Enix made its mark on the gaming world with the Dragon Quest series, widely regarded as a cornerstone of the JRPG genre. Meanwhile, Square carved out its own legacy with the Final Fantasy franchise. Fast forward to today, and the merging of these two titans transformed a historical rivalry into a powerful alliance that has provided fans with an expanded universe of beloved games.
However, the appeal of Square Enix extends well beyond these flagship titles. The company boasts an extensive portfolio of intellectual properties (IPs) that deserve more recognition. In this article, we will delve into a ranking of the top 10 franchises from Square Enix, with the hope of inspiring you to explore new gaming adventures.
To compile this list, I considered two primary criteria:
- The franchise must feature a minimum of three original games released globally, excluding remakes or remasters.
- While some franchises mentioned may not be exclusively owned by Square Enix, we will overlook those technicalities for the sake of this ranking.
10 Front Mission
Mechas, Politics, and Strategy
My journey with the Front Mission series began with Front Mission 3 during the PlayStation 1 era. Although I wasn’t particularly hooked on tactical or sci-fi games at the time, I decided to give it a chance. Constructing Wanzers and acquiring new skills during combat added an exhilarating layer to the gameplay.
The reason Front Mission sits at the bottom of our list is due to inconsistency; while the original entry struggled to find its footing, the second and third games soared to new heights. Unfortunately, the fourth and fifth titles suffered from mixed reviews, with the latter not making it outside Japan. Additionally, Front Mission Evolved and Left Alive attempted an ill-fated transition into third-person shooting, alienating long-time fans.
9 Chocobo
The Mascot in the Spotlight
Initially introduced as a mascot for Final Fantasy, Chocobo quickly blossomed into its franchise with a myriad of spin-off games. Chocobo’s Mysterious Dungeon was the first in line, although Western audiences were more familiar with Chocobo’s Dungeon 2.
These games, developed by Chunsoft, fall under the roguelike dungeon crawler subgenre and are steeped in Final Fantasy lore, showcasing an array of monsters, Jobs, and spells in charming aesthetics. The series produced various titles, including Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales and Chocobo GP, which highlighted Chocobo’s racing abilities.
Despite several lesser-known titles like Chocobo World and Chocobo Land: A Game of Dice being exclusive to Japan, the franchise’s contribution is undeniable.
8 Valkyrie Profile
To My Side, My Noble Einherjar
Launched on the PlayStation 1, Valkyrie Profile has held a special place in the hearts of JRPG enthusiasts. Set against a backdrop of Norse mythology, the player controls a Valkyrie tasked with recruiting fallen heroes to combat the impending apocalypse of Ragnarok.
Each character presents their tragic backstory, often concluding in heart-wrenching moments that deepen the narrative’s maturity and originality. The sequel Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria maintained similar elements while introducing an evolved combat system, emphasizing strategic reflexes in the player’s actions.
Despite the innovative designs, the franchise struggled to stay true to its roots in Valkyrie Elysium, which shifted focus from long-standing fans to a more generic action RPG format.
7 SaGa
The Most Underrated Franchise
Despite its odd quirks, the SaGa series stands out as one of Square Enix’s most notable yet underrated franchises. Created by Akitoshi Kawazu, who was also instrumental in Final Fantasy II, SaGa is renowned for its unique progression mechanics that forgo traditional leveling.
The Glimmer system, which allows characters to learn techniques mid-battle, introduces an element of unpredictability that can be both exhilarating and detrimental. Players often face unexpected game-overs when the wrong skill is acquired at a crucial moment.
Yet, the allure of SaGa lies in its non-linear storytelling and innovative combat mechanics. For instance, SaGa Scarlet Grace is celebrated for its exceptional turn-based battle system. That said, the lower budgets often hinder production quality, which may affect player engagement. Just avoid Unlimited SaGa at all costs.
6 Where
Video Game-Shaped Joy
If you appreciate vibrant games with a cheerful atmosphere yet pose a fair challenge, the Mana series is certainly worth exploring. Originally a spin-off of the Final Fantasy franchise, it has since forged its own identity.
With over 15 titles—including remakes, ports, and mobile adaptations—the Mana series remains a heartwarming fixture in gaming. The stories generally revolve around safeguarding the Mana Tree with the help of whimsical elemental creatures.
While the narrative may take a backseat to gameplay in many entries, exceptions like Dawn of Mana and the latest release, Visions of Mana, do offer more structured storytelling. The offbeat mechanics of titles like Legend of Mana provide unique gameplay experiences.
5 Star Ocean
Lightsabers Meet Greatswords
Tri-Ace’s Star Ocean series has found a dedicated audience thanks to Enix’s early support. This franchise, known for seamlessly blending sci-fi and medieval fantasy elements, has carved its niche in JRPG history.
Each installment sees the collision of technologically advanced characters with medieval warriors—yielding rich dynamics and innovative gameplay. Although the plots can be uneven, the characters often elevate the experience, particularly through the Private Actions system.
Star Ocean’s combat is engaging, but its real innovation lies in crafting mechanics. The Item Creation feature stands as one of the best in the JRPG genre, allowing players to traverse wildly creative paths in their adventures.
4 NieR
Questioning Your Existence
While initially linked to Drakengard due to their shared universe, the NieR series has emerged as a standout for its exploration of complex themes such as death and existence. NieR: Automata has garnered widespread acclaim for its captivating gameplay and thought-provoking narrative.
Though NieR began with the original Nier on seventh-generation consoles, it evolved into something larger. The two versions of Nier released in Japan, Replicant and Gestalt, differed in storyline focus. With a remaster of Replicant available, the series continues to deepen its narrative.
NieR Reincarnation, although not available anymore, contributes to the franchise’s canon and is set in the same narrative universe, bridging the gap between versions and enriching the NieR lore.
3 Kingdom Hearts
Disney’s Franchise on Paper, But Square Enix’s at Heart
While legally, Kingdom Hearts belongs to Disney, its heart and soul are undeniably anchored in Square Enix. This franchise is a vibrant fusion of Final Fantasy and Disney characters who unite to combat dark forces threatening to consume hearts.
Beginning as an endearing and approachable game intertwined with Disney’s worlds, it soon escalated into an elaborate saga filled with time-travel narratives and intricate storylines. Each game offers players an emotional connection to the characters and their journeys, often emphasizing the universal theme of friendship.
Kingdom Hearts isn’t merely for Final Fantasy or Disney aficionados—its appeal spans across all gamers seeking a compelling action RPG experience.
2 Dragon Quest
Final Fantasy’s Biggest Rival
Historically significant in the Japanese gaming landscape, Dragon Quest is frequently recognized as the title that popularized role-playing games in Japan. Drawing inspiration from classics like Ultima and Wizardry, Dragon Quest established a streamlined interface and straightforward progression system, all while delivering heartfelt storytelling.
What’s particularly impressive is how Dragon Quest has remained true to its roots since its inception in 1986. With various spin-offs, adaptations, and media endeavors, each release maintains the core elements that define the series—classic turn-based combat, a hero’s journey, engaging characters, and the unique designs of Akira Toriyama.
1 Final Fantasy
Dragon Quest’s Closest Friend
It’s no surprise that the franchise topping this list is none other than Final Fantasy, the cornerstone that established Square’s prominence in the global gaming market. Without its groundbreaking success, Square might not have evolved into Square Enix, and many franchises would remain undiscovered.
Whether you nostalgically appreciate Final Fantasy for its historical impact or criticize its recent direction, the franchise continuously adapts, keeping fans engaged through a medley of diverse narratives, genres, and gameplay styles.
As noted by influential creators such as Sakaguchi and Kitase, Final Fantasy is what the creators desire it to be—sometimes a classic fantasy tale, sometimes a modern story intertwined with magical elements.
While some fans have lamented over gameplay transitions between entries, the franchise consistently surprises with innovative approaches. The mythology surrounding Final Fantasy—featuring iconic monsters, spells, and character designs—ensures that the anticipation remains as thrilling as ever.
Ultimately, the uncertainty of what to expect from the next installment of Final Fantasy remains one of the most exhilarating aspects of being a fan.
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