Which is the Longest Final Fantasy Game?
There’s no question that the Final Fantasy series is one of the longest-running and most influential video game franchises. With more than 40 years of titles, the series has produced some of the most beloved classics in the industry as well as a handful of games that don’t quite live up to their predecessors.
Fortunately, the series has many great entries that can make even the longest of games seem like a breeze to complete. While most JRPGs feature an easy difficulty, Final Fantasy has its share of games that will challenge players.
Some of these challenges are designed to be as challenging as possible while others are more lenient. Regardless, these games are all enjoyable in their own ways.
It’s not just the story that makes them long, it’s also the amount of world exploration and side quests that come with each entry. The worlds in each Final Fantasy game are always vibrant and filled with people to interact with, which keeps the gameplay from feeling a little dull or repetitive.
The main story in Final Fantasy 1 takes you to the world of Aerith and follows four Light Warriors on a journey to defeat an evil force that is threatening humanity. Despite its primitive structure and lack of customization, the game still holds up pretty well as a NES title, albeit without the extra variety that would later come to be commonplace in other Final Fantasy games.
With its simple leveling system and straightforward progression, this first title isn’t a great way to experience the full breadth of Final Fantasy, but it’s an essential starting point for newcomers looking to understand how the series works.
As the first main entry in the franchise, it’s no surprise that this game took a while to reach its stride. But, luckily, Square Enix delivered the goods with a solid 35 hours of gameplay.
While it doesn’t hold up as well as its predecessors, Final Fantasy II does have a lot to offer. It’s also a bit of a textbook on the core mechanics that would soon be embraced by fans in subsequent titles, such as the job system, auto-potion systems, and gambit systems.
The original PlayStation version of this game, which was released near the end of its lifecycle in 2000, may not be as impressive as it once was, but the visuals still look stunning and it’s still a classic. It also features an active time battle system that was ahead of its time and a very strong and memorable cast.
The PlayStation 3 version of this game features a unique fast-forward mechanic that allows you to get to the end of your adventure faster than ever before. In addition to the fast-forward mechanic, this game also has some of the best music in the series and a compelling story that will keep you on your toes until the very end. While this game’s difficulty isn’t as challenging as some of its predecessors, it’s a fun and rewarding experience that can take you hours to complete.
