Final Fantasyis known for its epic adventures, with some games pushing the hundred-hour mark if players want to accomplish everything possible in these titles. If the story takes itself too seriously all the time in these games, then it can make for a joyless experience that most fans would prefer to avoid entirely.
So, it’s only logical thatmostFinal Fantasygameswould feature their fair share of comedic moments that stop the dark moments of the story from being too overbearing. The writing quality varies across each game, with some titles knocking it out of the park when it comes to the effectiveness of their joke and the comedic timing that accompanies them.
Over time, cheesy voice acting has become something fans laugh at instead of something to expect, which was the case when video games were testing the waters with more cinematic storytelling. This is whyStranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origincan be funny because of its hamfisted dialogue and edgy characters.
Watchinga bunch of dudes in a high fantasy worlddressed like they’re heading for a night of raucous clubbing never ceases to be hilarious, and the ridiculous dialogue led to one of the most lampoonedFinal Fantasytrailers of all time. WhileStranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Originhas more than enough to entice long-time fans, people may still let out a giggle even after being invested in the game’s fascinating setup.
The storytelling inFinal Fantasy 14boasts the quality of a single-player game at times. This maymakeFFXIVseem quite serious, but there are moments when the game whips out its comedic chops, especially during sidequests.
MMO sidequests are notorious for being littered with glorified combat scenarios and fetch quests, so it’s nice to see thatFinal Fantasy 14masks this menial design with moments of hilarity. This attempt to keep the player’s journey light-hearted at times works wonders and does a great job of encouraging players to check out the additional flavor added to a massive world that expands regularly.
World of Final Fantasyis a love letter to fans of the series,featuring so many references to past gamesthat players will be left with a wide smile on their faces every time they clock some hours in this epic JRPG. It’s a game geared towards a younger audience, meaning that the writing never takes itself too seriously.
Jokes and endearing moments are abundant in this title, which makesWorld of Final Fantasya feel-good experience that both new and oldFinal Fantasyfans can enjoy. The monster-stacking mechanic boasts enough depth to keep the combat fresh during its run too.
It’s a shame that not everyone has checked theFinal Fantasy Crystal Chroniclesgames, which are some of the most underrated spinoffs in the series. Each game boasts a classic story that’ll fit right at home for old-school fans along with innovative combat systems that experiment with real-time combat.
Such is the case withThe Crystal Bearers, which is an especially joyful game courtesy of its funny script. Fans who were lucky enough to check out this light-hearted JRPG on the Wii were treated to an excellent localization where most jokes landed and made fans guffaw with ease.
It wasa tall order forFinal Fantasy 7 Remaketo elongate what is essentially the starting area of the game into a full-length title. It succeeded in some aspects and failed in others, but what fans remember the most from this title is a tendency to lean into the crazy and funny side of things with great effect.
With the addition of state-of-the-art visuals and voice acting, the comedy from the first game is better than ever, while a bunch of new content is also pretty goofy. This makes for a charming experience that helps fans deal with the drab setting of Midgar.
WhileFinal Fantasy 10has its fair share of funny moments, the overall vibe of the story is pretty dark. The world of Spira is stuck in a cycle of sacrifice and destruction, and it’s not until Tidus and Auron’s spirits are brought back that the heroes gain the will to break Spira from this loop once and for all.
The sequel to this game may feel unnecessary, butFinal Fantasy 10-2justifies its presence by adding meaning to the events of its predecessor. The J-Pop girl band intro sets the tone for a charming and light-hearted adventure where players control a group of badass heroines and crack many jokes during their adventure to uncover a mysterious conspiracy.
Final Fantasy 9was a much-needed breath of fresh air during a time when the series was churning out games that felt very serious and were set in drab worlds full of strife. In contrast, the ninth mainline entry channeled the classic goodness of past games in theFinal Fantasyseries while also integrating modern gameplay mechanics to enhance the experience.
The result is a game brimming with hilarious moments, with the localization adding to this title’s immense quality. Zidane is easily one of the most lovable protagonists in the series, with his roguish charm bouncing off well with Garnet’s stubborn nature to make for the game’s funniest moments. Of course, it would be impossible to talk about the comedic chops ofFinal Fantasy 9without mentioning Steiner, one of the best characters in the series who manages to go through a compelling character arc despite having his clumsiness and bumbling nature played for laughs more often than not.
Final Fantasy5focuses more on the gameplay side of thingsthan the story, allowing Squaresoft to take a more light-hearted approach with its narrative. This means that the adventure players are whisked on is full of funny quips, hilarious jokes, and memorable characters who have become legendary figures in the series with their comedic timing.
A great example of what makesFinal Fantasy 5the funniest game in the series is Gilgamesh. Despite being a challenging boss who fights the player multiple times throughout the series, Gilgamesh’s witty dialogue and memorable interactions with the party make him the highlight of a title full of jokes that land strong and leave fans in splits.
