Final Fantasy is a Japanese role-playing video game franchise developed and published by Square Enix. In total, the franchise contains 94 different games but the main Final Fantasy game series includes 16 games and the main series is considered as the best in the whole franchise. Here is a summary of each main series game. So, what are you waiting for, check out our list of
Best Final Fantasy Game Series in 2021
1. Final Fantasy
Released dates:
- JP: December 18, 1987
- NA: July 12, 1990
- PAL: March 14, 2003
Final Fantasy is the first game in the series with its unique game mechanics and plot. Four light warriors fight against the demons to save the world. The game continues as the warriors travel into different continents to fight with the enemies and complete in-game objectives. The game features a menu-driven combat system with different commands like attack, magic, item etc.
Final Fantasy game is available on PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, iOS, Windows Phone, Android.
2. Final Fantasy II
Released dates:
- JP: December 17, 1988
- NA: April 8, 2003
- PAL: March 14, 2003
This is the second instalment in the series with similar game mechanics but a different plot. Here the four light warriors fight against the empire of Palamecia by which their parents are killed. Like its predecessor, a menu-based control system is also present here.
Final Fantasy 2 is available on PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, iOS, Android.
3. Final Fantasy III
Released dates:
- JP: April 27, 1990
- NA: November 14, 2006
- PAL: May 4, 2007
In the story, the four light warriors found a secret cave that contains a crystal of light. The warriors got some secret powers from the crystal and instructed to bring back the balance and order in the world and from here the adventure begins. The main objective of the game is to defeat the Cloud of Darkness and save the world from it. Almost all the basic mechanics are the same but some new features like auto-targeting in battles are introduced.
It is available on PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Android. Purchase the game from Steam
4. Final Fantasy IV
Released dates:
- JP: July 19, 1991
- NA: November 23, 1991
- PAL: February 27, 2002
This is the fourth instalment in the core Final Fantasy game series. The story lies around a dark knight Cecil whose objective is to defeat Golbez. Golbez wants to capture the powerful crystals and destroy the world with its power. Monsters appear randomly throughout the game and the player have to fight with them using magic items and special abilities. Active time battle is also introduced in the game that allows the player to command in real-time while battling.
It is available on Super NES, PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Android.
You can download the game from Steam.
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5. Final Fantasy V
Released dates:
- JP: December 6, 1992
- NA: October 5, 1999
- PAL: February 27, 2002
This is the fifth instalment in the core series of Final Fantasy game. In the story, a wanderer named Bartz, whose objective is to protect the crystals that work as a barrier to the evil Exdeath. To do this, Bartz must face various consequences and monsters and defeat them. Unlike the previous versions, it allows the character customization and job system feature which is the main attraction here.
It is available on PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Android.
You can purchase the game from Steam.
6. Final Fantasy VI
Released dates:
- JP: April 2, 1994
- NA: October 11, 1994
- PAL: March 1, 2002
The story contains a total of fourteen playable characters and their battle adventure against warfare and its violent and apocalyptic consequences. Various other post-war problems and how hope is still present among all these are depicted beautifully in the story using the characters and plot. It features traditional menu-based combat with active time battle.
It is available on Super Nintendo, PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Android.
You can purchase the game from Steam.
7. Final Fantasy VII
Released dates:
- JP: January 31, 1997
- NA: September 7, 1997
- PAL: November 1, 1997
In the list of best Final Fantasy game series, this is the 7th instalment. The story begins with a character named Cloud Strife who is on a mission to stop an evil organization, which want to gain control all over the world using the power of life essence. To complete his mission Cloud joins a party with some other characters who desired to do the same. The mechanics are quite similar to the previous versions but some new science friction elements are introduced.
It is available on PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Android, Nintendo Switch.
You can download the game from Steam.
8. Final Fantasy VIII
Released dates:
- JP: February 11, 1999
- NA: September 9, 1999
- PAL: October 27, 1999
This is the 8th instalment in the main Final Fantasy game series. The story follows the plot of an unnamed science friction fantasy world with a party of character. The objective of the game is to defeat Ultimecia who had a bad intention of compressing time. It features a command-based battle system with 3D characters and graphics.
It is available on PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Android, Nintendo Switch.
You can purchase the game from Steam.
9. Final Fantasy IX
Released dates:
- JP: July 7, 2000
- NA: November 13, 2000
- PAL: February 16, 2001
The plot is set in a fantasy world named Gaia. Queen of Alexandria, started a war against another nation Lindblum. The player Zidane Tribal kidnaps the Alexandrian princess and made a group with certain characters to take down her mother to stop the war and its consequences. During battles, the map changes suddenly into a battle screen for a hassle-free combat experience. Like its predecessors, it features command-based combat with active time battle.
It is available on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Android.
You can purchase the game from Steam.
10. Final Fantasy X
Released dates:
- JP: July 19, 2001
- NA: December 17, 2001
- PAL: March 24, 2002
This is the 9th instalment in the core Final Fantasy game series. The story of the game lies around a bunch of characters who wants to defeat the monster Sin. The player Tidus, who is an athlete comes to the fantasy world Spira and joined a group to execute the main objective. It features a conditional tern based battle system with no particular time limit.
It is available on PlayStation, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch.
You can purchase the game from Steam.
11. Final Fantasy XI
Released dates:
- JP: May 16, 2002
- NA: October 28, 2003
- PAL: September 16, 2004
This is an online multiplayer role-playing game(MMORPG) that features cross-platform play between Play Station and Computer. The story is about three regions helping each other to fight against the Shadow Lord. There are many cooperative side objective present in the game. 5 different playable characters are featured for cooperative gameplay. The diverse climate and beautiful landscapes make the game so attractive to play.
It is available on PlayStation, Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360.
12. Final Fantasy XII
Released dates:
- JP: March 16, 2006
- NA: October 31, 2006
- PAL: February 23, 2007
The player Vaan, a willing sky pirate meets Ashe, the princess of Dalmasca, whose nation is struggling in a war between two big nations named Archadia and Rozarria. When Archadia captured Dalmsaca, Vaan and Ashe together started a rally against Archadian Empire. A new Artificial Intelligence is introduced in the game which allows the player to find suitable equipment and abilities against the monsters using the license system.
It is available on PlayStation, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One.
You can purchase the game from Steam.
13. Final Fantasy XIII
Released dates:
- JP: December 17, 2009
- NA: March 9, 2010
- PAL: March 9, 2010
The plot of the story is set in the floating fantasy world of Cacoon. The playing character here is a former soldier who clashed with the government to save his sister who is considered an enemy of the nation because according to the government, she came in contact with Pulse which is the underworld. It uses a traditional active time battling system with a menu-driven combat system. Some other minor changes are made like the health bar of the enemies etc.
It is available on PlayStation, Xbox 360, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Android.
You can purchase the game from Steam.
14. Final Fantasy XIV (Online)
Released dates:
- WW: September 30, 2010
This online multiplayer role-playing game is the 14th instalment in the core Final Fantasy series. The plot of the game is set in a fictional fantasy world named Eorzea where the player and the team members are captured by Garlean Empire. The main objective of the game is to destroy the Primals. The elements of the characters can be customised and the combat mechanism is completely manual.
It is available on Microsoft Windows.
You can purchase the game from Steam.
15. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
Released dates:
- JP: August 27, 2013
- NA: August 27, 2013
- PAL: August 27, 2013
After getting a negative response globally, Final Fantasy XIV A Realm Reborn came as a replacement for Final Fantasy XIV(online). It follows the same plot and story as the previous version but some changes are added in the conclusion. In the end, the player escapes the destruction done by the primal dragon using a time machine and rebuilds the destructed Eorzea. Almost all the mechanics are the same as previous with no major changes.
It is available on Play Station 3, Play Station 4, Play Station 5, OSX, Microsoft Windows.
Purchase the game from Steam
16. Final Fantasy XV
Released dates:
- WW: November 29, 2016
In the main series of Final Fantasy, this is the 15th instalment. The story follows the player Noctis, whose objective is to find the magic crystal and defeat Niflheim, whose plan is to use the magic crystal to dominate the world. Early, Niflheim stole the crystal from the royal family of Lucis. Here, Noctis is the true king and it is his destiny to protect the crystal and use it to save the world from darkness.
It is available on PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Stadia.
You can download the game from Steam.
FAQs on Final Fantasy Game Series
Which Final Fantasy game should I play first?
If you are a current-generation gamer, you should start with Final Fantasy XV.
Is there any order to play Final Fantasy games?
If you want to experience the evolution of Final Fantasy games, you can start according to the order in the list.
