Steam’s Final Fantasy Sale Guide: Find Your Perfect Entry Point

The Final Fantasy franchise is on sale until Monday, July 14, making now the perfect time to dip your toe into one of the best video game franchises of all time. There’s something for everyone in Final Fantasy. If you’re a fan of the classic pixel art era of gaming, there’s a modern entry point to that style just for you. If you’re a fan of the blockbuster hits of gaming, the newest releases in the franchise provide the perfect entry point for you. But what if you don’t know? There are 16 mainline numbered entries, but even these have their spinoffs, prequels, sequels, and remakes. Where should you begin if you’re entirely new to the franchise? We’ve done the work for you, and below are the five best entry points to Final Fantasy.

Final Fantasy 10 is a perfect entry point because it offers a highly accessible blend of classic and modern Final Fantasy elements. It’s straightforward, with a great deal of attention paid to the narrative it wants to convey. When fans think of what it means to be a Final Fantasy, the standard criteria are usually turn-based, beautiful score, and engaging emotional narratives. Final Fantasy 10 checks off every box. If you’re looking for something easy to pick up, Final Fantasy 10 is for you.

• Turn-based / Action-RPG
• Steam Discount – 60% / 25%
• Metacritic Score – 92 (Universal Acclaim) / 87 (Generally Favorable)

Final Fantasy 7 is hands down the franchise’s most iconic entry. It’s a fan-favorite classic with a fantastic story and cast of characters. While its visuals may be dated, you can mod the PC release and breathe new life into its gameplay. If you’re somebody who prefers turn-based, then the original Final Fantasy 7 is undoubtedly the way to go. You get the whole story as well as a chance to experience a truly monumental piece of gaming history. If you prefer real-time combat, then Final Fantasy 7 Remake is for you. While there’s plenty of game here for you to sink your teeth into, this remake only covers a small portion of the entire story. Unfortunately, that’s the trade-off.

Final Fantasy is known for its charm and whimsical roots, and no other game better displays those roots than Final Fantasy 9. This entry feels like a child’s storybook, but in a way that’s accessible for people of all ages. The title is a masterclass in storytelling and character development, and it’s one of the easier titles to get into due to its tight leveling curve. When compared to the other entries with more complex game mechanics and storytelling, this entry is straightforward. If you love medieval fantasy and heartwarming adventures, this is the game for you.

Final Fantasy 6 is the perfect answer to those who love pixel art and want to dive into the classics first. If you’re going to start from the very beginning of Final Fantasy’s history, we recommend you play this title. It takes the ideas, vibes, and mechanics introduced in the first Final Fantasy and completely masters them; there’s a reason many consider it one of the best in the series even to this day. Final Fantasy 6 is iconic, featuring an iconic villain, a phenomenal story, and an incredibly polished classic turn-based gameplay experience.

Even though Final Fantasy 6 is seen as the peak of classic Final Fantasy, a lot of the things that we praise the series for made their debut in Final Fantasy 4. The ATB system and intense, dramatic storytelling that defined the franchise up to Final Fantasy 10 all found their starts in this title. Additionally, if you know you’re going to love this franchise, or even if you’re trying to get back into the series, it’s a great primer on Final Fantasy tropes, such as crystals and dragoons. While every Final Fantasy is different, they all share similar themes and building blocks. Final Fantasy 4 is for those who want to start at the beginning of the golden era of Final Fantasy.