Summary
For nearly 35 years,Final Fantasyhas been the gold standard for the gaming industry’sgreatest RPGs. What started as Square’s last-ditch effort to dodge bankruptcy turned into a surprise hit, and it’s safe to sayFinal Fantasyhas had quite the journey. It has tried out all sorts of things over the years, such as taking what worked in the first game and either amping it up or switching things up completely.
Now, among the manyFinal Fantasy gamesout there, it’s a common misconception to think each one is a direct sequel to the previous game. Spoiler alert: they’renot. Here’s the ultimate list of thebestFinal Fantasysequelsthat fans just can’t get enough of.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13takes a sharp turn from its predecessor, almost resembling a different narrative altogether, albeit with some familiar characters popping up along the way. The enhanced battle system, which lets Lightning switch up her abilities with different outfits, is quite fun, but it’s buried under a mountain of tedious fetch quests and an infuriating in-game countdown that has players hitting the restart button if time runs out.
However, the game still sets the stage for an exhilarating combat experience, so there’s an upside to this sequel after all.Lightning Returnstakes a solo RPG approach, swapping out the Paradigm Shift system for a wardrobe full of outfits, each giving Lightning her own set of unique skills and abilities.Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13might not win over any newbies who aren’t already obsessed withFinal Fantasy,but it still stands out as one of the boldest entries in the series.
17 years after the finale ofFinal Fantasy 4, fans got a sweet surprise withFinal Fantasy 4: The After Years.The After Yearsstands out for its unique storytelling, as it’s jam-packed with fun plot twists, flashbacks, and all sorts of different plotlines that keep players on their toes and wondering what’s coming next.
Interestingly enough,Final Fantasy 4: The After Yearsretained that classic vibe fans loved from the originalFinal Fantasy 4, but it still adds some fresh twists, like the classic overworld exploration coupled with surprise encounters against some seriously tough foes.
However, it’s probably not the go-to choice for anyone experimenting with RPGs for the very first time. The retro graphics, the one-of-a-kind battle system, and the overall presentation really bring a quirky charm that’s tough to ignore, but, to be quite frank, they’re there for the fan service more than anything else.
Final Fantasy 13-2amps up the original’s fun vibe, giving the fans a playful and adventurous spin on an already wild ride of a game. For instance, players can switch characters as soon as their main gets knocked out — so say goodbye to those irritating game over screens.
In addition to that, this sequel is way more open than its predecessor, and with time travel thrown into the mix, players get to explore different levels across various eras. The best part?Final Fantasy 13-2explores the incredible lore that was just brushed aside in the first game.
In a gaming world that’s been all about the “guys” withFinal Fantasy 15andFinal Fantasy 16,Final Fantasy 13-2really pulls back on the reins with its smaller cast, and takes Serah — who was just a side note in the story — and turns her into a heroine in her own right.
Centered around Vaan, Penelo, Balthier, and Fran,Final Fantasy 12: RevenantWingstakes place just after the events ofFinal Fantasy 12on PS2.Revenant Wingsreally raises the bar when it comes to presentation, especially when stacked up against any of the more recentSquare Enix titleson the DS.
The cinematography in this game really outshines the previous games, especially at the beginning. On top of all that, every character is loaded with a bunch of sprites designed for all sorts of situations they find themselves in. This keeps things visually exciting, no matter how the world changes as the game progresses.
One little hiccup with this sequel, however, was the stylus situation. Choosing spots on the battlefield can get a little tricky for players, adding a layer of complexity that might not be necessary. Even so,Final Fantasy 12: RevenantWingsstill packs a punch after all this time.
Final Fantasy 10-2shakes things up in the series, introducing a fresh structure, a more upbeat vibe, and a revamped battle system that adds a new layer of excitement. Sure, it’s got similarities to the original, but this game definitely stands on its own.
The sequel bids farewell to the straight-laced storytelling ofFinal Fantasy 10. Players get to pick and choose from a variety of distinct missions, making each playthrough uniquely theirs. It’s a shift that perfectly suits Yuna, Rikku, and Paine as treasure hunters, creating a game that’s a breeze to jump in and out of.
When it comes to the battle system inFinal Fantasy 10-2, it’s not just flexible and smart — it’s incredibly fun. For example, the Garment Grid system allows players to swap out party members for various roles, and simply deck out their characters with dresspheres. These cool outfits don’t just switch up their style; they also give them a fresh set of powers to play with. What this really boils down to is that players can switch up their characters' jobs whenever they feel like it, which makes finding that perfect combo a breeze. It might just be the key to either dominating a battle.
Released in 2024,Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthhas left many fans reeling, but in thebestway possible. Square Enix took on the challenge of improving both the Remake and the original game, and against all odds, they pulled it off. This sequel’s combat system is totally action-packed and really stands out, mixing in RPG-like strategy in a way that evenFinal Fantasy 14just can’t keep up with.
For those who thoughtRemakewas a crazy adventure in theFinal Fantasy 7universe, just wait —Rebirthcranked it up to eleven. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say thatFinal Fantasy7Rebirthis one of the most delightful experiences fans could ever have with the franchise. That extra play time really gives players the chance to dive deep into the lives of the most iconic characters fromFinal Fantasy 7, even if they have to slog through the occasional not-so-great minigame along the way. Simply put,Final Fantasy7Rebirthis sheer action, humor, and spectacle, all wrapped up into one game.
