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5 Best Final Fantasy Spin-Off Games

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When new games take too long to launch, a franchise-oriented spin-off game is released to keep the ball rolling. Spin-off games also act as guinea pigs to test new ideas that may or may not work. Final Fantasy is no exception to this trend. In 1987, Square launched the first main game. Since then, the franchise has dominated the Japanese RPG scene for three decades (alongside Dragon Quest). With 15 main titles so far; there are undoubtedly some long waits and a few releases that did not do well.

Fortunately, there were dozens of spin-off titles, expansion packs, remakes, remasters, ports, and films to make up for the lost time. In this article, we’re ranking thirty spin-off games of all time to the best five. A difficult task, but we’re up for the challenge so let’s dive right in.

 

5. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles

FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES Remastered Edition - Launch Trailer - Nintendo Switch

Despite releasing Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles as a spin-off game, it does compare favorably with main titles, especially with Final Fantasy IX. However, that is expected since they both share Kazuhiko Aoki and Toshiyuki Itahana as their director and character designer, respectively. Still, there is a major difference in the gameplay style. Instead of the active combat system used in mainline titles, Crystal Chronicles uses real-time action-based combat through GameCube-Game Boy Advance devices. 

Additionally, the game’s take on local multiplayer mode was quite honestly beyond its time. Its design choices were grand. Since it was deployed on Gamecube, co-op play could accommodate up to four players; With three using their own Game Boy Advance cable to play. Recent times have seen more clever executions of the dual screenplay, but before all the hype, Crystal Chronicles had the appeal.

If you’d like to try it out, you could check out the remastered version. While user experience remains fairly disappointing, the welcome fix is you could now enjoy cross-play on Switch, PS4, and smartphones via online modes. Other features to enjoy are better visuals, a classic soundtrack, and great voice acting. 

 

4. Final Fantasy Type-O 

Final Fantasy Type-0 HD -- Enter the Fray Trailer | PS4

There’s something pretty cool with adding action-based combat in Final Fantasy games. Better still, creating not one but 14 military characters you could switch up on the fly. Each character has unique abilities. The only thing left is an equally impressive list of villains or missions to complete. Thankfully, Final Fantasy Type-O delivers with its wide array of villains from the Fabula Nova Crystalis series that the spin-off game is a part of. 

Unlike most mainline titles, Final Fantasy Type-O is grimmer and has darker storylines. Its main focus is on war, conflict, and loss stories. In the game, you’re one of a group of military students called Class Zero. In each mission, you fight off invaders to their home country in eight chapters. If you’re a fan of fast-paced active-combat, Final Fantasy Type-O is a great game to try. You could also check out the HD remastered version. With the promise for an interesting side story, hopefully, the game sees more development in the near future. 

 

3. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

Final Fantasy VII : Crisis Core Trailer [HQ]

We all love a good backstory. And if it’s not told in the main game, extending the fun to a well-made prequel, at the very least, makes it up. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII is one of those prequels made primarily for filling the gaps to the back story leading up to Final Fantasy VII. An interesting twist, though, is that instead of exploring the backstories of either one of the popular characters, Crisis Core takes on exploring Zack Fair’s backstory. The fact that this mysterious character is rarely featured in the original game is so mind-boggling. 

It could only go up from here, though, as the game does a fantastic job of shedding light on Zack’s likable and friendly personality. His story was worth telling and further weaves major characters like Cloud and Sephiroth into the storylines. Crisis Core is a great spin-off for shedding light on the lingering questions to the commercially successful Final Fantasy VII.  Whether there might be a remastering of the game is up for speculation. However, the graphics and gameplay (most similar to Kingdom Hearts) aren’t all that bad and still hold up among modern games.

 

2. Final Fantasy Record Keeper

Final Fantasy: Record Keeper Official Trailer

Whether you’re a long-time fan or are new to Final Fantasy, you’re sure to enjoy a light-hearted look-back moment into the franchise's history playing Final Fantasy Record Keeper. It’s available on Android and iOS devices and is a remodel of the iconic and most memorable battles from the mainline games. Even the music and sound effects are reminiscent of previous games, and the story modes boost the nostalgia effect of the game. 

Since Record Keeper relies heavily on a player’s knowledge of previous games, you may find the story’s character and plot development pretty shallow. Ultimately, the storyline is not very interesting. But the combat is simple enough to pick up and is mainly turn-based as with other main Final Fantasy games.   

Overall, it’s a great way for a quick run-through of how far the series has come. So you can always enjoy past-times with your favorite characters if you want to re-experience the condensed memorable moments of the franchise.

 

1. Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions

Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions Launch Trailer

While Final Fantasy Tactics displayed a rather mature, compelling story of a much darker tale of the War of the Roses, Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions took its visuals, language translation, cinematic cutscenes, voice acting, and everything in between to match modern standards. 

The most commendable aspect of the game is the intertwine of complex topics. These topics will sure keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the game. The gameplay is equally challenging as it steers away from traditional Final Fantasy games to employ strategic thinking. It also includes a multiplayer mode, so you’re free to enjoy co-op or competitive play with other players. 

As far as spin-off games go, Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions is worth the try. In fact, sequels and other spin-offs may have played safe, but Tactics told a dark war story in a deeply mature and complex way that mainline titles never succeeded. 

 

That’s it for the five best Final Fantasy spin-off games. Are there other spin-off games you enjoy playing the most? Do let us know in our socials here or the comments below.

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Evans I. Karanja is a freelance writer who loves to write about anything technology. He is always on the lookout for interesting topics, and enjoys writing about video games, cryptocurrency and blockchain and more. When not writing, he can be found playing video games or watching F1.