Summary
TheFinal Fantasyseries has always been regarded as the quintessential JRPG series.While Dragon Questmay be more popular in Japan, theFinal Fantasyseries has dominated the West with its cinematic presentation, spectacular worlds, and unforgettable storylines. There’s something special about when aFinal Fantasygame is released. The series played a pivotal role in popularizing JRPGs in the West following the success ofFinal Fantasy 7on the PS1, setting new standards for the genre with each subsequent release.
TheFinal Fantasyseries is still among the best JRPG franchises and holds the top spot for presentation, music, and characters. Even with other worthy challengers for the JRPG crown, and acknowledging that not every entry is outstanding, few studios can rival the blockbuster status of theFinal Fantasyseries. One key aspect of their success lies in the games' visuals, and of the series, theseFinal Fantasygames are the best-looking of their respective eras.
With the SNES and the belovedFinal Fantasy 4launching in 1991,Final Fantasy 3was the last outing on the 8-bit console. The story follows the Four Heroes of Light as they seek to restore balance and save the world from an evil entity known as the Cloud of Darkness. It follows a familiar path to its predecessors, but better executed.
With its scale, graphics, soundtrack, and new job system,Final Fantasy 3was an impressive title that pushed the capabilities of the NES. The world felt expansive, with colorful communities, and NPCs Thatoverworld continues to open up as the party gains access to new vehicles and airships. It’s an impressive game for an 8-bit system and is still a lot offun by today’s standards.
Final Fantasy 6is often debated as being among the best entries in the franchise. It was the last game in the series to implement 2D visuals, but is a timeless masterpiece that performed miracles on the SNES. The only other titles that rivaled its visuals and music wereChrono Triggeron the SNES andPhantasy Star 4on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive.
The towns, buildings, and character sprites were incredibly detailed for the time. The overworld has a 3D-like effect that looks spectacular and is accompanied by a beautiful soundtrack. The scope, world design, writing, and character development were far beyond its rivals in the 16-bit era with layers of depth and a high-stakes narrative centered on multiple characters.
6Final Fantasy 9
Arguably The Best Looking Game On The PS1
WhileFinal Fantasy 7is often considered the most beloved entry in the PlayStation era ofFinal Fantasygames,Final Fantasy 9is regarded as the most visually impressive. The detailed world and beautifully designed characters more than hold their own when compared to modern titles. In an ‘Inside Final Fantasy’ interview, the developers confirmed that the character models were inspired by Jim Henson’s timeless fantasy movie,The Dark Crystal.
Everything from the towns to the interiors of the shops and homes is packed with smaller details that breathe life into the game’sworld. The smallest details translated to the HD remaster on modern consoles with very little needing an upgrade. Similar toFinal Fantasy 7and8, the ninth entry showcases impressive cutscenes that contribute to the grand, big-budget scale and adventurous atmosphere that theFinal Fantasyseries excels at delivering.
As beautiful asFinal Fantasy 9was,Final Fantasy 10felt like a true generational leap in as little as a year later for the PlayStation 2. The character models are more realistically proportioned than the cartoon-esque ones inFinal Fantasy 9.It also showcased predominantly polygonal backgrounds in open space settings, incorporating minor elements of pre-rendering within indoor shops and houses.
It lacked an overworld like its predecessors and the story felt more linear. There are a lot of beautifully rendered cutscenes that are a match for many of the series' latest titles.Final Fantasy 10’sbattle system is highly regarded for its transition to the Conditional Turn-Based system, which allows players to switch characters during combat. Additionally, the detailed character animations, depicting the use of potions and items in battles, remain impressive to this day.
Final Fantasy 12marked the series' final installment on the PlayStation 2, standing strong even as the Xbox 360 and PS3 launched the same year.Despite being a somewhat underappreciated entry in the long-running series,Final Fantasy 12was one of the most graphically accomplished games on the PS2. It felt bigger and more open thanFinal Fantasy 10,with enemies visible before the party engages them in combat.
The world design and character designs still look amazing, as evidenced in theFinal Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Ageremaster. Aside from the overhaul of theZodiac Job System, not much has changed besides a higher resolution and crystal-clear textures, showcasing how polished the PS2 original was.
While it is a beautiful game,Final Fantasy 13remains one of the most controversial entries in the series. Although the battle system was excellent, it felt like a step backward compared toFinal Fantasy 12.The feeling of openness and exploration was replaced by a more linear experience, with no towns to visit or distractions from the main story. In an attempt to address fans' frustrations,Final Fantasy 13-2continues the trilogy and feels like a proper JRPG experience with more to do.
Visually,Final Fantasy 13-2is a stunning game with some minor improvements over its predecessor that make it stand out as one of the best-looking games from the PS3/360 era. It’s a more visually impressive game than part three,Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13,but with anexcellent lead characterand a blockbuster feel, it’s worth playing the whole trilogy.
TheFinal Fantasy 7 Remakedid the impossible of both pleasing longtime fans and gaining a new audience. It reimagined the PS1 original but took the story in a different direction with an alternate timeline not dissimilar toStar Trek’sMirror Universe. It transformed the beautifully pre-rendered, iconic opening city of Midgar into a fully explorable city with a story of epic proportions, marking the first entry in a massive trilogy.
The beautifully detailed world inFinal Fantasy 7 Remakewas an incredible achievement on the PlayStation 4, and even though it was remastered for the PlayStation 5, it more than holds its own. With its stunning environments, character models, and incredible music, the remake is a more accomplished-looking title thanFinal Fantasy 15,which also launched in the same era.
PlayStation 5 fans have been treated to two significant releases:Final Fantasy 16andFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth.Final Fantasy 16is a stunning entry with great visuals, but compared toFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth,its dark medieval world looks almost colorless and drab.Rebirthfeatures a massive, beautifully designed world rich in story and lore.
Iconic locations like the town of Kalm andthe Golden Saucerhave been brought to life, offering open areas to explore, filled with numerous activities and side quests. The game flows beautifully, the music is superb, and the character models look incredible.Final Fantasy Rebirthis one of the most accomplished entries in the series.
