Most Complex Final Fantasy Games

JRPGs are known for being needlessly complex at times, and Final Fantasy is no exception. The plot of most games in the series can be rather wild, but the gameplay is approachable enough to ensure that players can still power through certain entries.

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However, some games go overboard in both departments, with both the story and gameplay being so complicated that it takes a while for players to understand what’s going on. Thankfully, even the most complex Final Fantasy games are engaging enough that most gamers will be able to stick with them until the end.

8

Final Fantasy 8

The Junction System Is Needlessly Complex And Pretty Broken To Boot

Final Fantasy 8 is a title that elicits a ton of mixed fan reactions. The story features its fair share of puzzling moments that can be hard to comprehend, but nothing comes close to the complex mess that is the Junction System.

Players will be bombarded by so many tutorials early on that it can be challenging to figure out how to make the most of this system. Unfortunately, the solution is a grating one that rubs many fans the wrong way — they must draw 100 units of a powerful spell, Junction it to a character’s stats, and never use this magic in combat if they don’t want their character’s stats to fall.

7

Final Fantasy 12

The Introduction Of Real-Time Combat Coupled With Gambits Made It A Pretty Complicated Title

Final Fantasy 12 was the first single-player entry in the series to forsake the notion of turn-based combat altogether. Instead, players are introduced to a complex real-time combat system that seems rather passive but boasts a ton of depth.

To make the most of friendly AI behavior in combat, players must make the most of the overwhelming Gambit system. That said, setting up different Gambits for each combat scenario can be quite time-consuming and complicated if players are new to the game and have no idea what they’re doing.

6

Final Fantasy Tactics

One Of The Hardest Final Fantasy Games Where Every Battle Requires A Ton Of Mental Gymnastics

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Released

June 20, 1997

Developer(s)

Square

Arguably the best Final Fantasy spin-off game ever made, Final Fantasy Tactics is offers great introduction to the world of Ivalice. However, players familiar with the relatively easy turn-based combat of previous games in the series will be left frustrated when they see just how challenging Final Fantasy Tactics is.

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The job system is ridiculously complicated and can be a nightmare to deal with, especially if players find themselves woefully out of their depth against a particularly challenging boss. This makes it important to stick to jobs that players agree are the best of the lot and focus on optimizing one’s strategic approach in combat, which can be more complex than players would expect.

5

Final Fantasy 13

The Lack Of A Proper Introduction To The Game World Makes It Unnecessarily Complex

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Released

March 9, 2010

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Square Enix

Final Fantasy 13 is one of the most controversial entries in the series, with everything from the story to the gameplay being dubbed as needlessly complex by fans. The game assumes that players have a decent understanding of the world from the get-go and starts bombarding them with weird terms that will leave many in the dark more often than not.

To make things worse, the combat seems straightforward and encourages players to use the Auto-Battle system, only for a particularly challenging boss to come along to flatten them later. What follows is a ton of micromanagement, with players setting up numerous Paradigm combinations to cover all bases and figure out the best way possible to take out a challenging foe without tearing their hair out.

4

Final Fantasy Type-0

Players Must Spend A Long Time Getting Acquainted With The Movesets Of The Playable Characters

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Released

October 27, 2011

For what it’s worth, the complexity of Final Fantasy Type-0 is front-loaded, with the game becoming easier for players with a ton of patience. The first few hours introduce a large cast of characters who must be equipped to the nines, with each student of Class 0 boasting a unique moveset.

Memorizing each character’s attack patterns is a must to nail Breaksights and Killsights. Failing to make the effort can make battles either boring or frustrating, with stubborn players sticking to a particular set of characters or refusing to optimize their moves in combat and being punished as a result.

3

Final Fantasy 14

The Game’s Status As An MMORPG Makes It Complex Right Out Of The Gate

Given Final Fantasy 14‘s status as an MMORPG, it’s easy to see why the game can be complex for players unfamiliar with the genre. Figuring out class synergies is crucial for players to take out tough bosses without running into trouble.

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This is easier said than done, however, especially for those who don’t like grinding but are forced into it because of the way Final Fantasy 14 works. Thankfully, the game can be a joy to play for fans who bear through the first fifty hours, since that’s when the expansion’s narratives kick in and show off the best of what Final Fantasy 14 has to offer.

2

Final Fantasy 11

The First Ever MMO Final Fantasy Game Is As Complicated As Players Would Expect

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Released

October 28, 2003

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The first ever Final Fantasy MMO was a rampant success, with Final Fantasy 11 letting players enjoy the genre for the first time if they were only familiar with single-player RPGs up until that point. However, this involves a learning curve that can be pretty steep for players who are unaware of the grind involved in most MMORPGs.

With bosses like Absolute Virtue making headlines for how tough they are, it’s easy to see why Final Fantasy 11 isn’t for players who don’t have the patience to get accustomed to a whole new genre. It’s easier for most to stick to what they’re familiar with instead of spending hours learning the many complexities of this MMORPG.

1

Final Fantasy 2

The Leveling System Was Changed For No Reason And Is Hard To Wrap One’s Head Around As A Result

Final Fantasy 2 has become the black sheep of the Final Fantasy series in the eyes of many because of its contentious leveling system. Instead of gaining experience points, players level up their skills based on their actions in combat, which can be frustrating to deal with for obvious reasons.

It’s easy for every party member to feel the same until players make it a point to experiment with each character’s actions in a battle, which can get rather old after a point. It doesn’t help that the game discourages experimentation with its low MP pools at the start of the game and rewards players for using cheap exploits, such as attacking friendly characters in combat to increase their maximum HP and defense.

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