monster.

Blitzball, the sport played in FFX also featured more depth and gameplay options than many fully-fledged sports games at the time.