LogFAQs > #973703223

We're in the Top 5 now son

Not only are these my top 5 FF games, but just some of my favorite games of all time in general. Final Fantasy used to be THE standard for JRPGs, and these five games really showcase that. You definitely already know which ones they are, but I'm going to be the millionth person on the internet to talk about them anyway

#5 - Final Fantasy IV

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/8/9/8/AAK53VAAEgjK.png

While FF1-3 were still in their old skool Dragon Warrior phase, FF4 was the one that really kicked everything into high gear. The first game to introduce the ATB system, with an epic story and huge list of characters, with five party members at a time, and beautiful 16 bit graphics and sound.

They were just firing on all cylinders in 1991. That opening with the Red Wings is one of my favorite openings in any game, and my second favorite in the series. Destroying Rydia's village and then Cecil choosing to adopt her is something that's stuck with me for life. I just love Cecil's entire redemption arc - him becoming a Paladin is one my all time favorite moments in the series. And I really like how in battle, Dark Knight made him hurt himself to become better at hurting others, but Paladin would give him the power to heal others.

I like how the game curates the party for the player, so you're constantly left trying to figure out how to make specific lineups to work. I like how fast and addicting the combat can be, and how hard the battle music hits. I love Kain, and how cool Dragoons are, and even though he was mind controlled, my head canon still says he's just a bad dude who's made some bad choices.

There's really not a lot to hate about FF4. It's a bit archaic by today's standards, but the Pixel Remaster fixes those rough edges, like no more random encounters and EXP boost, thank god. I always stood by the PSP version, but once you get spoiled by no random encounters, you can't go back. And I was never really a fan of the DS remake. I just can't stand to look at those chibi character models. Bleck.

My mind is sitting on a 9.4 right now... which seems low for all this praise, and while I know FF4 and FF1 were revolutionary, there's also a handful of Dragon Warrior, Ys, and Phantasy Star games that are comparable from around the same period. But that's okay, because the best was yet to come.

The ranking so far
#5. FF4 - 9.4
#6. FF9 - 9.3
#7. FF5 - 9.0
#8. FF14 HW - 9.0
#9. FF8 - 8.8
#10. FFX-2 - 8.5
#11. FF12 - 8.5
#12. FF14 ARR - 8.4
#13. FF11 - 8.4
#14. FF1 - 8.3
#15. FF7 R - 8.3
#16. FF15 - 8.0
#17. DoC FF7 - 6.0
#18. FF2 - 5.0
#19. FF13 - 3.0