Final Fantasy 16is here, and fans are just as invested now as they were back in 1987 when the first Final Fantasy game hit the market. Even the related spin-off games for popular main numbered installments, like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, have maintained a consistent level of hype for every release.
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So, how does Square Enix continue to deliver popular and long-lasting games over multiple decades without each new addition feeling stale or rehashed? Here are some of the many reasonsFinal Fantasycontinues to deliver what we love about the series at its core with new and exciting variations to keep fans coming back.
Final Fantasy Games Stand Alone
A unique factor of the Final Fantasy series is that each installment is an independent experience from its predecessor. Unlike other series, each entry can be played as a single entity that has no story elements dependent on playing any of the others. The glue that holds all the games together lies in the gameplay interface, such as the battle structure.
Depending on your mood, you could play FF10 and then jump to FF7. Each has a unique look to its cast and the immersive worlds they inhabit, providing endless entertainment.
It Has Signature Battle Systems
Final Fantasy games all share a common foundation in the styles of battle system mechanics. They have evolved from their original straightforward turn-based system (with a variation seen in later games of a conditional turn-based system), evolving into several others developed with each new release. These include Active Time Battle, Charge Time Battle, Active Dimension Battle, Real Time Battle, and more.
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There is a familiar root to every Final Fantasy game’s flow of fights. This gives you a sense of deja vu when playing new entries, like FF16, but with the excitement of learning the new tricks of the trade.
There Are Random Fun Escapades
When you need a break from the main storyline activities, Final Fantasy gives you plenty of ways to be entertained while enhancing your current game. you may race Chocobos starting with FF7, play Blitzball in FF10, or complete photo ops in FF15.
Each installment in the series has a plethora of different side ventures to work on when you want to switch up your play style. Something you want to replay has the option to play differently each time. Final Fantasy games definitely deliver.
Final Fantasy Develops Every Main Character
All the games in the series have one strong common thread: character development. Every Final Fantasy title has an entire ensemble that you’ll grow to know and love. Each one possesses a unique appearance, distinct personality, and assists in moving the compelling storyline along.
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These personas change and grow, for better or for worse, as you move through the plot. There are even some that have become icons of not just Final Fantasy but of the gaming world at large. Cloud from FF7 is the obvious standout and a good opposite would be Vaan from FF12. You’ll probably will recognize him, then remember him running around reminding the world that he’s from Dalmasca and is known as Captain Basch. This makes Final Fantasy more than just a game, it is a moment.
There Are Polarizing Heroes and Villains
Not only does Square Enix develop every character, but it also pays particular attention to our leads: the heroes and the villains. These individuals tend to have polarizing characteristics and evolutions through the game that you are going to love or hate, or love and hate.
There is a lead representative for many different personality types throughout the series, as well as an antithesis for each game. You can love and hate cast members while becoming more emotionally invested. One consistent thing is that you will have an emotional response to these personalities.
It Has An Appeal To Audiences Of All Ages
Final Fantasy has something to offer for multiple generations of gamers. From adolescents just being introduced, to millennials who grew up on the single-digit installments, to the OG’s playing since the series first dropped, you can find something enjoyable while playing.
It can be extremely difficult for a single game to be desirable to a younger demographic while not coming across as “childish” or “too young” for older players. The fact that Final Fantasy has done this with a game total in the double digits and a lifespan over three decades is beyond impressive and only leads to wondering what fantastic features are coming next.
The Cinematics Are Perfection
Final Fantasy cannot be discussed without commenting on the cinema-quality cutscenes throughout each installment. The gameplay is beautiful and has only continued to intensify with the ongoing graphic developments in the gaming industry on all platforms.
Even the cutscenes from the first generation game systems - like the PS1 with multiple discs - these mini-movies have been nothing short of epic.
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You might even shed a tear for one of the most famous cinematics from Final Fantasy 7 - if you haven’t played it, check it out before Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
It Provides Several Ways to Max Out Characters
Raising your characters’ stats is a necessity of gaming, but not always the most enjoyable factor. Many MMO’s, RPG’s, and Open World games can start growing stale and begin dragging with constant grinding for XP, working on a particular mechanic to advance (like junctions in FF8) to be able to progress.
Final Fantasy keeps you engaged in the process, an essential for setting up to defeat the end-game bosses. There are incentives, like better items or bonuses to certain skills, for your hard work. You even have some fun tricks to accelerate the process. In FF14, you can utilize the “Road to 80” buff that provides double experience from necessary game interactions, like crafting or fighting.
Final Fantasy Rewards Goodies Galore
Each Final Fantasy game gifts you opportunities for goodies to help your characters develop. While some games make these bonuses quite frustrating or difficult for you to accomplish, Final Fantasy has found a symbiotic balance between challenging yet doable.
You can also gain rewards through achievements as well as quests, providing some variety. In Final Fantasy 13, one way you can accomplish this is through the C’ieth missions for items. These missions can be repeated a second time to improve battle rating, allowing plenty of gameplay options for you, depending on personal preference.
The Original Music Is A Fantasy
Music is an incredibly important aspect of a compelling game. Every single Final Fantasy provides beautiful musical scores that are unique to each numbered installment. The music, like the characters and the plot line, keeps the game moving along. You remain entranced while building towards the epic final fight.
A great example is the main song for FF10 that you first encounter when booting up and at the main menu to start or load. This ethereal piano piece, appropriately named To Zanarkand, is distinguishable as being from that game alone while still sounding like part of the greater Final Fantasy music compilation. Much like the fighting style and the character cast, Square Enix has mastered making each game’s music distinctive but part of the greater Final Fantasy universe.
