Oh no, The Top 10 Final Fantasy Games

I really don't know why I am going to tackle this topic. I love all the Final Fantasy games, so I really hate to rank them and these games are soooo personal to gamers that they stir up alot of emotion and debate. Well, I encourage comments and opinions, but keep in mind that I stayed as neutral as possible while organizing this countdown and I have gone back to review and replay whatever was necessary to be fair to the entire series. We all know, though, that it is inherently impossible to NOT be opinionated. Having said that, please enjoy the countdown and don't freak out if your favorite isn't where you'd like it. By the way, in an attempt to avoid spoilers, I may leave out some details, but rest assure I have played all of these games and put in the time necessary to judge them accordingly.

The Top 10 Final Fantasy Games (according to me)


10. Final Fantasy II/Final Fantasy XII (2006/PS2, 1988/Famicom)



Ok, ok, I know I have a tie right out of the gate, but there's good reason. Final Fantasy 12 was going to hold this spot alone. I think it is an incredibly rendered game and the cut scenes really blew me away the first time I played through this game (especially the Espers). While the gambit system let the game practically play itself (if you choose to set it up that way), it was new and innovative and, along with the liscense system, at least tried to improve the flow of the game. Even if you hated the gameplay, this is nothing new for the series. It practically changes EVERY game anyway. Some you hate, some you love. The story in FF12 has also come under alot of scrutiny. It has been said that it draws too much from Star Wars. I really disagree with this. Of course we love to take elements from the stories that inspired us as writers and story-tellers. It just seems like everything cool has already been done. That's why all the movies that are coming out are remakes and reboots. BUUUUTTT, actually FF12 steals most of it's material from Final Fantasy 2, and FF2 is the real culprit when it comes to ripping off Star Wars. So don't blame 12and that's why they are sharing this spot. Now, to give FF2 some credit, it was the first FF game to have named characters and party change-outs. It also introduced Chocobos and Cid. So, this game is very important when it comes to FF canon, but it's gameplay is so very flawed. Alot of patience and the Bloodsword are all you really need to make this game your bitch. Back to story correlation, they really are way too close. Young warrior, headstrong girl, cocky pilot, relative that loses their way and turns evil under the influence of an evil emperor who is dabbling in dark arts but eventually sees the error of his ways and ultimately assists our heroes, the doomsday weapon that threatens all who would oppose the empire's authority...Ok now tell me which story I was just describing: FF12, FF2, or Star Wars. Time's up, the correct answer was ALL OF THE ABOVE. Oh well, welcome to the countdown.


9. Final Fantasy XIII (2009, PS3/X360)


I know it may still be a little early and we don't know how this game will stand the test of time, but it is really one of the most gorgeous games I have ever looked at. Did we really expect any less though? The first 5th gen Final Fantasy didn't disappoint in the looks department, but it most definitely shook up the fans when it came to gameplay and story. There was a lot that we didn't understand at first. It has the classic "just throw them in there and let them mix it up" beginning. Then they start talking about storyline elements that we have no clue about yet. You really have to give this game a chance, though. It eventually comes together and ends up being a very entertaining play. Plus, Lightning, while emo(like alot of FF leads), is actually pretty awesome. She is like a mix between the tough, hotness of Tifa Lockhart and the badass, emoness of Squall Leonhart. If those two had a kid it would be Squifa Leonckhart, and that's just stupid, so we would call it Lightning. The music is also an interesting departure from previous scores and of course the visuals keep you on edge. All in all, I was very pleased with this game, it is just missing too many classic FF elements that keep it from being a truly great FF game.


8. Final Fantasy VIII (1999, PS1)


I have always been very torn when it comes to FF8. I really love this game and the characters, but the gameplay and story constantly bother me. It is a very good storyline...it just never felt like a Final Fantasy until the end. It borrows heavily from the mood and setting set down in FF7, while adding story elements you see in FF1. Mix this with a presentation that was taken directly from the success of Parasite Eve and you have Final Fantasy 8. I was so excited when this game came out when I saw they were going to have proportional characters and backdrops like Parasite Eve. The cinemas looked amazing...well just everything looked amazing. But, much like FF13, there's something about it that just isn't classic Final Fantasy. That may be a positive thing for some players (maybe you want to get lost in the game and not have it stereotyped as "another final fantasy"). To me though, it is a great game, just not great enough to be any higher on the list( And I HATE the junction system).


7. Final Fantasy I (1987, NES)


What kind of countdown would this be without the original? This is the game that saved Square and gave us one of the best video game franchises ever. Taking elements from D&D and a world straight out of Tolkien's mind, Final Fantasy blew gamer's minds with open world, non-linear gameplay wrapped in an intriguing and epic story. This game is so much fun to play today on any system. Just Thank God for the internet so we can remember where we are going.


6. Final Fantasy Tactics (1998, PS1)


I have never really been a fan of tactics based RPGs. They just aren't my thing. I love Disgaea series...and then there's this game. All I can say is...WOW. This game is awesome. It is narrated by a historian (Olan) telling us the story as we play through the "War of the Lions". It is actually a really, really good story. I don't want to spoil it, so I'll just say the ending is definitely worth the effort that goes into this very challenging but very satisfying game.


5. Final Fantasy IX (2000, PS1)


To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of FF9. I do, however, appreciate many things about it. It is such a throwback that it is extremely nostalgic. They really put emphasis on making sure the characters represented the original job classes from FF1-3. That is just so awesome. But, for the first time we got to see these types of characters AND really got a sense of personality. The storylines are great for all of these characters and this game is just so incredibly well-written. The gameplay is solid and the visuals and music are great. It deserves to be higher on the list and I know many people will agree, but I'm being objective and it has to stay in the number 5 spot. One little fact though: Final Fantasy IX received a score of 94% from Game Rankings. That's the second highest ranking for a Final Fantasy game, only bested by a game that will be seen later on this countdown.


4. Final Fantasy IV (1991, SNES)


This is where it gets really hard to put anything down. Mostly because it hurts me to admit that one game is considered lesser than another. I truly regret as I am writing this that FF4 is not in the number 3 spot. I honestly don't know if I'm making the right decision here, but I've set this game and the next side-by-side and this is just the conclusion I came to. Final Fantasy IV is the first truly "amazing" Final Fantasy game and I believe that it really sealed the franchise's place in history. This is the game that made sure it was here to stay. While we recieved it as "Final Fantasy II" and looked at it as an amazing jump from FF1, even in Japan it was considered a huge step foward. The storyline in this game is the ultimate tale of redemption and has, what I would consider, one of the best casts in the series. Some people think that Cecil sells out and is a sissy as a Paladin, but seriously, that's just jealousy. This is one of the few Final Fantasy games where you DON'T hate somebody. It is just awesome all the way around and the gameplay is solid...it just happened to be outdone by three other games. Keep in mind though, it could very well be interchangeable with number 3 on the list.


3. Final Fantasy X (2001, PS2)


We finally got a Final Fantasy game with voice acting!!! Ok, its not the best voice acting, but it does add alot to the game. Final Fantasy X has arguably the most innovative storyline in the entire series. It is so unlike everything else the series has to offer, and yet FEELS like a Final Fantasy game. It really thinks outside the box and still has a very basic approach to gameplay. It really is no different than the original active time battle system introduced in FF4, and yet has the sphere grid to allow you to customize your character's progress. It has all the great elements of a modern FF game and an old FF game with none of the drawbacks. It really is just solid all-around. You can't hate that. And I don't care what anyone says, Tidus is NOT a bad lead. The cast may not be as well designed as other FF games, but they more than make up with it in story.


2. Final Fantasy VI (1994, SNES)



Before you hate me, hear me out!!! This is hands-down my favorite Final Fantasy game. It is a perfect work of art. This is the game that was rated 96% on Game Rankings and is the highest rated Final Fantasy game ever. You all know now what number 1 is going to be so let's just kick back and hear my reasoning on why I set the countdown up this way. FF6 has what I consider to be the most epic story, best villain, biggest plot twist, and best musical score. It has the most playable characters and a deep customizable gameplay system. Sure Sephiroth was an asshole for killing Aeris and made us all sit in our gaming chairs seething with hate and yearning for revenge, but Kefka poisoned a whole damn city just to kill ONE MAN. The Nazis didn't even do that shit and Stalin just rolled over in his grave and said "Holy Fuck, man!" So we go after him right? Well yea, and he DESTROYS THE WORLD. Yep, that's right, the villain wins half-way through the game. Suck on that Sephiroth. Anyway, it is also the first game to really blur the genre of Medieval-style epic adventure with Industrial Age technology. It really is the first "modern" Final Fantasy, NOT Final Fantasy 7. The only people who forget this are the people who claim to be FF fans and haven't played all of the games. FF6 is only forgotten by those who haven't played it. Sure, it was hard as hell when it came out, and still presents a challenge today if you don't know the secrets to beating certain bosses, but you have the internet and NO EXCUSE for not playing this game today. There is NOTHING bad to say about it. All of the characters have deep, engaging storylines encompassing love, loss, fate, and purpose on a scale that all other Final Fantasy games either failed at or just couldn't quite match. The only thing that holds this game back was the limitations of the SNES (which was already pushed to it's extreme with this game). I sincerely apologize for not putting this game at number 1, but I said I was going to be impartial and I have to admit that in the realm of Final Fantasy the best and most complete game is...


1. Final Fantasy VII (1997, PS1)



...Final Fantasy VII. The story is not as good as FF6 to me and many other fans who can appreciate all of the games for what they are. Based on innovation, story, gameplay, and importance, however, this game really deserves the hype. It really is great. There's no denying that, even though most hardcore fans hold FF6 so dear. Final Fantasy 7 was the franchise's first endeavour into 3D and didn't disappoint. Everything is rendered extremely well for it's time. Even though it draws from elements set down in FF6, I consider, for the most part, this to be the turning point in the franchise. There are only pre-FF7 games and post-FF7 games. Not only with hardware, but overall approach and mood. Just look at the Final Fantasy games that followed it. FF7 opened the door for future FF games to break away from the Tolkien/D&D epic theme and become their own stories. Even though they all take from their predecessors for nostalgia, it is almost impossible to notice any similarities without close examination and super-nerd-like perception. They just start seperating themselves from each other and become their own identities after FF7. I think that's a beautiful thing. The gameplay is completely solid, if not perfect. The musical score sounded amazing and is second only to FF6 in my mind (I know FF7 had the advantage with the PS1 hardware). And, while some may like the numerous playable characters FF6 offered, FF7 carried a great story with a more traditional small cast. I know Barret kind of reminds you of Danny Glover as Lt. Murtaugh in Lethal Weapon, but no one really pisses you off when you play through for the first time. Now that we are older we can look back and say, "Wwwweeellll...Cloud really was a little bitch", but do you really hate him? And I've already stated that Sephiroth, as awesome as he is, doesn't hold a candle to Kefka from FF6, but he's still pretty badass in his own right. So what is wrong here? This game may not be the most satisfying to the hardcore fan, but it really deserves to be the number 1 Final Fantasy game of all-time. It took what was great from the past and added everything we would see in the future. Time has proven: This is the game that defined the series. Congratulations FF7, you got me to admit it.

Hope you enjoyed and look foward to my next countdowns later in the week: Snake's Top 10 Video Game Plot Holes and Snake's Top 10 WTF Video Game Twists.

Top 10 Video Game Developers! (feat. Waste Control Dave)

As much as we enjoy just popping in the disk and relaxing over an awesome video game, we must take a second to appreciate the genius and hard work that goes into creating that which becomes our passion and, in some cases, our downfall. This list is dedicated to the Top 10 Video Game Developers. These are the companies that allow us to escape our real world troubles. But wait! I'm not about to tackle such a controversial list on my own. That is why I have a guest lister today. Joining me in this endeavour will be Dave, aka Waste Control, from Boss Battle Podcast. Dave?...

Shit man, I'm a talker, not a writer. Oh well, guess I'll give it a go. We all have our favorite developers and publishers, those crews that we rush out to buy their new game reguardless of what it is. This list is about the ten teams that have made significant advances in this hobby that has blown up. We put our heads together and came up with this list. Remember, this is how we see it. You're going to disagree. That's the fun of the internet.


The Top 10 Video Game Developers


10. Epic

(Snake) Two Words: Unreal Engine. Unreal Tournament is the first time I had ever played such in such an in-depth, realistic world. It also introduced me to first person, multiplayer combat. No, not Goldeneye, UNREAL. This engine revolutionized the gaming industry. I would not be playing Halo today if I had not been stuck in the arcade booths honing my skills as a professional trash-talker playing Unreal in the arcades. Just look at how many games use this.

(Waste Control Dave) Couldn't agree more. The Unreal Engine has changed the way developers craft games. When you see Powered By Unreal at the start of a game, you know it's going to be strong. Although I don't really care for their personal games, I have to give it to Epic for making an Engine that is beast.


9. Bandai-Namco

(Snake) This is the company that truly brought Japan to America. There's really not much else to say other than that. They gave us gems that would have otherwise fallen to the wayside and would only be mentioned in passing as we perused our local video game establishments that still trade "retro" games. If you've ever played a truly Japanese import, you'll understand what I mean. They do great work over there...most of the time, and Bandai didn't just give us our favorite toys...but also the chance to play games we would otherwise never see.

(Waste Control Dave) I agree. God I'm so thankful for Bandai. Not only did they bring Japan to us ignorant Americans, but opened the doors for other companies to do the same, like Nippion Ichi and Aksys. Some of my favorite games came from these guys, and they really helped bring some new and inovative games to the American stage. Fucking Katarami. Amazing.



8. Id

(Snake) Doom...Enough said.

(Waste Control Dave) Yeah, what he said. Oh, and Rage.


7. Bungie

(Snake)I can't say enough about Bungie. I don't care what you think about Halo, these guys are awesome. They are passionate about the games that they develope and it shows. This really brings me back to the glory days of gaming (Megaman, Zelda, etc..). They love that they struck gold and they should be proud. Deep storylines, great gameplay, and multiplayer! You can't deny it, they are young, but they have set there place in video game history in stone.

(W.C. Dave) Bunige's the only company that I know of that has masterfully crafted an amazing storyline in all their games.....in a fucking FPS. It's also the only shooter that has both a solid single and multiplayer. Even though they have merged with Microsoft at this point, they learned that they needed to close the doors on Halo and move on to something new. Other companies might want to take a cue from them.


6. Bethesda

(Snake) Bethesda is amazing at what they do...but that encompasses alot. They make great games that cross genres and that's so important when it comes to gathering a gamer following. Umm...Elder Scrolls, Fallout 3, and now...a new Fallout? Hell Fucking Yes.

(W.C. Dave) As a guy that loves DnD, Bethesda brought that sense of wonder and excitement about fantasy roleplaying off the paper and on to the screen. Ever action had a reaction, whether imediately or down the road. Even though the story was the same no matter how times you played it, it was the ability to play it any way you wanted that really enveloped freedom. And now that they have the reins of Fallout, they blended their ideas from Elder Scrolls into the world of Fallout and made it fantastic. I know people say it isn't the same Fallout anymore, but that's ok in this case. Hey, we could have gotten another Fallout Tactics. Quit your bitching.


5. Valve

(Snake) Half-Life series is one of my favorite new series that has come out in the last decade. The physics engine is just amazing. But what else can you say? Left 4 Dead, Portal...really what the fuck!?! This shit is awesome, ughhh Dave take it please I'm having a moment.

(W.C.) Man, I'm just drooling. I'm a Valve fan-boy through and through. I cant think of a single game that they have made that was bad. Inovative? Yep. Ground-breaking? Hell yeah. And now with Portal 2, Valve will always have a place in my black little heart. Fuck, I still play TF2 on the xbox. The only thing I have to say about them is that Valve Time sucks. But the wait is so worth it.


4. Blizzard

(Snake) I really sank my gamer teeth into the mid-ninties PC craze. It just all fell into place. My dad was a PC gamer and I was a console gamer, but when SNES couldn't offer anything (because I couldn't buy games on my own), I had to start appealing to my dad's affection for PC games. Blizzard really delivered. I love strategy games because I am a military history nerd. Blizzard just fucking delivers. STILL. Yes, Blizzard.

(W.C. Dave) What can you say? They hold the crown for MMOs, RTSs and Hack and Slash. Jesus, everyone has been chomping at the bit for Starcraft 2, and hell, when MLG picks up your game the day it drops, you know you're at the top of not only your game, but the game as a whole. Every game is solid and when you have the following that Blizzard does, you have to live up to it. And Blizzard never fails.



3. Square (soft, enix..whatever it is)

(Snake) I really can't say anything that everyone doesn't already know. Square is sooooo awesome. Final Fucking Fantasy...Hell yes. But it goes way beyond that. Square has just brought itself out of the ashes of bankruptcy to attract the attention of not only Disney, but every Japanese and American gamer. Square just can't do wrong right now unless they try. (OK some of the shitty Final Fantasies don't count, they still have Kingdom Hearts)

(W.C. Dave) What's left to say? It's Square. They are amazing. Oh yeah, and they gave us Chrono Trigger.


2. Nintendo

(Snake) Ok...where would we be without Nintendo. Sure, they flooded the market with alot of shit, but they gave us so many icons. Legend of Zelda, Mario...that right there alone should give us reason to bow down. I don't care where your allegiences lie, we ALL owe Nintendo for even having games so available to play.

(W.C.) When you talk about Icons, it doesn't get any bigger than Nintendo. Damn man, everyone knows Mario. Shit, even people who don't game know the red shirt plumber. And as a company, no one is emulated more than Nintendo. Motion control? Nintendo. Handheld? Nintendo. No one has been copied more. And no one has made more of an impact in lives than Nintendo.


1. LJN

(Snake) LJN is just amazing in everything they put out.......

Ok that's just fucking stupid. Here's the REAL number 1


1. Capcom

(Snake) Hell Yes, Capcom. What genre can they not tackle? Ok there actually is an answer to that, but I'll leave it to W.C. to call me out on it. BBBUUUTTTT, Megaman bitches. Only one of the best series to ever exist. Mario may hold the record for most appearences in video games, but most people don't realize that Megaman is number 2. Other than that, Street Fighter and the Marvel license... yea tournaments are still centered around their games that have been out for over a decade and some close to twenty years.

(W.C.) Yeah. FPS. Anyway, Snake is the Capcom fanboy, so I only have a little to say about it. It all comes down to versitility, and Capcom does it to a T. They've fucked up in the past, but when they get it right, it's out of this world.


So that's it(fuck you Waste Control). I hope you enjoyed our take on the Top 10 Video Game Developers. It was a fun process and I hope you check out Boss Battle Podcast to hear more from Waste Control Dave.