What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
There is no universally correct first game in a long-running video-game franchise. The reliable method is to identify the series’ story structure, separate release order from in-world chronology, check what a remake actually changes, and then match an entry to your preferred genre, controls, tone, platform, and available time. A standalone game can be a better introduction than an older numbered title; a direct sequel usually is not.
This guide gives you a repeatable way to decide without playing everything or assuming that the oldest release—or the earliest event in the fictional timeline—must come first.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Why a franchise name does not tell you where to begin
“Long-running franchise” describes the size of a catalog, not how its games relate. Before choosing a title, classify the relationship between entries. The opening question is not “What is number one?” but “What knowledge does this game expect me to bring?”
| Story structure | What it means for a new player | Best starting principle |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone entries | Each game has its own setting, cast, conflict, or complete adventure. | Choose by gameplay, tone, accessibility, and availability. |
| Direct sequels | A later game continues the characters, plot, or ending of a specific earlier game. | Play the earlier game first unless the publisher explicitly presents the sequel as a new-player entry. |
| Subseries arcs | A franchise contains a self-contained cluster with its own continuity. | Start at the first game in the arc, not necessarily the franchise’s first release. |
| Anthology or flexible-order series | Games share themes or systems while allowing different routes, protagonists, or event sequences. | Use the developer’s guidance when one exists; otherwise select the clearest, most accessible sample. |
Square Enix describes SaGa this way: “Much like other Square Enix RPG series, like FINAL FANTASY or DRAGON QUEST, each SaGa game is a complete, standalone adventure.” That does not mean every SaGa title plays the same. The series includes selectable protagonists and, in some games, an event-based narrative in which you choose the order of historical events. Treat continuity and structure as separate questions. Read the official SaGa introduction before assuming that a familiar series label implies a fixed play order.
#1 Best Overall
- BLUE LIGHT BLOCKING GLASSES: Our blue light glasses for women boast UV400 protection, blocking harmful blue rays from computer screens. With these bluelight glasses women, you can enjoy gaming, reading, or watching TV with no worries of eye strain.
- EYE RELIEF: Our blue light glasses are engineered to reduce blurry vision or strain caused by prolonged screen time. These womens blue light glasses aid in better sleep by preventing blue light from disrupting your natural sleep cycle, helping you fall asleep faster and enjoy a more restful night's sleep, making them the perfect christmas present.
- COMFORTABLE: Crafted from durable material, our trendy blue light glasses for woman or blue light glasses men ensure long-lasting comfort. The high-transmittance lenses accessories, gamer gifts for men, help keep your eyes relaxed. Perfect stocking stuffers, gifts for gamers men, christmas gifts for men, halloween costumes.
- LIGHTWEIGHT: These clear blue light glasses feature a lightweight frame, meaning they’ll stay comfy for long-term wear. Perfect as blue blockers glasses for women or mens blue light glasses, these non-prescription fake glasses for men can be worn throughout the day. The blue light blocking glasses women feature polycarbonate HD lenses, which are anti-reflective and restore true color.
- WORRY-FREE PURCHASE: If you experience any issues, our support team is ready to assist you quickly. These are the perfect costume glasses for cosplay dressing up.
Final Fantasy illustrates the same distinction at a larger scale. PlayStation’s 2025 guide describes 16 mainline numbered games and says they are largely standalone, while identifying exceptions such as Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Final Fantasy X-2. “Largely standalone” is not permission to start a direct continuation at random; it is a reason to inspect the relationship for the particular entry you are considering.
Step 1: Find the story boundary
Use the publisher’s game page, series guide, or manual to answer these questions before looking at rankings or fan-made timelines:
- Does the description call the game a sequel? Words such as “continues,” “part two,” “returns,” or a named earlier protagonist signal that prior knowledge may matter.
- Is it the first chapter of a named arc? A game can be the beginning of a trilogy or remake project even when the franchise has decades of earlier releases.
- Does it reuse a world without continuing the same plot? Shared locations, creatures, combat systems, or motifs do not automatically create a required order.
- Does the game deliberately reveal information from an earlier title? A prequel can spoil a mystery or reframe a character even though its events happen earlier.
When a standalone game is the right first choice
Start with a standalone entry when you want a low-commitment sample, the series has no required continuity, or the newest game offers substantially clearer controls and accessibility. You can then decide whether the franchise’s older design interests you. This is especially sensible for anthology-style RPGs and series in which each installment changes its setting or cast.
When you should begin an arc
Start at the first game in a connected arc when later entries assume relationships, mechanics, locations, or unresolved endings. A direct sequel may explain enough to function mechanically, yet still deliver a weaker emotional and spoiler-sensitive experience for a first-time player. If the publisher labels an entry as a continuation, treat that as a meaningful boundary rather than a marketing flourish.
How to handle flexible or branching narratives
Some games let you choose protagonists or determine the order of events. In those cases, “first” can mean the first game in the series or the first route inside one game. Choose a route described as introductory, use the in-game recommendation if provided, and accept that there may be no single canonical path.
Step 2: Decide between release order and story chronology
Release order and fictional chronology answer different questions. Neither is automatically superior.
Rank #2
- WINDEX GAMING WIPES: effortlessly clean all your gaming gear and gaming electronics in one easy step with our new Windex Gaming Wipes
- AMMONIA FREE: our ammonia-free formula is safe to use on all of your favorite gaming equipment like consoles, headsets, controllers, screens, keyboards, and more
- PRE-MOISTENED WIPES: each wipe instantly removes dust, dirt, and stubborn smudges and fingerprints leaving a streak-free shine
- ANTI-STATIC: great for cleaning and wiping down your gaming gear and electronics leaving behind no visible residue
- COMPACT RESEALABLE PACKAGE: store your pack of Windex Gaming Wipes anywhere in your home for whenever a quick and easy wipedown is needed
| Ordering system | What you experience | Advantages | Risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release order | The sequence in which players received the games. | Shows how mechanics, presentation, and storytelling developed; preserves references and reveals as the audience originally encountered them. | Older controls, pacing, and interfaces may make the opening less approachable. |
| Story chronology | The order of events inside the fictional timeline. | Useful when a remake project is designed as a chronological retelling or when the publisher explicitly teaches the setting that way. | A prequel can reveal identities, motives, or twists intended to be discovered later. |
Prefer release order when discovery is part of the design
Use release order for a connected story whose early game establishes mysteries that later prequels explain. It also makes the evolution of combat, camera design, voice acting, and interface easier to understand. If you are studying the franchise’s history, release order is usually the clearest record of its development.
Prefer chronology only when the project supports it
Chronology is strongest when the developer has rebuilt the games to function as one planned sequence. A famous example is the HD-2D Erdrick Trilogy. In a PlayStation Blog interview, developer Masaaki Hayasaka said, “So it was decided at the very beginning of the project that we wanted the games to be played in the order III, I, II.” He explained that the remakes retell Erdrick’s story chronologically and that certain twists are intended to land in that order. His longer recommendation is to play the HD-2D remakes as III, I, II, rather than following the numbering. Read the full PlayStation Blog interview for the project-specific reasoning.
Do not generalize that example into a rule for every prequel. A game released later may assume that players already know the earlier release, even if its events occur first in-world.
Step 3: Treat a remake as an edition decision
“Remake,” “remaster,” and “port” are not perfectly consistent industry terms. An academic discussion of video-game relationships notes that publishers and players sometimes use “remake” and “port” interchangeably, so rely on the publisher’s exact edition name and describe the actual changes.
| Edition type | Usually changes | What to verify before starting |
|---|---|---|
| Original | The release’s original controls, interface, performance, and presentation. | Save systems, difficulty options, subtitle support, display format, and whether modern hardware runs it cleanly. |
| Port | Moves the original game to another platform, sometimes with minor fixes. | Input mapping, frame rate, resolution, language support, and whether content differs from the source release. |
| Remaster | Improves resolution, performance, audio, interface, or convenience while generally preserving the game’s structure. | Optional enhancements, altered music or cutscenes, and whether the original version remains available. |
| Remake | Rebuilds some or all assets, controls, combat, pacing, or level design. | Story changes, expanded chapters, omitted content, altered difficulty, and whether later games assume the original continuity. |
| Reimagining | Uses the earlier work as a foundation but may substantially change plot, structure, or themes. | Whether it is an alternate continuity or a replacement for the earlier story. |
Why the newer edition may be the best gateway
PlayStation describes Final Fantasy VII Remake as an accessible gateway while also explaining that it expands and reworks the early chapters. That makes it a useful model for evaluating a remake: approachable does not mean identical. If you start there, record which story material and systems belong specifically to the remake before moving to a sequel or the original.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →A remake checklist
- Compare the opening hours, not just screenshots: pacing and tutorial structure can be completely different.
- Check whether combat changed from turn-based to action, or whether progression systems were redesigned.
- Find out if the remake covers the whole original game or only one section.
- Confirm whether sequels continue the remake’s continuity, the original continuity, or both.
- Check subtitles, text size, difficulty options, camera settings, and controller remapping.
The academic terminology discussion is useful for identifying relationships, but it is not a recommendation list. The publisher’s edition description and the game’s own continuity should decide your route.
Rank #3
- Ergonomic & Adjustable Design: Fight "text neck" and improve your posture. Designed for comfort, it offers an adjustable height (7.1in-8.5in) (1.4in adjustable range) and angle (5°-85°) Please note: cell phone stand is only 9 inches tall—the length of a standard pencil
- Without blocking subtitles Perfect for office desk Tiktok Face Time Zoom video—this is the ultimate kitchen desk essential for phones! Perfect viewing experience while reducing neck back strain, A must-have for gamers streamers desk, and anyone who values both style and support!
- Sleek & Stable Design fits Otterbox Case: Say goodbye to bent cables, tangles, and tip-overs! LISEN’s stylish adjustable desk phone holder features a built-in charging hole and smart cable management, keeping your phone secure and your workspace clutter-free cool gadgets for men
- ANTI-SLIP DESIGN free hands: The under 10.00 items easy gadgets back and the bottom of this kitchen essentials for women are fully covered by anti-skid silicone, which LISEN stand up desk decor can provide maximum protection device from any scratches and slides
- Your Perfect Viewing Companion:If your product arrives damaged or breaks within 365 days, reach out to LISEN for a quick and hassle-free solution. Struggling with assembly, like tightening the screw? We’ve got your back! Your experience matters to us. (Product including: phone Holder stand*1, screw*1, hexagon screwdriver*1, specification*1)
Step 4: Match the entry to the experience you actually want
The “best” starting game changes with your preferences. Choose the experience first, then select the compatible entry.
| If you want… | Look for… | Illustrative official guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Fast, real-time combat | Action systems, dodge or parry timing, and adjustable difficulty. | PlayStation presents Final Fantasy XVI as action-oriented. |
| A social, long-term game | Persistent online worlds, group content, and an ongoing service structure. | PlayStation presents Final Fantasy XIV as a social MMORPG. |
| A guided remake gateway | Modern controls, tutorials, and an entry that explains its own premise. | PlayStation describes Final Fantasy VII Remake as an accessible gateway. |
| Survival horror | Resource management, exploration pressure, and a manageable introduction to the series’ conventions. | Capcom USA staff recommend Resident Evil 2 (2019) for new players. |
| Historical design | Original interfaces, slower pacing, and willingness to learn older conventions. | Choose an original or faithful remaster after checking platform support. |
Capcom’s October 18, 2024 newcomer guide quotes Capcom USA staff: “If you’re a new player, start out with Resident Evil 2 (2019). It’s a great jumping-on point for the series.” The statement is collective staff advice, not a universal ranking of every Resident Evil game. It demonstrates the right kind of recommendation: tied to a stated audience and a specific entry. See Capcom’s guide for the surrounding context.
Account for age, controls, and accessibility
An older game may be narratively important but still be a poor first experience if its camera, save system, text size, or pacing conflicts with your needs. Check difficulty modes, remapping, subtitle controls, color options, motion settings, and whether the platform supports suspend or quick-save features. “Modern” is not automatically accessible, so verify the specific options.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Step 5: Verify platform, region, and edition access
A theoretically ideal starting point is useless if you cannot buy or play the required edition. Availability changes by country, storefront, subscription catalog, and hardware generation.
- Identify your platform. Write down the console, PC storefront, or handheld you will actually use.
- Check the publisher’s current listing for that region. Confirm the exact edition name rather than assuming a similarly titled port is equivalent.
- Inspect bundles and collections. Make sure a package contains the starting game and not only a sequel, expansion, or bonus episode.
- Check prerequisites. A sequel may require a prior game’s save data, downloadable chapter, account, or online service.
- Confirm language and accessibility support. Store listings can differ by territory.
- Record the date you checked. Digital availability and subscription inclusion can change.
Do not claim that a game runs on a particular device without checking the current official listing for the reader’s market. If access is uncertain, recommend the story boundary and decision criteria rather than naming a purchase with false certainty.
A practical decision worksheet
Use this sequence when several entries seem plausible:
Rank #4
- Easy Installation: Our gaming lights have been designed to enhance your entertainment experience. Simply position the led light bar next to your TV or game console to create a game room environment with ease. They come with USB power and a 60 inch cord for direct mounting and mobility
- Audio Syncing & Extensive Mode: The built-in high-sensitivity music sensor allows you to sync the TV led lights to your favorite music. Lights react and move to the beat of music, film and game audio, creating an incredible immersive sound and light experience – and all without the need for an additional hub. You can choose from 64+ patterns, including strobe, illusion, jump, energy, gradient, running, chasing, fluttering mode etc. Each mode can be applied to different scenes
- 64+ Chasing IC+RGB & W Effect: The independent control design of IC+RGB and white all-in-one multifunctional rgbw led bar lights monitor backlight allows you to easily switch the led lights for desk between IC+RGB and white to enjoy a variety of lighting effects, you can choose white lighting mode with high brightness for better illumination when working, etc. Choose IC+RGB lighting mode when you need to create an entertaining atmosphere for the light show, 16 million colours of Color changing rgb light bar let you dance to the beat and create a dynamic party atmosphere
- Dynamic and Dimmable Lights: 1%-full brightness free brightness adjustment gives you the flexibility to adjust dimmable led light bar for room decorations or a variety of occasions
- USB Powered: USB light bars for room can be powered by powernank, usb charger, TV, Monitor, laptop PC mainframe, making behind TV led lighting bar easy to install in any location.TV led lights are powered by the TV usb interface / PC mainframe, can be turned on/off synchronously with TV / PC
- List the candidates. Include only games you can access on your platform and in your region.
- Mark continuity. Label each as standalone, direct sequel, first arc entry, or uncertain.
- Remove unsafe sequels. Eliminate entries that explicitly continue an earlier story unless you are willing to backtrack.
- Choose your ordering goal. Select release order for historical discovery, chronology for a developer-designed retelling, or arc order for a connected narrative.
- Score fit. Rate each remaining game from one to five for combat preference, tone, accessibility, time commitment, and platform convenience.
- Check spoiler exposure. Read only official descriptions and spoiler-light guides before committing.
- Pick the lowest-friction candidate. A game you will actually finish is a better introduction than a theoretically perfect but inaccessible one.
| Question | Strong fit | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Story knowledge | Standalone or explicitly marked first arc entry. | Description says it continues a named earlier game. |
| Play style | Combat and pacing match your stated preference. | You are choosing it only because it is numbered first. |
| Edition | Changes are documented and fit your expectations. | The label is vague and the coverage is incomplete. |
| Accessibility | Required settings and controls are available. | Known camera, text, save, or motion barriers are unresolved. |
| Commitment | You want the length and online or social requirements involved. | You want a short sample but selected a large ongoing service game. |
| Access | Current regional platform listing is confirmed. | Availability depends on an expired promotion or an unclear bundle. |
What four major examples teach
SaGa: independence can coexist with unusual structure
Square Enix’s description supports starting with the SaGa game whose systems appeal to you, because each is presented as a complete adventure. Within an individual title, however, selectable protagonists and player-directed event order can make the route non-linear. “Standalone” tells you that prior games are not required; it does not promise a conventional tutorial or a single prescribed path.
Recommended Free Tools
Final Fantasy: numbered does not mean continuous
PlayStation’s guide treats the mainline numbered entries as largely standalone and separates exceptions such as Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Final Fantasy X-2. The practical lesson is to inspect the relationship for the exact game. Choose among standalone entries by combat, tone, social commitment, and edition quality; place direct sequels after their predecessors.
Dragon Quest’s remake trilogy: a project can override numbering
For the HD-2D Erdrick remakes, the developer’s stated order is III, I, II. That recommendation exists because the remakes are a chronological retelling with twists designed for that sequence. It is evidence for following a project-specific instruction, not evidence that every numbered trilogy should be played by fictional chronology.
Resident Evil: a newcomer recommendation can be audience-specific
Capcom’s staff recommendation of Resident Evil 2 (2019) is framed for new players. It shows how a good entry point can balance series identity with approachability. A veteran seeking historical context could reasonably choose a different order, but that is a different goal.
Common mistakes and how to correct them
Starting with the oldest game automatically
Why it fails: You may encounter the least accessible controls before learning what the franchise does well today.
Fix: Start with the earliest game in the relevant connected arc, unless your goal is historical study.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchFollowing a fan chronology without checking the developer
Why it fails: Chronology can expose reveals that release order protected.
Fix: Prefer an explicit developer order for a remade or tightly connected project; otherwise state which spoilers you accept.
Best Value
- Compatible with Wide Screens - To ensure compatibility with the dual monitor mount, your each monitor must meet three conditions at the same time: First, computer screens size range: 13 to 32 inches. Second, screen weight range: 4.4 to 19.8 lbs. Third, the back of the monitor screen must have VESA mounting holes with a pitch of 75x75mm or 100x100mm.
- Regarding the compatibility with desks - Your desk must meet three conditions at the same time: First, desk material: Only wooden desks are recommended, plastic or glass desks cannot be used. Second, desk thickness range: 0.59" - 3.54". Third, the bottom of the desk should not have any cross beams or panels, as this will interfere with installation. We recommend carefully checking that your desk and monitors meets all above conditions before purchasing.
- Dual C-Clamp Hold - Worried your dual monitors might wobble or slip? Our upgraded base uses a larger platform plus a dual C-clamp structure to lock the dual monitor arm firmly to your desk. Each arm safely keeps your screens steady while you type, click and game—no shaking, no sliding, just a clean and secure setup you can trust every day. It also provides Grommet Mounting installation choice, both options ensure stable and secure fixation for your 0.59" - 3.54" desk.
- Full-Motion Adjustment For Comfortable View - Pull the screen closer when you’re deep in a spreadsheet, push it back to watch videos, or rotate to portrait for coding — moving everything smoothly with just one hand. The monitor stand offers +85°/-50° tilt, ±90° swivel and 360° rotation. Raise your monitor up to 15.75″ to support a healthy sitting posture. Whether you’re working from home, gaming through the night, or switching between video calls and documents, getting the screens to your natural line of sight helps relieve neck, shoulder and back strain so you can stay focused longer with less fatigue.
- Keep Your Desk Organized: By lifting both screens off the desktop, this dual monitor stand opens up valuable space for your keyboard, notebook, docking station or a simple, clutter-free work area. Built-in cable management guides wires along the arms, keeping cords out of sight and out of the way. Enjoy a tidy, modern workstation that looks as good as it feels to use.
Assuming every remake replaces the original
Why it fails: A remake may cover only part of the story or establish a different continuity.
Fix: Compare scope, plot, combat, pacing, and sequel assumptions.
Treating a shared universe as one uninterrupted plot
Why it fails: Recurring names, creatures, or themes may be conventions rather than continuity.
Fix: Look for explicit sequel language and official story summaries.
Ignoring the reader’s actual play habits
Why it fails: A critically celebrated entry cannot introduce a genre you dislike or a platform you do not own.
Fix: Match combat, tone, length, social requirements, and accessibility before prestige.
Buying before checking the edition
Why it fails: A collection may omit the needed chapter, and regional listings may differ.
Fix: Confirm the exact title, included content, platform, language, and current availability first.
The short rule to remember
Start at the beginning of the story you want to follow—not necessarily the franchise’s first release. If entries are standalone, choose the game that best fits your preferred play style and access. If they connect, follow the relevant arc. Use release order to preserve evolution and reveals; use chronology only when the developer’s project is built for it. Treat remakes as distinct editions whose changes must be checked, then choose the title you can comfortably play now.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
