In terms of video game franchises, Square Enix's sprawling Final Fantasy series is one of the most enduring in the industry. The IP is a titan of the RPG genre and JRPG subgenre, with a pantheon's worth of great games to choose from. As expected, which games are considered the best will likely result in wildly different answers.
The voting community at Ranker has compiled their top 10 list of best Final Fantasy games. Unsurprisingly, the mainline games take up the lion's share of the list, but there are a couple of noteworthy spinoffs, too.
Final Fantasy XV (2016)
It's become somewhat infamous in the gaming industry, as Final Fantasy XV was subjected to one of the longest development cycles for a modern video game. The game started as a spinoff to Final Fantasy XIII before taking 10 years into morphing into its own game. And while its troubled development hampered it to a degree, FFXV still managed a solid critical reception.
It was the first mainline game to take a deep dive into real-time action combat, paving the way for VII Remake. The story was at its best when centered around Noctis and his relationship with his best friends, with a colorful road-trip adventure as a backdrop and a coming-of-age tale at its core.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (2007)
The Compilation of Final Fantasy VII project admittedly didn't spawn very many successful games, but for many fans, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII was more than enough. The 2007 game easily became a modern classic on Sony's PlayStation Portable, and it was an emotionally resonant -- and heartbreaking -- prequel story.
Crisis Core was solid when it came to gameplay as well, with this spinoff using that label as an opportunity to venture into real-time action combat at a time when mainline games were largely turn-based. The game makes fan-favorite Zack Fair the protagonist and gives context to important relationships, like with Cloud, and resulted in one of the most crushing video game deaths to date.
Final Fantasy XII (2006)
Though it's unfortunately not nearly as talked about as some fans would hope, Final Fantasy XII on the PlayStation 2 was acclaimed nonetheless for its inventive twists to the conventional gameplay formula. Perhaps the best way to describe its combat is to imagine an MMORPG like World of Warcraft -- or Final Fantasy XIV -- and implement it in a single-player, offline formula.
It was executed well for what it attempted, and fans of Star Wars will feel at home with its setting and story. Especially so for A New Hope, as Vann and co. form a rag-tag group of rebels trying to navigate through a fantasy world rife with political turmoil.
Final Fantasy Tactics (1997)
Final Fantasy Tactics from the PS1 is arguably the original spin-off hit, as its acclaim puts it at least near the top of many veteran fans' lists. As the name would suggest, Tactics takes the mainline JRPG formula and turns it into a strategy RPG.
The story takes place in the world of Ivalice -- where Final Fantasy XII takes place in the future -- where a highborn named Ramza Beoulve who's enlisted in the military and thrust into a war between two factions vying for control over the kingdom. Given its enduring acclaim as one of the best non-mainline Final Fantasy games, many fans hope a remaster is in the cards.
Final Fantasy IV (1991)
In many ways, Final Fantasy IV was a groundbreaking game in the franchise as a whole. The first three Final Fantasy games were all successful, but their stories and gameplay were still simplistic. Of course, this was partly due to the hardware limitations at the time, but IV nonetheless turned the series into a fantastical odyssey.
It was the first to make the game's story into an engrossing and dramatic high-fantasy epic, as well as introduce mechanics like the classic Active Time Battle system that made games like VII such a marvel. The story revolves around the dark knight Cecil on his quest to prevent a sorcerer from collecting powerful crystals to bring destruction to the world.
Final Fantasy VIII (1999)
At the time, Final Fantasy VIII managed to simultaneously become a critically-acclaimed classic and one of the franchise's most divisive entries. The game continued the series' sci-fi spin on fantasy settings, and the gameplay made some feel like it was needlessly complex.
Regardless, many players found the combat to feel rewarding for those who were willing to take the plunge. Fans also loved the story, with protagonist Squall having a satisfying character arc along with his mercenary band going up against a near-indomitable sorceress. Likewise, fans found his rivalry with Seifer compelling and his romance with Rinoa emotionally investing.
Final Fantasy X (2001)
The PlayStation 2 generation started with a bang for Final Fantasy, as X quickly cemented itself as one of the franchise's best regardless of the poll. It made an interesting twist to its world by blending high fantasy with a tropical setting, combining for a colorfully vibrant and memorable universe.
And while some understandably found the protagonist, Tidus, to be annoying at times, his supporting cast and their backstories make for an engaging story regardless. The gameplay and progression were linear, but X proved to be the rare example of a blockbuster title streamlining its mechanics without sacrificing its depth. All of these elements combined to make one of the best Final Fantasy games for newcomers.
Final Fantasy IX (2000)
While games like VII and VIII earned their respective acclaim, Final Fantasy IX was a return to form for many. After all the sci-fi and steampunk worlds, IX brought things back to a nostalgic high-fantasy setting.
The gameplay was praised for being even more refined compared to what came before, with combat being simple to learn but rewarding to master. IX also put its best foot forward in the story department, with the likes of Zidane, Vivi, and Garnet becoming memorable characters almost 22 years after its release.
Final Fantasy VII (1997)
Unsurprisingly, the landmark Final Fantasy VII stands among the franchise's best for the community at Ranker. For many veteran fans, VII was their first Final Fantasy game. The game leaned harder into sci-fi than its predecessor, building a world dense with lore and excellent characters.
Cloud and Sephiroth became an iconic video game rivalry in 1997 and the recent success of VII Remake renewed that status for a modern audience. The Materia system, Limit Breaks, and more made the game so entertaining from a combat perspective, and its story and unique cast of characters have stayed with millions ever since.
Final Fantasy VI (1994)
VII certainly earns its praises and popularity, but VI still stands as the franchise's peak for many of the hardcore series fans. Final Fantasy VI revolved around a hybrid fantasy-steampunk world that follows Terra Brandford, a half-human half-esper girl who's lived as a slave to the Empire.
It presented players with 14 characters -- the most in the series -- with all playing meaningful parts in its grandiose, operatic story. It's among the best Final Fantasy stories, but like other games, its gameplay also makes it welcoming enough to franchise beginners.