Dissidia Final Fantasy / 012

What happens when you put heroes and villains from the entire history of Final Fantasy into a single arena and let them duke it out in flashy action? You get Dissidia Final Fantasy — an unconventional fighting game that Square Enix built as a celebration of its flagship series, and to which an expanded entry subtitled 012 (i.e., Duodecim) was later added.

Dissidia isn't one of the classic fighting games with a plane and a fixed distance. Battles take place in free 3D arenas where characters race through space, run along walls, and attack both at range and up close. At its core is a clever two-layered system: first you use so-called Bravery attacks to strip your opponent of courage points, which you appropriate for yourself, and only then do you convert them into an HP attack that actually drains health. Combat is thus a constant juggling between building an advantage and timing the decisive blow.

For fans of the series, though, it's above all a grand tribute. You step into the role of heroes like Cloud, Squall, Tidus, Cecil, or Lightning and face off against the series' iconic villains, all with respect for their origins, abilities, and personalities. An RPG layer with leveling, equipment, and skill customization weaves around the battles, so it's not just about reflexes but also about building your character.

The 012 entry expanded the whole concept with new fighters, improved the systems, and tied the story into a larger whole, making it the definitive version for those who wanted to get the most out of this crossover celebration. On the PSP it was a technically ambitious title that pushed the console's hardware toward flashy battles full of spells and animation.

Why play: A flashy crossover fighting game with heroes from the entire Final Fantasy series and a clever courage system — a tribute for fans and a distinctive action game with RPG depth in its own right.