‘For a fantastic entry point into the series, many recommend starting with Final Fantasy X due to its engaging story, accessible gameplay, and beautiful visuals.’
So, you are pondering the age-old question: what final fantasy game should i start with? It’s a common query given the vastness of the franchise. With so many amazing entries, choosing where to begin can feel daunting.
This guide will help you find the perfect game to start your Final Fantasy journey. We will avoid getting bogged down in details and give a clear and easy recommendation. Get ready to start your adventure!
What Final Fantasy Game Should I Start With?
So, you’re curious about Final Fantasy, huh? That’s awesome! It’s a huge series with tons of games, each one its own amazing world. But with so many choices, picking a first game can feel a bit like diving into a pool of chocolate – exciting, but where do you even begin? Don’t worry, I’m here to help you find the perfect starting point for your Final Fantasy journey. We’ll explore different games, talk about what makes them unique, and by the end, you’ll have a much clearer idea of which adventure calls to you. We’ll explore the various aspects of the games, their stories, combat styles, and the general vibe they give off, so you can make an informed choice.
Understanding the Final Fantasy Universe
Before we jump into specific titles, let’s understand something important: Final Fantasy games are usually not directly connected. Unlike a series like, say, Mario, where each game follows the last (mostly), Final Fantasy games are like different books in a giant library. They often share themes like magic, crystals, and awesome heroes, but each has its own unique world, characters, and story. This means you can jump in pretty much anywhere without needing to know the lore of previous games. Isn’t that cool?
However, there are exceptions! Some games, like Final Fantasy X and X-2, or XIII, XIII-2, and Lightning Returns, form direct sequels. But generally, you can think of them as individual adventures.
Key Elements of Final Fantasy Games
Even though each game is different, many of them share common elements that make them feel like a Final Fantasy game. These include:
- Compelling Stories: Get ready for epic plots with twists, turns, and characters that you’ll really care about. Think of them as big, interactive movies.
- Magic: From fire spells to healing magic, there’s always a huge array of magical abilities to play with.
- Unique Worlds: Each game creates its own fantastic world, each with its own unique style of design. This means you’ll get to explore new locations, from bustling cities to lush forests.
- Challenging Battles: Combat is a key part of the gameplay. You will need to develop strategies to defeat challenging monsters.
- Memorable Music: The soundtracks of Final Fantasy games are incredibly beautiful, and very well-known for being iconic.
Starting Points: The Popular Choices
Okay, now let’s look at some games that are often recommended as great starting points. I’ll try and make it clear what sort of player each game suits best.
Final Fantasy IV
Why It’s Good for Beginners: Final Fantasy IV is a classic, it is one of the best retro titles in the series. It has a straightforward, although very emotional, story that is easy to follow. This game is often considered to be the first game in the series to focus a great deal on character development, and the cast is wonderful. It also has a good balance of challenging gameplay and is forgiving to new players. It’s a great place to start if you want a taste of classic, old-school JRPG game design, which will give you the foundation to enjoy other retro titles in the series.
What to Expect: You’ll play as Cecil, a dark knight, and your story is all about redemption and doing what’s right. You’ll travel the world, fight through dungeons, and experience a grand adventure.
- Pros: Classic JRPG experience, good balance of difficulty, emotional story.
- Cons: Graphics are dated, some gameplay mechanics may feel old.
Final Fantasy VI
Why It’s Good for Beginners: This game has often been called one of the best titles in the entire series, with its epic story and brilliant cast of characters. This title also focuses on character development, and you’ll connect with each of them over the course of the story. If you can deal with the old graphics, this is a great place to start.
What to Expect: This is an epic tale of war, rebellion, and the fight against a powerful empire. You’ll control a large cast of diverse characters with different abilities and backgrounds. It’s a deep story with plenty to offer.
- Pros: Epic story, diverse characters, great music, rich world.
- Cons: Dated graphics, can be a bit long.
Final Fantasy VII
Why It’s Good for Beginners: This is probably the most iconic of all the games in the series, and a great place to start if you want to understand why people love the series. It has an engaging story, memorable characters, and a good difficulty curve that’s great for beginners. The fact that it is so well known means there’s also lots of guides to help you if you ever get stuck.
What to Expect: You play as Cloud, a mercenary, who gets caught up in a conflict with a powerful corporation that is draining the planet’s life force. The story is complex, emotional, and full of memorable moments.
- Pros: Iconic characters, great story, accessible gameplay, many modern ports.
- Cons: Dated graphics (if playing the original), some may find the story complicated.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Why It’s Good for Beginners: This game takes the original Final Fantasy VII and brings it into the modern era with stunning visuals and an improved combat system. It only covers a portion of the original story, but this makes it a good introduction. This version is excellent for anyone who wants to experience the story for the first time. It’s a great choice if you are looking for something modern and action-focused.
What to Expect: This is the same story as the original Final Fantasy VII, but with significantly upgraded graphics, combat, and presentation. It does add some new plot elements and changes the story in parts.
- Pros: Stunning graphics, engaging action combat, expanded story.
- Cons: Only covers part of the original story, some story changes might confuse fans of the original.
Final Fantasy IX
Why It’s Good for Beginners: Final Fantasy IX is often considered a return to the roots of the series. It’s a beautiful game with a fairy-tale vibe, and it features a charming cast of characters. It has a simple story to follow, with a good balance of challenge and easy gameplay. It is a very easy game to enjoy as a newcomer to the series.
What to Expect: This is a beautiful game about a thief, Zidane, who joins a princess on an adventure. It has a lighter tone than some of the other games in the series, but it has many emotional moments and is considered to have a great story.
- Pros: Charming characters, beautiful world, simple story, classic JRPG gameplay.
- Cons: The combat system can be a bit slow for some.
Final Fantasy X
Why It’s Good for Beginners: Final Fantasy X has a simple story and a streamlined battle system. The story is very emotional, and the characters will resonate with you. It’s a great starting point if you want a more linear story experience without the need to explore large open areas.
What to Expect: You’ll play as Tidus, a famous blitzball player, who is transported to a different world, Spira, and has to help a group of characters to try and stop a terrible monster known as Sin. It has a great story with lots of twists.
- Pros: Emotional story, great characters, simple combat system, good for beginners.
- Cons: Can be a bit linear, voice acting can feel dated.
Final Fantasy XV
Why It’s Good for Beginners: If you prefer action games and enjoy modern graphics, Final Fantasy XV might be the right choice. It is an open-world adventure with real-time combat. This title has a beautiful and very large map to explore. The story is easy to understand and offers a more character focused story than some of the other games in the series.
What to Expect: You’ll play as Noctis, a prince on a road trip with his best friends. The game is focused on exploring the world and battling enemies in action-based real-time battles.
- Pros: Open-world, action combat, modern graphics, likable characters.
- Cons: Can be more action focused than some prefer, story can be a bit complex in parts.
Final Fantasy XIV Online
Why It’s Good for Beginners: This one is a bit different because it’s an online game. This means you’ll be playing with other people! The story is one of the best in the series, and there’s a massive amount of content that will keep you busy for a long time. It’s a good choice if you like online multiplayer games, and don’t mind playing in a persistent world with other people.
What to Expect: You create your own character and explore a huge world with lots of other players. It’s more like an interactive online world than a single-player experience, but there is a rich single player story experience available as well.
- Pros: Huge world, lots of content, social online play, great story.
- Cons: Subscription required, can be overwhelming, different from other Final Fantasy games.
Considering Your Preferences
Now, let’s think about your own preferences. What kind of experience are you looking for?
For the Nostalgic Gamer
If you like games with pixelated graphics and classic gameplay, start with Final Fantasy IV or Final Fantasy VI. These games show you where the series started and offer that classic JRPG experience.
For the Story Lover
If you really value a great story, and that is your biggest consideration, try Final Fantasy VI, Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy IX, or Final Fantasy X. These games have amazing stories that will keep you hooked.
For the Action Fan
If you like faster-paced gameplay, try Final Fantasy VII Remake or Final Fantasy XV. These games have real-time combat that is more action based than turn based. They offer a different experience from the older titles in the series.
For the Modern Gamer
If you prefer modern graphics and smoother gameplay, check out Final Fantasy VII Remake or Final Fantasy XV. These games are more up to date in terms of presentation and gameplay.
For the Social Gamer
If you want to play with others online, check out Final Fantasy XIV Online. This is a great game to play with friends or other people online.
Other Games to Consider
These are not usually recommended as starting points, but still worth checking out if the other titles do not appeal to you.
Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy VIII features a very emotional story, with the characters dealing with themes of love, war, and friendship. The game’s Junction System is complex and different from most other Final Fantasy titles. This is not often recommended as a starting point, but is still a great game.
Final Fantasy XIII
Final Fantasy XIII is the first game in its own mini-series. It has a different tone and gameplay style from the other games, focusing on more action and quick tactical thinking. The story can be complex and hard to understand. It’s a unique experience, but not the most popular game in the series. This is not usually recommended as a starting point.
Final Fantasy XII
Final Fantasy XII features a unique Gambit battle system that lets you program your team’s actions. The world is massive and very beautiful, but the story can be a bit complicated. This is not a game to start with.
There you have it! A full overview of which game is a good starting point in the Final Fantasy series. The best starting point depends entirely on what you are looking for in a video game. No matter where you start, you are going to find some fantastic stories, unforgettable characters, and amazing worlds to explore. So, pick one that sounds appealing to you and begin your adventure. There are plenty of Final Fantasy titles to keep you busy for a very long time. Your next great gaming experience awaits.
What Should be your FIRST Final Fantasy?
Final Thoughts
For a truly classic experience, begin with Final Fantasy VI. Its rich story and memorable characters remain beloved. If you prefer a modern, accessible entry, try Final Fantasy XV. The action-based combat is fast and engaging.
Ultimately, what final fantasy game should i start with depends on your preferences. However, both VI and XV are excellent starting points. Consider if you want turn-based combat or a more action-oriented game and choose the one that calls to you.
