The Final Fantasy Universe of games and other media is one of the largest and longest-running franchises to come out of the glory days of gaming in the late 80s and early 90s. It stands up with Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Street Fighter, as new releases are still exciting and hugely popular all over the world. Over 185 million copies of Final Fantasy titles have been sold since the first release of Final Fantasy on the Family Computer (FamiCom) in 1987. The whole thing is only a few months younger than I am, and I hope it doesn’t feel the same aches and pains I do. There are certainly no signs of it, as the series is still going strong, with a brand new IP in Final Fantasy XVI, and the stellar Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, which is a brand new version of one of the most acclaimed numbered Final Fantasy titles, which has been recreated from the ground up.
The Final Fantasy Universe is an anthology of stories told from across various worlds, and from the perspectives of diverse and interesting characters. Some titles have their own sequels or spin-offs. Characters from different titles even appear together in other franchises linked to Final Fantasy, such as the Dissidia or Kingdom Hearts games. There are elements and recurring themes that appear in nearly all Final Fantasy titles, including influences from mythology and religion, magic and summoning abilities, materials used in armour, weapons and accessories, and of course Chocobos and Moogles.
The very relatable and understandable themes of good over evil, protection of the planet, exploration of new lands, kingdoms and leaders, war, friendship and teamwork, all within a fantasy/sci-fi setting has cemented Final Fantasy’s legacy enough to remind yourself how lucky you are to be living in the same time period as this incredible storytelling franchise.
In this article, we list the most recently released titles of the franchise (from oldest to newest), including rereleased titles and spin-offs.
10. Final Fantasy VIII Remastered - March 24th 2021 - iOS and Android
How do you follow a game like Final Fantasy VII? With Final Fantasy VIII, of course. Thanks to its predecessor, it sold incredibly well, but FFVIII offers new and compelling gameplay and story elements that help it stand far apart from VII. As the years have gone on, VIII has built on its following, and is now regarded by some as another one of the best of the entire franchise, with some fans putting it above all others, including VII. It remains a divisive game for many reasons, including the story and mechanics.
The game follows mercenary Squall, as he leads his group to try and save the world from an evil power. The evil side is ruled by a futuristic sorceress and her quest for goddess status and control over all things. The fantasy comes from magic and strange worlds, but the focus is on the characters, as with any Final Fantasy title. They each have their own motivations and personalities, a writing technique that comes from classic tropes used throughout fantasy and adventure stories (Seven Samurai, Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, etc.)
FFVIII follows the Final Fantasy formula quite closely, but there were several changes to gameplay from previous titles. Firstly, abilities and equipment was improved and upgraded via the Junction system - where you choose Guardian Forces to learn certain new stats, and then equip these to party members. It’s notorious amongst players, as it is so different from previous level up systems in Final Fantasy games, and took a lot of fans a while to master. However, it’s a bold and engaging system that is explained within the story.
EXP is a simple method of improving base stats of the characters, and is earned by completing battles, as expected. However, the difference here is that there is no increase in how much EXP is needed to level up - you will automatically level up with each 1000 points you get. The downside is that enemies will level up with you, so grinding can lead to unexpected difficulties.
With these interactive and strategic new systems, as well as the story and character development, it’s not hard to see why FFVIII is regarded amongst many Final Fantasy and RPG fans as a masterpiece. The remastered version was originally released in September 2019 for consoles, but 2021 was the first time the game had been available on mobile. The menus are updated, and the graphics made cleaner. Some of the backgrounds are very blurry, and the UI control system isn’t particularly friendly or pretty when using touch screen controls, however, and it comes with a steep price of $20.99.
Just imagine telling your 12 year old self that you could hold Final Fantasy VIII in your hands and play. What a thrilling time to be alive!
9. Chocobo GP - March 10th 2022 - Switch, iOS, Android
As part of the 35th anniversary celebrations of Final Fantasy, Square Enix published a Chocobo Racing title, finally following up on the 1999 fan favourite. It’s a kart racing game with all the cuteness and replayability of any kart racer, though the draw here is in the fact you race as characters from the franchise, including Cloud, Squall, Vivi, Cactuar, and Steiner.
However, there are many unlockable features and extras that were part of aggressive microtransactions, but this seems to have been rectified now. Square Enix stopped supporting new content, and re-released the game including all season pass content, with the option for those who already owned the game to access all content they couldn’t before, and be able to unlock simply by playing through the game. Many players have now agreed that this title is much more appealing, and even with it being quite a standard kart racer, it has something for every Final Fantasy fan.
The tracks are based on maps and areas from the games, and customisation options are varied and fun. The soundtrack is suitably cute, and there is a story mode that places Chocobo front and centre, which is adorable to see. The story itself is suitably nuts, but you learn the layouts of tracks, backgrounds to characters, and it rounds off with a wholesome ending.
It’s nothing particularly groundbreaking, but it’s a great kart racer for fans of the franchise.
8. Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin - March 18th 2022 - multiplatform
Source: Square Enix
Another divisive title, Stranger of Paradise has had a tumultuous life so far. Ever since the initial leak of information about its development, it has been memed and joked about, but also lauded as a stand alone game that is worthy of its fans.
The idea of the game is that it follows a prequel storyline to the original Final Fantasy title, and offers many a homage and reference to the series as a whole along the way. Clearly, the developers and writers at Square Enix are hugely proud of Final Fantasy, and are fans of the franchise themselves. They are always looking at ways to cross over the worlds and characters into other places, or into other genres. This game in particular is an action-RPG title, and offers online multiplayer options. It’s a combination of features from previous Final Fantasy games, but is first and foremost an action game, built mainly by Team Ninja - the developers behind Ninja Gaiden, Dead or Alive, and Nioh.
The gameplay is all about timing and balance, as moves and abilities require button combos or need to be assigned depending on the character and their job class. Parts of it are Soulslike, and other parts need elemental powers. It’s nothing like any other Final Fantasy spin-off, and that’s no bad thing.
The story is emotive and dark, which is something the writers wanted from the beginning. It’s certainly not for everyone, but check out some reviews to see if it might be your style. There are a lot of changes in pace, with plot twists and mystery throughout, but the game has been criticised for being too wacky, and for the main character to be unlikable, which is always a gamble in video games.
This title is for players looking for easter eggs and a new canon story, created 35 years after its beginning. It’s an exciting proposal for true fans, and many of them really love this game.
7. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion - December 13th 2022 - multiplatform
To mark the 25th anniversary of the original release of Final Fantasy VII, the fan favourite spin-off, Crisis Core, was remastered. Noted as “more than just a remaster” however, Crisis Core was given improved audio, redone voice-acting, and updated 3D models. It wasn’t originally intended to be as extensive as that, but with the ever-popular Compilation of Final Fantasy VII, developers decided it would make sense to update the game to look and feel as close as possible to Final Fantasy VII: Remake.
Many elements of the game are the same as Remake, from the voice cast to the UI, but the systems and side missions remain from the original Crisis Core. Also, the storyline has not been changed, which is contrary to FFVII Remake and Rebirth. However, it’s still a great bridge between the two FFVII games, and gives some great exposition and character development - though there will be serious spoilers if you don’t already know the plot to the original game.
Crisis Core is a prequel to FFVII, and includes the characters of Cloud, Zack and Sephiroth, amongst others that you may recognise. It’s primarily a story about Zack, but also gives more background on Shinra, its various departments and experiments, and the SOLDIERS. It’s an action-RPG, with a level up system, various abilities and equipment, and an open battle system.
Crisis Core was always meant to stand alone, but was a selling point for the PSP at the time it came out. Zack is a character that many players wanted to know more about - whether they were hardcore fans of the franchise, or just players of its most popular edition, and it stands to reason that it would get a good remaster. This remaster is more a part of the overall remade FFVII releases, however, and fans are encouraged to play it as part of the overall story.
6. Final Fantasy I-VI Pixel Remaster Series - 2021-2023 - multiplatform
This series was released game by game from 2021 to 2022, with a bundle for consoles available from April 2023. For the sake of this list, we will cover each game as part of the series bundle, though all individual titles can be purchased if you choose.
The Pixel Remaster is a sympathetic and loving version of each 2D game in the franchise. The menus and fonts have been redesigned for HD, but with care to keep them recognisable as a Final Fantasy design. New 16-bit sprites and fresh versions of the soundtracks have been added, but that’s pretty much where the new stuff ends. Any extra content added to later versions of games has been removed, so the games are as close to their original versions as can be.
Final Fantasy I is the original game in the franchise, and set things off for Square’s new beginning. It was titled as such because the studio had one last shot at success, or it would be doors closed. The game follows a group of heroes who are tasked with saving the world through various quests. It introduces the formula for Final Fantasy games to follow, and includes the themes of crystals, impending apocalypse, reluctant heroes, and recognisable character classes such as mages and fighters. It’s a serious game, with some lighthearted humour and likeable characters, and allowed Square to create their franchise.
Final Fantasy II took the formula and improved it, introducing recurring creatures in chocobos, and having a character called Cid. It was unique as it had no returning characters or places from the previous game, and it didn’t sell much in the west until re-releases later on, as it didn’t get an initial print run outside of Asia.
FFIII introduced moogles, and the options to change job roles, with both features carrying over into future games. FFIV is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential RPGs of all time, and it cemented Final Fantasy as one of the greatest RPG franchises. It includes complex and deep storytelling, as well as battle and level up systems that have been emulated ever since, including within the franchise itself. FFV expanded the jobs system greatly, and is the key gameplay feature of this title. It’s engaging, and creates a great replayability for the game.
FFVI is an incredibly emotive and captivating instalment, and often cited as the first game in the series to make players cry. It also features great customisation with equipment items called Relics being able to be used by most characters, contrary to previous entries in the franchise. It’s also the first Final Fantasy to feature deep influences from steampunk and the 2nd Industrial Revolution, which happened towards the end of the 19th Century. It’s another that has been regarded as one of the best RPGs of all time, in reference to all the above, as well as the stunning graphics and soundtrack in comparison to others of its generation.
As a collection, the Pixel Remaster is a must for current Final Fantasy players, though I’m sure purists would argue. It contains some of the greatest games of all time from the 2D era, and teaches a lot about the improvements and inspirations that Square made going into the 3D era.
5. Theatrhythm Final Bar Line - February 16th 2023 - multiplatform
This title is another that takes the licensed characters, music, and settings, and applies them to a different genre. It’s not the first rhythm game that is linked to Final Fantasy, but it’s by far the most widely distributed, and has the most content available to players, including DLC based on other Square Enix properties such as the Nier, Mana, and Chrono series.
As a rhythm game, the objectives are simple and easy to understand, based on high scores and unlocking new content along the way. There are options for multiplayer, and it has an arcade feel, though it is a full and engaging console game for any player interested, due to abilities and a level up system for all the characters being integrated seamlessly into this title. Players hit button combinations based on the rhythm of the track, as they appear on the screen. The thing that sets this one apart is that the visuals are different to a lot of other rhythm games, and video content in the background includes HD FMVs from the games, or cute chibi sprites based on characters. You choose your team and fight through battles as the level plays. It gives players a sense of advancement and motivation to continue, and others in the room have something to watch and root for.
Theatrhythm is unique in its gameplay, as there are no other rhythm games that include the intricate musical compositions that Final Fantasy is famous for. These soundtracks are played by orchestras in music halls, after all, and players can really get a sense for just how detailed these pieces are when they play.
4. Final Fantasy XV: War for Eos - February 16th 2023 - iOS, Android
The characters and settings of FFXV were very well received by fans of the franchise, and though it was soon forgotten by content creators and media outlets, what with the FFVII Remake on its way, there is a steadfast and loyal fanbase for this title, and as such, the developers and writers have continued to feed into this with DLC, spin-offs, and even a pocket edition of the original game.
War for Eos is a standalone, free-to-play strategy game built for mobile. The story is another telling of the rebuilding of Insomnia after the Niflheim attack, which invites you to pick a leader and gather resources to build your kingdom, then be ready to defend it. It’s up to the player to choose how best to strategise through strengthening and putting resources into various aspects of the kingdom.
Being an ongoing mobile title, there isn’t much of a plot or definite beginning to end, but there are plenty of character interactions and chances to think about what you want to get out of your time playing it.
The art and animation is fantastic, and there has been great care and attention paid to the sound and music design, all of which is not always usual for a mobile title. It certainly appeals to many mobile players, and fans of the original title. Whilst it’s good to remember that this is a free mobile game, and therefore ads and paid content may impact play, it’s also a great add on to the FFXV story.
3. Final Fantasy XVI - June 22nd 2023 - PlayStation 5
The latest numbered instalment of the franchise, FFXVI calls back to some of the themes of the 2D era, with a high fantasy setting, crystals being a central focus, and warring kingdoms fighting for power. The protagonist Clive has a classic secret royal trope as part of his character, trying to find a way to restore the family legacy. Alongside, he has an inner battle, and must harness and control a power that is unknown to him, and the world.
The traditional Final Fantasy characters known as summons are called Eikons here, and they are not magical abilities, but entities of their own, and are used to great effect to show off the power of the PS5, as the battles they fight are nothing short of mind-blowing. The battle scenes and cutscenes are the selling point of this title, even so much in that the gameplay has been criticised as lacking in detail compared to other recent RPGs. It is a stunningly beautiful game, and is wonderfully complimented by an incredible soundtrack and voice cast. The audio is where this title really shines, and it often feels more like you are watching a Game of Thrones-esque TV show that is extremely high in quality.
After the more modern influences of FFIV to FFXV, there is no advanced technology in this world, though there are hints that it used to exist in times forgotten - almost an ancient alien or Mass Effect influence. It’s refreshing and a great reminder that there are no rules in Final Fantasy, and stories can go anywhere in the future.
2. Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis - September 7th 2023 - iOS, Android
Another instalment in the FFVII Remake collection, Ever Crisis revisits stories from across the Compilation of FFVII - including the original game, Crisis Core, Advent Children, and so on - and offers players the chance to explore more of the character of Sephiroth in the main story. It is being released in chapters, and is free-to-play. This obviously appeals to a lot of players of mobile games, as well as fans of the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII.
To keep fans old and new hooked, these chapters are retellings and adaptations, so there may well be some great easter eggs and alternative stories to be explored. One of the previously unmet main characters of this title also features in the final game on this list, and perhaps there will be more links as I play through them both. There are also many customisation options for well-known characters, including new costumes and items.
The chapters sit separate from each other, and players can choose which chapters they want to play, much like other mobile RPG games. Characters, equipment, and materia is all chosen, and there is a level up system which is dynamic and fitting for the title. This game has had a lot of praise from players and critics, particularly at its replayability and artistic style. The character design pays homage in many ways to the original FFVII, but the battle screens feature more realism, which keeps the player engaged.
As of yet, we do not know how many chapters there will be for this game, but as long as fans love it, Square Enix will surely support it. It’s also available on Steam for PC players.
1. Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth - February 29th 2024 - PlayStation 5
Square Enix’s Final Fantasy franchise has seen a renaissance over the last few years. Final Fantasy VII is well-known across all gaming communities as the most loved and famous game in the whole series, whether they play RPGs or not. It brought us recognisable characters, materia as a substitute for crystals and spells, and a very relatable world reflective of our own Earth.
When Square Enix worked with Sony to demonstrate what Final Fantasy VII might look like on an advanced console, cries for a remake grew louder and louder. Eventually, it was announced, and audiences were playing Final Fantasy VII Remake through the early days of the first COVID-19 lockdowns. Players were left with mouths agape, both because the game only covered the first area of the original game, and because parts of the story were changed. We have had to hold out for four years, but the next instalment of the remake of FFVII is here. There are new characters, new storylines, and one heck of a cliffhanger ending.
The remakes, including Rebirth, are designed to be played by newcomers to the story - the original is over 25 years old, after all. Many people playing the remake weren’t even born (I was…) when the original came out. However, we cannot deny the legacy!
You play as a quiet and closed protagonist, clearly affected deeply by something that happened in the past. The story follows a discovery of this past, and what really happened. Meanwhile a cataclysmic end of the world is on its way, and you are wrapped up in it on a personal level, alongside your companions. I haven’t played too far into it, and I don’t want to look up any spoilers to say more, but Rebirth is a near-perfect game (according to reviews) that balances missions and gameplay, with character development and story, with visual and audio improvements on Remake.
