Final Fantasy is a beloved series, with a plethora of games, people tend to assume they’re all good. This assumption is understandable, as most of the Final Fantasy entries are highly praised.
However, you can’t win every time, and Square Enix has made some bad titles just like everyone else. Though hard to find, they exist, so let’s talk about 5 of the worst Final Fantasy games of all time!
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Final Fantasy II
Final Fantasy II holds a reputation as one of the more polarizing entries in the series. Criticized for various reasons, one notable aspect is its unconventional levelling system. Departing from the traditional experience-based levelling, Final Fantasy II introduced a system where characters’ attributes improved based on how frequently they were used.
This led to unintended consequences, potentially making characters overpowered if players exploited the mechanics. Another departure from the series’ norms was the absence of predefined character classes.
The game offered flexibility but resulted in characters lacking distinct roles. The gameplay often felt repetitive, requiring extensive grinding and repetition to enhance character stats, contributing to a sense of monotony.
Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII
Vincent Valentine, one of the coolest party members in Final Fantasy VII, has his own game… and it’s not good. A third-person shooter, with clunky controls, and repetitive level design, this 2006 title never had a chance.
The story lacks depth in characters other than Vincent, making it pretty hard to be emotionally invested in the game. Overshadowed by the release of Advent Children, the graphics were compared to the movie, adding yet another reason to not like this title. Sorry, Vincent, we’re swipin’ left on this one.
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Final Fantasy XIII
I will fight you on this one, because anyone who thinks FFXIII is a good mainline entry is wrong, and I’ll explain why. The game struggles to get the ball rolling, with a slow start, players already weren’t into it. Do you like exploring towns? Well too bad because there are no towns in this game, not even a map.
The introduction of the Paradigm Shift and the Auto-Battle system simplified combat, veering away from the strategic depth found in earlier Final Fantasy titles. The Crystarium upgrading system was criticized for its linearity, heavily limiting customization. This game is a glorified hallway simulator and is a blemish on the Final Fantasy series.
Final Fantasy XIV (Version 1.0)
Let’s state up front that this is only referring to version 1.0 of Final Fantasy 14. The developers worked very hard to listen to fan feedback and rework the game from the ground up. Releasing Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn in 2013, fans loved and appreciated the effort Square Enix put into the game, and it’s now one of the biggest MMOs of all time.
With that all out of the way, let’s talk about why version 1.0 was so bad. The graphics were not good, the user interface was unintuitive, and gameplay mechanics fell short of the standards set by other MMORPGs at the time. The game was riddled with bugs, had a terrible in-game economy, and no clear direction.
Players were not happy with the entry, especially being a mainline entry. However, Square Enix deserves praise for their humility and commitment to fixing the situation, ultimately setting aside pride to overhaul the game and pave the way for its redemption.
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Final Fantasy All the Bravest
This game is a cash grab, and they don’t attempt to hide it. This is about most of the Final Fantasy mobile games, but All the Bravest is a special kind of bad so it gets the spotlight. The game heavily relied on a microtransaction-based model, requiring players to purchase premium characters and additional content.
All the Bravest featured simplistic and repetitive gameplay with minimal strategy. Battles involved repeatedly tapping characters on the screen, lacking the depth and tactical elements that are characteristic of traditional Final Fantasy games.
The game lacked a narrative or even exploration. Your job was to tap your screen and give them money. Other mobile FF games try to hide their greed behind flashy graphics and story elements, All The Bravest just wants your money and isn’t shy about it. Is there a Final Fantasy game you dislike? What game would you say is the worst in the series? Let’s talk about it in the comments!
