Final Fantasy Vi

While Final Fantasy VII is undoubtedly one of the best in the series, there's plenty of value to be found in its predecessor, too. The sixth installment may not have the same 3D graphics, but it does edge just ahead in terms of its narrative. Set in a world reminiscent of the second industrial revolution, this title features a grand total of fourteen playable characters. Each is fleshed out and has distinct differences, and together, the group of rebel's plot to overthrow a dictatorship. The setting provides a different feel to the usual medieval environment of the series, but it also offers a look at a different culture. Square builds in all of the aspects you'd expect from a 19th-century steampunk world, including opera, arts, railroads, and steamships. The game is huge in scope, both in its characterization and its twisting, world-changing plot. As you take on huge powers with a band of memorable but conflicting characters, any of the game's flaws fade into the background. Square pulls you into its highly emotional tale with a scope and grace that hasn't been matched.