10 Best Final Fantasy Games According to Critics' Scores

Final Fantasy is one of the world's most famous franchises. It's about to complete 40 years of history, an incredible feat even for the most well-known brands. In all these years, the mainline entries have proven to be chameleon-like, with each showcasing its own setting, cast, gameplay system, and novelties, which worked out well for some but poorly for others.

To be honest, I am quite a fanboy of the series and generally like everything Square Enix throws my way. The nostalgia of seeing the same elements and mythology spread across every title is already enough to captivate me, regardless of whether it is a turn-based or action game. Just pitch in a chocobo, and I am satisfied.

However, that doesn't happen to everyone. Some clearly prefer the old-school Final Fantasy entries, while others appreciate the path Square has taken. To illustrate, I will list the 10 best Final Fantasy games by critics' scores. I won't limit this list to mainline titles, so expect to see spin-offs, remakes, remasters, and more.

To create the list, I avoided repeats and checked Metacritic critic scores because OpenCritic doesn't cover older Final Fantasy games.

10 Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

87 Score Based on 44 Critics Reviews

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance Tactical RPG Released September 8, 2003 ESRB e Developer(s) Square Product Development Division 4 Publisher(s) Square, Nintendo Genre(s) Tactical RPG

As someone who effusively prefers the first Final Fantasy Tactics and has a huge difficulty accepting the Judge system as a good mechanic, even though I love how it forces me to innovate every time, it is surreal to think that Final Fantasy Tactics Advance scored higher than its predecessor originally. But alas, here we are, and I concur it is still a pretty good strategy JRPG to play, even by today's standards.

One thing I like about FFTA compared to its predecessor is the sidequest and unlockables system, which is much more organized and intimate. On the other hand, the main story doesn't hold a candle to the political intrigue in Ivalice, and it is a bit more childish than I would have liked. Yet, I had fun, I dedicated dozens of hours to the game, and I came to dislike Marche at the end because, you know, who wouldn't want to be isekai-ed into a Final Fantasy world and become a Dragoon, right? Oh yeah, I am not a bangaa... dammit.

9 Final Fantasy XVI

87 Score Based on 146 Critics Reviews

Final Fantasy 16 Action RPG 9/10Released June 22, 2023 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Square Enix Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine Proprietary Engine Genre(s) Action RPG

Final Fantasy XVI carried a responsibility weighed down by Graviga. After the financially successful but critically divisive Final Fantasy XV, Square Enix had to get this one right. They got the most famous developer at the time, my lovely Naoki Yoshida, who saved Final Fantasy XIV and granted Square tons of profit, and also went back to the roots of a high fantasy setting with crystals at the forefront, a marketing strategy much like Final Fantasy IX, I would say.

I loved the game. The actors and performances were completely insane. The set pieces were out of this world, and the Eikon battles are among the best spectacles I have ever seen in entertainment media, with Bahamut's fight living rent-free in my mind. Still, I can see why some fans didn't enjoy Final Fantasy XVI as much. The combat is fine, but it lacks some strategic elements and, dare I say, the RPG factor. I will never get over the fact that I could kill a Bomb by spamming Fire, you know? But it is what it is. Considering the legacy of the crystals, I would say Square did fine work.

8 Final Fantasy VII

92 Score Based on 20 Critics Reviews

Final Fantasy 7 RPG 8.2/10Released January 31, 1997 ESRB T for Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes Developer(s) Square Enix Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine Unreal Engine 4 Genre(s) RPG

Here we are, the one that conquered them all. If I had a nickel for every time I heard someone say they were introduced to the JRPG world via Final Fantasy VII, I would be a gazillionaire. Nothing wrong with that, because that is the legacy and praise FFVII carries and will carry forevermore. But since the game isn't even in my top 5 favorite FF titles, the discourse gets a bit exhausting after hearing it is the finest game ever for, like... the 873rd time.

But I understand, truly! Final Fantasy VII is a masterpiece and deserves all the kudos. My brother and I had to play the game three times to finally understand the whole Cloud and Zack plot (we were way too young!), while still managing to understand its gameplay systems because it was and still is easy to play and endearingly creative. It's no wonder Square decided to do a full-on remake of the title, turning it into a trilogy that will, hopefully, take the series to new heights and a new long-lasting audience.

7 Final Fantasy VIII

92 Score Based on 24 Critics Reviews

Final Fantasy 8 JRPG Released February 11, 1999 ESRB T for Teen: Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) Square Enix Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine luminous engine Genre(s) JRPG

Following Cloud's success and expectations was a tall order, and at least according to critics, Final Fantasy VIII nailed it. I know there are a lot of mixed feelings about the Draw mechanic - the Junction System rocks - the endgame plot and all the amnesia shenanigans, and, to an extent, the whateverness of Squall. Yet, Final Fantasy VIII has a lot of charm and care.

Compared to its predecessor, the visuals improved vastly, much like the CGI that seamlessly integrated into gameplay. The scope was more ambitious, the soundtrack is still a banger, and it introduced one of the most influential minigames ever: Triple Triad. You may dislike Final Fantasy VIII or not like it as much as Final Fantasy VII, but if someone says it wasn't a clear evolution and step forward for the franchise, then I don't know what is.

6 Final Fantasy VI Advance

92 Score Based on 25 Critics Reviews

Final Fantasy VI Advance JRPG Adventure Released February 5, 2007 ESRB Everyone 10+ // Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes Developer(s) Square Enix, Tose Publisher(s) Square Enix, Nintendo Engine unreal Genre(s) JRPG, Adventure

The GBA version of Final Fantasy VI is the only one on aggregator sites because the SNES original is too old, and something tells me that if Metacritic existed back then, chances are Final Fantasy VI would be the highest-rated in the franchise. Still, 92 is crazy high and sets the title as one of the best in the franchise, as many fans love to point out.

Final Fantasy VI is a masterpiece of the SNES that elevated the art of JRPGs to the highest level. I think before it, we had never cared so much about an entire game's cast. And I mean every character, not just one or two. I dropped Final Fantasy VI the first time I played because I didn't know I had to wait until the last minute for Shadow, and boy, I wanted that silent ninja back (so did Rem, I guess).

I just think some reviews did the Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster score dirty, focusing too much on the port and some negligible stuff, like fonts, rather than the whole experience. Either way, it is still one of the best entries in the series and probably the most nostalgic for 80s JRPG fans.

5 Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker

92 Score Based on 28 Critics Reviews

Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker Developer(s) Square Enix Developer(s) Square Enix Publisher(s) Square Enix Multiplayer Online Multiplayer

I have played MMORPGs for as long as I can remember. I played Tibia, Ragnarok Online, Priston Tale, and many others until I got into heavier drugs like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV. I began my journey in Final Fantasy XIV 1.0, but since the game was unnecessarily heavy, my relatively good rig at the time couldn't tank it, and I didn't even get past level 5. So, I waited for A Realm Reborn and started playing it on PS3 release day.

For me, MMORPGs were about gameplay, crafting, farming, sociability, and so on. I never cared that much about the story because no MMORPG had bothered to tell a cohesive story, right? Well, until Final Fantasy XIV. I confess I played A Realm Reborn a bit mindlessly, without paying much attention to the narrative, but once I started, I noticed they actually intended to tell a story. Then came Heavensward and I was locked in. Stormblood, okay, serviceable. Shadowbringers? Oh my Hydaelyn, let's freaking go!

I understand the overall sentiment is that Shadowbringers is the best expansion, but for me, it is Endwalker, much like the critics think. Escalating conflicts and reaching a climax feel more manageable than concluding a 10-year saga because it is all about the hype, the revelations, and the spectacle. How often have you played a game, read a book, or watched a series where you loved 90% of it, but the ending left much to be desired?

That is why I prefer Endwalker. The final battle, the callback to the very first A Realm Reborn cinematic and the Scions, it's all so wonderful and miraculously crafted that it should not be possible. Still, it was, and it cemented Final Fantasy XIV as not only my favorite Final Fantasy, but my favorite game ever (next to Breath of Fire III, of course).

4 Final Fantasy X

92 Score Based on 53 Critics Reviews

Final Fantasy 10 JRPG Released December 17, 2001 ESRB T for Teen: Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) Square Enix Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine PhyreEngine Genre(s) JRPG

To this day, Final Fantasy X is my favorite offline Final Fantasy. The game delivered everything any JRPG needs: a wonderful cast, a gripping narrative, seamless and strategic combat, and a progression system that offers freedom and lets you focus on each party member's strengths. I understand why some say it was the last classic Final Fantasy, and I attribute that to its excellence rather than a lack of merit in its successors (many of which I also like).

It doesn't surprise me to see it at the top of the highest-rated games, and if I'd reviewed it at the time, I would have easily given it a 10. It is a transcendental work that to this day captivates and wins over new fans, and as much as you might dislike Tidus, it is hard to deny that he is the character who best fits the entire narrative of Final Fantasy X, daddy issues, flirting tendencies, and cluelessness included. Such a rare gem and one JRPG that has really stuck with me for all these years.

3 Final Fantasy XII

92 Score Based on 64 Critics Reviews

Final Fantasy 12 JRPG Released October 31, 2006 ESRB T For Teen due to Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes Developer(s) Square Enix Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine Zodiac Engine 2.0 Genre(s) JRPG

Ironically, Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age, which I think is a better version, has a score of 86, and many of the complaints are about the remaster itself rather than the game's quality. I don't agree with this review approach, but well, human subjectivity and all. None of that changes how excellent Final Fantasy XII is, with its intriguing political narrative, the return to the world of Ivalice, the introduction of the ATB system to an open world, and one of the best English dubs in the JRPG world to this day.

I understand the complaints about Vaan's lack of a protagonist role, the poor explanation of the Occuria, and other plot points, but the work as a whole is incredible and exactly what I expect from a JRPG: this buildup in the narrative until it reaches the climax. The Zodiac Age added more personality to combat by reserving specific Jobs and skills for certain characters, improving an already incredible gameplay system. A great entry for those who love political plots.

2 Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

92 Score Based on 145 Critics Reviews

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth RPG Released February 29, 2024 ESRB T for Teen Developer(s) Square Enix Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine Unreal Engine 4 Genre(s) RPG

For as much unfair criticism as Final Fantasy VII Rebirth receives on social media - which everyone knows is a highly reliable source and certainly not a vocal minority - it's emblematic to see it's one of the highest-rated modern Final Fantasy games and also the one with the largest number of reviews. I'm not saying this just regarding critics, because the User Score is also high at 8.8 after 7,000 reviews (that is, of course, while still considering the review bombing by manchildren).

I liked Final Fantasy VII Remake, but I also felt restricted playing only through Midgar. I couldn't imagine how Square would replicate the classic game's world map in Rebirth, but those mad developers pulled it off. It is gorgeous, gripping, and everything I wanted in a modern Final Fantasy. The combat system returns, which to me is the best iteration of action gameplay. The characters are more endearing than ever, and the story, which understandably divides the public, was enriched by the voice acting, new set pieces, and updated graphics. Final Fantasy VII Revelation has a high bar to clear, and I believe it will.

1 Final Fantasy IX

94 Score Based on 22 Critics Reviews

Final Fantasy 9 JRPG Released July 7, 2000 ESRB T for Teen: Violence, Mild Language Developer(s) Square Enix Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine Unity Genre(s) JRPG

Nothing is fairer than Final Fantasy IX, the entry that returned to the series' roots, being the highest-rated title ever. This isn't simple nostalgia speaking. Final Fantasy IX feels like the culmination of everything Square, the developers, and even Sakaguchi learned since the franchise's inception. Here we have the ATB system in its finest form, a simple yet efficient progression system, and a cast of endearing characters. It's my favorite PS1-era entry.

There is a good reason why the fanbase was going crazy over the prospect of a possible remake of the game. I don't know if Square will jump into that project, but I would love to see a modern, yet still cartoonish, version of Zidane and his Tantalus troupe. Granted, the game doesn't need a remake, and we still have the remastered version on current platforms, but who knows, right? As you've seen, critics and the public loved Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, so I wouldn't mind a Final Fantasy IX Rerun.