It would be impossible to talk about the most legendary series in gaming history without mentioning the long-lasting JRPG series that isFinal Fantasy. Initially serving as a final breath of sorts for Square, the runaway success of this 1987 gem spawneda massive franchisethat is full of mainline titles, spin-offs, remakes, movies, and whatnot.
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Each successiveFinal Fantasygame has featured numerous advancements for the franchise, ranging from that shift into 3D graphics withFinal Fantasy VIIto the removal of turn-based combat altogether inFinal Fantasy XV. However, there are certain aspects of the series that have remained constant to this day, with the inclusion ofa party of heroesbeing perhaps the most notable of these elements.
Even with the shrunken size ofFinal Fantasy XV, this party system has been quite consistent across theFinal Fantasygames, which certainly begs the question — whichFinal Fantasymain party is the best of the lot?
13Final Fantasy
There’s nothing really to talk about when it comes to the firstFinal Fantasygame when it comes to the main party.
All four Warriors of Light are as generic and stoic as can be, not uttering a single phrase through the game as they just follow the plot of a by-the-numbers RPG. While choosing their jobs might add a slight bit of depth, they still pale in comparison to the otherFinal Fantasyparty members on this list.
12Final Fantasy III
After giving the four heroes some character in the previous game, Square decided to go down a puzzling route by reverting back to the stoic heroes of the first game.
The four orphans don’t really band together for any particular reason, and most of their interactions feel rather forced in the remake as well. As such, they feel like generic stand-ins and fall flat for the very same reasons that the OGFinal Fantasyparty did.
11Final Fantasy XIII
It’s a testament to the bog-standard writing ofFinal Fantasy XIII’s characters that the main party doesn’t even come anywhere close to the top half of this list, residing with some of the more generic writing that drags down a few of the other past games.
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Each one of the characters inFinal Fantasy XIIIis written in such a boring and uninteresting manner that having to sit through any one of their interactions just feels like a chore.
10Final Fantasy II
Square decided to take some bold new steps withFinal Fantasy II, and while most of them might not have paid off in the long run, the same can’t be said for the life they added to the party members.
All of a sudden, the main characters inFinal Fantasy IIactually had names, motivations, and backstories, even though it might not have been the most revolutionary writing in the world. It was the stepping stone that Square used for the future games in the series — excludingFinal Fantasy III, that is.
9Final Fantasy V
Final Fantasy V’s cast of characters might be somewhat memorable, but one can’t deny that their individual stories were discarded during the game to focus more on the game’s overarching story itself.
Not that that’s a bad thing —Final Fantasy Vis definitely a great game in the series, but it could’ve certainly benefited from some good character writing. This is especially true in this instance given the fact that the previous games in the series excelled in that regard.
8Final Fantasy XII
Final Fantasy XII’s colorful cast of characters is definitely intriguing in its own way, but — similar to the situation discussed before — the characters take a backseat to the overarching plot… for the most part.
This leads to the characters inFinal Fantasy XIIfeeling just a bit too stitched together for the liking of most fans. That isn’t to say that it’s without standout mentions such as Balthier and Fran, but they can hardly be expected to bear the entirety of the burden in terms of personal charisma.
7Final Fantasy XV
Final Fantasy XVcould’ve potentially had one of the best party setups in the entire franchise, had it not been for the limitations of the game’s development.
While the four boys definitely feel like a tight group throughoutFinal Fantasy XV, their impact throughout the entire story feels oddly disjointed, which, given the unfinished nature of the game’s second half — took away from their endearing camaraderie.
6Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy IXhas some of the most endearing characters in the entire series, and their placement signifies a tonal shift for this list, where every main party has been stellar in some way or another. While most of the characters (even Quina) are well fleshed out and vibrant, Vivi’s story is absolutely a notable highlight in a game that’s already full to the brim with memorable moments.
5Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy IVwas the first game in the series to truly embrace the power of good writing, crafting a well-made story centered around a cast of unlikely-yet-endearing heroes as they save the world from an unsightly threat. Each party member inFinal Fantasy IVis fueled by his or her own ambitions, and watching all their stories unfold is definitely a treat to witness.
4Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy VIIImight’ve been considered by many to be the black sheep of the franchise at the time of its release, but there’s no denying that the perception of this title has improved over time.
A large part of why this is the case is the characters, who have grown into fan favorites. While the idea of every character coming from the same orphanage might’ve been somewhat odd, it’s still just a relatively small problem in an otherwise great title. Every character, even the stoic and withdrawn Squall,feelsreal in a way that sets a benchmark for all of the titles that followed.
