The best Final Fantasy game by critical consensus is Final Fantasy IX, the highest-rated entry on Metacritic at 94 and a love letter to the classic series. Right behind it, 2024’s Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (93) is the best-reviewed Final Fantasy in over two decades, with FF X, FF VII and FF XII all at 92. This ranking covers the mainline single-player games.
Few series inspire as much debate over the “best” entry, because the PlayStation-era classics and the modern remakes are all superb. Here is the full ranking by review scores.
94
Final Fantasy IX, the highest score
93
FF VII Rebirth, best in 23 years
1987
The original that saved Square
3
Games tied at 92 — a stacked top tier
The best Final Fantasy games, ranked
The mainline single-player games ranked by Metacritic and critical consensus.
#
Game
Year
Metacritic
1
Final Fantasy IX
2000
94
2
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
2024
93
3
Final Fantasy X
2001
92
4
Final Fantasy VII
1997
92
5
Final Fantasy XII
2006
92
6
Final Fantasy VIII
1999
90
7
Final Fantasy VI
1994
Pre-Metacritic classic
8
Final Fantasy VII Remake
2020
87
9
Final Fantasy XVI
2023
87
10
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
2013
86
11
Final Fantasy IV
1991
Genre-shaping classic
12
Final Fantasy XV
2016
81
The top Final Fantasy games by Metacritic — FF IX leads, FF VII Rebirth close behind.
How we ranked them
This list follows critical consensus, led by Metacritic. The PlayStation-era classics dominate: FF IX (94), FF X, FF VII and FF XII all score 92 or higher. FF VII Rebirth’s 93 makes it the best-reviewed Final Fantasy in 23 years, splitting the old guard. The 16-bit classics FF VI and FF IV predate Metacritic but are perennial fixtures near the top of critic and fan rankings, so they sit on reputation. We’ve focused on the mainline single-player entries rather than spin-offs and MMOs beyond the acclaimed A Realm Reborn.
The essential Final Fantasy games
Four games that define the series.
💐
Final Fantasy IX
2000 · 94
The classic-style farewell to the PS1 era — the highest-rated
#1
🌪️
FF VII Rebirth
2024 · 93
The remake middle chapter — best Final Fantasy in 23 years
Best modern
⚽
Final Fantasy X
2001 · 92
The PS2 landmark — voice acting and the first fully 3D world
The best part: almost every game is a fresh, standalone story.
👆
The best entry points
For a modern start, Final Fantasy VII Remake (then Rebirth) or Final Fantasy XVI are the most accessible. For the classics, Final Fantasy X and IX are the friendliest ways into the turn-based era. Every mainline game has its own world and cast, so you can begin anywhere.
Best Final Fantasy games FAQ
What is the best Final Fantasy game?
By Metacritic, Final Fantasy IX at 94 is the highest-rated. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (93) is the best modern entry, and FF X, FF VII and FF XII all tie at 92, so the “best” is famously a matter of taste.
Is Final Fantasy VII Rebirth the best in the series?
At 93 on Metacritic it’s the best-reviewed Final Fantasy in 23 years, second only to FF IX. It’s the standout modern entry, though the classic PlayStation-era games remain neck-and-neck at the top.
Which Final Fantasy should I play first?
Final Fantasy VII Remake or Final Fantasy XVI for a modern start, or Final Fantasy X and IX for the classic turn-based style. Each game is standalone, so there’s no wrong place to begin.
Do I need to play Final Fantasy games in order?
No. Almost every numbered game is a completely separate world, story and cast. The main exception is the FF VII Remake trilogy (Remake, Rebirth and the finale), which should be played in order.
Which is the best classic Final Fantasy?
Final Fantasy IX (94) is the highest-rated classic, with FF X, FF VII and FF VIII close behind. The 16-bit Final Fantasy VI is the critics’ and fans’ pick for the best of the pre-3D era.
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