One of the most recognized RPGs of all time is Final Fantasy, and for good reasons too! From its unique characters to its fantastical worlds, Final Fantasy is an amazing series that tells exciting stories. And with the recent remakes, remasters, and even Smash announcements (I love you Sephiroth!), the Final Fantasy series is getting much more attention. So, why don’t we take a look at some Final Fantasy titles that were recently released?
#1. Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers – 2019 (Supported Platforms: PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5)
Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers Full Trailer
I would be terrified if my friends started collapsing one by one! Unfortunately for the Warrior of Light, the main character of Final Fantasy XIV, his fellow Scions do exactly that in Shadowbringers. And while searching for answers, the warrior is sent to the strange world of Norvrandt, where he is asked to save the land from Sin Eaters.
FFXIV: Shadowbringers is the third expansion of the game, so don't play this if you haven't played the last two. Now if you don't care about the story, Shadowbringers is still fun to play. But this is Final Fantasy, and every Final Fantasy fan knows that the story is going to be worth your time!
The Scions of the Seventh Dawn posing for the camera
#2. War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius – 2019 (Supporter Platforms: Android and Apple IOS)
War of the Visions FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS Trailer
Back in 2015, I remember how excited I was when Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius came out. Imagine my surprise when I heard about War Of the Visions, a spin-off of Brave Exvius, and in this game, you play as one of the twin princes of Leonis, Mont. Mont is someone who doesn't like violence, but when you're in the middle of a war between kingdoms, violence is a given.
There are some key differences between Brave Exvius and War of the visions with the most noticeable one being the gameplay. If you've played Final Fantasy Tactics, the gameplay in War of the Visions is much like that while Brave Exvius' gameplay is more like previous Final Fantasy games. Even so, War of the Visions is still a lot of fun to play and much more challenging than its predecessor.
Mont Leonis looking fabulous in this artwork
#3. Final Fantasy VII Remake – 2020 (Supported Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5)
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE Final Trailer
Alright folks, this is the game everyone's been waiting for: the Final Fantasy VII Remake! It would be a crime not to include this gorgeous looking game on this list as it retold the story of FFVII for both returning and new players! Playing again as the one and only Cloud Strife, the FFVII Remake takes you within the world of Midgar, where Cloud joins the AVALANCHE team to stop the evil corporation Shinra.
You don't have to play the original FFVII if you don't want to, but in the remake, there were some changes to the story. One of the biggest changes in my opinion is that Zack Fair, that's right, ZACK FAIR is ALIVE! In my mind, all I could see was Zack getting gunned down by Shinra guards at the end of Crisis Core, so I was both happy and kind of disappointed about this reveal because of how much Zack's death impacted Cloud.
Sephiroth: the real reason why we play FFVII
#4. Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster – 2022 (Supported Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4)
The Warring Triad, technological evolution, and Kefka Palazzo. You know I'm talking about Final Fantasy VI, but now with a new coat of paint in the FFVI Pixel Remaster. Experience the story of Terra and her companions as they fight against the Gestahlian Empire in all its enhanced, pixelated glory!
Kefka is the main reason why I love FFVI so much! He's just an amazing villain and let's not forget about this guy's boss theme. "Dancing Mad" might be even better than Sephiroth's "One-Winged Angel" (and I can see the pitchforks and torches in the distance as I say this).
Terra and her Transformer
#5. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered – 2020 (Supported Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo DS, GameCube, Wii, Android, Apple IOS, and PlayStation 4)
Jeez, I feel bad for caravans in Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. It's got to be annoying having to collect this stuff called Myrrh, which is so funny to say, but without it you basically DIE. Myrrh is essential to purifying the crystals that protect your village from a mist called Miasma, so make sure to get you some!
FF Crystal Chronicles Remastered contains new features such as English voiceovers and an updated soundtrack. The soundtrack made me really happy because I adore Final Fantasy's music. I mean, what is Final Fantasy but music albums that come with free games?
The Crystal Caravan arguing about directions
#6. Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier – 2021 (Supported Platforms: Android and Apple IOS)
Although Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier has been shut down, I think it's still worth talking about! The game's setting is in Midgar years before the beginning of Final Fantasy VII, and the SOLDIER program is just being established. You will take the role of a SOLDIER candidate and fight your way to victory in a battle royale against other candidates.
Square Enix, the company who makes the Final Fantasy games, basically said that while they didn't want to shut the game down, it didn't get the profits they wanted. The First Soldier was aimed towards fans of Final Fantasy VII, but it didn't attract as many of them as Square Enix had expected. It's a shame really, because this was the first battle royale game in the Final Fantasy series and fans actually enjoyed it.
SOLDIER candidates along with a human disguised as Big Bird
#7. Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin – 2022 (Supported Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S)
I can already picture the Chaos memes with this game! Say hello to Jack Garland, one of the four Warriors of Light, whose purpose is to destroy Chaos. The name "Garland" should sound familiar, because Garland is from the first Final Fantasy game.
Stranger of Paradise is basically a retelling of Final Fantasy 1, which was released in 1987. I was amazed at the events that started the first FF game, because I thought FFI was a simple good vs evil game. While Stranger of Paradise may have some flaws, it pulled itself together well in the end.
Jack must destroy Chaos, because Chaos is Chaos...Chaos
#8. Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker – 2021 (Supported Platforms: PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5)
Here is the fourth expansion pack for Final Fantasy XIV, Endwalker. In this expansion, the Warrior of Light and his comrades travel to the land of Sharlayan, which became accessible in Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensword. Old Sharlayan became accessible in Endwalker, however, and you go here to find a way to stop the Final Days, which is kind of like the Apocalypse.
FFXIV: Endwalker is the fourth but definitely not the final expansion pack for Final Fantasy XIV. So again, play the previous expansion packs if you want the full story! I can't express that enough, because there is A LOT to unload for FFXIV.
The Warrior of Light in space, because why not?
#9. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion – 2022 (Supported Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S)
Ah, playing through the story of Zack Fair, watching Sephiroth turn evil, and simping for Angeal (Just me?). Now let's experience this great story again, but in HD, as we play Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion! Play as Zack, a SOLDIER working for the Shinra Electric Power Company, as he investigates the disappearances of SOLDIER operatives.
Just like most video game remakes/remasters, you can expect to see many changes from the original material. One of the changes that caught me off guard was that voice acting was present through the whole game! I was honestly expecting to have to read a lot, but this came as a pleasant surprise.
Sephiroth laughing while Zack wonder why he hears boss music
#10. Final Fantasy XVI – 2023 (Supported Platforms: PC and PlayStation 5)
Last, but not least on our list, is the newest installment to the Final Fantasy series, Final Fantasy XVI! In FFXVI, you play as Clive Rosfield, who was forced into slavery after his kingdom fell. And after the death of his younger brother Joshua, Clive embarks on a quest for revenge.
As someone who has a younger brother, I can relate to Clive and him wanting to protect Joshua. And I love how Clive doesn't resent Joshua because he was chosen as the successor to their father. The brothers truly loved each other, and it reminds me of the relationship between Lightning and Serah in Final Fantasy XIII.
Clive looking like he's about to unleash his Spartan Rage
These are just the newest additions to the Final Fantasy franchise, but they will not be the last. The series practically set the standards for RPGs. I'm sure Final Fantasy will be around for a long time with more stories to tell. And I can't wait to see them all come to fruition!
