Square Enix is a major Japanese video game company best known for its role-playing games. Its most well-known series is Final Fantasy, but it has made much more than just that franchise.
As the decade ends, we have been looking back at a lot of games that happened. Square Enix made some real winners. So here is a list of their ten best games ranked by their Metacritic scores.
10 Final Fantasy XV (Score: 81)
This particular score is for the PlayStation 4 version of this game. This addition to the large Final Fantasy franchise came out in 2016. Despite how it may look, no, you are not in a boy-band. Instead, you are prince Noctis, and go on an adventure with your buddies.
Most of the game is open-world, and you can travel by car, camp, take pictures, and do all kinds of side quests. Also, the main story gets pretty dark and interesting.
9 Final Fantasy VIII Remastered (Score: 82)
With its highest score for the Xbox One, this remastered Final Fantasy game came out just this year. The original game was on the original PlayStation, so this remaster accomplished a huge jump in terms of technology available.
Reviews have noted that it still really needs to work on its graphics, however, the remaster still very much holds up as a better game than the original from 1999.
8 Kingdom Hearts III (Score: 83)
Kingdom Hearts III kept fans waiting for a very long time, but it finally came to fruition in early 2019. Its highest score was for the PlayStation 4. The graphics and combat were perfected. Visiting a lot of new worlds like Tangled, Monsters Inc., Big Hero6, Toy Story, and Frozen was also awesome.
The one weakness of the game was its conclusion. Kairi definitely deserved better writing, especially since fans wanted to see her in action for so long, and the plot was rather muddied.
7 Collection Of Mana (Score: 83)
The game that tied with Kingdom Hearts III’s Metacritic score is Collection of Mana for the Nintendo Switch. It is actually a trilogy of games, not just one. It is a series that has existed since 1991 and this game took the main three games and put them into one. Its first game was actually a Final Fantasy game, but the Final Fantasy elements were dropped after just the first installment.
6 Dragon Quest Builders 2 (Score: 87)
With its highest rating for the PC version, the sequel to Dragon Quest Builders came out quite recently in this very month. For those that do not know about the franchise, it is like if Minecraft was a Japanese RPG. The world is built with blocks, and you contribute to it through a story. Unlike Minecraft though, it is much more scripted and structured.
The original is already popular, but the sequel offered even more things to build, a bigger story, and access to multiplayer. If you played the first game, there is not much in terms of surprises, but a lot of new content to keep you entertained.
5 Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together (Score: 87)
This PSP game from 2011 ties with Dragon Quest Builders 2’s Metacritic score. It is a tactical role-playing game, and this particular version is actually a remake. Those who played the original were very happy to find this version fixed any issue they had with the former. They also noted that this version felt very different due to its new content and removal of training mode.
Many players compare this game to Final Fantasy Tactics, but most agree that Tactics Ogre offers way more in terms of entertainment.
4 Nier: Automata (Score: 88)
It should come as no surprise that Nier: Automata is on this list. The game is gorgeous, the soundtrack is epic, and the story is deep. Its highest score is actually its Become as Gods edition but we wanted to only review about the base game since that is the most accessible version and the version that most people play.
This Metacritic score is for its PlayStation 4 version. In terms of action, its amazing. In terms of story, it really is a work of art. There are some that would even argue that its the greatest game ever made.
3 Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood (Score: 89)
Square Enix’s massive-multiplayer-online game, Final Fantasy XIV is now more popular than ever. With every addition they make, the ratings get higher. That was certainly the case for Stormblood in 2017, which took players to Ala Mhigo and Doma. It also added the Red Mage class as well as increasing the level cap to 70. You got a ton more areas to explore, more beast tribe quests, new dungeons, new bosses, memorable characters, the ability to go underwater, and so much more.
This expansion comes after Heavensward and outdid its predecessor in numerous ways.
2 Deus Ex: Human Revolution (Score: 90)
For the PC and released in 2011, this action role-playing game was a major hit. It took place in the future and the world and plot were very interesting. In terms of gameplay, there is a lot to do in terms of sneaking around, combat, collecting clues, and solving puzzles. It is the kind of game where you can more than one right answer to a problem.
The game is not afraid to get deep either and can get you to reflect about the human race and what defines us. It is definitely one of those games that can entertain for multiple playthroughs.
1 Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers (Score: 91)
This year, Final Fantasy XIV outdid itself yet again. That is twice in a decade next to Stormblood. Shadowbringers increased ratings yet again on Metacritic for this MMO. The expansion increased the level cap to 80, added two new races, the Dancer class, tons more to explore, and it had its best writing to date. Due to its fantastic reviews, a lot of World of Warcraft players are moving to this MMO instead. It may be the best MMO out there at this moment due to its memorable characters, well-written story, incredible graphics, many classes, and beautiful landscapes.
