Hey everyone! I’m thinking about diving into the Final Fantasy series but I’m totally lost on where to begin. I’ve heard amazing things about the games but know pretty much nothing about the plots or gameplay. My main question is whether these games are standalone or if I need to play through them all in order to understand the story. If they are standalone, could you recommend a good starting point? I’m open to any advice or recommendations you all might have!
3 Answers
It’s mainly an anthology series, so just pick one that catches your interest! There are some direct sequels like ’10-2′ and ‘Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII’, but overall, most of the games exist in their own self-contained worlds. You’ll be good to go!
If you’re looking for a classic experience, I recommend starting with the FF1 Pixel Remaster to see where it all began. It’s affordable and has great quality of life improvements. FF6 Pixel Remaster, FF7, and FF12 The Zodiac Age are also excellent options. Just a tip though: wait to play FF7 Remake or Rebirth until after the original so that you can really appreciate the story. And honestly, I wouldn’t suggest FF10—it has some outdated elements that might not sit well with you. But if you do try it, you can definitely understand the story without playing the others!
Most of the Final Fantasy games are standalone, so you don’t need to have knowledge from previous ones. However, if you’re looking for recommendations, I’d suggest checking out FFX, FFVII Remake, FFIX, FFVI, and FF16. FFVI has a fantastic old-school JRPG story, while FFIX brings some charming characters. FFX offers a more realistic vibe with a cool leveling system, and FFVII Remake is a modern action RPG that really puts a lot of love into its design, although it can feel a bit bloated at times since it’s part of a trilogy. Personally, I’d go with FFX, FFVI, or FFIX as great starting points!
Thanks for the tips! I appreciate the different perspectives.