Beyond the Game: Reliving the Stories and Memories of My Favourite Final Fantasies
How going back to these timeless games reignited my love for the stories and memories behind them.
Welcome to my latest edition of gaming nostalgia! Today, I’m exploring a series that has shaped my love for RPGs and storytelling: Final Fantasy. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the franchise, there’s something uniquely magical about these games. They’re not just titles—they’re experiences that transport us to fantastical worlds, introduce us to unforgettable characters, and leave us with memories that linger long after the credits roll.
But as I’ve been reflecting on these games, I’ve realised something: revisiting them is like catching up with an old friend. There’s the initial rush of familiarity, but with a new perspective, I’ve discovered hidden gems and stories I missed the first time around. And honestly? Following a walkthrough from someone much smarter than me has made these replays even better!
So, grab your potions and phoenix downs, and join me as I count down my personal top 5 Final Fantasy games. Some choices might surprise you, others might spark heated debate, but that’s all part of the fun. Let’s jump into the worlds that have captured our hearts and shaped our gaming lives!
1. Final Fantasy X
My number one. My OG. My favourite game of ALL TIME. (Sorry, Halo!) I remember first seeing this when a friend invited me over to check it out, not expecting much until I saw the graphics and those cut scenes (it was 2001, remember!). It blew me away! Fast forward to me getting my own copy and playing it multiple times over the years, most recently on the remaster for my PS5! The storytelling, the characters, and mostly the childhood nostalgia make it a standout for me. And who can forget the first time they ‘accidentally’ stumbled upon the Dark Aeons and got absolutely annihilated? Right? Just me then…
Favourite Part: Seeing the gang grind down the rails to crash the wedding—what a scene!
Worst Part: Controversial, but it’s Blitzball! I could never figure it out, never won, and never had the patience to work it out.
2. Final Fantasy VII
You knew if this wasn’t number one, it must surely be number two! This game revolutionised Final Fantasy, putting it on the map, pushing the PlayStation to its ‘Limit Break’, and creating a lifelong army of fans. The backdrop, the way the story develops, the character arcs, and that HUGE twist about Cloud—it had everything we needed. Plus, Crisis Core and the Remake?! Not to mention the days when we had no online guides, and we called our friends liars when they told us about bonus characters we hadn’t unlocked!
Favourite Part: Weird, but the soundtrack really takes me back, especially when I hear ‘SEPHIROTH’ as a choir sound—it’s both nostalgic and terrifying!
Worst Part: I think we all know the answer to this one… Aerith. Still hurts to this day.
3. Final Fantasy XII
What changed the game for this entry was the live battle system. No more cutaways into battle—you see the enemies on screen and just fight them?! And the gambit system, where the other characters or even the one you’re controlling can act automatically? Mind. Blown. I replayed this years later on the Switch, and being able to speed up the gameplay made it much easier to get through and grind certain sections!
Favourite Part: Pulling off the perfect quickening chain to clinch a battle you thought you were going to lose!
Worst Part: The summons were pretty weak in this one, and I rarely found a reason to use them.
4. Final Fantasy VII Remake
I was late to the game (pun intended) on this one! I only played it once it was on PS Plus, but wow, what had I been missing out on?! I felt for Square Enix, knowing they had to be so careful in remaking it, but they pulled it off so well! I love that they took creative liberties to expand and possibly change the story. We have the original to always go back to, but this can be both for nostalgia and to capture the next wave of FF fans!
Favourite Part: Feeling more badass with the characters, swinging the sword around with Tidus like it was nothing, and beating people up with Tifa!
Worst Part: Erm, that dance part? I’m still not sure if it was the best part or the worst part!
5. Final Fantasy XIII
This one is all about nostalgia. I remember getting this close to its release, which was rare for me, but I was that excited for a next-gen Final Fantasy! I was an Xbox 360 person, so seeing a game with THREE discs was insane! I remember playing it, and a friend messaged me on Xbox Live asking how I was finding it. I replied that I was really enjoying it, and he said, “Wait till you get to disc 2.” This got me even more excited! I’m planning a replay of this one soon, along with trying to fit in XIII-2 and Lightning Returns!
Favourite Part: When Snow came onto the scene after getting Shiva. I just remember that cutscene and being in awe of what was happening!
Worst Part: Seriously, did anyone understand the whole story without looking it up? The different parts were so confusing!
This list is possibly biased because I haven’t played through all the Final Fantasies or tried the online ones, but as of now, this is my list!
So, what do you think? Am I crazy and have it all wrong?
I love connecting with fellow gamers who are passionate about the same classics. Got a different top five? Or maybe a hidden gem I should check out?
Let’s chat in the comments or over on the Geek Fit podcast—where we geek out over games and get fit for life.
Stay strong and game on!
I really love Final Fantasy XIII. I actually imported the JP copy and beat it using a printed out script before it came out in the US. I remember loading it up on a smaller TV and my jaw hitting the ground when you first see the character's faces in the main menu.