Summary
Final Fantasyis one of the most well-known RPG franchises in the world. With such a large library of games for players to enjoy, there is bound to be an entry that you can experience to get a small taste of the franchise. Spin-offs are the perfect opportunity to explore the world of Final Fantasy from a different angle and try out some new gameplay mechanics.
Not all spin-off games are completely separate from the main timelines established in the core games; some are vital parts of the canon, while others are just there to challenge your brain. From casual minigames to critically acclaimed entries, these are the eight best Final Fantasy spin-off titles.
Every franchise needs its own silly little racing spinoff. Final Fantasy is no different. Chocobo Racing isa lighthearted kart racerthat features many recurring but not necessarily major characters from the Final Fantasy series. Consider it a game for all the mascots that you love to see.
These characters include Chocobo, Cactuar, Mog, and many more as they compete to see who will cross the finish line first. While reviews for the game are mixed, it is still a very cute game to play at parties and a way better racing game than its eventual mobile reincarnation. It’s fun, campy, and worthy of being a niche little Final Fantasy spin-off.
Back in the PSP era of games,one of the greatest exclusives of all timewas Dissidia. Dissidia is a series of action role-playing games that brings together many fan-favorite characters from the Final Fantasy series for a full-on crossover. This includes characters from the first game all the way towards the twelfth.
The gameplay is both real-time and strategic, making it unique among titles within the same genre. The first title is considered one of the best Final Fantasy spin-off games for showering the series with love and bringing attention to some of the older titles in the mainline games.
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy blends music and RPG elements to form a combination that feels right at home in the Final Fantasy Franchise. The average gameplay consists of choosing a game and then using your rhythm skills to get through each stage.
However, it’s not as simple as it looks. You’ll be using your skills to play through sidescrolling stages, battling enemies, and eventually, boss battles. The game also has a plot that brings together characters from every Final Fantasy title to restore a crystal that holds the universe together. This crystal is powered by Rhythmia which is the power of music.
Final Fantasy Tactics is a smash hit game for the original PlayStation and one of the best Final Fantasy spin-offs in general. It takes on a more strategic gameplay than previous titles, which forces players to consider their options, the map, and positioning in order to truly excel.
This kind of challenge, however, is welcome as victories feel more rewarding. The game also challenges players to work on character customization, as each class has different and more refined uses in battle as well as in their jobs. This makes it so that you’re always thinking strategically. While the game is far from simple, it is worth checking out.
Seeing as the success of Final Fantasy Tactics was locked behind a home console, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance tried to remedy this with a Game Boy Advance entry. This is a game that is chock-full of features from the original, such as a job system, tactical gameplay, and even changes the art style to 2D, which is one change that was considered for the original.
TheGame Boy Advance titleis also a bit more user-friendly than the PlayStation entry, such as a quick save feature. There is also a lay system in place that changes the rules of battle and lawless areas that put your best characters at risk of leaving the party and never coming back.
World of Final Fantasy takes the franchise in a different direction and is great for older fans of the franchise but also for newcomers as well. It acts more likea creature-collecting RPGthat includes monsters from every single game in the franchise. You can capture a Chocobo or tame a Cactuar as you interact with other characters from the mainline games.
These monsters are known as Mirages and can be used in battle. Every Mirage is different, with some being bigger than others or even having a key elemental power that will help you succeed. You’ll need to learn the right combination and customize your Mirages if you want to succeed.
Final Fantasy Type-0 is an action role-playing game originally developed for the PSP and later remastered for a more worldwide release. The story follows Class Zero, a group of 14 cadets with unique magical abilities, as they fight to protect their kingdom from invading forces.
The game features real-time combat and multiple characters that need to be controlled at the same time. Luckily, they all have their own distinct skills and weapons to make it worth the effort. You also have the AI which will lend you a hand in controlling them all in battle. You just need to choose which ones you want to take with you. Each character also has their own story to get invested in.
Final Fantasy 7 is one of the best mainline games in the franchise. As part of that series, a spin-off titled Crisis Core explores Midgar from Zack Fair’s point of view, several years before the events of the main game.
What makes Crisis Core so unique is that, despite being a spin-off, it’s important to the overall narrative of Final Fantasy 7 and helps fill in some story gaps for Cloud’s backstory. The spin-off is so popular it even warranted a remaster which updates the gameplay and the graphical capabilities of the entry. It is an essential part of any PSP or Final Fantasy collection.
