Final Fantasy Mainline Tier List
I can already tell I'm gonna get pipe bombs in my mailbox for this but considering I've somehow played a lot of this series without really trying or with a full intention of examining the series.
(II, III, XV not included due to not playing them yet)
(II, III, XV not included due to not playing them yet)
13 Games
Easily my favorite PS1 FF for the charm, gameplay, art and world. I can't really find anything terrible about this one other than the long ass loading times in battles.
1
My first true foray into the mainline of Final Fantasy. Nostalgia is pretty strong for this one but it's also a strong overall jrpg with unique characters and Cecil and Kain just being extremely cool in general.
2
I have to really say this one is overhated or at least misunderstood. The characters are great, the music is bordering on the best in the series and the game still looks gorgeous despite being almost XIII years old today.
3
For it being one of the earliest PS2 titles, it still looks amazing in the graphics department. Fun return to turn based battles, great music and story makes this one easy to see why it's a favorite.
5
Wasn't fond of this one initially during my first few playthroughs growing up but the latest one kinda grew on me a bit. A really solid entry and deserving of the legacy.
6
It's one of the most fun of the older titles with an amazing job system and a lot of versatility in the gameplay which is what I'm mostly looking for in JRPGs.
7
I'm putting XIV here as a general score of sorts for the entire experience up until Dec 2022. It has so many low points and high points that I felt uncomfortable putting it at one specific spot unless I did a general score for all the expansion and base content. Definitely one of the best MMOs you can play for good reason.
8
It's the Zodiac Age version and the only reason I put this cover on is for consistency. Honestly would not like the game as much without the TZA improvements but the music and planning your classes out and gambits out is fun when the game isn't playing itself nearing the end.
9
Really wanted to like this one more and I don't think it's a bad game at all but it kinda feels par for the course of a final fantasy game albeit with a cool premise.
10
From a gameplay standpoint, I should really hate this. I can appreciate what it does different but I will say the story despite how crazy and nonsensical it can be is at least interesting and the music is honestly amazing especially for Final Fantasy's high standards.
11
The one that started it all. I have to disclose I only played this version to completion and a bit of the NES version before fully deciding to committing to this version since I personally couldn't handle the NES version. A bit simple but it was honestly enjoyable.
12
Take this last place ranking with a grain of salt as I've only played this for a few hours before I called it quits. It took almost as long as setting up the game to the time I actually played it but I'll come back to this because I'm sure there's something great here.
13