Square Enix has blessed us with a staggering number of Final Fantasy titles over the years. While we all know and love the mainline entries, there’s a whole universe of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
Final Fantasy 10-2
Released in 2003, Final Fantasy 10-2 follows Yuna as she searches for Tidus, the now-missing protagonist of 2001’s Final Fantasy 10. This sequel was the first — and only! — game in the series to feature an all-female main cast. It’s also one of the few entries in the series to have multiple endings.
Where FF10 was somber and serious, FF10-2 is unabashedly feminine and lighthearted. The world has been saved, but Yuna and her friends have unfinished business to attend to. The game’s story and art style drew from the magical girl and idol subgenres of anime and manga from the late ’90s and early 2000s, as well as western pop culture icons like the 2000 Charlie’s Angels reboot starring Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, and Cameron Diaz.
FF10-2’s riff on the series’ job system is the Dressphere, which can dramatically change a party member’s fighting style. Several Dresspheres are familiar RPG fare, like black mage and thief. Others are wholly unique, with hilarious costumes and abilities, like the Lady Luck and mascot classes.
FF10-2’s deep customization, challenging combat, and immaculate Y2K vibes proved Final Fantasy doesn’t always have to be so darn serious all the time.
Where to play: Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PS4, Windows PC, and Xbox One
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is a love letter to all things Final Fantasy, bringing together characters from across the decade-spanning series. You’ll choose a party of four characters out of a whopping roster of 104 to battle familiar foes, rhythm-game style.
There aren’t the usual Attack / Magic / Item options here: you’ll need to keep a sharp eye on your timing. Each trigger requires a unique input: red icons for the single press of any button; yellow-arrow triggers require an analog stick flick, and green bars indicate a sustained hold. If you’re just here for the vibes, simple mode converts all the triggers to single-button input.
Where to play: Nintendo Switch, PS4
Final Fantasy Type-0
Launched in 2011, Final Fantasy Type-0 was inspired by the success of Atlus’s Persona 3 and Persona 4. Set at a magic school, the story follows 14 students in Class Zero, who are called up to serve in the military when the empire invades.
The game’s combat system was inspired by 2007’s Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7, but it also provided a glimpse at the future of the mainline series, especially FF15 and FF16. Like FF7 Remake, you can have three party members in combat in Type 0, and swap between them at any time.
Where to play: PS4, Windows PC, and Xbox One
Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy 15
Monster of the Deep was a standalone fishing game based on the world of Final Fantasy 15, released exclusively for the original PlayStation VR headset.
Like so much of FF15 and the constellation of content around it, it’s a tantalizing glimpse at a future that never came true. Monster of the Deep is best enjoyed as virtual tourism rather than an actual game.
Where to play: PlayStation VR
Final Fantasy 11
Final Fantasy 11 thrives on friction in its design. The simple process of walking from one place to another can take way too much time. You can fail to collect loot from downed enemies. Tracking quests sucks.
The solution to these frustrations is community. Final Fantasy 11 was built to be played with real people, and it’s still the best way to play. Nothing beats the feeling of completing a massive imposing dungeon thanks to the kindness of strangers.
Where to play: Windows PC
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin
Stranger of Paradise is a reimagining of the original Final Fantasy. The lead character, Jack Garland, is obsessed with killing Chaos.
Developer Team Ninja turned Final Fantasy into a Dark Souls game. It’s got tough, deliberate combat and an interesting take on the series’ classic job system.
Where to play: PS4, PS5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X
Final Fantasy 4
Final Fantasy 4 is a pulpy save-the-world adventure with sky-high stakes, plenty of plot twists, and heaps of romantic drama.
Yes, FF4 is historically significant. But unlike the very early Final Fantasy games, this one is still a delight to play, even today.
Where to play: Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X
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