Summary
Final Fantasyis a franchise full of amazing mainline titles, contentious sequels, brilliant spin-off titles, and everything in between. One thing this series is known for is the amazing stories that accompany the vast majority ofFinal Fantasymedia.
Given how passionate fans are about this series, it’s easy to see why fans find someFinal Fantasystories to be better than others. Emotional lows and epic highs run amok in these titles that fans can’t stop raving about to this day. Of the many games in the series, the following ones show the strongest storytelling.
There’s a huge asterisk players must be aware of when it comes toFinal Fantasy 15’s plot. The troubled development process of this game meant that some of its story elements were relegated to a short anime series and a movie, which are critical to understanding the nuances of the plot.
Players who make this effort will enjoy Noctis' road trip, where the charismatic main cast captures the hearts of players in no time. While the plot has its contrivances, all is forgiven once players reach the end and witness one of the most emotional endings toaFinal Fantasygame.
Some people may be surprised by the positioning ofFinal Fantasy 6, but there’s no denying that the critical acclaim of this title is tied to its nonlinear progression that dominates the second half. This means that the story can’t move forward too much during this part, and relies on what has been set up before.
However, this isn’t problematic in the slightest, since the World of Balance features a tight narrative that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. Even if the World of Ruin may be lean in the story department, fans won’t mind, since their love-hate relationship for Kefka will be cemented after how often his compelling screen presence elevates his scenes.
6Final Fantasy 4
The Story-Driven Approach Paid Off Hugely
AfterFinal Fantasy 2’s story-driven approach was overshadowed by a puzzling progression system, Square decided to stick with what works and turnedFinal Fantasy 3into a gameplay-first title. However, it was clear that they wanted to integrate an epic story in this JRPG franchise, and this was achieved inFinal Fantasy 4.
The game does a great job of tying establishedFinal Fantasyelements into the plot, withCecil’s transformation from a Dark Knight into a Paladinbeing a huge part of what makes this game so special. After clearing his head, the protagonist and his allies can fight against the many enemies trying to eradicate humanity, leading to the final stretch of the game taking place on the moon. This grand finale cementsFinal Fantasy 4as one of the best narrative-driven games in the series.
A huge part ofwhat makesFinal Fantasy 9so popular among fansis its incredible charm, with the amazing localization and the chemistry between the main cast shining in every encounter. The overarching narrative to hunt down Kuja and save the world isn’t even the most interesting story told in this title.
Rather, moments like Eiko’s melancholy and Vivi learning about his origins show whyFinal Fantasy 9is such a beloved title. Even if the narrative ends on a cheerful note, there’s a touch of sadness that emanates from this conclusion that hammers in just how excellent the game’s writing is.
Final Fantasy 12boasts a complex narrative full of political intrigue and grand conspiracies. This is why the ensemble cast approach helps the story have more of an impact, especially given how fans didn’t warm up to Vaan as the protagonist, even though the role he played in the narrative wasn’t as important as other characters.
The game boasts a ton of things to do and lets players take a breather from the narrative by engaging in hunts and other side content. However, given how compelling the story is, it’s easy to see why most people would prefer to make progress in the main storyline instead of letting the pacing take a nosedive.
Givenhow successfulFinal Fantasy 7was, it’s easy to see why Square Enix invested heavily in this story. One of the better spinoffs of this game lets players control Zack Fair, the SOLDIER whose memories were taken over by Cloud as a result of the mako poisoning affecting him at the time.
While players are aware of the game’s tragic conclusion, they won’t be prepared for the emotional gut punch that awaits them. It doesn’t help that Zack is a peppy and upbeat character who’s easy to love, making the fate that befalls him even harder to digest.
Final Fantasy 7is one of the most important games in the series, serving as the first-ever AAA game that used its marketing to appeal to a worldwide audience with spectacular results.Cloud and Co.’s adventures to stop Sephirothtake some wild twists and turns in the narrative department.
The stellar storytelling and worldbuilding of this title make it clear why fans can’t get enough of this magical game. Even with a suspect English translation,Final Fantasy 7’s narrative and presentation were off the charts and kickstarted the golden age of JRPGs on the PS1.
SquareSoft needed to transitionFinal Fantasyinto the sixth generation of consoles with a bang, and this was achieved withthe groundbreaking launch ofFinal Fantasy 10. Everything from combat to presentation has enjoyed a massive upgrade, but it’s the ambitious narrative of this title that makesFinal Fantasy 10one of the greatest titles in the series for many fans.
Tidus gets isekai’d into the world of Spira and slowly educates himself with the customs and realities of this world, only to find out that the mission he’s on was cursed all along. However, this go-getter refuses to accept this fate. He compels the rest of the party to break this cycle of destruction, culminating in some of the greatest narrative moments in all ofFinal Fantasy.
