When one plays Final Fantasy, they expect a certain kind of play. The legendary RPG franchise has created and perfected many tropes that other JRPGs would use for decades to come. However, no series lasts that long without making some changes every now and then and shaking things up.
The Final Fantasy The games below all made some major departures from the tried and true formula that cemented the franchise’s legacy. These adjustments had a positive effect for the most part. In a few cases, however, the change was polarizing on release and has caused the game to age worse than the entries before and after. Still, developers should be commended for trying new things.
7 Final Fantasy II
The debut entry was a surprise hit, saving Square from closing after a string of hard times. Because Final Fantasy Yet to be established as a legendary series, the second game in the series takes a lot of liberties with its gameplay systems and feels radically different from the rest of the 2D numbered entries.
Characters don’t level up and instead increase stats by using related skills or effects in battle. This makes it feel like a mix between Final Fantasy and The Elder Scrolls. While it’s an interesting idea, it also means that players sometimes attack and heal their own party members to get stronger.
6 Final Fantasy X-2
It took ten main games for one to have a proper sequel. curiously titled Final Fantasy X-2this true sequel to Final Fantasy X directly follows the events of the 2001 RPG and marks a first for the franchise.
This alone is enough to get it on the list. Additionally, Final Fantasy X-2s tone is lighter and more cheerful than almost all others Final Fantasy. It even opens with a musical number. While the job system is nothing new, it’s interesting to see how the characters change their wardrobe based on the job.
5 Final Fantasy VIII
While Final Fantasy VII was a huge departure from its predecessors thanks to 3D graphics and a science fiction aesthetic, at least it keeps the systems intact. Final Fantasy VIII keeps the more futuristic tone and also adds a new way to earn skills.
The Draw mechanic is a skill that players must use on enemies to earn new skills and strengthen existing ones. It’s interesting, but it also lends itself to tons of grinding. Enemies also scale to the level of the party, so understanding the Draw system is key to winning. The system takes a lot of time, but the remaster allows players to speed up gameplay to streamline the process.
4 Final Fantasy XII
After nearly two decades of pure turn-based gameplay, Final Fantasy 12 is finally breaking with this tradition by having battles played out in real time. Players still have to wait to take action, but they are always free to move around the map and battles take place on the world map. Random encounters are also gone.
Even though a lot changes Final Fantasy, the 12th numbered game is huge and will take between 60 and 100 hours to beat. Although not really the first time it’s been done in Final Fantasythe game also lacks a proper world map, although cities and the wilderness are still separated by loading times.
3 Final Fantasy Tactics
This isn’t a numbered game, nor is it the first time a spin-off has used a new genre. However, Final Fantasy Tactics deserves mention both for how different it is and for how much loved it has become over the years. Many like it better than most numbered entries.
Yasumi Matsuno directed Tacticswho previously made another classic turn-based strategy RPG, Tactic Ogre: Let’s cling to each other, making it a kind of spiritual sequel. The intricate track system makes for an extremely satisfying progression system that encourages experimentation.
2 Final Fantasy X
Taking advantage of the increased power of the PS2, Final Fantasy X was easily one of the best looking RPGs on release. Not only that, but it also does away with traditional levels in favor of the sphere grid and lacks any world map. The progression of the story is linear until the endgame.
This helps players stay focused without sacrificing side missions and exploration. It saves it all for the end. Finally, it puts an end to the ATB fighting system that has been in use ever since Final Fantasy IV. Instead, players are free to take however long on a turn without fear of enemies striking. Party members can also switch at any time during battle.
1 Final Fantasy XII
Final Fantasy XII is not only a huge jumping off point for the franchise, it has also revolutionized the MMORPG genre. It was one of the first major MMOs to come out of Japan and also one of the first to come out on a home console. It was daring in every possible way to make it a song Final Fantasy title.
It was a huge success and is still online even long after Final Fantasy XIVs launch. Players should be tired playing it now, but since older MMORPGs lack many of the modern conveniences, the genre has since been adopted almost universally.
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