Editing Final Fantasy (section)

== Reception ==
Overall, the ''Final Fantasy'' series has been critically acclaimed and commercially successful, though each installment has seen different levels of success. The series has seen a steady increase in total sales; it sold {{Nowrap|25 million}} units by 1999,<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MwKaAAAAIAAJ|title=J@pan, Inc|publisher=LINC Japan|year=1999|volume=1-10|pages=1, 56|quote=Square Co. is the maker of the ''Final Fantasy'' series, of which it's sold more than {{nowrap|25 million}} units worldwide. (...) ''Final Fantasy'' series, sales of which have reached some {{nowrap|25 million}} copies.}}</ref> and reached {{Nowrap|100 million}} units in 2011.<ref name="100mil">{{cite web|url=http://gamasutra.com/view/news/35096/Final_Fantasy_Series_Hits_100M_Units_Shipped.php |title=Final Fantasy Series Hits 100M Units Shipped |website=[[Gamasutra]] |date=June 7, 2011 |last=Rose |first=Mike |access-date=August 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819083134/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/35096/Final_Fantasy_Series_Hits_100M_Units_Shipped.php |archive-date=August 19, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> By March 2025, the series reached cumulative global physical and digital sales of 200 million units.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cue The Victory Fanfare, As Final Fantasy Franchise Surpasses 200 Million Copies Sold |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/cue-the-victory-fanfare-as-final-fantasy-franchise-surpasses-200-million-copies-sold/1100-6530133/ |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref>

Several games within the series have become best-selling games. At the end of 2007, the seventh, eighth, and ninth best-selling RPGs were ''Final Fantasy VII'', ''VIII'', and ''X'' respectively.<ref name="GWR08-RPG">{{cite book | editor= Craig Glenday | title= Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2008 | series= [[Guinness World Records]] | date= March 11, 2008 | publisher= Guinness | isbn= 978-1-904994-21-3 | pages= [https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec00guin_0/page/156 156–167] | chapter= Record Breaking Games: Role-Playing Games | chapter-url= https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec00guin_0 | url= https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec00guin_0/page/156}}</ref> The original ''Final Fantasy VII'' has sold over 14.4 million copies worldwide,<ref name="hd_square-enix_com">{{cite web |title=Annual Reports｜Investor Relations {{!}} SQUARE ENIX HOLDINGS CO., LTD. |url=https://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/ir/library/ar.html |website=www.hd.square-enix.com |access-date=29 October 2022 |language=en |archive-date=October 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028223018/https://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/ir/library/ar.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://press.na.square-enix.com/THRILLING-NEW-TRAILER-FOR-FINAL-FANTASY-VII-REBIRTH-SPOTLIGHTS-NOTORIO | title="THRILLING NEW TRAILER FOR FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH SPOTLIGHTS NOTORIOUS VIDEO GAME ANTAGONIST" - Square Enix North America Press Hub | access-date=January 31, 2024 | archive-date=January 31, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131183341/https://press.na.square-enix.com/THRILLING-NEW-TRAILER-FOR-FINAL-FANTASY-VII-REBIRTH-SPOTLIGHTS-NOTORIO | url-status=live}}</ref> earning it the position of the best-selling ''Final Fantasy'' game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.square-enix.com/na/company/press/2005/05152005/ |title=Square Enix Announces Release Date of Final Fantasy VII Advent Children |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |date=May 15, 2005 |access-date=August 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812051719/http://www.square-enix.com/na/company/press/2005/05152005/ |archive-date=August 12, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Within two days of ''Final Fantasy VIII''{{'}}s North American release on September 9, 1999, it became the top-selling video game in the United States, a position it held for more than three weeks.<ref name="charts">{{cite web|title=Final Fantasy VIII Tops Videogame Charts |date=October 5, 1999 |url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/071/071008p1.html |website=IGN |access-date=August 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805230113/http://psx.ign.com/articles/071/071008p1.html |archive-date=August 5, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Final Fantasy X'' sold over 1.4 million Japanese units in pre-orders alone, which set a record for the fastest-selling console RPG.<ref name="GWR08-RPG"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/096/096716p1.html |title=Final Fantasy X Sells Like Crazy; World Not Shocked |website=IGN |date=July 19, 2001 |access-date=August 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604124308/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/096/096716p1.html |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The MMORPG, ''Final Fantasy XI'', reached over 200,000 active daily players in March 2006<ref>{{cite web | last = Woodard | first = Christopher | title = GDC: Creating a Global MMO: Balancing Cultures and Platforms in Final Fantasy XI | website = [[Gamasutra]] | date = March 24, 2006 | url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/gdc-creating-a-global-mmo-balancing-cultures-and-platforms-in-i-final-fantasy-xi-i- | access-date = August 6, 2011 | url-status = live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207102248/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2635/gdc_all_about_ninetynine_nights_.php | archive-date=December 7, 2010}}</ref> and had reached over half a million subscribers by July 2007.<ref name="Edge177"/> ''Final Fantasy XII'' sold more than 1.7 million copies in its first week in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jenkins |first=David |date=March 24, 2006 |title=Japanese Sales Charts, Week Ending March 19 |publisher=[[Gamasutra]] |work=[[Media Create]] |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/japanese-sales-charts-week-ending-march-19 |access-date=August 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805164730/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=8671 |archive-date=August 5, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> By November 6, 2006—one week after its release—''XII'' had shipped approximately 1.5 million copies in North America.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 6, 2006 |title=Square Enix Announces Record Shipment With Final Fantasy XII |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |url=http://www.square-enix.com/na/company/press/2006/1106_1/ |access-date=August 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811181421/http://www.square-enix.com/na/company/press/2006/1106_1/ |archive-date=August 11, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Final Fantasy XIII'' became the fastest-selling game in the franchise,<ref name="GSpyfast">{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/final-fantasy-xiii/1078865p1.html |title=Final Fantasy XIII: Biggest First Week in Franchise History |date=March 19, 2010 |access-date=March 19, 2010 |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |last=Sharkey |first=Mike |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110507232613/http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/final-fantasy-xiii/1078865p1.html |url-status=live |archive-date=May 7, 2011}}</ref> and sold one million units on its first day of sale in Japan.<ref name="GSUTRA1mil">{{cite web|last=Alexander |first=Leigh |date=December 18, 2009 |title=FFXIII Tops 1 Million Units Day One |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/26571/FFXIII_Tops_1_Million_Units_Day_One.php |website=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=December 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100510025507/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/26571/FFXIII_Tops_1_Million_Units_Day_One.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 10, 2010}}</ref> ''Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn'', in comparison to its predecessor, was a runaway success, originally suffering from servers being overcrowded,<ref name="Kotaku early">{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/early-final-fantasy-xiv-launch-goes-surprise-badly-1198833060 |title=Early Final Fantasy XIV Launch Goes (Surprise!) Badly |author=Plunkett, Luke |publisher=Kotaku |date=August 25, 2013 |access-date=August 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827150147/http://kotaku.com/early-final-fantasy-xiv-launch-goes-surprise-badly-1198833060 |archive-date=August 27, 2013}}</ref> and eventually gaining over one million unique subscribers within two months of its launch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/203676/Final_Fantasy_XIV_hits_15M_registrations_after_relaunch_woes.php |title=Final Fantasy XIV hits 1.5M registrations after relaunch woes |last=Ligman |first=Kris |date=October 30, 2013 |work=[[Gamasutra]] |publisher=Think Services |access-date=October 31, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202202/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/203676/Final_Fantasy_XIV_hits_15M_registrations_after_relaunch_woes.php |archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref>

The series has received critical acclaim for the quality of its visuals and soundtracks.<ref name="Edge177"/> In 1996, ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' ranked the series collectively as the 17th best game of all time, speaking very highly of its graphics, music and stories.<ref name="NG1996">{{cite magazine |title=Top 100 Games of All Time |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=21 |page=64 |publisher=Imagine Media |location=United States |date=September 1996}}</ref> In 1999, ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' listed the ''Final Fantasy'' series as number 16 on their "Top 50 Games of All Time", commenting that "by pairing state-of-the-art technology with memorable, sometimes shamelessly melodramatic storylines, the series has successfully outlasted its competitors [...] and improved with each new installation".<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Top 50 Games of All Time |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=50 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=February 1999|page=79}}</ref> It was awarded a star on the [[Walk of Game]] in 2006, making it the first franchise to win a star on the event (other winners were individual games, not franchises). WalkOfGame.com commented that the series has sought perfection as well as having been a risk taker in innovation.<ref name="Walk">{{cite web | url = http://www.walkofgame.com/inductees/inductees.html | title = 2006 Walk of Game Inductees | publisher= [[Walk of Game]] | access-date = August 2, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080702165340/http://www.walkofgame.com/inductees/inductees.html | archive-date = July 2, 2008}}</ref> In 2006, [[GameFAQs]] held a contest for the best video game series ever, with ''Final Fantasy'' finishing as the runner-up to ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/bse|title=Summer 2006: Best. Series. Ever|website=[[GameFAQs]]|access-date=August 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606181323/http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/bse |archive-date=June 6, 2009}}</ref> In a 2008 public poll held by [[Game (retailer)|The Game Group plc]], ''Final Fantasy'' was voted the best game series, with five games appearing in their "Greatest Games of All Time" list.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.game.co.uk/lowdown.aspx?lid=9321 | title = Greatest Games Results | publisher = [[Game (retailer)|The Game Group plc]] | year = 2008 | access-date = August 6, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206155411/http://www.game.co.uk/lowdown.aspx?lid=9321 | archive-date=February 6, 2009}}</ref>

Many ''Final Fantasy'' games have been included in various lists of top games. Several games have been listed on multiple [[IGN]] "Top Games" lists.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://top100.ign.com/2003/index.html | title = IGN's Top 100 Games | website = IGN | year = 2003 | access-date = August 6, 2011 | url-status = dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222013658/http://top100.ign.com/2003/index.html | archive-date=February 22, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://top100.ign.com/2005/index.html | title = IGN's Top 100 Games | website = IGN | year = 2005 | access-date = August 6, 2011 | url-status = dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227082124/http://top100.ign.com/2005/index.html | archive-date=February 27, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Top 99 Games of All Time: Readers' Pick | url = http://microsites.ign.com/kfc/top99games/ | website = IGN | year = 2005 | access-date = August 6, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218133535/http://microsites.ign.com/kfc/top99games/ | archive-date=February 18, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://ps2.ign.com/articles/772/772296p3.html | title = The Top 25 PS2 Games of All Time | author = IGN PlayStation Team | website = IGN | date = March 16, 2007 | access-date = August 6, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228201618/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/772/772296p3.html | archive-date=February 28, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ie.ign.com/top/ps2-games/79 |title=Top 100 PlayStation 2 Games |access-date=November 17, 2012 |website=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618075638/http://ie.ign.com/top/ps2-games/79 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 18, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ie.ign.com/top/ps2-games/24 |title=Top 100 PlayStation 2 Games |access-date=November 17, 2012 |website=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618040824/http://ie.ign.com/top/ps2-games/24 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 18, 2013}}</ref> Twelve games were listed on ''[[Famitsu]]''{{'s}} 2006 "Top 100 Favorite Games of All Time", four of which were in the top ten, with ''Final Fantasy X'' and ''VII'' coming first and second, respectively.<ref name="Top100-famitsu">{{cite magazine | last = Campbell | first = Colin | year = 2006 | title=Japan Votes on All Time Top 100 | url = http://www.next-gen.biz/features/japan-votes-all-time-top-100 | magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] | access-date = August 6, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806220418/http://www.next-gen.biz/features/japan-votes-all-time-top-100 | archive-date=August 6, 2011}}</ref> The series holds seven [[Guinness World Records]] in the ''[[Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition]] 2008'', which include the "Most Games in an RPG Series" (13 main games, seven enhanced games, and 32 spin-off games), the "Longest Development Period" (the production of ''Final Fantasy XII'' took five years), and the "Fastest-Selling Console RPG in a Single Day" (''Final Fantasy X'').<ref name="GWR08-RPG"/><ref name="guinness">{{cite web | url = http://gamers.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/300708_ffiv.aspx | title=Record Breaking Final Fantasy Series heads to The Record Breaking Nintendo DS | first = Doug | last = Parsons | date=July 30, 2008 | publisher = [[Guinness World Records]] | access-date=August 6, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602083919/http://gamers.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/300708_ffiv.aspx | archive-date=June 2, 2009}}</ref> The 2009 edition listed two games from the series among the top 50 consoles games: ''Final Fantasy XII'' at number 8 and ''VII'' at number 20.<ref>{{cite book | title= Guinness World Records 2009 Gamer's Edition | series= [[Guinness World Records]] | date= February 3, 2009 | publisher= Guinness | isbn= 978-1-904994-45-9 | pages= [https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec0000unse_o9k7/page/190 190–191] | chapter= Top 50 Console Games | chapter-url= https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec0000unse_o9k7/page/190}}</ref> In 2018, ''Final Fantasy VII'' was inducted as a member of the [[World Video Game Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Locklear |first1=Mallory |title=Video Game Hall of Fame inducts 'Tomb Raider' and 'Final Fantasy VII' |url=https://www.engadget.com/2018/05/03/video-game-hall-of-fame-inducts-tomb-raider-final-fantasy-vii/ |website=Engadget |date=May 3, 2018 |access-date=May 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203202105/https://www.engadget.com/2018/05/03/video-game-hall-of-fame-inducts-tomb-raider-final-fantasy-vii/ |archive-date=February 3, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

However, the series has garnered some criticism. ''IGN'' has commented that the menu system used by the games is a major detractor for many and is a "significant reason why they haven't touched the series".<ref name="IGN-Evo"/> The site has also heavily criticized the use of random encounters in the series' battle systems.<ref name="IGNReview8">{{cite web | url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/153/153847p1.html | title=IGN: Final Fantasy VIII Review | website=IGN | last = Lundigran | first = Jeff | date=September 10, 1999 | access-date=August 6, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211123532/http://psx.ign.com/articles/153/153847p1.html | archive-date=February 11, 2009}}</ref><ref name="IGNReview9">{{cite web | url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/162/162190p1.html | title=IGN: Final Fantasy IX Review | website=IGN | last = Smith | first = David | date=November 22, 2000 | access-date=August 6, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212170216/http://psx.ign.com/articles/162/162190p1.html | archive-date=February 12, 2009}}</ref> ''IGN'' further stated that the various attempts to bring the series into film and animation have either been unsuccessful, unremarkable, or did not live up to the standards of the games.<ref name="IGN-FF-Anime"/> In 2007, ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' criticized the series for a number of related games that include the phrase "''Final Fantasy''" in their titles, which are considered inferior to previous games. It also commented that with the departure of [[Hironobu Sakaguchi]], the series might be in danger of growing stale.<ref name="Edge177"/>

Several individual ''Final Fantasy'' games have garnered extra attention; some for their positive reception and others for their negative reception. ''Final Fantasy VII'' topped ''[[GamePro]]'s'' "26 Best RPGs of All Time" list,<ref name="GamePro">{{cite magazine | title=The 26 Best RPGs of the All Time | url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/218144/the-26-best-rpgs-page-4-of-4/ | magazine=[[GamePro]] | date=November 5, 2008 | access-date=August 6, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806220746/http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/218144/the-26-best-rpgs-page-4-of-4/ | archive-date=August 6, 2011}}</ref> as well as GameFAQs "Best Game Ever" audience polls in 2004 and 2005.<ref>{{cite web | title=Spring 2004: Best. Game. Ever | url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/c04spr | website=[[GameFAQs]] | access-date=August 6, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209040851/http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/c04spr | archive-date=February 9, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Fall 2005: 10-Year Anniversary Contest—The 10 Best Games Ever | url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/top10 | website=[[GameFAQs]] | access-date=August 6, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090316073741/http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/top10 | archive-date=March 16, 2009}}</ref> Despite the success of ''VII'', it is sometimes criticized as being overrated. In 2003, [[GameSpy]] listed it as the seventh most overrated game of all time, while IGN presented views from both sides.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/september03/25overrated/ | title = 25 Most Overrated Games of All Time | publisher = [[GameSpy]] | date=September 2003 | access-date = August 6, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412074612/http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/september03/25overrated/ | archive-date=April 12, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://retro.ign.com/articles/958/958466p1.html |title=Is Final Fantasy VII Overrated? |first=Levi |last=Buchanan |website=IGN |date=March 3, 2009 |access-date=August 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310095415/http://retro.ign.com/articles/958/958466p1.html?%3F |archive-date=March 10, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII]]'' shipped 392,000 units in its first week of release, but received review scores that were much lower than that of other ''Final Fantasy'' games.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.m-create.com/eng/e_ranking.html | title = Top 10 Weekly Software Sales | date=January 23–29, 2006 | access-date = August 6, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060205034213/http://m-create.com/eng/e_ranking.html | archive-date = February 5, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/924449-dirge-of-cerberus-final-fantasy-vii/index.html | title = Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII Reviews | publisher = [[GameRankings]] | access-date = August 6, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625203933/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/924449-dirge-of-cerberus-final-fantasy-vii/index.html | archive-date=June 25, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/dirge-of-cerberus-final-fantasy-vii/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 | title = Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII Reviews | website = [[Metacritic]] | access-date = August 6, 2011 | url-status = live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806221819/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/dirge-of-cerberus-final-fantasy-vii | archive-date=August 6, 2011}}</ref> A delayed, negative review after the Japanese release of ''Dirge of Cerberus'' from Japanese gaming magazine ''Famitsu'' hinted at a controversy between the magazine and Square Enix.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/news/famitsu-digs-dirge-cerberus |website=[[1UP.com]] |title=Famitsu Digs Into Dirge of Cerberus |last=Dormer |first=Dan |date=February 8, 2006 |access-date=August 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629031252/http://www.1up.com/news/famitsu-digs-dirge-cerberus |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Though ''Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within'' was praised for its visuals, the plot was criticized and the film was considered a box office bomb.<ref name="MC-Spirits"/><ref name="Edge177"/><ref name="FFMovie-RPGamer"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within |last=Ebert |first=Roger |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20010711/REVIEWS/107110301/1023 |publisher=RogerEbert.com |date=July 11, 2001 |access-date=August 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620013901/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20010711%2FREVIEWS%2F107110301%2F1023 |archive-date=June 20, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles'' for the [[GameCube]] received overall positive review scores, but reviews stated that the use of [[Game Boy Advance]]s as controllers was a big detractor.<ref name="IGN-StateOfRPG"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/final-fantasy-crystal-chronicles |title=Reviews: FF: Crystal Chronicles |website=[[1UP.com]] |date=January 1, 2000 |access-date=August 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629031312/http://www.1up.com/reviews/final-fantasy-crystal-chronicles |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The predominantly negative reception of the original version of ''Final Fantasy XIV'' caused then-president Yoichi Wada to issue an official apology during a Tokyo press conference, stating that the brand had been "greatly damaged" by the game's reception.<ref name= "XIVapology">{{cite web|url=http://andriasang.com/comyby/|title=Square Enix CEO: Final Fantasy XIV Damaged FF Brand|author=Gantayat, Anoop|publisher=Andriasang.com|date=September 27, 2011|access-date=December 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121225060037/http://andriasang.com/comyby/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 25, 2012}}</ref>

===Rankings and aggregators===
Various video game publications have created rankings of the mainline ''Final Fantasy'' games. In the table below, the lower the number given, the better the game is in the view of the respective publication. By way of comparison, the ratings provided by ''[[Famitsu]]'' magazine and the review aggregator ''[[Metacritic]]'' are also given; in these rows, higher numbers indicate better reviews. Note that ''Metacritic'' ratings up until ''Final Fantasy VII'' largely represent retrospective reviews from online websites years after their initial release, rather than contemporary reviews from [[video game magazines]] at the time of their initial release.

{{Table alignment}}
{| class="wikitable col1left" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Publication<!-- Includes only sources deemed reliable per Wikipedia's internal guideline [[WP:VGRS]]. --> !! ''[[Final Fantasy I|I]]'' !! ''[[Final Fantasy II|II]]'' !! ''[[Final Fantasy III|III]]'' !! ''[[Final Fantasy IV|IV]]'' !! ''[[Final Fantasy V|V]]'' !! ''[[Final Fantasy VI|VI]]'' !! ''[[Final Fantasy VII|VII]]'' !! ''[[Final Fantasy VIII|VIII]]'' !! ''[[Final Fantasy IX|IX]]'' !! ''[[Final Fantasy X|X]]'' !! ''[[Final Fantasy XI|XI]]'' !! ''[[Final Fantasy XII|XII]]'' !! ''[[Final Fantasy XIII|XIII]]'' !! ''[[Final Fantasy XIV|XIV]]'' !! ''[[Final Fantasy XV|XV]]''
|-
|''[[Retro Gamer]]'' (2004)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Thorpe |first1=Nick |title=Flashback: Retro Gamer Readers' Top 100 Games (Circa 2004) |url=https://www.retrogamer.net/blog_post/flashback-retro-gamer-readers-top-100-games-circa-2004/ |access-date=7 February 2022 |work=[[Retro Gamer]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing Limited]] |date=6 January 2016 |archive-date=April 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405020223/http://www.retrogamer.net/blog_post/flashback-retro-gamer-readers-top-100-games-circa-2004/ |url-status=live}}</ref> || style="background:#DFB"| 2 ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || style="background:#BF7"| 1 ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||
|-
|''[[GamePro]]'' (2008)<ref name="GamePro" />||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || style="background:#BF7"| 1 ||  ||  ||  ||  || style="background:#DFB"| 2 ||  ||  ||
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|''[[Stuff (magazine)|Stuff]]'' (2008)<ref name=Stuff2008>{{cite journal|journal=[[Stuff (magazine)|Stuff]]|title=100 Greatest Games|date=October 2008|pages=116–126}}</ref> ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || style="background:#DFB"| 2 || style="background:#BF7"| 1 ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||
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|''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' (2009)<ref name=Empire2009>{{cite web|title=The 100 Greatest Games Of All Time|date=2009|url=http://www.empireonline.com/100greatestgames/|publisher=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|website=www.empireonline.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515221956/http://www.empireonline.com/100greatestgames/|archive-date=May 15, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || || style="background:#BF7"| 1 || style="background:#DFB"| 2 ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||
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|''[[Jeuxvideo]]'' (2011)<ref name=Jeuxvideo2011>{{cite web|title=Les 100 meilleurs jeux de tous les temps|url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/dossiers/00014196/les-100-meilleurs-jeux-de-tous-les-temps.htm|website=Jeuxvideo.com|access-date=March 5, 2019|date=March 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627150823/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/dossiers/00014196/les-100-meilleurs-jeux-de-tous-les-temps.htm|archive-date=June 27, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> ||  ||  ||  || style="background:#FFC"| 3 ||  || style="background:#DFB"| 2 || style="background:#BF7"| 1 ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||
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|''[[Kotaku]]'' (2013)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schreier |first1=Jason |author-link=Jason Schreier|title=Let's Rank The Final Fantasy Games, Best to Worst |url=https://kotaku.com/5979711/lets-rank-the-final-fantasy-games-best-to-worst |access-date=July 15, 2018 |work=Kotaku |date=January 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715123436/https://kotaku.com/5979711/lets-rank-the-final-fantasy-games-best-to-worst |archive-date=July 15, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>|| 10 || 11 || 8 || style="background:#FFC"| 3 || 5 || style="background:#BF7"| 1 || 4 || 6 || style="background:#DFB"| 2 || 7 ||  || 9 || 12 ||  ||
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|''[[Popular Mechanics]]'' (2014)<ref name=PopularMechanics>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/gaming/g134/the-100-greatest-video-games-of-all-time/ |magazine=[[Popular Mechanics]] |title=The 100 Greatest Video Games of All Time |last=Moore |first=Bo |date=June 16, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202235359/http://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/gaming/g134/the-100-greatest-video-games-of-all-time/ |archive-date=December 2, 2016}}</ref> ||  ||  ||  ||  || || style="background:#DFB"| 2 || style="background:#BF7"| 1 ||  ||  || style="background:#FFC"| 3 ||  ||  ||  ||  ||
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|''[[Slant Magazine]]'' (2014)<ref name=Slant>{{cite web|title=The 100 Greatest Video Games of All Time|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/features/article/100-greatest-video-games-of-all-time/p10%20100%20greatest%20video%20games%20of%20all%20time|website=slantmagazine.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712044110/http://www.slantmagazine.com/features/article/100-greatest-video-games-of-all-time/P10|archive-date=July 12, 2015|date=June 9, 2014}}</ref> ||  ||  ||  ||  || || style="background:#FFC"| 3 || style="background:#BF7"| 1 ||  || 4 || style="background:#DFB"| 2 ||  ||  ||  ||  ||
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|''[[Den of Geek]]'' (2016)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hardgrave |first1=Laura |title=Final Fantasy: Ranking the Main Games |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/us/games/final-fantasy/244017/final-fantasy-ranking-the-main-games |access-date=September 14, 2019 |work=Den of Geek |date=November 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904044414/https://www.denofgeek.com/us/games/final-fantasy/244017/final-fantasy-ranking-the-main-games |archive-date=September 4, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> || 14 || 17 || 6 || 5 || 9 || style="background:#BF7"| 1 || style="background:#FFC"| 3 || 10 || 4 || style="background:#DFB"| 2 || 8 || 7 || 15 || 11 ||
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|''[[VentureBeat]]'' (2016)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Minotti |first1=Mike |title=Final Fantasy I to XV: Ranking the series from worst to best |url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/12/11/ranking-final-fantasy-i-to-xv/ |access-date=July 15, 2018 |work=VentureBeat |date=December 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715123620/https://venturebeat.com/2016/12/11/ranking-final-fantasy-i-to-xv/ |archive-date=July 15, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> || 12 || 14 || 13 || 10 || style="background:#FFC"| 3 || style="background:#DFB"| 2 || 5 || 9 || style="background:#BF7"| 1 || 7 || 15 || 4 || 11 || 8 || 6
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|''[[Famitsu]]'' (2017)<ref>{{cite news |author=Brian |title=Famitsu readers choose the top 100 best games of all time |url=https://nintendoeverything.com/famitsu-readers-choose-the-top-100-best-games-of-all-time/ |access-date=April 17, 2020 |work=Nintendo Everything |date=September 4, 2017 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109154911/http://nintendoeverything.com/famitsu-readers-choose-the-top-100-best-games-of-all-time/ |archive-date=January 9, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> ||  ||  ||  || 9 || 8 || 7 || style="background:#BF7"| 1 || 11 || 5 || style="background:#FFC"| 3 || style="background:#DFB"| 2 ||  ||  || 6 || 4
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|''[[GamesRadar+]]'' (2022)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Agnello |first1=Anthony John |date=February 3, 2022 |title=The 25 best Final Fantasy games |work=Gamesradar |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-final-fantasy-games/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715123023/https://www.gamesradar.com/best-final-fantasy-games/ |archive-date=July 15, 2018}} ''Note:'' To make ranks comparable this list skips the ranks given to non-mainline games.</ref>|| ||  || 17 || 7 || 13 || style="background:#DFB"| 2 || style="background:#BF7"| 1 || 10 || 8 || 14 || 18 || style="background:#FFC"| 3 || 21 || 4 || 15
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| ''[[Game Informer]]'' (2018)<ref>{{cite news |title=The Top 100 RPGs Of All Time |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/01/the-top-100-rpgs-of-all-time.aspx |access-date=November 6, 2018 |work=Gameinformer |date=January 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510205452/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/01/the-top-100-rpgs-of-all-time.aspx |archive-date=May 10, 2019 |url-status=live}} ''Note:'' It shows these ''Final Fantasy'' games do not only rank higher than the other ''Final Fantasy'' games, but are also part of the top 100 RPGs of all time.</ref> || 4 || || || style="background:#FFC"| 3 || || style="background:#BF7"| 1 || style="background:#DFB"| 2 || || || 5 || || || || ||
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|''[[IGN]]'' (2018)<ref>{{cite news |title=Ranking the Final Fantasy Games |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/05/15/ranking-the-final-fantasy-games |access-date=July 15, 2018 |work=IGN |date=May 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715123643/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/05/15/ranking-the-final-fantasy-games |archive-date=July 15, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>|| 7 || 12 || 8 || 4 || 5  || style="background:#BF7"| 1 || 6 || 11 || style="background:#FFC"| 3 || 9 ||  || style="background:#DFB"| 2  || 10 ||  ||
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|''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' (2018)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Parish |first1=Jeremy |title=Ranking the numbered Final Fantasy games |url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/12/19/16793294/ranking-the-numbered-final-fantasy-games |access-date=July 15, 2018 |work=Polygon |date=December 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016225257/https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/12/19/16793294/ranking-the-numbered-final-fantasy-games |archive-date=October 16, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>|| 14 || 15 || 12 || 4 || style="background:#FFC"| 3 || style="background:#BF7"| 1 || 8 || 5 || 6 || 10 || 11 || style="background:#DFB"| 2 || 13 || 7 || 9
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|''[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]'' (2018)<ref>{{cite news |title=The Best of Final Fantasy |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/03/02/best-final-fantasy-games-pc/ |access-date=July 15, 2018 |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |date=March 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715123251/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/03/02/best-final-fantasy-games-pc/ |archive-date=July 15, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>||  ||  ||  || 7 ||  || 8 || style="background:#FFC"| 3 || style="background:#BF7"| 1 || 4 || style="background:#DFB"| 2 ||  || 6 ||  ||  || 5
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|''[[VG247]]'' (2018)<ref>{{cite news |title=Final Fantasy is nearly 30, so let's rank the 10 best games in the series - VG247 |url=https://www.vg247.com/2017/12/05/final-fantasy-10-best-games/ |access-date=July 15, 2018 |work=VG247 |date=December 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715124217/https://www.vg247.com/2017/12/05/final-fantasy-10-best-games/ |archive-date=July 15, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>||  ||  ||  || 9 || 4 || style="background:#FFC"| 3 || style="background:#DFB"| 2 || 5 || style="background:#BF7"| 1 || 8 ||  || 6 || 10 ||  || 7
|-
| ''[[Digital Spy]]'' (2019)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Reynolds |first1=Matthew |title=Ranking the Final Fantasy games from worst to best |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tech/a636855/ranking-final-fantasy-games-worst-to-best-mainline-entries/ |access-date=September 14, 2019 |work=Digital Spy |date=April 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811051325/https://www.digitalspy.com/tech/a636855/ranking-final-fantasy-games-worst-to-best-mainline-entries/ |archive-date=August 11, 2019}}</ref> || 12 || 13 || 10 || 6 || 7 || 4 || style="background:#FFC"| 3 || 11 || style="background:#DFB"| 2 || style="background:#BF7"| 1 ||  || 5 || 8 ||  ||9
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| ''[[Digital Trends]]'' (2019)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Petite |first1=Steven |title=Here are the Final Fantasy games, ranked from best to worst |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/all-final-fantasy-games-ranked-from-best-to-worst/ |access-date=September 14, 2019 |work=Digital Trends |date=July 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910152304/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/all-final-fantasy-games-ranked-from-best-to-worst/ |archive-date=September 10, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> || 13 || 15 || 11 || 6 || 9 || style="background:#BF7"| 1 || 7 || style="background:#DFB"| 2 || 5 || style="background:#FFC"| 3 || 10 || 4 || 12 || 8 ||14
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| [[NHK]] (2020)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020 |title=全ファイナルファンタジー大投票 |trans-title=All Final Fantasy Big Vote |url=https://www.nhk.or.jp/anime/ff/ranking/index.html |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=[[NHK]] |language=ja |archive-date=March 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313204656/https://www.nhk.or.jp/anime/ff/ranking/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Japan Votes For Its Favorite Final Fantasy Games And Characters |url=https://nintendosoup.com/japan-votes-for-its-favorite-final-fantasy-games-and-characters/ |access-date=April 17, 2020 |work=NintendoSoup |date=March 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315114313/https://nintendosoup.com/japan-votes-for-its-favorite-final-fantasy-games-and-characters/ |archive-date=March 15, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> || 24 || 18 || 12 || 8 || 6 || style="background:#FFC"| 3 || style="background:#DFB"| 2 || 7 || 4 || style="background:#BF7"| 1 || 9 || 15 || 14 || 5 || 10
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| [[TV Asahi]] (2021)<ref>{{cite news |title=Over 50,000 Japanese users vote for their favorite console games in TV Asahi poll - Top 100 announced |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/12/over-50000-japanese-users-vote-for-their-favorite-console-games-in-tv-asahi-poll-top-100-announced |access-date=27 December 2021 |work=Gematsu |date=27 December 2021 |archive-date=January 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103083040/https://www.gematsu.com/2021/12/over-50000-japanese-users-vote-for-their-favorite-console-games-in-tv-asahi-poll-top-100-announced |url-status=live}}</ref> ||  ||  || 8 || 7 || 4 || style="background:#FFC"| 3 || style="background:#BF7"| 1 || 10 || 5 || style="background:#DFB"| 2 || 9 ||  ||  || 6 ||
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| ''[[Famitsu]]'' rating (out of 40)<ref name="geimin">{{cite web|title=Famitsu Hall of Fame |url=http://geimin.net/da/db/cross_review/ |work=Geimin |access-date=February 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204020438/http://geimin.net/da/db/cross_review |archive-date=February 4, 2010}}</ref> || 34<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=8208 |language=ja |title=ファイナルファンタジーV [スーパーファミコン] |trans-title=Final Fantasy (Famicom) |access-date=September 5, 2015 |publisher=Famitsu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924051338/http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=8208 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> || 35 || 36 || 36 || 34<ref name="FamiSFC">{{cite web|url=http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=2545 |language=ja |title=ファイナルファンタジーV [スーパーファミコン] |trans-title=Final Fantasy V [Super Famicom] |access-date=September 5, 2015 |publisher=Famitsu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725151430/http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=2545 |archive-date=July 25, 2015}}</ref> || 37 || style="background:#FFC"| 38 || 37 || style="background:#FFC"| 38 || style="background:#DFB"| 39 || style="background:#FFC"| 38 || style="background:#BF7"| 40 || style="background:#DFB"| 39 || style="background:#DFB"| 39<ref name="Fam">{{cite web|author=Gifford, Kevin |title="I'm glad I'm back home": Famitsu reviews FF14: A Realm Reborn |url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/9/25/4771330/im-glad-im-back-home-famitsu-reviews-ff14-a-realm-reborn |website=Polygon |access-date=September 26, 2013 |date=September 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926001704/http://www.polygon.com/2013/9/25/4771330/im-glad-im-back-home-famitsu-reviews-ff14-a-realm-reborn |archive-date=September 26, 2013}}</ref> || style="background:#FFC"| 38<ref name="FamScore">{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2016/12/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1463 |title=Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1463 |last=Romano |first=Sal |publisher=Gematsu |date=December 13, 2016 |access-date=December 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161214101611/http://gematsu.com/2016/12/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1463 |archive-date=December 14, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
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| ''[[Metacritic]]'' rating (out of 100)<ref>{{cite web |title=Data Tracker: How Does "Final Fantasy XIII" Compare? |url=http://www.metacritic.com/feature/how-does-final-fantasy-13-compare |website=Metacritic |access-date=July 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714011820/http://www.metacritic.com/feature/how-does-final-fantasy-13-compare |archive-date=July 14, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> || 79 || 79 || 77 || 85 || 83 || style="background:#DFB"| 92 || style="background:#DFB"| 92 || style="background:#FFC"| 90 || style="background:#BF7"| 94 || style="background:#DFB"| 92 || 85 || style="background:#DFB"| 92 || 83 || 83<ref>{{cite web |title=Final Fantasy XIV Online: A Realm Reborn |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/final-fantasy-xiv-online-a-realm-reborn/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |website=Metacritic |access-date=July 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909032851/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/final-fantasy-xiv-online-a-realm-reborn |archive-date=September 9, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> || 85<ref>{{cite web |title=Final Fantasy XV: Windows Edition |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/final-fantasy-xv-royal-edition/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |website=Metacritic |access-date=July 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616063132/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/final-fantasy-xv-windows-edition |archive-date=June 16, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
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