The Final Fantasy series began in the 1990s with the release of the first installment titled Final Fantasy, developed by the studio that is now called Square Enix. Since then, several games, spin-offs, remasters, and remakes have been developed by the studio, all of which are available for purchase. This can be very confusing for neophytes who are jumping into the series for the first time. That’s why we decided to make a list of contemporary games in the series in order to unravel all this.
Final Fantasy games are (for the most part) RPGs, that is, role-playing games in which the principle is to train the main characters so that they become powerful enough to defeat the enemies that stand in their way. The ultimate goal of these characters will often be to defeat an enemy who threatens to destroy the world, planet, universe, etc.
Each game in the main series contains a Roman numeral after the name Final Fantasy (for example, Final Fantasy II, Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy XV, etc.). This number denotes the location of the game in relation to the series. The games listed here are grouped according to their membership in each game in the main series.
Each game, mentioned here, requires reading and is recommended for people aged 12 and over.
Table of Contents
Final Fantasy VII Remake Series
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Available on Playstation 4
A role-playing game that reinterprets the first events of the Final Fantasy VII game released in 1997 for the original PlayStation. This remake is the first installment of a trilogy that will complete the storyline of the original game.
Final Fantasy VII Remake has modern graphics that are of high quality, English and Japanese dubbing of most of the dialogue, and real-time combat (unlike the turn-based combat of the time).
This game contains much more content than the original game, about sixty hours is required in order to complete the game.
You play as Cloud and his friends, who will have to put obstacles in the wheels of Shinra, a corporation that tries to use the energy of the world for their purposes, but at the expense of the environment. You will find Sephiroth, Tifa, Barret and Aerith.
Digital Deluxe Edition: Contains an Artbook, the game’s soundtrack, and bonus items for the game. Do not buy this edition, the game is quite playable without the bonus items.
Contains swear words.
Played solo.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade / Episode Intermission
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade Available on Playstation 5 and PC.
If you own the PlayStation 4 version of the game, but play it on a PlayStation 5 console, the Intermission episode can be purchased as additional content (only on PlayStation 5.)
The same game as the one explained earlier, except that it has improved graphics and additional content called “Intermission Episode”. This “episode” is centered on the story of a new main character.
If you purchase the PlayStation 5 or PC version of the game, the Intermission episode is included in your purchase.
Digital Deluxe Edition: Contains an Artbook and the game’s soundtrack. Do not buy this edition, the bonuses they provide are not worth it.
Contains swear words.
Played solo.
Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion
Available on Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4 and 5, Xbox Series S/X and PC
This game is a remake of the original Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII game released in 2008 for psp. It uses improved graphics, a new combat system and voice acting.
The story of the game takes place before Final Fantasy VII Remake. On the other hand, the order in which you play the games related to Final Fantasy VII Remake does not matter at all on your understanding of the history of the series.
Digital Deluxe Edition: Contains an Artbook, the game’s soundtrack, and bonus items for the game. Do not buy this edition, the game is quite playable without the bonus items.
Contains swear words.
Played solo.
Final Fantasy XIV Series
Available on Playstation 4 and 5, and PC
The Final Fantasy XIV game is a role-playing game that is played exclusively online. To play it, you have to pay a monthly subscription of about $15.
Recommended only to big fans of MMORPGs like World of Warcraft, Diablo, Elder Scrolls Online, etc. Not recommended for players who do not like this kind of game.
The game involves fighting enemies in order to increase the level of his character. Each character has a race, class, weapons and armor, etc. The game world is separated into several areas that are available from the beginning of the game. On the other hand, if you venture too far, you will find enemies too strong for you.
Tip: Buy only one of the following two editions:
Final Fantasy XIV Starter Edition: the basic version of the game.
or
Final Fantasy XIV Collector’s Edition: the version that contains all the expansions.
It is possible to purchase the add-ons individually through the game’s portal (which is accessible via a web browser) once an account is created. The expansions all give bonus items, new areas to explore as well as new quests. Here are the available extensions:
- Heavensward
- Stormblood
- Shadowbringers
- Endwalker
Be careful, each purchase is linked to the console on which it was made. For example, if I buy Final Fantasy XIV on PlaySation 4, I can’t play it on PC unless I buy the game again.
Playable in online multiplayer.
Final Fantasy XIV Starter Edition
This version includes the basic edition of the game, as well as the Heavensward expansion, one of the first that was already released a few years ago. On the internet, we can see that this edition is also called “Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn”. It’s the same as the Starter Edition.
Includes a 30-day free trial.
Final Fantasy XIV Complete Edition
Includes:
- Starter Edition
- The Heavensward expansion (included in the Starter Edition)
- The Stormblood expansion: cannot be purchased only included in the Complete Edition and Complete Collector’s Edition).
- The Shadowbringers expansion: it can be purchased alone in the form of the Shadowbringers – Collector’s Edition extension.
- The Endwalker extension.
- A 30-day free trial.
Subsequent editions are available for purchase, but should be avoided.
Final Fantasy XIV Complete Collector’s Edition
Includes the same as the Complete Edition, in addition to some bonus items.
Expansion: Final Fantasy XIV Endwalker
This extension requires you to own the Starter Edition in order to work.
It includes new classes, new weapons, new areas to discover, and new quests.
Expansion: Final Fantasy XIV Endwalker – Collector’s Edition
The same extension as described earlier, but includes additional objects.
Expansion: Final Fantasy XIV Shadowbringers – Collector’s Edition
This extension requires you to own the Starter Edition in order to work. The standard edition of this expansion exists only through the other editions of the game (see below).
It includes new classes, new weapons, new areas to discover, and new quests.
Additional Service Account
Allows you to have several different game sessions on the same account. However, you can also create new sessions for free using different email addresses. So, don’t buy the additional service account, use other email addresses.
Final Fantasy XV series
A word about Final Fantasy XV
The basic edition of the game. Normally, it’s no longer available anywhere online or in-store, but you may stumble upon a physical copy of the game, even if it’s discontinued. It is replaced by an edition of the game that contains more content.
Final Fantasy XV Royal Edition / Final Fantasy XV Windows Edition
Available as the Final Fantasy XV Royal Edition on Playstation 4 and 5, and on Xbox One and Series S/X.
Available as Final Fantasy XV Windows Edition on PC.
Noctis and his friends try to end a war that is ravaging the world of Eos. This game takes place in an open world in which the fights are in real time.
Includes
- The Final Fantasy XV game
- The content of the Season Pass: Gladiolus Episode, Prompto Episode, Ignis Episode
- The Comrades multiplayer mode.
- Bonus objects.
Contains swear words.
The main quest is played solo.
The Comrades expansion can be played solo (online or not) or multiplayer (online only).
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Downloadable content
All downloadable content is available on Playstation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series S/X, and PC.
Episode Ardyn
An extension that adds a few hours of gameplay. Allows you to play with another important character from the series.
Final Fantasy XV: Comrades
Aimed at people who own the original edition without any of the additional content.
An extension that adds a multiplayer mode. The game is done in the form of missions. Each mission is performed in a level that has a beginning and an end. This expansion is completely different from the original game.
Playable in single (online or not) or multiplayer (online)
If the expansion is played in multiplayer, you absolutely need a PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live subscription.
Season Pass
Aimed at people who own the original edition without any of the additional content.
Includes the following downloadable content:
- Gladiolus Episode
- Episode Prompto
- Episode Ignis
Royal Pack
Aimed at people who own the original edition without any of the additional content. This pack is a paid update, but not essential.
Includes the following downloadable content:
- A modification of the final area of the game.
- A new first-person mode.
- A new combat mechanic.
- An area that can be explored by boat.
- Bonus objects.
Final Fantasy XVI
The next installment in the series will be released in 2023 on PlayStation 5 exclusively. The trailer of the game shows that we are moving away from science fiction and making a return to a fantasy world. In the trailer, we can see a lot more violence and blood, which is new for the series.
Which game to choose?
Avoid Final Fantasy XIV. It is aimed at the hardliners of MMORPGs.
Avoid Collector’s or Digital Deluxe editions. The price is not justified.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is a good starting point for the series, however, there are still 2 more sequels in development for this opus coming in the next few years. the Final Fantasy VII Remake adventure is not over!
Final Fantasy XV Royal Edition or Windows Edition is a fairly complete game that, for its base price, contains several downloadable contents. The story is however quite stereotypical, which could disinterest some players. If you find the base edition (simply called “Final Fantasy XV”) don’t buy it, because often it’s the same price as Royal/Windows Edition and it includes less content.
