Hey everyone! I recently finished playing Expedition 33 and absolutely loved it, especially since it reminds me of other turn-based games like Persona 5 Royal. I’m looking to dive into the Final Fantasy series, but I’m not keen on playing through a ton of the older titles. Can anyone recommend some modern Final Fantasy games that are beginner-friendly and worth playing without needing prior knowledge? Also, it would be awesome to find ones with killer soundtracks! Thanks!
5 Answers
For a different vibe, I’d say avoid expecting Clair Obscur’s level of abstraction with Final Fantasy. They’re quite distinct in their storytelling. Every main entry is its own thing, so you don’t need previous knowledge—except for sequels like FFX-2 or FFXIII-2. Still, I think FFX is a great intro!
If you’re looking for something that’s similar to Expedition 33, I’d recommend Final Fantasy X. It’s a nice balance between modern and classic JRPGs and won’t take you ages to finish—around 45 hours for the main story. Just a heads up, though—it’s from 2001, so the graphics and voice acting might feel a bit dated now. If you’re after something newer, Final Fantasy 7 Remake is great and still enjoyable even if you haven’t played the original. On the other hand, Final Fantasy 16 is totally standalone, but keep in mind it’s more of an action game rather than traditional RPG. By the way, the music in all of them is fantastic!
Honestly, I think Final Fantasy X is super close to what you experienced with Expedition 33. It’s a great starting point for the series and features turn-based combat. Plus, it’s got a really immersive story! Final Fantasy 16 is the newest title, similar in tone but it focuses more on action gameplay.
FFX, 7 Remake, and 16 are all pretty easy to pick up without any backstory. FFX is the closest to Expedition 33’s vibe, but just a warning: its combat style is quite different from what you’re used to. 16 is more action-focused, while 7 Remake has a mix of styles. Just know that you won’t need to worry about playing older games to enjoy them!
If you want a solid soundtrack and a good story, definitely check out Final Fantasy 16. It’s different from traditional turn-based games, but it has an amazing soundtrack and awesome characters. Just prepare for a gameplay style shift!
I’d argue that 10 is a bit slower compared to E33. E33 doesn’t require much strategy, while 10’s combat is very methodical.