TheFinal Fantasyseries is essentially a gaming institution at this point, but it can be difficult to decide where to start. There are 16 mainline games, not to mention remakes and spin-offs. There also seems to be some confusion about how all the games relate to each other. I’ve had more than one person ask me at recentMagic: The Gatheringevents if they needed to start with the firstFinal Fantasygame to understand the rest of the series. While I’ve seen some recommendations for where to start, I have a slightly different opinion on the matter.
My firstFinal Fantasygame wasFF8, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend starting with it. The game is polarizing, and it definitely has some of the problems people accuseFinal Fantasyof having that make it less approachable, like the complicated Junction system. As tempted as I am to recommend my favorite game,Final Fantasy 6, I do think the rapid pace at which it asks players to get on board with certain world-building elements may be off-putting to players unfamiliar with series regulars like Moogles and Chocobo. I thinkthe best bet for many players is an unconventional choice.
Final Fantasy 16 Is One Of The Most Approachable Games
FF16’s Gameplay Is Easy To Pick Up And Ramps Up Nicely Over Time
From a gameplay standpoint,Final Fantasy 16doesn’t ask nearly as much from players as some of the other games in the series. For one thing, the game’s action-heavy combat makes it a much easier transition from other sword-and-sorcery-styleRPGs likeThe Witcher 3, or even hack-and-slash games likeDynasty Warriors. Although the gameplay is relatively simple, that doesn’t mean it’s not fun. Once you unlock more Eikon powers to switch between, combat becomes more complex and rewarding.
However,whileFinal Fantasy 16’s combat ramps up nicely, it does so gradually. This is a lot more approachable for players who aren’t used to more complex RPGs than forcing them to go through expansive tutorials like inFinal Fantasy 8. Although one might be tempted to think turn-basedFinal Fantasygames would be more approachable, since the action isn’t real-time, this isn’t necessarily the case.
Many earlierFinal Fantasygames use the Active Time Battle (ATB) system, which isn’t truly turn-based. If you aren’t taking your turns on time, then enemies will continue to attack you. This forces you to make decisions somewhat quickly, which can be daunting to players who are new to the series or this style of game.I suspect this is also why many players recommend starting withFinal Fantasy 10, because its Conditional Turn-Based Battle (CTB) system is more forgiving and less stressful.
Final Fantasy 16’s Grounded Tone Gives Its Story Wide Appeal
FF16’s Story Is Less Heightened Than Other Games In The Series
IfGame of Thrones' popularity taught us anything, it’s thatlow-fantasy stories with a dark tone - and some sex scenes - are much more appealing to general audiences than high-fantasy fare. Low-fantasy stories ask audiences to understand fewer rules, and there’s less chance that any world-building elements will be seen as too silly. Although not nearly as low-fantasy asGame of Thrones,Final Fantasy 16shares a lot of these elements (yes, even the nudity), and might be the most approachable game for a general audience.
Even with its many high-fantasy elements,Final Fantasy 16puts a lot of effort into deliberately explaining how they work, and demonstrating this in cutscenes. A good example is the game’s prologue, which expertly sets up how Eikons work, the interpersonal relationships between much of the main cast, and the wider political conflict. The way manyFinal Fantasystories are structured, we typically meet Clive after the first time jump, and only find out later about his backstory. We may also be forced to infer how magical elements work in this world.
Now,having to infer things about a fantasy setting isn’t necessarily bad, and noFinal Fantasygame’s story is too difficult to follow when you actually play it. However, I can somewhat understand why that might not seem like the case to an outsider. I remember trying to read Wiki summaries before I’d played too many games in the series to decide which game to play next and having a hell of a time trying to understand what any of them were about.Final Fantasy 16is an easier sell for players who are wary of the series or genre.
Final Fantasy 16 Leads Nicely Into FF7 Remake
FF7 Remake Is A Good Middle Ground Between FF16 And The Rest Of The Series
I’ve said before that I muchpreferFF7 Remake’s gameplay toFinal Fantasy 16’s. As a long-time fan of the series,I like howFF7 RemakeandFF7 Rebirthcombine real-time action with the ATB gauge from earlier games. However, I could see this being a bit of a learning curve for players who aren’t super familiar withFinal Fantasygames. I think starting withFinal Fantasy 16would help players understand the basics of combat inFinal Fantasy 7 Remake, so adding the ATB gauge to that wouldn’t be a huge leap.
I think it’s important for new fans of the series to get acquainted with the style introduced inFinal Fantasy 7 Remake, becauseI wouldn’t be surprised to see it become a new standard that futureFFgames are built off of. TheFF7 Remaketrilogy is also a good middle ground between the more grounded tone ofFinal Fantasy 16, and some of the more heightened stories in the franchise. That said, I could seeFF7 Remakeitself being a decent starting game for players already familiar with RPGs.
Other Final Fantasy Games That Could Be Good Starting Spots
FF10 And FF7 Remake Are Good Backup Options
Although I stand byFinal Fantasy 16as the best starting spot for players who are brand-new to the series, and don’t have a ton of RPG experience, I can see where other common recommendations come from. As I mentioned before,Final Fantasy 10’s combat is slower paced and more forgiving, making it a good starting spot for new players.Final Fantasy 7 Remakeis also a very polished experience, and will please players who are looking for the most modern game in the series to start with.
I could also see some retroFinal Fantasytitles appealing to players who have experience with turn-based RPGs. The ATB system really does make the combat feel a lot more engaging than many turn-based games from around the same time, and it’s why I prefer retroFinal Fantasygames to some of its contemporaries, or even something like Pokémon. While there are likely a variety of games that could work depending on the specific player, I thinkFF16is your best bet for more general audience appeal.
