Final Fantasy 35th Anniversary

Final Fantasy was released on December 18, 1987. Inverse's celebration takes a look back at our favorite games, characters, and moments over the years.

FF 35th
Final Fantasy’s best hero made me a better person

“You don’t need a reason to help people.”

by Hayes Madsen
Square Enix
FF 35th
Why Final Fantasy's most dramatic twist is still its most profound

Clowns truly are the worst.

by Jen Glennon
Square Enix / Yoshitaka Amano
FF 35th
Final Fantasy's love of Shakespeare is its secret to success

The play’s the thing.

by Willa Rowe
Square Enix / Yoshitaka Amano
FF 35th
Cloud vs. Zack: Which FF7 protagonist would you date? 344 readers respond

A win-win situation.

by Jess Reyes
FF 35th
The most underrated Final Fantasy game literally brought me to tears

And it’ll forever remain my favorite entry.

by Corey Plante
Square Enix
FF 35th
22 years ago, Final Fantasy IX's most underrated hero changed the series forever

“To be forgotten is worse than death.”

by Robin Bea
Square Enix / Yoshitaka Amano
Tap
FF 35th
The best Final Fantasy song ever has a gross name and a sick beat

That sweet, sweet groove.

by Joseph Yaden
Square Enix
FF 35th
26 years later, Final Fantasy's most ambitious story still hasn't been topped

History remembers the victor.

by Hayes Madsen
Square Enix
FF 35th
Three years ago, Final Fantasy broke its oldest trope — and it still tears me apart

Long day’s journey into night.

by Willa Rowe
Square Enix

Everything FF

Gaming News

'Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth' Is Out On PC and Fans Are Already Discovering New Secrets

By Hayes Madsen

Hidden details.

Inverse Recommends

The Best Game of 2024 Is Even Better On PC

By Hayes Madsen

Learning from the past.

Reporter's Notebook

All the Final Fantasy High Notes Captured in One Evening at Carnegie Hall

By Shannon Liao

Video games feel front and center to the action at New York’s Carnegie Hall.

Gaming

Toxic Final Fantasy Players Could Be Banned For Abusing Square Enix Devs

By Robin Bea

Play nice or else.

Opinion

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Completely Upended The Most Tired Gaming Trend

By Hayes Madsen

Looking back to move forward.

The Inverse Awards

The 10 Best RPGs of 2024, Ranked

By Hayes Madsen, Shannon Liao and Robin Bea

An all-time year for the genre.

The Inverse Interview

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Director Weighs in on Cloud’s Love Triangle

By Hayes Madsen

Two down, one to go.

Exclusive

The Biggest PlayStation Developers Fondly Remember 30 Years of Gaming

By Sam Desatoff

It’s hard to believe the PlayStation is 30 years old.

The Inverse Interview

'Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth': Aerith’s Voice Actress on Rap Battles, Ad-libbing, and Self-Doubt

By Hayes Madsen

Crafting a new legacy.

Review

Fantasian Is the Classic Turn-Based Final Fantasy You’ve Been Craving

By Hayes Madsen

Inverse Score: 9/10