Final Fantasy: where to start and what to buy

Final Fantasy has spent nearly four decades mixing crystals, chocobos, and impossible swords. In the store you’ll see sixteen main entries, remasters, remakes, spin-offs, and a modern VII trilogy that doesn’t work like the rest.

In 2026 the picture looks like this: Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade and Rebirth are on PS5, PC, Xbox Series, and Switch 2; Revelation, the third part, arrives in 2027. If you open Steam and can’t tell whether to grab X, XVI, or the VII pack, this guide answers one question: what to buy for your situation.

What Final Fantasy is (no spoilers)

Final Fantasy is a long-running Square Enix saga: turn-based or action combat depending on the entry, stories that blend fantasy and technology, summons, and characters who pop up again in the odd spin-off. Each numbered main game tells its own story; you don’t need I to understand XVI.

What repeats are identity markers (chocobos, crystals, recurring names), not one continuous plot. Something similar happens with The Legend of Zelda, as we cover in that guide.

Final Fantasy XIV is the format exception: a subscription MMO, not an offline game. If you want an adventure that ends in a single title, don’t start there.

The other exception is the Final Fantasy VII Remake → Rebirth → Revelation trilogy. Three parts of the same project; here you do need the order.

How they fit together

Three blocks. You don’t have to play them all; what matters is knowing what’s tied to what.

1. Numbered entries (I–XVI): standalone stories. Pick by style or era, not by number.
2. Modern VII trilogy: a remake of Cloud’s story in three games; fixed order.
3. Ivalice (XII + Tactics): same universe, different stories. Nice lore extras, not required.

The VII trilogy

The 1997 VII original is still on sale and stands alone, but Square Enix is betting on the modern trilogy. You don’t need the classic to play the remake.

Why not everything is in the carousel

• I through V (Pixel Remaster): if classics interest you, jump to VI; the I–VI bundle only pays off if you want all six.
• XIII and sequels: their own linear trilogy; not a gateway to the saga.
• Spin-offs (Crisis Core, Stranger of Paradise…): extra lore, not main numbering.

The games that matter

Cards are in release order and show the version I’d buy today. Screenshots so you can see tone and setting.

What edition to buy

General rule: don’t buy the old original if a remaster or re-release exists. In 2026 there’s almost always a better version.

Bundles worth a look

Always compare with individual sale prices. The Twin Pack is usually cheaper than two separate modern VII purchases.

Where to start

Game Pass and PS Plus rotate catalogues: check today’s listing before you pay. More context in Game Pass and PS Plus.

Final Fantasy Tactics

Final Fantasy Tactics isn’t a traditional menu RPG: grid-based battles in Ivalice (a different setting). Standalone story; you don’t need any other Final Fantasy.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles has been on sale since September 2025 on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch / Switch 2. Enhanced version with voice acting and Squire difficulty, plus a classic mode with the War of the Lions translation. If you like Fire Emblem or tactics games, I wouldn’t skip it.

Shares a universe with XII, but you don’t need one to understand the other.

In short

Pick by style, not number: VII Remake for the most spectacular entry, X for classic turn-based, VI or IX for retro, XVI for pure action.

And remember: except the VII trilogy and a few other exceptions, you can play whichever you like. They’re self-contained stories.

Final Fantasy