Final Fantasy has been Square Enix’s flagship RPG series since 1987. Across 16 mainline entries, dozens of spin-offs, and one very ambitious MMO, the franchise has produced some of the highest-scoring games in video game history. But which entries actually hold up best when you look at the numbers?
Using aggregated critic scores from Metacritic — the industry’s most widely cited review-aggregation site — here’s a data-backed ranking of the Final Fantasy games critics loved the most, along with what makes each one worth playing today.
The Highest-Rated Final Fantasy Game
Final Fantasy IX, released for the original PlayStation in 2000, holds the highest Metascore in the franchise’s history at 94/100. It remains the only mainline Final Fantasy game to break the 94 mark, a record that has stood since its release.
Final Fantasy Games Ranked by Metacritic Score
| Rank | Game | Platform / Year | Metascore |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Final Fantasy IX | PS1, 2000 | 94 |
| 2 (tie) | Final Fantasy VII | PS1, 1997 | 92 |
| 2 (tie) | Final Fantasy X | PS2, 2001 | 92 |
| 2 (tie) | Final Fantasy XII | PS2, 2006 | 92 |
| 2 (tie) | Final Fantasy VI (Advance) | GBA, 2006 | 92 |
| 2 (tie) | Final Fantasy VII Rebirth | PS5, 2024 | 92 |
| 2 (tie) | Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker | PC/PS, 2021 | 92 |
| 8 | Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers | PC/PS, 2019 | 90 |
| 9 | Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade | PS5, 2021 | 89 |
| 10 (tie) | Final Fantasy XVI | PS5, 2023 | 87 |
| 10 (tie) | Final Fantasy VII Remake | PS4, 2020 | 87 |
| 12 | Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn | Multi, 2013 | 86 |
| 13 | Final Fantasy XV: Royal Edition | Multi, 2018 | 85 |
| 14 | Final Fantasy XV | Multi, 2016 | 81 |
Scores reflect the highest-reviewed platform version of each release and may shift slightly over time as more critic reviews are added.
Final Fantasy IX (2000) — Metascore: 94
Final Fantasy IX closed out the series’ PlayStation era by returning to the medieval, whimsical fantasy roots the first few games were built on, moving away from the sci-fi tone of VII and VIII. Critics praised its lush, painterly environments, its uniformly well-written cast — Vivi and Zidane in particular are still fan favorites — and a tactical evolution of the Active Time Battle system. Over two decades later, it’s still widely cited by fans and outlets as the most “complete” entry in the classic era, and it’s the only entry in the franchise to top the 94 Metascore mark.
Final Fantasy VII (1997) — Metascore: 92
The game that introduced most of the Western world to Japanese RPGs, the original Final Fantasy VII is remembered for Cloud, Sephiroth, and a plot twist that’s been referenced in gaming culture for almost three decades. Its cinematic pre-rendered backgrounds were groundbreaking for 1997, and its influence is a big reason Square Enix eventually greenlit the multi-part Remake project.
Final Fantasy X (2001) — Metascore: 92
The first mainline entry on PlayStation 2, Final Fantasy X introduced full voice acting to the series and a more linear, story-driven structure. Tidus’s brighter, more emotionally open personality was a deliberate contrast to earlier protagonists, and the game’s Sphere Grid progression system and underwater visual design were considered a leap forward for the console generation.
Final Fantasy XII (2006) — Metascore: 92
Set in the richly detailed world of Ivalice, Final Fantasy XII moved the series toward a real-time “Gambit” battle system that let players program AI behavior for their party. It was a divisive shift at the time, but it’s aged into one of the more respected entries for its political storytelling and open, MMO-inspired world design — ideas that would later resurface in Final Fantasy XI and XIV.
Final Fantasy VI Advance (2006) — Metascore: 92
Widely regarded as the best version of one of the most beloved entries in the series, the Game Boy Advance port of Final Fantasy VI added bonus content and translation improvements to an already critically loved SNES classic. Kefka remains one of the series’ most memorable villains, and the game’s ensemble cast and darker second half are frequently cited in “best RPGs of all time” conversations.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (2024) — Metascore: 92
The second chapter of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, Rebirth expanded Midgar’s story into a sprawling open world covering Costa del Sol, the Gold Saucer, and beyond. It earned Metacritic’s “Must-Play” distinction and briefly held the title of the highest-scoring Final Fantasy game in 23 years before settling at a tied 92. Critics highlighted its combat system, character writing, and scale, while some reviews flagged pacing and side-content bloat as the game’s main weaknesses.
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker (2021) — Metascore: 92
Endwalker closed out the decade-long “Hydaelyn and Zodiark” story arc of Final Fantasy XIV, Square Enix’s MMORPG. Widely considered the emotional high point of the game’s story so far, it’s frequently ranked by critics and fans alike as one of the best expansions in any MMO, not just Final Fantasy.
Honorable Mentions Just Outside the Top Tier
- Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers (2019) — 90: The expansion that turned FFXIV’s reputation around for good, introducing the fan-favorite Crystarium and Trust system.
- Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (2021) — 89: The enhanced PS5 edition of Remake, bundled with the Yuffie-focused Episode INTERmission.
- Final Fantasy XVI (2023) — 87: A bigger swing toward real-time action combat, directed by Naoki Yoshida, with a war-driven political plot closer in tone to Game of Thrones than earlier entries.
- Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020) — 87: The first chapter of the VII Remake trilogy, confined to Midgar but praised for its combat overhaul and character depth.
Why Metacritic Scores Don’t Always Match Fan Rankings
It’s worth noting that Metascore and fan-favorite status don’t always line up. Final Fantasy VII, for instance, is frequently voted the “best” or most influential Final Fantasy game by players, yet it sits tied at 92 rather than at the top. Meanwhile, older games like Final Fantasy VI have fewer critic reviews on file simply because Metacritic didn’t exist when they originally released — its 92 score comes from the 2006 Game Boy Advance re-release, not the 1994 original. That means direct comparisons across eras should be read as a helpful guide, not a perfect science.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the highest-rated Final Fantasy game on Metacritic?
A: Final Fantasy IX, with a Metascore of 94, is the highest-rated mainline Final Fantasy game.
Q: Is Final Fantasy VII Rebirth the best-reviewed Final Fantasy game?
A: It’s tied for the second-highest Metascore in the series at 92, alongside Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy XII, Final Fantasy VI Advance, and Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker.
Q: What is the lowest-rated Final Fantasy game?
A: The original 2007 PSP port of the very first Final Fantasy holds one of the series’ lowest Metascores, alongside spin-offs like Dissidia NT.
Q: Does Final Fantasy XVI count as one of the best-reviewed entries?
A: Yes. Its 87 Metascore places it firmly in “generally favorable” territory, though it trails the series’ top tier of games with Metascores above 90.
Scores sourced from Metacritic and current as of publication; Metascores can shift slightly as new critic reviews are added over time.