What Final Fantasy Game You Should Play First (& Why)

For over 30 years, the Final Fantasyfranchise has released fifteen mainline games, a handful of direct sequels, and countless spin-offs. Those looking to get into the series for the first time may be a bit overwhelmed by all the options available. And since the FF series is so diverse and each entry is somewhat unique, it can make narrowing in on one game to start with even more difficult. However, some Final Fantasy games are more accessible and easier to get into than others.

The answer for which Final Fantasy game to play first really boils down to finding a single entry that best represents the series as a whole. Because of this, MMOs like Final Fantasy 11 and FFXIV may not be ideal choices, since both differ quite a bit from the other mainline games. This same argument can be applied to the numerous spin-offs and sequels, like FFX-2, FFXIII-2, and Lightning Returns: FFXIII. For a first entry, one of the more traditional mainline titles is perhaps best.

This can also apply to several of the earlier mainline entries, though, which set the foundation for Final Fantasy games but aren’t necessarily representative of the entire franchise. Newcomers may also find the earlier games a bit challenging, perhaps too archaic and grindy. For those interested, though, the first few FF games are readily available on mobile and PC, and Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters are releasing for the first six mainline titles (the first three are available now), offering even more opportunities for beginners to try them out.

Which Final Fantasy Game Best Represents The Entire Series

Any of the Final Fantasy games released in the late ’90s and early ’00s, arguably the franchise’s Golden Age, can make great first entries to play. While some players may opt to start with FF7 Remake over its 1997 original, both games offer compelling characters and storytelling. With Final Fantasy 8 recently remastered, it’s now easier to play than ever. And while more recent entries like FF15 have leaned heavily into action-RPG mechanics, FF10 is a more traditional turn-based RPG (and a fan-favorite). Due to accessibility and quality-of-life improvements, many of the more recent FF games can make good games to start with – even if they don’t really represent the franchise’s earlier years.

However, Final Fantasy 9 arguably makes the best game to start with, simply because it’s the best depiction of the series as a whole. The ATB Gauge, an iconic mechanic in entries from the ’90s, is present, and popular FF creatures like chocobos and moogles are prominently featured. The game has older FF tropes like crystals and elemental shrines, and it has plenty of callbacks to past titles (nearly everything in Treno’s auction house is a reference to older Final Fantasy items and characters). However, this is wonderfully blended with the newer, sci-fi and steampunk aesthetics that have defined the series over the last twenty-plus years.

This is the real reason FF9 can make a better first entry for anyone looking to get into the series. It has many of the components found in the older games, but it also has plenty of modern Final Fantasy features. In many ways, it’s a Greatest Hits compilation of everything that came before it – while laying the groundwork for the games that followed.

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Austin King
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Austin King is a Game Features Editor at Screen Rant. He’s the author of several books and hosts the Dragon Quest FM and JRPGs & Me podcasts. You can find him on Twitter @DragonQuaustin.

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