The darkest Final Fantasy?

[SuperMillionaire]

I get the feeling that Final Fantasy VII has a much darker storyline than its predecessors. Is VII the darkest Final Fantasy game ever released?

[Flying Arrow]

They're all dark to an extent. I find VI, VII, and IX's plots to be particularly dark. However, not even the darkest moments from VI or IX can touch VII's ending for me, which was much more interesting and effective before Advent Children and the Compilation came and smurfed everything up. Despite what many say, I think VII's original ending was an excellently dark bookend to an exceptionally-told story (for a video game, of course).

[Rad Bromance]

I actually found VI darker. The world actually gets destroyed by a maniac.

VII is pretty dark, but the world never got destroyed by the maniac. It did have a gritty setting and a far stronger feeling of hopelessness for salvation than any of the others though.

[Rostum]

FFXI is probably the darkest story in the series, imo.

[Kyros]

When compared to the predecessors I found IV and VI to be darker overall, especially VI. In respect to the series I don't see VII anywhere close to Tictacs, VIII or X in this way.

[Raistlin]

Most of the FFs are a little too campy to be considered "dark." FFVII certainly has its moments that are "darker" than most (Vincent's subplot, wandering through Cloud's mind in Lifestream). But the brisk pacing, which meant not delving into certain parts of the plot much, results in a game that isn't really dark. I guess it depends on how you define dark, which to me is not just colors and emo-feeling, but requires a certain realism.

Under my definition, FFT is probably the "darkest" game in the series, as it focuses, more in-depth, on the human elements of betrayal.

[Rostum]

Most of the FFs are a little too campy to be considered "dark." FFVII certainly has its moments that are "darker" than most (Vincent's subplot, wandering through Cloud's mind in Lifestream). But the brisk pacing, which meant not delving into certain parts of the plot much, results in a game that isn't really dark. I guess it depends on how you define dark, which to me is not just colors and emo-feeling, but requires a certain realism.

Under my definition, FFT is probably the "darkest" game in the series, as it focuses, more in-depth, on the human elements of betrayal.

This is certainly why I would think FFXI is the darkest. I guess it also has a greater opportunity to present a lore filled world of war torn countries and kingdoms. Don't let those Tarutaru's fool you! They have a very sad story behind their peoples.

[SuperMillionaire]

I've heard that the upcoming Final Fantasy Versus XIII will become the new darkest Final Fantasy game yet, but until then, to date, Final Fantasy VII still holds that distinction, in my opinion.

[Jiro]

I don't think it's necessarily darkest in terms of plot, but it seems to be a fairly gritty and dark world. Most of the games deal with pretty rough things so I wouldn't say VII is the darkest.

[Bolivar]

Most of the newer games have dark elements to it, so it's a matter of opinion.

Some of the stuff is genuinely disturbing/scary though so I might give it to FFVII myself.

[SuperMillionaire]

I guess Tetsuya Nomura generally likes to make things extra dark and somber.

And the advanced graphics make things look more gruesome too.

[I Don't Need A Name]

I agree more with what other people say.
VI has the whole planet being taken over by a maniac raining destruction (Why Kefka>Sephilame)
Tactics has betrayal and its effects.
However, I've always found IX the darkest.
The amount of death and its consiquences in that game is more than the rest of the FF's. The likes of the destruction of innocents at Cleyra topping it. Although, the aftermath of the Lindblum attack is pretty grim, considering you get children crying cause they saw their parents die in front of them

[Slothy]

Tactics has betrayal and its effects.
However, I've always found IX the darkest.
The amount of death and its consiquences in that game is more than the rest of the FF's. The likes of the destruction of innocents at Cleyra topping it. Although, the aftermath of the Lindblum attack is pretty grim, considering you get children crying cause they saw their parents die in front of them

I agree on FFIX probably being the darkest for those reasons, but FFVI is a pretty close second. Not only did the world get destroyed and Kefka take over, but it featured such memorable scenes as Celes being beaten while held captive, and falling into the depths of despair after Cid's death and trying to kill herself.

[Jiro]

There was the poisoning of the people of Doma too, war crimes and all that.

[Slothy]

Not sure how that slipped my mind, but thanks for reminding me Jiro.