TheFinal Fantasyfranchise is best-known for its superb RPGs that have been released over the course of nearly 40 years, but there are some titles that deviate a bit from the genre, even if retaining some mild elements.The series has recently seen the release of its 16th main entry,FF16, though there are several spin-offs, remakes, and sequels that are also part of its structure. TheFinal Fantasy 7 Remakeseries, for example, is composed of three games, the last of which is in development right now.
For fans of the RPG genre, there are several great titles to play, each one with its particular gameplay system.Because the main entries aren’t directly connected to each other, it’s possible to start playingFF6, for example, then jump over toFF9, and experience two completely different stories in games that don’t feel like one another. While RPG is the main keyword associated withFinal Fantasy, which inspired other RPGs, there are some titles that could work for players who aren’t fans of the genre.
At its core,Final Fantasy 16, the latest installment in the series, is an RPG, but it feels much different from most other titles in the franchise. This is becauseFF16is much more action-oriented, with its combat stepping away from theturn-based system that accompaniedFinal Fantasyfor decades. Its predecessor,FF15, was also action-based, butFF16is designed to deliberately feel less like an RPG.
You can still optimize stats for Clive via weapons, for example, but overall, the character build system feels a lot more simplistic and doesn’t require as much of an investment as other RPGs in the series.The idea behind the game isn’t min-maxing specific stats to get the perfect result, but unlocking special items, like several other action-based games that aren’t RPG-oriented.
Because of how the character build system works, combined with how action-heavy the combat is,Final Fantasy 16is one of the two main entries in the main series that feels less like a traditional RPG. For players who hate the traditional turn-based systems of the classic titles,Final Fantasy 16is a great entry pointand a huge deviation from what you’d expect from an RPG developed by Square Enix. The game isn’t perfect, but it doesn’t feel like much of an RPG.
Stepping away entirely from the RPG genre you’d expect to see the series inserted in,Theatrhythm Final Fantasyis a rhythm game, as indicated by its name. The title was originally released in 2012 for Nintendo 3DS, allowing you to use the console’s touch screen to play several songs from the series. This specific title may be hard to play nowadays, considering how hard it is to find Nintendo 3DS and its games in retailers, but it did have sequels.
In fact,Theatrhythm Final Fantasyis the first of five games from theTheatrhythmseries.
The most recent addition to the series isTheatrhythm Final Bar Line, a game released for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in 2023.The title has 505 tracks, most of which are from theFinal Fantasyseries. However, the game also has tracks from other Square Enix franchises, such asSaGa,Mana,Liva A Live,Octopath Traveler,Chrono,NieR,Xenogears, andThe World Ends with You.
It is worth noting thatTheatrhythm Final Bar Linedoes have a few light RPG elements, such as the possibility of choosing specific characters, each with their own stats and abilities, which ultimately can affect the progress. Even so, the game doesn’t feel like an RPG in a traditional sense and is a great option for musical fans – especially considering howgreatFinal Fantasy’s soundtracksare.
World of Final Fantasyis a great spin-off title in the series that deviates a bit from the genre, even if it is still an RPG.The game was first released for PlayStation 4 and Vita in 2016, and then ported to PC in 2017 and Xbox One and Nintendo Switch in 2018. As hinted at by the name, the title is a blend of multiple installments in the franchise, featuring several locations from various games.
The title does take on the structure of a traditional turn-based RPG in the series, but what sets it apart is how much lighter it feels.The combat system is simplified, and you never really feel the urge to stress over stats applied to characters. The game brings on a huge focus on dungeons and puzzles, which makesWorld of Final Fantasya lot more cozy and chill than traditional installments.
If your problems withFinal FantasyRPGs are how dense and deep their gameplay systems are, for example,World of Final Fantasyis a great solution to that. Comparatively, in terms of gameplay, it feels more like a corePokémontitle than one of Square Enix’s entries.
A prequel to the originalFinal Fantasy,Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Originis an action RPG spin-offthat was developed by Team Ninja. Released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, the game puts you in control of Jack in the first game’s universe.
The big difference betweenStranger of Paradiseand other action-oriented games in theFinal Fantasyfranchise is that this is a soulslike game at its very core. Surely, soulslike games are usually RPGs by nature, but these types of games don’t ever force you to upgrade your character and their stats.
As much as you may want to avoid RPG elements, I do recommend exploringStranger of Paradise’s Job system, as that can make your gameplay a lot more varied and fun.
Depending on the type of player you are, you’re able to beat it without ever changing gear – or perhaps even removing all the gear you start off with.Leveling isn’t necessary, and the focus on RPG elements can be minimal, depending on how much you want that to affect your experience with the game.
If you wish to witness a greatFinal Fantasystory but stay away from a traditional RPG experience,Final Fantasy Crystal Chroniclesis a fantastic option.The title is still an RPG, as you will take control of adventurers, but the game leans more into the action adventure genre. The game is action-based, and while there are still stats applied to gameplay, the title simplifies its approach to gameplay, making it much more chill and less oppressive to play.
Somewhat likeWorld of Final Fantasy,Crystal Chroniclesis centered around the exploration of dungeons. Because of its action-based combat, which occasionally feels a lot more fast-paced than other action-basedFinal Fantasygames, the game also resembles a dungeon crawler. Furthermore,progression isn’t related to a traditional leveling system, but to challenges that you may completeinside the multiple dungeons that you’ll explore throughout the campaign.
Among the many titles from the series that deviate from the traditional RPG experience for which the franchise,Final Fantasy Crystal Chroniclesmay be the best option for players who don’t enjoy RPGs. It retains the narrative structure of the series, even if not as complex as the main core installments. Even so, I highly recommendCrystal Chroniclesas a title for those who want to playFinal Fantasywithout having to subject themselves to the constraints of RPGs.
