Games

Final Fantasy Games With The Best Post-Launch Content

Published

1 month ago

November 18, 2024

Christoph Rediske

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Key Takeaways

Table of Contents

Final Fantasy games receive extensive post-launch updates like DLCs and patches.
Fans love the nostalgic callbacks and tough encounters in DLC coliseum battles.
Additional content like bonus dungeons and new enemies add more depth to the Final Fantasy experience.

Final Fantasy is a series that never disappoints, promising new and unique experiences with every entry in the series. Some of the games in the series are supported extensively by Square Enix, to the point where they receive numerous updates and re-releases after launch to keep player interest as high as possible.

This can come in the form of DLCs, patches, additional content, timed events, and everything else along the same lines. The post-launch content for Final Fantasy games is something that fans consider to be critical for the overall experience. Within the series, these are the games that did the best job.

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8 Coliseum Battles

Extra Battles To Tackle With The Command Synergy Battle System

Released: January 31, 2012

Final Fantasy 13-2‘s concept may not sit right with fans, but fans of the Command Synergy Battle system could rest assured that several tough and engaging encounters would be coming their way. Players who want to face off against iconic Final Fantasy enemies can do so with the DLC Coliseum Battles.

It may not be the best business practice, but fans will love the idea of taking on the duos of Lightning & Lieutenant Amodar or Ultros & Typhon, rekindling this partnership for the first time since Final Fantasy 6. These nostalgic trips and cool callbacks are more than enough to justify the many amazing Coliseum Battles fans can enjoy in Final Fantasy 13-2.

7 Final Fantasy 6 Advance

Two Bonus Dungeons: The Dragons’ Den & The Soul Shrine

Final Fantasy 6 Advance

Systems

Platform(s): Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Released: April 2, 1994
Developer(s): Square Enix , Square , Tose

Final Fantasy 6 is one of the greatest video games ever made, and it was clear that the Game Boy Advance port would have some big shoes to fill. It’s worth noting that the altered graphics and a significantly less complex soundtrack may rub some fans the wrong way. However, these changes are worthwhile for players who can check out the heaps of extra content added to this experience.

Along with the new magicite that players can get their hands on, Final Fantasy 6 Advance also has two new dungeons in the form of Dragons’ Den and Soul Shrine, both of which harbor some of the game’s most challenging enemies. It’s a shame that this additional content isn’t featured in the Pixel Remaster.

6 Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Episode INTERmission

Introduces Yuffie To The Remake Of Final Fantasy 7

Systems

Released: April 10, 2020
Developer(s): Square Enix Business Division 1
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

In the original Final Fntasy 7, Yuffie is a chirpy and entertaining character who isn’t introduced until players outrun the Midgar Zolom and reach the other side of the cave. However, in Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Yuffie makes a surprise appearance in a DLC that fleshes out her character.

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Episode INTERmission is a great addition to the lore of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, bringing back forgotten characters and letting players control Yuffie in Midgar for the first time. The combat is solid as ever and the narrative chops of the DLC don’t overstay their welcome, making for a great bonus chapter.

5 Final Fantasy 16: Echoes Of The Fallen & The Rising Tide

DLCs That Introduce A Popular Superboss & A Legendary Summon

Systems

Released: June 22, 2023
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

Final Fantasy 16‘s cinematic combat and mature story are something a lot of fans enjoy, and players who want to experience more adventures with Clive will love what the DLC has to offer. Echoes of the Fallen brings back Omega in a battle for the ages where players must defeat this mechanical foe, but most players agree that The Rising Tide is the better DLC of the duo.

Along with a brand-new area that’s a joy to explore, players also get the opportunity to battle and absorb Leviathan’s power. The Eikon battle in this DLC is miles better and harder than the ones in the base game, which makes it worth the price of admission.

4 Final Fantasy 15: Episode Gladiolus, Prompto, Ignis, & Ardyn

Excellent Additions To The Main Narrative

Released: November 9, 2016
OpenCritic Rating: Strong

Final Fantasy 15 had a turbulent development process, but it was clear that Hajime Tabita had big plans for the future of this game after its launch. This can be seen in the numerous post-launch updates, a definitive re-release, and DLC that lets players enjoy side tales that let players control other members of Noctis’ party.

Timed hunts, special events, and other such festivals are also present in Final Fantasy 15, making it the most supported Final Fantasy game after its launch. It’s a shame that Tabita left the company before letting players check out an alternate storyline that could’ve given Noctis a happy ending. Episode Ardyn and the alternate ending of Episode Ignis give players a glimpse of what they could have enjoyed.

3 Final Fantasy 7’s International Release

Introduces Iconic Elements, Including The Game’s Superbosses

Released: January 31, 1997
OpenCritic Rating: Strong

Final Fantasy 7 is arguably the first ever AAA game, boasting revolutionary visuals at the time along with a marketing campaign that ensured every gamer knew about this title’s release. It was clear that SquareSoft had big plans for the international release of the game, and this can be seen in the additions made to this version as compared to the Japanese original.

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The biggest additions are the two superbosses, who have gone down in video game history as some of the scariest and toughest video game foes of all time. Other changes include a revision of Safer Sephiroth’s AI script and some visual changes to add more flavor to the world.

2 Final Fantasy 10: International

Adds Infamous Superbosses

Systems

Released: December 17, 2001
OpenCritic Rating: Strong

Final Fantasy 10 was the last great SquareSoft game before the company had to merge with Enix following the disaster of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. This title received several updated releases, and the international version brought several unique additions to the table.

The Dark Aeons and Penance are the biggest additions in this version, introducing a series of boss fights that test the mettle of the most hardcore Final Fantasy 10 players. Along with this, new abilities and meaningful changes to the Overdrive system ensure that players have a completely different experience with this version of the game.

1 Final Fantasy 14 Expansions

Helped The MMO Stay Relevant & Popular

Systems

The original release of Final Fantasy 14 was lampooned by the masses as a failure of an MMO, which is why witnessing its resurgence under the name A Realm Reborn was such a joy to witness for long-time Final Fantasy fans. However, that was just a starting point for the greatness that this MMO would strive to achieve.

Every expansion released for Final Fantasy 14 — Heavensward, Stormblood, Shadowbringers, Endwalker, and Dawntrail — has made new strides and let players enjoy some of the best MMORPG action available. Endwalker was such a major hit that the game had to stop taking new players to prevent its servers from being overloaded, serving as a great example of what suffering from success looks like.