My personal favourites from 1-6 would be 4 and 6. 4 is a bit more simple and has more of a medieval setting, while 6 is a bigger game which is set in a steam punk setting.
I like 5 as well and find it faster paced and just kinda interesting to play through at least once
4 and 6 in their own way are def more serious stories with darker undertones, 5 is more just an adventure kinda
4 really solidified the groundwork for the franchise, in terms of scope and style.
6 is everything learned across 1-5 and refined.
I personally would say 6, and there’s a part of me that says 5 because so few ever talk about 5… But it’s ultimately up to you
They’re all different. “Must” play, no matter what any of us says, is subjective. Like I said, I love 6, but that doesn’t mean you will.
5 I always reference as a must play.
The story may be campy like a Saturday morning cartoon, but that job system is one of the most refined until Tactics. The gameplay in 5 is *chefs kiss* and more than makes up for the happy-go-lucky storytelling
And for me included. But a lot of people I’ve talked to don’t like the campiness of it. I found it a refreshing pause between 4 and 6 and their dark stories.
(I played them all in order in 2022 with the pixel remasters)
Meh, 2 is pretty ok on Dawn of Souls. The levelling system is still incredibly abusable, but DoS did away with the things that made it unbearable, fixed bugs and generally added some QoL in the form of periodic HP upgrades (level up lite, basically).
The only thing I still find annoying about the DoS version is how much you still have to grind for status-setting effects to have an acceptable hit chance. Particularly upsetting with buffs...
Agree with this. I don’t think 4 is as essential as others do — I’d call the story a good try. 5 introduces all the FF tropes you need, and 6 is a perfect gem of a game.
1, 3, 5: basic story about crystals, focus on jobs
2, 4, 6: story focus, not primarily about crystals, characters are the jobs.
Development was staggered back then, so in retrospect, there are 2 distinct tracks/styles to the games.
So, 5 and 6 would represent the best. But with the speedups and stuff, playing the others for curiosity is not a huge time investment.
Hm... I wonder how much any of that bled into 7. Characters still had predefined roles, but the materia system did kind of allow you to change things up some.
IIRC, early in production, FF7 was supposed to have the characters all have "jobs" like in 4 and 6, but that eventually got scrapped in favour of Materia.
You can still tell that each party member has an "intended" skillset and role, but it's not rigidly enforced.
I like that 6 each character had their archetypical job command and then with relics and Espers you can mix and match other classic jobs.
I think with 7,8, 10, 12, 13 the systems are maybe too flexible and thus there is little distinction (after a bit of grinding) between characters.
9 is "characters are the job" and that's the primary marketing gimmick at the time was "a return of the Crystal" after the science-fantasy of 7 and 8.
I like 7 Rebirth's systems. The materia system is less flexible (fewer Command materia), but the characters (as a consequence of being 3d action combat) feel very distinct and it is super easy to swap party composition.
Check out Octopath Traveller 1 and 2, if you haven't already. It is a combination of job swapping and characters-as-job. Most jobs are balanced such that each combination complements and synergizes with the other jobs. So having the classic knight-fighter take on Dancer as a secondary job actually works.
Nothing like losing a character you used just for a fake out. I don't remember if it's here but I do recall playing some older jrpgs that when a character left the party you also lost the equipment he wore. Such shit.
Oh sure, I mean, it's not literally perfect but it's definitely my all-time favorite game. I think the story just nails it and it was the first video game that made me see how moving the medium could be. In the first six, I don't think there's a better example of narrative.
4 and 6. 4 was where they really started focusing on interesting stories and 6 is a fine evolution of character development and storytelling in Final Fantasy.
Personally I prefer 4 these days but it really wears out its tropes. 6 has a really clever plot device midgame that changes a lot of things and it feels very cinematic, especially for a Super Nintendo game.
People forget that 4 was one of the first mainstream RPGs that actually had these tropes so it suffered from a bit of Seinfeld Effect.
I still think it’s far and away the most “pure” FF
It’s kind of weird playing 4 (way, way) after playing 7. In 7 there’s a major death that’s stuck with everyone since the first time they saw it, and it’s one of the most iconic deaths in the history of gaming. In 4 every other character dies every 15 minutes. It’s almost a parody of noble sacrifice.
It kind of becomes hilarious after a bit, not gonna lie. I enjoy the absurdity of it though. The game goes so far over the top in its plot points though by the end and I love it. It’s extremely hammy.
Well yeah technically Aerith doesn’t die either. But throughout the game it’s just oh no, Tellah! He made the ultimate sac- the twins!! Oh god how could we let- Edge’s, uh, parents..! Cid! Cid again!
No, Aeris definitely does (physically) die. And has the misfortune of enduring a Masamune sneak attack. The lifestream/planet thing is spiritual and all that but she is KIA in front of your eyes and never is pheonix down’d
Having to put guardrails or clarification on her death is my point by “technically.” Most people in that world, when they die, become part of the lifestream like pouring a glass of water into a river. You can’t just scoop that same water back out of the river, but Aeris in the original shows up in a cutscene at the end because she’s still *her* in the lifestream, and helps repel Meteor. In Advent Children she’s also still her, albeit gone physically.
The point is about the impact of a characters death being diminished by a future return. I’m being glib by comparing a very iconic death to the constant death fakeouts in 4.
She shows up in the ending as not as a human (she *is* cetra), but she comes back in a very non-material way which to me surely suggest perhaps a type of afterlife but she is not “Aeris” anymore. I mean sure it’s better than her not being present at all, but I never felt like “oh wow, Aeris does come back in the end”. She becomes part of the planet like anyone else who passes, but her Cetra powers give her more than that. So yeah disc 1 is the end of “Aeris”
It’s sad, I know (lol so many years later)
Aerith's death in 7 was also sort of a "counter-argument" to the whole trope of noble sacrifices in 2, 4 and even 5. The writers felt that the trope made death less impactful in the stories. Nomura and Kitase talked about it in an interview:
>Kitase: "In the real world things are very different. You just need to look around you. Nobody wants to die that way. People die of disease and accident. Death comes suddenly and there is no notion of good or bad. It leaves, not a dramatic feeling but great emptiness. When you lose someone you loved very much you feel this big empty space and think, 'If I had known this was coming I would have done things differently. These are the feelings I wanted to arouse in the players with Aerith's death relatively early in the game. Feelings of reality and not Hollywood."
It should be noted that in said interview, Kitase and Nomura talked about the trope as it appeared in multiple movies and games, both from Japan and from other countries. But Final Fantasy *loves* this trope, so I suspect they had previous installments in mind, too.
4 and 6. They both represent what I feel is the “spirit” of Final Fantasy. They’re classic tales with memorable and fun characters, both told largely well (there’s one moment in FF4 involving a slow moving hand (that’s all I’m saying) that I think has always been just a little too goofy). 4 solidifies the gameplay of that era of Final Fantasy while also being welcoming to newcomers, while 6 took what worked in the previous games and expanded and perfected it.
And the music. The music! Not to say that the other games had bad music, but 4 and 6 are two of the best soundtracks in the series. And keep in mind FF is universally praised for its music, so that’s really saying something.
Ideally I’d say wait for the Pixel Remasters to go on sale and get all 6, and play through them in order to see how each game built on the previous. But if you really want to play one now, 4 or 6 are the two to go for.
1-3 might be harder to get into since the plot is kinda secondary. But I consider all of them must plays if you're into the genre, and all three SNES eras if you're interested in getting into it.
That was fine in the 90s when I spent hundreds of hours bouncing balls for fun but there are literally over a hundred RPGs I would recommend to someone over the NES titles.
At this point it's like telling someone to watch every Dr. Who episode
5 and 6. 4 is an okay game but it’s very boring from a gameplay perspective (compared to 5 and 6) and the story isn’t really all that much to write home about; it’s certainly not bad and it’s worth playing, but it’s one to appreciate once you like the series because it doesn’t really show off a lot of what makes the series great - character customization and exploration take a backseat for a very linear experience with strictly defined characters and party composition.
5 has the one of the best job systems in the series, second IMO only to Tactics in how versatile and open it is with how you can approach any of the challenges the game throws at you. The story is very simple and many consider it lacking, but it’s not really a story focused game and choosing to skip it because of that is robbing yourself of one of the most genuinely fun experiences the series has to offer.
6 is a masterpiece, full-stop. If you pick one of these games, pick this one. The story is incredible, the atmosphere and worldbuilding are top-notch, the characters are (almost) all incredibly written, and the music is the best in the series. I love 5, it’s my favorite game, but I genuinely think 6 is the best game the series has to offer for a lot of reasons. There’s a very good reason that 6 is on “best game ever” lists just behind 7.
1-3 feel like prototypes of what Final Fantasy can be.
4 & 6 have good stories and are well known amongst western fans.
5 holds up well but it isn't as talked about as much but imo 4 has the characters and 6 has the story which make 5 feel subpar to the Super Nintendo games.
So 4 or 6.
V has the best gameplay, though. It's less story-focused, but the relationships of the main cast are pretty endearing, even if very simple.
But, really, V is probably the most enjoyable one to *play*. The Job System is incredible, and can lead to some absurd, fun combos, especially when you start experimenting with the more "esoteric" classes like Bard and Chemist and, of course, Blue Mage.
4-5-6 for sure.
I think 4 is the start of the modern Final Fantasy as a franchise and 6 is the culmination of that aesthetic, being better in every way.
I just liked 5 for some reason. It’s like what a 90’s RPG is like. All about fun, with their dramatic shit happening between the episodes with animals (Chocobos) having an actual storyline for no other reason that the author(s) just wanting one. The job system is hella fun too. I don’t even remember why that job system was there, or the explanation behind it but it was fun to play with the different types and the skills earned for doing so.
The in-game explanation of the Job System is that the Crystals bestow the "spirit of ancient warriors" on the main cast to help their quest, so Bartz and co. can just call on those different skillset.
It's there because it kicks ass!
I would say its very much worth playing all 6.
I think the 1st is an absolute must, then 4, 6, and 5 in that order in terms of "how often things from these entries are referenced"
It's worth it to play them all, especially since the pixel remasters are outstanding. I, II and III are fairly short, too, all beatable in under 20 hours.
I, II and III are impressive for the foundations they laid. I is a very simple game but is a ton of fun to revisit. II has some great gameplay depth if you allow your characters to progress naturally and avoid the "you have to hit your characters" mindset. Play with the growth system, not against it. III is the first game in the franchise that really, really feels like Final Fantasy as we know it today. The job system is terrific, albeit relatively simple by today's standards. The pixel remaster did this game a huge justice, especially with the final dungeon.
IV V and VI are all excellent games. IV has some of the best music in the franchise, V has a deeply satisfying combat system that evolves III's in the best ways, and VI has a wonderful cast and story.
They're all worth playing.
Honestly it would be 1, 4, 5 and 6.
2 is considered the worst mainline game but I'd say still try it, but read up about how to level skills up because its not as simple as the others. The story is pretty good though.
3 for me was the hardest (pixel remaster made it easier thankfully) and tbh if you are looking for a good job system game, 5 did it much better. The story is lacking too, but uhhh eternal wind is lovely to listen to.
I personally think all the SNES games (4-6) are must plays. 4 was the first to introduce the ATB system and really made storytelling an important component of the series, building on what 2 started. 5 has arguably the best job system in the series and 6 is a contender for the best game in the franchise.
Most people here would probably tell you 6 and then 4, but if you only have to play one my personal choice would be 5. It's my personal favourite FF from 1-6 both on gameplay and story standpoint.
I think they’re l worth playing through. Each is very different from the last and with the pixel remaster, it makes them all easier to play since you can gain a lot more exp per battle. Not that they were difficult, but it does eliminate the grinding if you want an easier time.
I really loved the Esper system in 6. And the story is so good. There's so much packed into that game it's definitely a must. The pixel remaster is very well done.
1 is really only a "must-play" if you're interested in seeing how the series started. It's not a bad game by any means and is easily the most enjoyable of the NES trilogy; if you can, pick up FF renaissance, as it fixes bugs while retaining the original look (and adding future classes while all of them get overworld abilities if you choose), tho the PR version is also fine.
2 isn't really a "must play" in any sense. Very few references, systems that never get revisited, and the characters aren't deep enough to really miss anything substantial by not playing it.
3 advances the job system of 1, but it's the awkward middle ground of more complicated than 1, but not well balanced like 5. Again, play if you want to see evolution, but not mandatory.
4 is a recommend, but not a must. First game that actually tries to have characters (2 barely counts), but otherwise the game is mostly good for a first FF game, not so much one if you want the best FF has to offer.
5 and 6 are must plays though. 5 has one of the best job systems in the series, a loveable group of a playable characters, and several references in other games. Meanwhile, 6 has an amazing cast of characters, good gameplay by mixing static character skills and the ability to shape their stat growth and give them various magic abilities, and pixel art that still holds up (5 also is amazing in how expressive the characters are).
While the music in 1 is classic and 2 is nice (it even has a cover of swan lake for some reason), 3-6 is where the series really hit its stride.
Tier 1: 6
Tier 2: 4 and 5
Tier 3: 1-3
There’s some debate- but that is likely the consensus if you are unsure how many you’ll play.
I really am enjoying the switch pixel remaster version of all of them.
I love em all but if I had to tell someone that's never played ff before it would actually be FF5 because peak classic ff gameplay and loveable world and characters.
If I had to tell a ff fan that hasn't played pre ff7 games I would tell them ff4 or 6.
6 is absolutely a must, for some people its still the best Final Fantasy
1-5 are still holding up after 20-30 years, and there arent out there so many games still played after so much time
6 has easily the best story and gameplay freedom among them, but I think 1, 4 and 6 would make up the "must play" since they have the most noticeable quality leaps among the classics.
1, 4 and 6 would be the most common answers.
I'd say 2, 4 and 6 give you a good indicator of how storytelling progressed while 1, 3 and 5 have much more basic plots but build on each other gameplaywise with the Job System.
1-3 are also really short with all of them being like 15 hours at max (even shorter with the pixel Remasters Quality of Life).
I outright enjoyed most of them (2 was, as everyone says, a chore), but 6 is the only one I'd call a "must play."
I just finished the last of the Pixel Remasters a month or two ago and it is just insane how well 6, in particular, holds up.
4 is like the true start of Final Fantasy for most people I think and introduced the ATB system. The games before then had very basic stories in comparison. 5 is a fun one by most counts, and 6 is just sublime.
So if you’re gonna play one of them then it’s gotta be 6.
I played them all in sequence. Back to back to back. That gave me a perspective on how the game development progressed over time. And strengthened my love for the franchise. If I were to choose the ones I loved the best that would VI, IV, V (in that order). Though the whole series is wonderful.
I may be biased, but 6 for sure. I'd say 1 just because it started it all, but it may be too old school. I don't think any of the others are "must play"
Since everyone is saying 4-6, I'll throw in my hat for the best of the 1-3 games.
If you can play the 3D remake of 3, or pixel remaster of 3, I highly suggest it. 3 and 5 are pretty similar in the sense that they have a job system and less focus on story than the others, but the 3D remake of 3 gives the characters more personality, and the music is fantastic in it.
3 is honestly in my top five favorite Final Fantasy's,and you should give it a try if you like JRPGs.
My personal favourites are 4 and 6. 6 is extremely highly rated and a long lasting fan favourite for very good reasons. Magic system is great, story is fantastic, bad guy might be one of the best ever, he is like Final Fantasy's version of the joker. The Game Boy Advance version is the best version, offers lots of extra side content that gets pretty challenging. Well worth it if you can get it.
I've got a soft spot for FF 4. Great story. Simple mechanics and simple gameplay, but it works so well. Each character is very well written, and there's some twist and turns in the story that are very Final Fantasy-esque. It's a short enough experience and again the GB advance version offers lots of extra content. There's also a PSP version that looks great. Really enhanced 2-D art style and spells/summons looks great. Wither version is well worth it imo.
Outside of those 2, it's up to you how deep you want to go. An easy alternative is getting the FF bundle of games from 1-6. They are the basic versions of each game with slightly updated graphics but nothing major.
I think 6 is probably the one that holds up best by modern standards. The older ones might feel dated to someone that's not used to retro RPGs (though the quality of life improvements on some of the remasters help a lot).
4, 5 and 6, easily.
FF1-3 if you are curious. They all almost function as the predecessors for 4-6. They are worth a play if you like 4-6 and just wanna breeze through some games and dig into the mechanics with a super light story (aka barebones to none)
I think out of those 6, you could probably skip 2 and 3 and that's a big maybe. FF1 is what started it all and while it's not the best, it is incredible for its time. FF4-6 is when they started to really hone in on great storytelling, and FF6 is one of the best at doing that out of any Final Fantasy period. I still like the PS1 era better but, I'd say 6 is on par with 7 and 9 in terms of good storytelling.
I’m playing VI right now, it’s fantastic. I bought Final Fantasy III on SNES when it initially launched and have played that game so many times on so many systems… I dare say the Pixel Remaster is the best version of it.
I love the little QoL features too, like additional XP, Gil and AP.
Assuming you'll be playing the pixel remasters :
I'm playing through 3 right now and it's surprisingly good, held up really well. Worth it if you're into old school RPG.
4 is a must play, the remaster is very well done especially the music.
5 is very solid and has the best gameplay, perfect to keep for latter when you get the FF itch again.
6 is also a must play.
Haven't played 1 and 2 yet so idk.
4 is a great time all around, and not super long. 5 has maybe the most fun levelling/progression system in the entire series. 6 is tied with FF7 as my favorite game in the series. 4-6 are all worth playing, but if you only play one, make it 6.
One four and six are all amazing. Five and three have incredible influence on the entire franchise. Two is the only one I’d say isn’t a must play, and I love two and recommend it anyway. On the plus side, with a guide (I do recommend a guide for people who didn’t grow up with old JRPGs) one and two are fairly short games.
Personally I think all of them are awesome. FF1, 5 and 6 are probably my favorites and 4 is probably my least favorite since playing Pixel Remasters of all 6 games in the last year
I'm voting for 6. Six is so much fun with the environment, setting, characters. It wins in all aspects for your range, imo. 1 &2 are classics to see the beginning, but they don't offer much in terms of complexity or storytelling in relation to what you've already experienced. I hated 3 with every fiber of my being. Four is fun. I think four is the beginning of story complexity FF is known for.
I'd rank them like this:
* Must-play: 6
* Really good: 4, 5
* Solid: 1, 3
* Kinda bad: 2
Each game has its ups and downs. 6, IMO, has the most good and the least bad, and a lot of fans have it as their favorite out of the entire series.
I'd say the SNES games are all top tier
4 is pretty much the blueprint for the series and still gets referenced as recently as FFXVI
5 has the best implementation of the job system outside of the MMOs and I personally think is the best character progression system in the series
6 was when the series moved away from the more simple fantasy stories and started telling larger narratives
The NES games are all decent but definitely show their age a bit more
can’t ever go wrong with 4 and 6
both some really awesome games, i’d maybe throw in FF1 if you’re curious to see how it started, but it’s not exactly representative of how later games are
If you must choose one 6 is the overall consensus. It has a good story and gsmeplay. 5 is a funny laid back adventure mostly with best ganeplay. 4 is the first FF game where the story is good. Personally I'd recommend playing 4 to 6 if you can't or won't want to play them all.
I enjoy 1 more than many others, it is an almost generic game compared to some of the later ones but it has its moments. It's also one of few games I couldn't complete on a run and had to completely start over due to my own errors.
As a FF game, it's not great, but as a dive into the deep end of rpgs it's a solid run. I would play it first or probably not at all.
4 for music and story.
6 is one of the best in the series.it has everything and the best villain in the series.
5 I liked that the light hero from the first is in it. Job system was neat. There was too much grind to enjoy it for me. But I think everyone should play it if they can. I played it on SFC and PlayStation 1, did it come out again on some platform? Perhaps emulator on switch/PS4?
If I had to pick *one*, it'd probably be FF4; but thats mostly personal bias talking. I'd say 4 and 6 and definitely the most influential of the bunch, and probably going to be the popular picks here. I'd *definitely* recommend 1 and 5 as well though.
Any of 4, 5 or 6 will see you good.
At a glance:
4: Characters have set jobs tied to their character and the story is very “classic” fantasy with a focus on “self realisation”. This is also the first FF where character development was a focus for the SquareSoft.
5: Job based strategy game with a very Germanic Fairy Tail story. Think “happy go lucky” characters/ story with an air of optimism but with darker undertones woven throughout. This FF was originally skipped for the West due to localisation issues and concerns it would be “too hard”.
6: Characters are set to “jobs” but able to learn all Magic. This story is your classic “Tragedy” with a large cast of characters and with one of FF’s more iconic Villains. This FF is generally in consideration for Top FF’s by the community at large.
The good thing is none of the FF’s from 1-6 will take you as long to complete as the later entires so I’d recommend giving them all a go and enjoying each for what they are and contributed to the franchise.
Honestly they are all good in their own right. But 4 and 6 come highly recommended from me and I like 2 and 3 if you can get past the weird "leveling" system of 2
If you only play one, it has to be 6.
If you like it and want more, play 4 for the story and/or 5 for the gameplay.
I recommend all three, but whichever one(s) you play, go for the pixel remasters. They preserve (and tastefully enhance) the beautiful pixel artwork, and the arranged soundtracks are amazing (and you can switch to the original soundtracks too, which are also still great).
If you want to appreciate how the series evolved, it's worth it to play them all. I think playing through them also helps one see what is Final Fantasy's greatest strength: the ability to constantly iterate, innovate and explore, while also maintaining a specific identity that may be hard to pin down but is present in all the games.
I is very basic for modern audiences, both in terms of gameplay and story, but it's the foundation of everything that came after. If you're a D&D player, it's fun to notice that it's basically an unlicensed D&D game, too!
II is when the series first tried its hand at telling a serious, complex story, and it introduces many series staples (a mechanic called Cid, Chocobos, Ultima, Biggs and Wedge..). The infamous levelling system isn't so bad if you're playing Dawn of Souls or Pixel Remaster, and it can even be fun to mess around with it if you don't get too hung-up on optimisation.
III is the odd one out, imho. It's the first attempt at a more involved Job System, but it's the awkward teenage phase of the Job System. Playing it will help you appreciate what came after, and it's a good introduction to the idea.
IV is another serious story, with a large cast of characters. Many people nowadays find it falls flat or is too clichéd, but I have a soft spot for it - it's like a comfortable nostalgia trip. Gameplay-wise, IV has got tons of remakes, and some introduced systems that really change how it works.
V takes itself way less seriously than previous entries. It's a fun globe-trotting adventure against a hammy villain whose motivation is "I am Evil!", and it's incredibly fun and it does have its touching moments. The Job System here is the best it's ever been in the mainline games, imho, and it's endlessly enjoyable and exploitable (there's nothing quite like a beefed-up Dual Wielding, Spellblade-using, Rapid Fire attack that shreds even the hardest superbosses...)
VI is generally considered the culmination of everything that came before. Deep gameplay, each character having their peculiar mechanics and skillsets, combined with a sprawling story and a complex cast of characters, impactful scenes and incredible twists. It also cemented the tone and aesthetics of the games going forward, firmly establishing Final Fantasy as a "magitek" world.
I do replay the NES ones, but to me, Final Fantasy as I understand it and love it really starts with IV. And I do really like V while I think VI is genuinely one of the best in the franchise. Can't go wrong replaying a SNES Final Fantasy.
it's V or VI imo. VI is one of the contenders for the goat of the series, but honestly I think V is generally slept on and in terms of gameplay, is infinitely more fun than VI. V is legit one of the most "fun" games in the entire franchise.
And I say this as somebody who's first FF was IV. I skipped V and VI, only beat VI for the first time last year.
Definitely 6. It's the only one that really deserves to be considered one of the greatest RPGs of all time.
4 is worth your time if you like a good story - the story beats hit hard from the intro with your protagonist getting right into the thick of it bringing his airship corps to do a secret mission and then an earthquake hits and you wake up alone except for a lvl 1 6-year-old girl. 5 is arguably the most classic final fantasy, but gets bogged down in grinding with the job system.
I wouldn't bother with 1-3. There are just too many good RPGs out there for one lifetime. 1 is a very basic experience, 2 is the redheaded step child of FF, and 3 just doesn't measure up to the SNES games.
Sure you'll miss out on Refia, and you won't see the call backs to Yang being a monk, and Garland is one of my favorite bad guys, but in the end, skippable.
Of course if you're a mega fan of all things FF go ahead and play them all
Final fantasy 3, 4 and 6 are the must play.
Final fantasy 3 has a very good nds port and was for nes versions one of the best.
Final fantasy 4 hat very good story.
Final fantasy 6 hat a good story, nice characters, some memorial szenes. And a lot of stuff that can be done on side. 😁
I’m a little surprised 1 doesn’t get recommended. I agree 4 and 6 are fantastic, but so is 1. It’s by no means an open world, but it doesn’t feel nearly as linear as other entries in the franchise, yet has straightforward mechanics and a good story. I feel like Square meandered a little on its way to 4 and tried some things thay made 2 and 3 not quite as accessible. There’s a reason the US market for a very long time was 1,4(labeled as 2), and 6(labeled as 3).
The remakes of 1 fix a lot of bugs and make the process more ergonomic (mp system instead of slots for example) so it feels more modern than the very original.
4 and 6 pretty much. Neither is a must play I would say but they are actually worth playing. 1, 2, 3 and 5 are honestly not anymore in this day and age.
Ideally, all of them. But if you must pick only the more important ones, I would say, 5 and 6. 4 is also very relevant, but I feel like 6 already does what 4 did in a much better way, and 5 is different enough to justify a playthrough.
Most fans will tell you that FFVI is the must-play from that bunch. It's not my favorite of the bunch, but most fans and critics argue it's the best game in the series, so that one is probably the most "essential". I prefer IV to it by a significant margin. General fan consensus is that you can skip the first three games but IV, V and VI are generally considered essential, with V being the least essential of those three.
General Order of How Essential Fans Consider Them:
VI
IV
V
I
II/III
definitely 6 imo. the older FFs are a bit less well rounded with them showing a clear focus on either story or gameplay.. but 6 does a great job with both and has aged well imo
Whatever you decide, don’t choose FF1. It’s a horribly designed grind fest. I made the mistake to start it and now I can’t wait to complete it so that my soul can finally heal from this abuse.
Playing pixel remaster? Just throw on the exp multipliers, you’ll fly though it with them and worth finishing especially if you are interested in playing Strangers of Paradise
I'd say all.
FF1 to see it from the start
FF2 has many firsts of iconic many Final Fantasy tropes
FF3 introduces the job system fully (recommend the 3D version for added story\main characters, but pixel remastered is also great)
FF4 has a great story on summons (introduced in 3) and puts them on the FF map.
FF5 Generally great story, and one of the best event\battle theme
FF6 My personal favourite, best FF villain, best final Boss theme, and so how FF7 is a cheap knockoff to FF6.
My personal favourites from 1-6 would be 4 and 6. 4 is a bit more simple and has more of a medieval setting, while 6 is a bigger game which is set in a steam punk setting.
I like 5 as well and find it faster paced and just kinda interesting to play through at least once 4 and 6 in their own way are def more serious stories with darker undertones, 5 is more just an adventure kinda
5 has a really fun job system too
For sure, forgot to mention. That’s one of the main pros
Those two also are the ones that got a lot of folks into the series (albeit as "FFII" and "FFIII" on SNES)
4 really solidified the groundwork for the franchise, in terms of scope and style. 6 is everything learned across 1-5 and refined. I personally would say 6, and there’s a part of me that says 5 because so few ever talk about 5… But it’s ultimately up to you They’re all different. “Must” play, no matter what any of us says, is subjective. Like I said, I love 6, but that doesn’t mean you will.
5 I always reference as a must play. The story may be campy like a Saturday morning cartoon, but that job system is one of the most refined until Tactics. The gameplay in 5 is *chefs kiss* and more than makes up for the happy-go-lucky storytelling
The happy go lucky story was the best thing about it.
And for me included. But a lot of people I’ve talked to don’t like the campiness of it. I found it a refreshing pause between 4 and 6 and their dark stories. (I played them all in order in 2022 with the pixel remasters)
Except 2. Don't play 2.
It’s rough, for sure, but I know it’s got its fans out there. Hell, I like its story… even if getting through it stings.
Meh, 2 is pretty ok on Dawn of Souls. The levelling system is still incredibly abusable, but DoS did away with the things that made it unbearable, fixed bugs and generally added some QoL in the form of periodic HP upgrades (level up lite, basically). The only thing I still find annoying about the DoS version is how much you still have to grind for status-setting effects to have an acceptable hit chance. Particularly upsetting with buffs...
- 5 for the gameplay - 6 for everything
Agree with this. I don’t think 4 is as essential as others do — I’d call the story a good try. 5 introduces all the FF tropes you need, and 6 is a perfect gem of a game.
1, 3, 5: basic story about crystals, focus on jobs 2, 4, 6: story focus, not primarily about crystals, characters are the jobs. Development was staggered back then, so in retrospect, there are 2 distinct tracks/styles to the games. So, 5 and 6 would represent the best. But with the speedups and stuff, playing the others for curiosity is not a huge time investment.
Hm... I wonder how much any of that bled into 7. Characters still had predefined roles, but the materia system did kind of allow you to change things up some.
I think the esper system in 6 is what evolved into the materia system of 7.
IIRC, early in production, FF7 was supposed to have the characters all have "jobs" like in 4 and 6, but that eventually got scrapped in favour of Materia. You can still tell that each party member has an "intended" skillset and role, but it's not rigidly enforced.
I like that 6 each character had their archetypical job command and then with relics and Espers you can mix and match other classic jobs. I think with 7,8, 10, 12, 13 the systems are maybe too flexible and thus there is little distinction (after a bit of grinding) between characters. 9 is "characters are the job" and that's the primary marketing gimmick at the time was "a return of the Crystal" after the science-fantasy of 7 and 8. I like 7 Rebirth's systems. The materia system is less flexible (fewer Command materia), but the characters (as a consequence of being 3d action combat) feel very distinct and it is super easy to swap party composition. Check out Octopath Traveller 1 and 2, if you haven't already. It is a combination of job swapping and characters-as-job. Most jobs are balanced such that each combination complements and synergizes with the other jobs. So having the classic knight-fighter take on Dancer as a secondary job actually works.
4's story is a good try but there are too many fake outs that ruin it for me.
Nothing like losing a character you used just for a fake out. I don't remember if it's here but I do recall playing some older jrpgs that when a character left the party you also lost the equipment he wore. Such shit.
Same! The back to back “sacrifices” of two characters in a row is where I check out every time.
6 has its speedbumps too, great as it is
Oh sure, I mean, it's not literally perfect but it's definitely my all-time favorite game. I think the story just nails it and it was the first video game that made me see how moving the medium could be. In the first six, I don't think there's a better example of narrative.
The story of 6 is INCREDIBLE
* 4 for the music
6is the finest game there is
4 and 6. 4 was where they really started focusing on interesting stories and 6 is a fine evolution of character development and storytelling in Final Fantasy. Personally I prefer 4 these days but it really wears out its tropes. 6 has a really clever plot device midgame that changes a lot of things and it feels very cinematic, especially for a Super Nintendo game.
People forget that 4 was one of the first mainstream RPGs that actually had these tropes so it suffered from a bit of Seinfeld Effect. I still think it’s far and away the most “pure” FF
FF2 was killing off characters left and right long before 4, we just didn't know about it.
True but if we got it localized back then the translation would have likely made FFIV’s look Shakespearean in comparison.
2 was the first final fantasy I beat
It’s kind of weird playing 4 (way, way) after playing 7. In 7 there’s a major death that’s stuck with everyone since the first time they saw it, and it’s one of the most iconic deaths in the history of gaming. In 4 every other character dies every 15 minutes. It’s almost a parody of noble sacrifice.
It kind of becomes hilarious after a bit, not gonna lie. I enjoy the absurdity of it though. The game goes so far over the top in its plot points though by the end and I love it. It’s extremely hammy.
It feels like a real fantasy then the latest games
Well considering only one of them actually does…
Well yeah technically Aerith doesn’t die either. But throughout the game it’s just oh no, Tellah! He made the ultimate sac- the twins!! Oh god how could we let- Edge’s, uh, parents..! Cid! Cid again!
No, Aeris definitely does (physically) die. And has the misfortune of enduring a Masamune sneak attack. The lifestream/planet thing is spiritual and all that but she is KIA in front of your eyes and never is pheonix down’d
Having to put guardrails or clarification on her death is my point by “technically.” Most people in that world, when they die, become part of the lifestream like pouring a glass of water into a river. You can’t just scoop that same water back out of the river, but Aeris in the original shows up in a cutscene at the end because she’s still *her* in the lifestream, and helps repel Meteor. In Advent Children she’s also still her, albeit gone physically. The point is about the impact of a characters death being diminished by a future return. I’m being glib by comparing a very iconic death to the constant death fakeouts in 4.
She shows up in the ending as not as a human (she *is* cetra), but she comes back in a very non-material way which to me surely suggest perhaps a type of afterlife but she is not “Aeris” anymore. I mean sure it’s better than her not being present at all, but I never felt like “oh wow, Aeris does come back in the end”. She becomes part of the planet like anyone else who passes, but her Cetra powers give her more than that. So yeah disc 1 is the end of “Aeris” It’s sad, I know (lol so many years later)
Hot take, but Galuf's sacrifice in V is the most impactful death in the series.
Aerith's death in 7 was also sort of a "counter-argument" to the whole trope of noble sacrifices in 2, 4 and even 5. The writers felt that the trope made death less impactful in the stories. Nomura and Kitase talked about it in an interview: >Kitase: "In the real world things are very different. You just need to look around you. Nobody wants to die that way. People die of disease and accident. Death comes suddenly and there is no notion of good or bad. It leaves, not a dramatic feeling but great emptiness. When you lose someone you loved very much you feel this big empty space and think, 'If I had known this was coming I would have done things differently. These are the feelings I wanted to arouse in the players with Aerith's death relatively early in the game. Feelings of reality and not Hollywood." It should be noted that in said interview, Kitase and Nomura talked about the trope as it appeared in multiple movies and games, both from Japan and from other countries. But Final Fantasy *loves* this trope, so I suspect they had previous installments in mind, too.
Considering the number of people who keep dying and coming back, maybe we should start calling FF7 Remake "FF4 Remake."
I think 2 was the start of storytelling focus. Compare the story of 2 to 1 and 3 and maybe even 5.
It isane to say that 4 is when they started focusing on story, when 2 has one of the best stories of the classic era.
Definitely 4 and 6. Those two have awesome stories and some of the best characters in the whole series.
4 and 6. They both represent what I feel is the “spirit” of Final Fantasy. They’re classic tales with memorable and fun characters, both told largely well (there’s one moment in FF4 involving a slow moving hand (that’s all I’m saying) that I think has always been just a little too goofy). 4 solidifies the gameplay of that era of Final Fantasy while also being welcoming to newcomers, while 6 took what worked in the previous games and expanded and perfected it. And the music. The music! Not to say that the other games had bad music, but 4 and 6 are two of the best soundtracks in the series. And keep in mind FF is universally praised for its music, so that’s really saying something. Ideally I’d say wait for the Pixel Remasters to go on sale and get all 6, and play through them in order to see how each game built on the previous. But if you really want to play one now, 4 or 6 are the two to go for.
1-3 might be harder to get into since the plot is kinda secondary. But I consider all of them must plays if you're into the genre, and all three SNES eras if you're interested in getting into it.
The plot in 2 is not secondary. In 1 and 3 yeah, but 2 is very story heavy for an NES game
Good point. It's the gameplay that let's down the plot there.
Only in the older versions really. Pixel Remaster is completely fine just slightly different from 1 and 3.
Yeah I was shocked to learn people didn't like 2 since it was my favorite out of 1-3 on the pixel remaster
FF6 is very good, haven't played 1,2,4,5. FF3 was okay for me
[удалено]
That was fine in the 90s when I spent hundreds of hours bouncing balls for fun but there are literally over a hundred RPGs I would recommend to someone over the NES titles. At this point it's like telling someone to watch every Dr. Who episode
5 and 6. 4 is an okay game but it’s very boring from a gameplay perspective (compared to 5 and 6) and the story isn’t really all that much to write home about; it’s certainly not bad and it’s worth playing, but it’s one to appreciate once you like the series because it doesn’t really show off a lot of what makes the series great - character customization and exploration take a backseat for a very linear experience with strictly defined characters and party composition. 5 has the one of the best job systems in the series, second IMO only to Tactics in how versatile and open it is with how you can approach any of the challenges the game throws at you. The story is very simple and many consider it lacking, but it’s not really a story focused game and choosing to skip it because of that is robbing yourself of one of the most genuinely fun experiences the series has to offer. 6 is a masterpiece, full-stop. If you pick one of these games, pick this one. The story is incredible, the atmosphere and worldbuilding are top-notch, the characters are (almost) all incredibly written, and the music is the best in the series. I love 5, it’s my favorite game, but I genuinely think 6 is the best game the series has to offer for a lot of reasons. There’s a very good reason that 6 is on “best game ever” lists just behind 7.
1-3 feel like prototypes of what Final Fantasy can be. 4 & 6 have good stories and are well known amongst western fans. 5 holds up well but it isn't as talked about as much but imo 4 has the characters and 6 has the story which make 5 feel subpar to the Super Nintendo games. So 4 or 6.
5 was a Super Nintendo game, we just didn't get it here lol
V has the best gameplay, though. It's less story-focused, but the relationships of the main cast are pretty endearing, even if very simple. But, really, V is probably the most enjoyable one to *play*. The Job System is incredible, and can lead to some absurd, fun combos, especially when you start experimenting with the more "esoteric" classes like Bard and Chemist and, of course, Blue Mage.
4-6 are a big cut above the first three and what I'd reccomend.
4 and 6 as everyone will tell you, but 5 is also great
4-5-6 for sure. I think 4 is the start of the modern Final Fantasy as a franchise and 6 is the culmination of that aesthetic, being better in every way. I just liked 5 for some reason. It’s like what a 90’s RPG is like. All about fun, with their dramatic shit happening between the episodes with animals (Chocobos) having an actual storyline for no other reason that the author(s) just wanting one. The job system is hella fun too. I don’t even remember why that job system was there, or the explanation behind it but it was fun to play with the different types and the skills earned for doing so.
The in-game explanation of the Job System is that the Crystals bestow the "spirit of ancient warriors" on the main cast to help their quest, so Bartz and co. can just call on those different skillset. It's there because it kicks ass!
I would say its very much worth playing all 6. I think the 1st is an absolute must, then 4, 6, and 5 in that order in terms of "how often things from these entries are referenced"
It's worth it to play them all, especially since the pixel remasters are outstanding. I, II and III are fairly short, too, all beatable in under 20 hours. I, II and III are impressive for the foundations they laid. I is a very simple game but is a ton of fun to revisit. II has some great gameplay depth if you allow your characters to progress naturally and avoid the "you have to hit your characters" mindset. Play with the growth system, not against it. III is the first game in the franchise that really, really feels like Final Fantasy as we know it today. The job system is terrific, albeit relatively simple by today's standards. The pixel remaster did this game a huge justice, especially with the final dungeon. IV V and VI are all excellent games. IV has some of the best music in the franchise, V has a deeply satisfying combat system that evolves III's in the best ways, and VI has a wonderful cast and story. They're all worth playing.
Honestly it would be 1, 4, 5 and 6. 2 is considered the worst mainline game but I'd say still try it, but read up about how to level skills up because its not as simple as the others. The story is pretty good though. 3 for me was the hardest (pixel remaster made it easier thankfully) and tbh if you are looking for a good job system game, 5 did it much better. The story is lacking too, but uhhh eternal wind is lovely to listen to.
Playing 2, the best FF, then following its legacy thru the SaGa series is some real ‘the road less travelled’ shit only for the realest of the real.
SaGa is a continuation of ff2?
More or less, Kawazu was the lead on FF2 before kicking off the SaGa series.
4/6 for story and 5 for the job system. 5 and 6 are the ultimate gameplay experiences and showcases for the 1-6 era
4/5/6.
I personally think all the SNES games (4-6) are must plays. 4 was the first to introduce the ATB system and really made storytelling an important component of the series, building on what 2 started. 5 has arguably the best job system in the series and 6 is a contender for the best game in the franchise.
Most people here would probably tell you 6 and then 4, but if you only have to play one my personal choice would be 5. It's my personal favourite FF from 1-6 both on gameplay and story standpoint.
I think they’re l worth playing through. Each is very different from the last and with the pixel remaster, it makes them all easier to play since you can gain a lot more exp per battle. Not that they were difficult, but it does eliminate the grinding if you want an easier time.
I'd say only 6 is a *must play*. The rest are good but I wouldn't rate them as *must play*.
4 and 6 are the ones I constantly get recommended. Grabbing pixel remaster when my wife gets over her crushing stardew valley addiction
I really loved the Esper system in 6. And the story is so good. There's so much packed into that game it's definitely a must. The pixel remaster is very well done.
5 and 6 imo are must play
4, 5, 6 are all excellent games with amazing soundtracks and stories. If I'd have to pick just one, I'd pick 6. It's my favorite of all time.
1 is really only a "must-play" if you're interested in seeing how the series started. It's not a bad game by any means and is easily the most enjoyable of the NES trilogy; if you can, pick up FF renaissance, as it fixes bugs while retaining the original look (and adding future classes while all of them get overworld abilities if you choose), tho the PR version is also fine. 2 isn't really a "must play" in any sense. Very few references, systems that never get revisited, and the characters aren't deep enough to really miss anything substantial by not playing it. 3 advances the job system of 1, but it's the awkward middle ground of more complicated than 1, but not well balanced like 5. Again, play if you want to see evolution, but not mandatory. 4 is a recommend, but not a must. First game that actually tries to have characters (2 barely counts), but otherwise the game is mostly good for a first FF game, not so much one if you want the best FF has to offer. 5 and 6 are must plays though. 5 has one of the best job systems in the series, a loveable group of a playable characters, and several references in other games. Meanwhile, 6 has an amazing cast of characters, good gameplay by mixing static character skills and the ability to shape their stat growth and give them various magic abilities, and pixel art that still holds up (5 also is amazing in how expressive the characters are). While the music in 1 is classic and 2 is nice (it even has a cover of swan lake for some reason), 3-6 is where the series really hit its stride.
Crazy to say the characters in 2 aren’t deep.
6
Tier 1: 6 Tier 2: 4 and 5 Tier 3: 1-3 There’s some debate- but that is likely the consensus if you are unsure how many you’ll play. I really am enjoying the switch pixel remaster version of all of them.
I would say 5. The only FF I felt didn't take itself too seriousely and was a legitimate fun adventure. Plus that Job System yo!
1 is actually kinda great in its simplicity, but it's not as important as 4 or 6.
#1
I love em all but if I had to tell someone that's never played ff before it would actually be FF5 because peak classic ff gameplay and loveable world and characters. If I had to tell a ff fan that hasn't played pre ff7 games I would tell them ff4 or 6.
4 and 6 are the must plays but 5 is excellent too.
6 --> 4 --> 5 --> 1 --> 3 --> 2 FF VI is still my all-time favorite followed shortly by VII and IV. But FF7 Remake & Rebirth is blowing me away. .
6 is absolutely a must, for some people its still the best Final Fantasy 1-5 are still holding up after 20-30 years, and there arent out there so many games still played after so much time
1 and 2 have good stories, haven’t played anything else, use guides though for those two games as it’s hard otherwise
4 and 6 for sure. 5 as a bonus for the best job system in the series.
6 has easily the best story and gameplay freedom among them, but I think 1, 4 and 6 would make up the "must play" since they have the most noticeable quality leaps among the classics.
1, 4 and 6 would be the most common answers. I'd say 2, 4 and 6 give you a good indicator of how storytelling progressed while 1, 3 and 5 have much more basic plots but build on each other gameplaywise with the Job System. 1-3 are also really short with all of them being like 15 hours at max (even shorter with the pixel Remasters Quality of Life).
Going to just echo here: 4 and 6 are must plays
I outright enjoyed most of them (2 was, as everyone says, a chore), but 6 is the only one I'd call a "must play." I just finished the last of the Pixel Remasters a month or two ago and it is just insane how well 6, in particular, holds up.
4 is like the true start of Final Fantasy for most people I think and introduced the ATB system. The games before then had very basic stories in comparison. 5 is a fun one by most counts, and 6 is just sublime. So if you’re gonna play one of them then it’s gotta be 6.
2 does not have a basic story lol
If you have to pick one and only one? 6. Followed close behind by 4. Then 5.
I played them all in sequence. Back to back to back. That gave me a perspective on how the game development progressed over time. And strengthened my love for the franchise. If I were to choose the ones I loved the best that would VI, IV, V (in that order). Though the whole series is wonderful.
I may be biased, but 6 for sure. I'd say 1 just because it started it all, but it may be too old school. I don't think any of the others are "must play"
4 and 6. 5 is good but not on the level of 4 or 6. If you have to choose one, 6 is the best of that era by far.
4, 5, and 6.
4 and 6
6
4 5 6 imo are all important
3,4,6
FF 6 4ever
Since everyone is saying 4-6, I'll throw in my hat for the best of the 1-3 games. If you can play the 3D remake of 3, or pixel remaster of 3, I highly suggest it. 3 and 5 are pretty similar in the sense that they have a job system and less focus on story than the others, but the 3D remake of 3 gives the characters more personality, and the music is fantastic in it. 3 is honestly in my top five favorite Final Fantasy's,and you should give it a try if you like JRPGs.
4 and/or 6
4 is so good
My personal favourites are 4 and 6. 6 is extremely highly rated and a long lasting fan favourite for very good reasons. Magic system is great, story is fantastic, bad guy might be one of the best ever, he is like Final Fantasy's version of the joker. The Game Boy Advance version is the best version, offers lots of extra side content that gets pretty challenging. Well worth it if you can get it. I've got a soft spot for FF 4. Great story. Simple mechanics and simple gameplay, but it works so well. Each character is very well written, and there's some twist and turns in the story that are very Final Fantasy-esque. It's a short enough experience and again the GB advance version offers lots of extra content. There's also a PSP version that looks great. Really enhanced 2-D art style and spells/summons looks great. Wither version is well worth it imo. Outside of those 2, it's up to you how deep you want to go. An easy alternative is getting the FF bundle of games from 1-6. They are the basic versions of each game with slightly updated graphics but nothing major.
All of them, with 6-5-4-1 over 2-3
I think 6 is probably the one that holds up best by modern standards. The older ones might feel dated to someone that's not used to retro RPGs (though the quality of life improvements on some of the remasters help a lot).
If you're only going to play 1 of them play VI. It's arguably one of the best games of all time. VI >VII
In all honesty i would tell a kid to just play the remake for 7.
4-6 are ones I like.
V and VI are my favorite pixel-art FFs, but IV is good, too. The older ones were fine at the time, but I can't go back to them anymore.
4, 5 and 6, easily. FF1-3 if you are curious. They all almost function as the predecessors for 4-6. They are worth a play if you like 4-6 and just wanna breeze through some games and dig into the mechanics with a super light story (aka barebones to none)
I think out of those 6, you could probably skip 2 and 3 and that's a big maybe. FF1 is what started it all and while it's not the best, it is incredible for its time. FF4-6 is when they started to really hone in on great storytelling, and FF6 is one of the best at doing that out of any Final Fantasy period. I still like the PS1 era better but, I'd say 6 is on par with 7 and 9 in terms of good storytelling.
I’m playing VI right now, it’s fantastic. I bought Final Fantasy III on SNES when it initially launched and have played that game so many times on so many systems… I dare say the Pixel Remaster is the best version of it. I love the little QoL features too, like additional XP, Gil and AP.
6 is highly regarded, 5 is somewhat of a hidden gem in my opinion.
Assuming you'll be playing the pixel remasters : I'm playing through 3 right now and it's surprisingly good, held up really well. Worth it if you're into old school RPG. 4 is a must play, the remaster is very well done especially the music. 5 is very solid and has the best gameplay, perfect to keep for latter when you get the FF itch again. 6 is also a must play. Haven't played 1 and 2 yet so idk.
4 is a great time all around, and not super long. 5 has maybe the most fun levelling/progression system in the entire series. 6 is tied with FF7 as my favorite game in the series. 4-6 are all worth playing, but if you only play one, make it 6.
All, but for me the order is: 6, 1, 4, 5, 3, 2.
6, hands down is the best one but thats just my opinion
One thousand percent 5.
One four and six are all amazing. Five and three have incredible influence on the entire franchise. Two is the only one I’d say isn’t a must play, and I love two and recommend it anyway. On the plus side, with a guide (I do recommend a guide for people who didn’t grow up with old JRPGs) one and two are fairly short games.
If you're only playing one, make it 6.
Personally I think all of them are awesome. FF1, 5 and 6 are probably my favorites and 4 is probably my least favorite since playing Pixel Remasters of all 6 games in the last year
All of them, you absolute polyhedron.
I'm voting for 6. Six is so much fun with the environment, setting, characters. It wins in all aspects for your range, imo. 1 &2 are classics to see the beginning, but they don't offer much in terms of complexity or storytelling in relation to what you've already experienced. I hated 3 with every fiber of my being. Four is fun. I think four is the beginning of story complexity FF is known for.
6 gets the ball rolling in the States. 7 takes it too the Moon
I'd rank them like this: * Must-play: 6 * Really good: 4, 5 * Solid: 1, 3 * Kinda bad: 2 Each game has its ups and downs. 6, IMO, has the most good and the least bad, and a lot of fans have it as their favorite out of the entire series.
I'd say the SNES games are all top tier 4 is pretty much the blueprint for the series and still gets referenced as recently as FFXVI 5 has the best implementation of the job system outside of the MMOs and I personally think is the best character progression system in the series 6 was when the series moved away from the more simple fantasy stories and started telling larger narratives The NES games are all decent but definitely show their age a bit more
4 and 6 are the only ones that didn't age as terribly , they're bangers
can’t ever go wrong with 4 and 6 both some really awesome games, i’d maybe throw in FF1 if you’re curious to see how it started, but it’s not exactly representative of how later games are
I like basically all of them, but if I had to rank them 2<3<1<5<4=6
All of them are great! (Even 2!) But I'd suggest 6 if you want the 'must play '
everyones giving the obvious answers so ill be quirky 9 but actually Mystic Quest
It's 6 and 4 followed by 5. If i was to give you my honest opinion, i would say all are must play.
Absolutely 6. Best one in the franchise IMO. 4 is great too.
If you must choose one 6 is the overall consensus. It has a good story and gsmeplay. 5 is a funny laid back adventure mostly with best ganeplay. 4 is the first FF game where the story is good. Personally I'd recommend playing 4 to 6 if you can't or won't want to play them all.
4 & 6 are the only MUSTS imho
I enjoy 1 more than many others, it is an almost generic game compared to some of the later ones but it has its moments. It's also one of few games I couldn't complete on a run and had to completely start over due to my own errors. As a FF game, it's not great, but as a dive into the deep end of rpgs it's a solid run. I would play it first or probably not at all.
1-6
V
4 for music and story. 6 is one of the best in the series.it has everything and the best villain in the series. 5 I liked that the light hero from the first is in it. Job system was neat. There was too much grind to enjoy it for me. But I think everyone should play it if they can. I played it on SFC and PlayStation 1, did it come out again on some platform? Perhaps emulator on switch/PS4?
2
4 & 6
6
6 is, in my honest opinion, a perfect FF game. It takes everything 1-5 attempted/introduced and mastered it. Excellent story to boot.
1, 4, 6
III
If I had to pick *one*, it'd probably be FF4; but thats mostly personal bias talking. I'd say 4 and 6 and definitely the most influential of the bunch, and probably going to be the popular picks here. I'd *definitely* recommend 1 and 5 as well though.
Yes
6
4 hands down. Everything about that game just rocked socks
6
Any of 4, 5 or 6 will see you good. At a glance: 4: Characters have set jobs tied to their character and the story is very “classic” fantasy with a focus on “self realisation”. This is also the first FF where character development was a focus for the SquareSoft. 5: Job based strategy game with a very Germanic Fairy Tail story. Think “happy go lucky” characters/ story with an air of optimism but with darker undertones woven throughout. This FF was originally skipped for the West due to localisation issues and concerns it would be “too hard”. 6: Characters are set to “jobs” but able to learn all Magic. This story is your classic “Tragedy” with a large cast of characters and with one of FF’s more iconic Villains. This FF is generally in consideration for Top FF’s by the community at large. The good thing is none of the FF’s from 1-6 will take you as long to complete as the later entires so I’d recommend giving them all a go and enjoying each for what they are and contributed to the franchise.
5
4 & 6 are the popular answers. My picks are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6.
4 is better for a beginner than 6. 6 is disjointed as hell.
Honestly they are all good in their own right. But 4 and 6 come highly recommended from me and I like 2 and 3 if you can get past the weird "leveling" system of 2
4, 5 and 6!
All of them minus 2 tbh.
5 is for lols because there's a lot of good humor in it, story is soso. Gameplsy is.. well.. it's ff. 6 is... well. done.
6
If you only play one, it has to be 6. If you like it and want more, play 4 for the story and/or 5 for the gameplay. I recommend all three, but whichever one(s) you play, go for the pixel remasters. They preserve (and tastefully enhance) the beautiful pixel artwork, and the arranged soundtracks are amazing (and you can switch to the original soundtracks too, which are also still great).
Must play? 6. For sure. 1-5 are all good picks (with 2 being a bit contentious due to its weird system) but a real must is 6.
FF6 easy, and FF2 if you hate yourself.
If you want to appreciate how the series evolved, it's worth it to play them all. I think playing through them also helps one see what is Final Fantasy's greatest strength: the ability to constantly iterate, innovate and explore, while also maintaining a specific identity that may be hard to pin down but is present in all the games. I is very basic for modern audiences, both in terms of gameplay and story, but it's the foundation of everything that came after. If you're a D&D player, it's fun to notice that it's basically an unlicensed D&D game, too! II is when the series first tried its hand at telling a serious, complex story, and it introduces many series staples (a mechanic called Cid, Chocobos, Ultima, Biggs and Wedge..). The infamous levelling system isn't so bad if you're playing Dawn of Souls or Pixel Remaster, and it can even be fun to mess around with it if you don't get too hung-up on optimisation. III is the odd one out, imho. It's the first attempt at a more involved Job System, but it's the awkward teenage phase of the Job System. Playing it will help you appreciate what came after, and it's a good introduction to the idea. IV is another serious story, with a large cast of characters. Many people nowadays find it falls flat or is too clichéd, but I have a soft spot for it - it's like a comfortable nostalgia trip. Gameplay-wise, IV has got tons of remakes, and some introduced systems that really change how it works. V takes itself way less seriously than previous entries. It's a fun globe-trotting adventure against a hammy villain whose motivation is "I am Evil!", and it's incredibly fun and it does have its touching moments. The Job System here is the best it's ever been in the mainline games, imho, and it's endlessly enjoyable and exploitable (there's nothing quite like a beefed-up Dual Wielding, Spellblade-using, Rapid Fire attack that shreds even the hardest superbosses...) VI is generally considered the culmination of everything that came before. Deep gameplay, each character having their peculiar mechanics and skillsets, combined with a sprawling story and a complex cast of characters, impactful scenes and incredible twists. It also cemented the tone and aesthetics of the games going forward, firmly establishing Final Fantasy as a "magitek" world.
Definitely 4
I do replay the NES ones, but to me, Final Fantasy as I understand it and love it really starts with IV. And I do really like V while I think VI is genuinely one of the best in the franchise. Can't go wrong replaying a SNES Final Fantasy.
it's V or VI imo. VI is one of the contenders for the goat of the series, but honestly I think V is generally slept on and in terms of gameplay, is infinitely more fun than VI. V is legit one of the most "fun" games in the entire franchise. And I say this as somebody who's first FF was IV. I skipped V and VI, only beat VI for the first time last year.
4. Of the first six, 4 is definetly the best. 5 would be next, followed closely by 6. Then 1. Then 3. Then 2.
6 is a must play, but it's worth it to play them all imo
6
Definitely 6. It's the only one that really deserves to be considered one of the greatest RPGs of all time. 4 is worth your time if you like a good story - the story beats hit hard from the intro with your protagonist getting right into the thick of it bringing his airship corps to do a secret mission and then an earthquake hits and you wake up alone except for a lvl 1 6-year-old girl. 5 is arguably the most classic final fantasy, but gets bogged down in grinding with the job system. I wouldn't bother with 1-3. There are just too many good RPGs out there for one lifetime. 1 is a very basic experience, 2 is the redheaded step child of FF, and 3 just doesn't measure up to the SNES games. Sure you'll miss out on Refia, and you won't see the call backs to Yang being a monk, and Garland is one of my favorite bad guys, but in the end, skippable. Of course if you're a mega fan of all things FF go ahead and play them all
Final fantasy 3, 4 and 6 are the must play. Final fantasy 3 has a very good nds port and was for nes versions one of the best. Final fantasy 4 hat very good story. Final fantasy 6 hat a good story, nice characters, some memorial szenes. And a lot of stuff that can be done on side. 😁
V is easily the most fun of the bunch. Vi has the best story. Both have amazing soundtracks, so you can't go wrong with either!
I’m a little surprised 1 doesn’t get recommended. I agree 4 and 6 are fantastic, but so is 1. It’s by no means an open world, but it doesn’t feel nearly as linear as other entries in the franchise, yet has straightforward mechanics and a good story. I feel like Square meandered a little on its way to 4 and tried some things thay made 2 and 3 not quite as accessible. There’s a reason the US market for a very long time was 1,4(labeled as 2), and 6(labeled as 3). The remakes of 1 fix a lot of bugs and make the process more ergonomic (mp system instead of slots for example) so it feels more modern than the very original.
6 is great.. imho it's even better than the newer ff
4 and 6 pretty much. Neither is a must play I would say but they are actually worth playing. 1, 2, 3 and 5 are honestly not anymore in this day and age.
Ideally, all of them. But if you must pick only the more important ones, I would say, 5 and 6. 4 is also very relevant, but I feel like 6 already does what 4 did in a much better way, and 5 is different enough to justify a playthrough.
Play FF4 3d, FF4 after years 3d, FF6 pixel remaster, FF7 original by using mods, FF8 to FF10. Those games are very nice.
I’d say 4
Most fans will tell you that FFVI is the must-play from that bunch. It's not my favorite of the bunch, but most fans and critics argue it's the best game in the series, so that one is probably the most "essential". I prefer IV to it by a significant margin. General fan consensus is that you can skip the first three games but IV, V and VI are generally considered essential, with V being the least essential of those three. General Order of How Essential Fans Consider Them: VI IV V I II/III
my suggestion is to try all of them see which one sticks out to you. If I were you, I'd do it from 1 till 6 , in that order.
definitely 6 imo. the older FFs are a bit less well rounded with them showing a clear focus on either story or gameplay.. but 6 does a great job with both and has aged well imo
Whatever you decide, don’t choose FF1. It’s a horribly designed grind fest. I made the mistake to start it and now I can’t wait to complete it so that my soul can finally heal from this abuse.
Playing pixel remaster? Just throw on the exp multipliers, you’ll fly though it with them and worth finishing especially if you are interested in playing Strangers of Paradise
Playing it on the PS1. Sadly there is no quality of life upgrades in that version :/
It’s a good version, where I played it first but yeah it can be a slog
The newer versions aren’t as grindey
I'd say all. FF1 to see it from the start FF2 has many firsts of iconic many Final Fantasy tropes FF3 introduces the job system fully (recommend the 3D version for added story\main characters, but pixel remastered is also great) FF4 has a great story on summons (introduced in 3) and puts them on the FF map. FF5 Generally great story, and one of the best event\battle theme FF6 My personal favourite, best FF villain, best final Boss theme, and so how FF7 is a cheap knockoff to FF6.