After rating the entire Mario video games on Change final week, the place else might I sensibly go subsequent however to the Ultimate Fantasy sequence? Look, it is sensible in my head. There are loads of Ultimate Fantasy video games on the Nintendo Change. Mainline video games, spin-off video games, and… nicely, that might by definition be all there may be, I suppose. Since Jared is off the planet proper now and Mikhail is battling ferocious tigers in my underground lair, that is the right time to go for it but once more. Identical to final time, I’ll be rating the entire video games from the very worst to the perfect. I take sole accountability for these probably dangerous opinions. Let’s embark on a rating journey!
19. Ultimate Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Version
Each listing wants a sport on the backside, and right here is that this one’s. What might have been a enjoyable throwback to one of many quirkier spin-offs of the sequence rapidly turned bitter when principally nothing labored the best way it was meant to at launch. For such a multiplayer-focused sport, Ultimate Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Version is extremely fussy about how one can play with others. Even setting all of that apart, Crystal Chronicles has by no means been one of many brilliant spots of the franchise. Extra fascinating than good, however maybe price it in the event you can collect up sufficient folks and meet the sport’s necessities.
18. Chocobo GP
This sport met with loads of controversy at launch for feeling very very similar to a free-to-play sport with its service focus and monetization. Just lately, Sq. Enix up to date the sport to take away all of that cruft, permitting gamers to lastly benefit from the sport with none fuss. So how is it? It’s a relatively middling kart racer with some common monitor designs and a few Ultimate Fantasy fan service. Not dangerous, however inside these rankings, that isn’t ok to return in larger than this.
17. Ultimate Fantasy XV Pocket Version HD
Positive, Sq. Enix would possibly have been in a position to deliver the big-pants model of Ultimate Fantasy XV to the Change with a good bit of effort. However as an alternative the Change acquired this cellular tackle the sport, which swaps in exaggerated variations of the characters for the life like fashions and enormously simplifies the gameplay and world. It’s actually fascinating, typically feeling like a nod to traditional Ultimate Fantasy, however a mere shadow of one of many lesser video games in the primary sequence can solely go thus far.
16. Ultimate Fantasy II
Argh, it pains me. However we now have to begin placing the mainline video games in right here someplace, and regardless of my affection for the charms of this curious sport, even I’ve to confess it’s most likely the final sport within the sequence I’d advocate. Its counter-intuitive mechanics, annoying monster closets, and troublesome problem curve make this one which loads of gamers are prone to bounce off of. In the event you do take to it, you’ll most likely prefer it lots. I might need been persuaded to place this one up a bit of larger if it had the Soul of Rebirth epilogue from earlier variations, nevertheless it doesn’t. Price making an attempt, nevertheless it’s an acquired style on its finest day.
15. World of Ultimate Fantasy Maxima
It looks like making a spin-off of Ultimate Fantasy that’s itself a turn-based RPG is a bit of odd, however I suppose there are a minimum of a number of of these. World of Ultimate Fantasy is an odd little sport, nevertheless it’s one which an individual might love in the event that they had been inclined to. Created as a celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the sequence, it’s crammed to the brim with nods to the assorted mainline video games and even a number of issues outdoors of that. As a crossover sport, the story isn’t the very best. However it does deliver again the Lively Time Battle system from earlier video games, and the entire thing is only a good fluffy RPG to select your means via.
14. Assortment of SaGa Ultimate Fantasy Legend
Okay, this one is barely getting in on a technicality. It has Ultimate Fantasy within the title within the West, so we’ve acquired to deal with it. Many individuals know now that these aren’t actually Ultimate Fantasy video games, however are as an alternative the primary three video games within the SaGa sequence. However wait! It might be argued that the SaGa sequence itself spawned from sequence black sheep Ultimate Fantasy II, so possibly they’re Ultimate Fantasy video games in any case? Both means, this provides you three nice Sport Boy RPGs to play. They’re robust as nails, however persevere and also you’ll discover the treasure inside.
13. Chocobo’s Thriller Dungeon Each Buddy!
You both like Thriller Dungeon video games otherwise you don’t. The Japanese-style roguelike is one thing most Western gamers could be aware of via the Pokemon Thriller Dungeon sequence, and whereas the broad roguelike style has caught on like wild of late, this particular department appears to nonetheless solely get the occasional launch. Chocobo’s Thriller Dungeon is an odd one, sitting between the full accessibility of the Pokemon video games and the deeper, extra punishing Shiren video games. It makes use of the Ultimate Fantasy model nicely, nevertheless, and it’s virtually price it for the soundtrack alone. Plus, who doesn’t like seeing Chocobo gown up as varied Ultimate Fantasy job courses?
12. Ultimate Fantasy
One other mainline entry, and this rating is already getting actually arduous. I take pleasure in enjoying via the unique Ultimate Fantasy and accomplish that a minimum of yearly. It has a pleasant tempo to it, and for its time it’s actually bold by way of storytelling and customizability. However a part of being step one on a journey is that lots of the steps that comply with are extra thrilling, and that’s the case right here. I ought to word that we’re nicely into the portion of the listing that I’d say are actually good video games, so I’d nonetheless vigorously advocate you play this.
11. Disaster Core -Ultimate Fantasy VII- Reunion
I’ll catch some warmth for placing this as excessive as I’m, however I actually like Disaster Core. It added context to Ultimate Fantasy VII that genuinely made the sport higher for me. It additionally added context that made it worse, however we don’t discuss Genesis. He does lots of that on his personal, thanks. All joking apart, the breezy missions are match for moveable gamers, the foolish story is oddly compelling, and the ending is a real all-timer. Zack for all times.
10. Ultimate Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age
There are elements of Ultimate Fantasy XII that I feel symbolize the height of the sequence, however there are additionally elements that simply don’t work nicely in any respect. I’ll say that this Zodiac Age model of the sport fixes loads of points with the unique, so in the event you’ve by no means tried it I do advocate it. Owing to the group behind it, Ultimate Fantasy XII has a sense fairly not like every other sport within the sequence, and its offline MMO really feel is a captivating marker of its period. Balthier and Fran alone make this sport price enjoying, however I feel extra systems-oriented gamers will admire the complexity of the Gambit System and the License Board.
9. Ultimate Fantasy III
The most effective of the NES Ultimate Fantasy video games, Ultimate Fantasy III might virtually trick somebody into pondering it originated on a 16-bit platform. Sq. actually swung for the stands with this sport, implementing the primary recognizable model of the now-famous Job System, a number of worlds to discover, and one of many coolest airships in your entire sequence. It additionally has one of the crucial endurance-testing ultimate dungeons Ultimate Fantasy has to supply. Collection composer Nobuo Uematsu actually began hitting his stride right here, with some actually incredible items that sounded nice on the 8-bit console and are even higher on this remastered type. In case your solely expertise with this sport is from the Nintendo DS model, I urge you to do this extra devoted remake. It’s a much better sport.
8. Ultimate Fantasy VIII Remastered
One other controversial entry within the sequence, Ultimate Fantasy VIII was daring sufficient to take loads of Ultimate Fantasy traditions and dump them within the recycling bin in favor of its personal typically poorly-explained concepts. Alongside an analogous line, the story opts to middle across the romance between the 2 foremost characters at the beginning. It may possibly really feel like loads of teenage drama at instances, however there are themes right here you received’t discover in any of the opposite video games. Talking of themes, that is one other sport with a spectacular soundtrack. Attempt to not fear an excessive amount of about min-maxing the sport and simply play it by itself phrases and also you is perhaps shocked at what it has to supply.
7. Ultimate Fantasy IX
There was a time the place I most likely would have put this even larger on my listing, however revisiting it has pulled it down ever so barely in my eyes. I like the artwork fashion of this sport. The world and character designs are extremely inventive. The music is top-tier. The story is fascinating and the characters are charming. That each one being stated, I’ve to acknowledge that the sport can really feel as sluggish as molasses at instances, and you may simply see the prices of how far it pushed the unique PlayStation. Nonetheless an ideal sport that rewards sequence followers fairly nicely and serves as a nice send-off for a specific period of the franchise.
6. Ultimate Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster
On their very own, neither of those video games would are available fairly so excessive on this listing. Collectively, they’re sturdy. Ultimate Fantasy X is the place the sequence began to go a bit weirder, however its mechanics make for a extra strategic sport total. The story is fascinating, even when a few of the characters will be annoying at instances. Ultimate Fantasy X-2 initially comes off as frivolous and systems-focused, and it’s certainly each of these issues, nevertheless it additionally has some precise issues to say in regards to the commodification of tragedy that resonate immediately simply in addition to they did twenty years in the past.
5. Theatrhythm Ultimate Bar Line
My favourite Ultimate Fantasy spin-off sequence is the Theatrhythm model of rhythm video games. Ultimate Bar Line loses a few of the playability of the unique and Curtain Name, nevertheless it makes up for it with an absurd monitor listing of tons of of songs and loads of fascinating new components. Music has all the time been one of the crucial particular elements of the Ultimate Fantasy sequence, and this sequence and sport rejoice that completely. It’s wild simply how a lot of the general franchise is represented right here, together with the broader world of Sq. RPGs.
4. Ultimate Fantasy IV
Okay, we’re attending to the highest of the listing and the toughest decisions of all of them. I like Ultimate Fantasy IV. I’ve so many necessary reminiscences with this sport, and I personal extra distinct copies of it than every other online game. It’s an ideal sport that provides you a bit of style of all the pieces that Ultimate Fantasy was up so far, and serves as a incredible introduction to the sequence. It’s about as linear because it will get, and the story is maybe a bit of too wanting to riff off of Star Wars, nevertheless it’s arduous to return away from this one with something however grand affection for its solid and world. It’s greater than thirty years outdated now, nevertheless it nonetheless holds up amazingly nicely.
3. Ultimate Fantasy VII
I feel it’s secure to say that not many individuals would care a few listing like this within the present yr if it weren’t for Ultimate Fantasy VII. It introduced the sequence to prominence within the West and, along with Pokemon, allowed the Japanese RPG style to lastly correctly catch on outdoors of Japan. Visually, it isn’t the dynamo it as soon as was, however the story and gameplay are nonetheless superb. As we get on from the PlayStation increasingly in years, I discover myself pining for video games that give me that good ol’ PlayStation really feel. This sport is, for me, one of many peak examples of that. It’s additionally one other approachable entry into the franchise, in case you want a kind of.
2. Ultimate Fantasy V
Ah, the bias. I’ll all the time, all the time cheerlead for Ultimate Fantasy V. The Job System makes it virtually infinitely replayable in a means few RPGs supply. The story balances the lighter and darker components of the sequence nicely. It actually feels just like the bridge between the Sakaguchi period of Ultimate Fantasy and the Kitase period, equal elements foolish slapstick and weighty introspection. It’s sandwiched between two legends within the Tremendous NES trilogy, and it’s the one which didn’t come out within the West again within the day, so it tends to get much less credit score than it deserves. Give it an sincere likelihood and I feel you’ll be shocked. And in the event you’ve performed it earlier than? It’s 4 Job Fiesta Time. Time to play once more.
1. Ultimate Fantasy VI
Right here it’s: the Ultimate Fantasy sport I feel is finest at this precise second of this precise day. It should most likely be totally different tomorrow. However actually, Ultimate Fantasy VI has all of it. An enormous solid of bizarre characters. A stable plot that retains pulling you to the very finish. An untouchable soundtrack. A little bit of the linear, a little bit of the non-linear. A pitch-perfect villain. Plenty of customization in character builds. A peppy fight system. In the event you solely play one Ultimate Fantasy (and that could be a very dangerous thought since you ought to play all of the Ultimate Fantasy), make it this Ultimate Fantasy.
Nicely, that appears about proper. As common with any listing, I’m certain most of you’ll disagree with some or all of it. Such is life. But when so, I’d love so that you can remark under and let me know what your favourite Ultimate Fantasy video games are on Change. Everybody likes to rank Ultimate Fantasy video games! Will this be my ultimate rating listing assault? We’ll see, mates. We’ll see. Thanks for studying!
