Summary
TheFinal Fantasy serieshas been part of gaming history for decades. The first game was released on the NES in 1987. Since then, there have been 16 mainline games in the series, each exploring a different world with a different cast of heroes and villains.
There have been remakes and remasters for many of the mainline games that have been released with distinct changes in graphics and gameplay shifts. Even ports of the base game to other consoles can have differences between versions.
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Final Fantasy 13 and its sequels didn’t get remasters or remakes, and the only distinctions between versions are in localization. For example, Optima Change in Japan is now known as Paradigm Shift, Break is called Stagger, and Driving Mode for Eidolons is now Gestalt Mode.
Aside from the usual frame rates and resolution improvements, there are also a few additional elements. For instance, the 2014 update added some gameplay and PC additions to the game, including tweaking the difficulty of fights and a series of graphical options. But overall, it’s the same experience.
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Final Fantasy 16 is mostly unchanged in all three ports across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. The game is already a graphical marvel and a dynamic experience, from the epic boss battles to the intricate attention to the open areas you can explore.
Aside from the lack of changes with the ports, there is a fun feature for the PC during the loading screens: you’re able to look at the concept art of the respective regions, or the creatures you will encounter in the regions you’ll visit.
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This beloved classic had several editions released on its native PS2 before the multi-console remaster. The International edition of Final Fantasy 10 included several significant challenges. The best ones are the Dark Aeons, super bosses based on the summonable Aeons you’ve seen.
The remastered version of Final Fantasy 10 includes these add-ons, updated graphical textures, and fixes to the text and grammar from the classic version. The remaster also includes post-story content to round out some new storylines for Tidus and Yuna.
Final Fantasy 11 was the world’s first cross-console MMO. As a result, there are very few distinctions between the different ports you could have. There have been expansions, updates, and add-ons that expand on the experience, making this game one of the most financially successful of the series, aside from the other MMO Final Fantasy 14.
The five expansions include unique stories and areas for exploration. Each expansion includes additional add-ons and story series contributing to changing and bringing new experiences. Because of the experimental nature of the MMO, the PC or Xbox 360 ports are the best options.
Final Fantasy 9 underwent several iterations after its original release. Several gameplay changes have been made starting with the English localization in 2000, such as the inclusion of button prompts for certain actions, the damage value of spells and attacks, and the accessibility of the World Map.
When Final Fantasy 9 was later ported to Steam, the game received several improvements and several battle assistant methods. These include Auto Battles, High Speed Mode, which moves the ATB gauge quickly, and Safe Travel, which ensures that you won’t need to worry about random encounters if you’re not in the mood to farm XP or face off against too many dangerous encounters.
Final Fantasy 8was released first in Japan in February 1999, followed swiftly by the US release in September and Europe in October. In these versions, you will receive a lot of in-game assistance to avoid frustration. Through Balamb Garden and Fire Cavern, Quistis, Squall’s teacher, ensures you understand the battle mechanics and junctioning magic.
There are three different PC and Steam releases of Final Fantasy 8. The only one is the official Remaster, which features completely remodeled character 3D models and more detailed items and environments. The most recognizable character change is Squall Leonhart, whose in-game appearance now resembles that of the Dissidia games.
After the English release of Final Fantasy 12, Japan released the exclusive International Zodiac Job System version. The new Zodiac Job system for character abilities reflected job class concepts from previous Final Fantasy games like Warriors and White Mages, but you’re able to still ensure that characters like Basch and Fran have their own specific abilities based on what they’re efficient at.
The Zodiac Age is a high-definition remaster that brings these gameplay tweaks out of Japan, while updating the visuals. New scores for the soundtrack were made, and the beastiary was updated to include 3D models of all the enemies you’ve faced, instead of flat illustrations.
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Since its release,Final Fantasy 15has been ported to just about everything. The Royal Edition and the Windows Edition both include full access to the DLC expansions (episodes for Gladio, Prompto, Ignis, and Ardynn). Noctis also gets a new ultimate attack and to face off against Cerberus and Omega in a new final dungeon in Insomnia.
Final Fantasy 15 also received a Pocket Edition, a stylized and abridged version of the original storyline that changes the characters' initial designs, which were mostly done by the artist, Coln Chen. Most of the story-based content is a slimmed-down experience, which makes sense given it was initially for mobile.
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Final Fantasy 14 is a unique example of a rerelease. The initial edition of the MMO game was poorly received andhad several issues. Questlines were unsubstantial and didn’t provide much content, and the the servers were heavily unstable. Fatally for an MMO, connecting with others for adventures was difficult.
As a result, a remake, known as Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn, kicked off with a climactic event featuringBahamutdestroying the old world and servers in an apocalypse. This event paved the way for the game to be rebuilt from the ground up and went strong with five massive expansions, dozens of add-ons, and collaborations.
Final Fantasy 5 debuted on the Super Famicom, before geting its first localized port on the PlayStation as part of the Final Fantasy Anthology. In the Anthology, Final Fantasy 5 had some fun cameo moments with Cloud Strife and Squall Leonhart, the heroes of the 3D PlayStation installments.
Final Fantasy 5 is also part of the massivePixel Remaster collection, which includes the first six mainline games of the series. Much of the pixel art and illustrative artwork for enemies and environments was reworked and refined for crisper modern displays in this remaster. They also ensured that many of the updated designs for the characters and environments match up with recent spin-off works.
