Ranking the Final Fantasy games from worst to best

Square Enix have been busy porting some of the biggest entries in the Final Fantasy franchise to every platform going as of late (Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster JUST came out on Switch and Xbox One), making it the best time for new fans to jump on board this JRPG behemoth.

Each mainline entry (separated by their Roman numerals) is set in its own universe, meaning you can begin anywhere, which is great. But with so many titles, it can be hard to know where to begin. That's where we come in.

Ignoring direct sequels, spin-offs and the online multiplayer games XI and XIV, Digital Spy are here to tell which Final Fantasy games are the best, and which are the worst.

[-Foxtrot]

Final Fantasy XIII, XV and XII better then Final Fantasy VIII

Urm,,,

[RoseSapphire]

I see nothing wrong here.

[-Foxtrot]

...right

[Wolffenblitz]

I do. It's you.

You're wrong.

[Kados]

XII is better than VIII.

[-Foxtrot]

FFXII had a weaker story and less memorable characters

Hell the main character was forgettable

[Kados]

XII had a far more complex story, most people were turned off by it because of the political aspects, but it was probably the most well composed and complex story of any FF. VIIIs story was a cheesy convoluted romance, and got so wierd after the first disk, it lead to the popular theory that the entire thing was just Squall hallucinating while dying. It was probably the worst story in the franchise prior to XIII. But then 95% of people are suckers for love stories, even if they are really badly done. The level and junction systems were also both severely flawed to the point of being broken.

Vaan was also not the main character in XII. XII did not have any intended main character, Vaan was simply the character you started with, so people assumed he was the "main". Early on in development they had intended for Balthier to be the main, but they ended up changing it to not have an actual main character at all. The group as a whole was the "main". I would also argue Balthier, Basch, Ashe & Fran all being better and more memorable than any character in VIII. To each their own though.

[Zenbaby369]

Right? 8 is actually a close favorite, followed by X. I get it, 7 was huge and it paved the way. I've gone back and played all 3 of them and 7 was the least fun for me. I think the story in 8 is super underrated and way overrated in 7. I also prefer the characters in 8, but I think I'm pretty much all alone on this one.

[Butters360]

The top 5 for me would be

1. Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions.
2. Final Fantasy VII.
3. Final Fantasy VI.
4. Final Fantasy XV.
5. Final Fantasy IV.

[Zenbaby369]

Nice mention, FFT was pretty legit. If you haven't played Tactics Ogre I would suggest giving that a whirl. They released a more polished version on the psp or vita i think? Anyway, good more political story. Not so fantastical, but more characters on the battlefield. "I always felt like the maps and number of people on FFT wasn't enough" But probably because Somehow I played Tactics Ogre first.

[Gemmol]

I remember those on Sony handheld, they should bring a HD remaster version for Switch

[343_Guilty_Spark]

Last FF15

1. FF9
2. FF8
3. FFT
4. FF7
5. FF10
6. FF13
7. FF12
8. FF6

....

Last. FF15

[Nacho_Z]

I sometimes wonder how much effect which game was the first you played in a series has. With FF my first was FF7 and that's my favourite closely followed by 8. I enjoyed 9 at the time but I prefer 10 now and I haven't liked any since although I haven't tried 15 because of not liking 12 or 13.

I often see people say that Demons Souls is the best game that From have made but Dark Souls was my first of theirs and for me it's a much better game. I think whichever game it is that introduces you to a series is special to you and clouds your objectivity.

[Movefasta1993]

I get you, I did play demon souls first and I do think it's the best but I have reasons.
Dark souls could've been, but the entire lost izalith bit concluding wuth the bed of chaos was one giant flop in comparison to how great everything else was, while demon's souls remained consistently great all the way through.
Dark 2 had un inspired bosses and weak level design.
Bloodborne lacked build depth which is my fav thing about the souls games, I think I made at least 10 different characters for both demon and dark 1.
Dark 3 tries too hard to be dark 1.

[Kados]

I think VII was my first also, yet it is not my favorite. I have never been the nostalgic type though.

In order from best to worst for me.
IX
VI
XII
IV
VII
X
V
VIII
III
X-2
XIII-2
I
LR
XIII
II

I have yet to play XV.

[RizBiz]

The first one I played was the first one, but my favourite is still FF8.

[meatnormous]

Same, replaying 8 at the moment.

[Climhazzzard]

This, exactly this.

[Kashima]

My top: ff14 post arr > ff6 for characters, story, music and art > ff4 > ff3 my first > mobius cuz fun. 8, 11 bad mmo, 12, 13, 15 are least favorite.

[RoseSapphire]

Interesting list. It's not the order I would choose but to each their own. There are some strong positions here in the upper tiers that I'd do some shuffling with and I'd move FFXV up to a higher position.

[CrystalFantasy3]

FF8 IS GARBAGE broken battle system, nonsensical story which the devs clearly gave up on halfway and crap main characters.

XIII is the best or at least my favorite along with FF9

Also FF12 > FF10

[knickstr]

I can tell your age by this sentence right here.

"XIII is the best or at least my favorite along with FF9."

[Jrios355]

I think it's rather unfair to not include XI and XIV because they're multiplayer games. They are mainline Final Fantasy games. They deserve a spot.

[DrumBeat]

Final Fantasy II, III, and VII will always be my favorites. Especially VII. I was so blown away when VII was released on PS1. Loved every aspect of the game. What an exciting time.

[VJGenova]

Swap X and IV and it's perfect

[Kakashi Hatake]

8 being rated so low is a joke. 9 is so overrated.

[Mr_Luke]

For me it would be, best to worse:
1. FF VII
2. FF Tactics
3. FF IX
4. FF VIII
5. FF VI
6. FF V
7. FF IV
8. FF XII
9. FF X
10. FF III
11. FF I
12. FF II
13. FF XIII
14. FF XV

Then among the first ones i would put FF XIV: ARR, i love that game.

[Bleucrunch]

Man I TOTALLY AGREE with the #1 Choice. Final Fantasy X does not, I repeat, does not get the respect it deserves...that is a CLASSIC game through and through.

2. Final Fantasy 12
3. Final Fantasy 3 (six in the U.S.)
4. Final Fantasy 7
5. Final Fantasy 5
6. Final Fantasy Tactics.