do I need to play other games to understand?

[ThyKingdomCome]

This will be my second final fantasy ever, do I need to play another one to understand? I only played VII intergrade

[Loire]

No

[Darth Vader]

Independent story. So you don't need to go after all the other games in the franchise to understand the plot of XVI

[=Palynzer=]

Nope, It's a completely new story.
The ones that have sequels are FF X, FF XIII and FF VII remake.
Go for it kupo!

[ThyKingdomCome]

Thanks guys

[Nyx]

Games with different numbers have zero connection with each other. FFVII has a prequel called Crisis Core and a movie sequel called Avent Children, they all have VII in the name, but they have zero connection to VI or VIII or IX.
Each number is its own universe.

[TotemMX]

In order to understand how cool is the Final Fantasy franchise you need to play all the other games.

[Atlantus]

Final Fantasy games are always independent stories.
The exceptions are parts like Final Fantasy X-2 or the Final Fantasy 7 Remake/Rebirth series.
Final Fantasy 13 is also a trilogy that all bear the designation “13”.
Final Fantasy 16 is therefore a stand-alone game for which you don't need any previous knowledge.

[JARK]

Final Fantasy IV also has a sequel, but it shall not be named. (I liked it at first but stopped in the final dungeon when it finally started to piece together).

[Bad Distraction Carnifex]

Most Final Fantasy games are self-contained with a few follow through elements like Chocobos, Moggles, summons, magic so in some broad cases it helps because you'll for example, not wonder what a big chicken is doing in battle when you'd already understand the concept of them being a stand-in for horses in the Final Fantasy universe.

So TL;DR No

[ThyKingdomCome]

Thank you guys, can't wait to play my next FF game and the other's!

[JARK]

Also, FF XV has a prequel side-scrolling semi-beat-em-up game, a prequel/interquel animated movie, prequel animated short series, and maybe some other tie-in books (not sure if they ever followed through with those). lol. XV also had an online multiplayer game that also served as an interquel / side story (can't explain what I mean by "interquel," as that would spoil the timeframe of the main game's plot).

[Yo Weath]

nope, final fantasy is like BBQ, many similarity's, but can be made many different ways

[CH13F]

only thing you need to know there s always a facist enemy and you re outmanned and outgunned. thats how ff stories go. and eikons always same in every game, even they look different. and ofc lo and behold: the cid.

[PoeticPaladin10]

They're not just stand alone stories, but stand alone worlds. They create a new world and lore with each game, it's pretty amazing actually.

Even the worst FF games like XV and XIII have really interesting lore. I don't think Square gets enough credit for that kind of creativity, no other studio does it.

[Kirzan]

As said, no previous knowledge required and I'd even go as far as to say that 16 didn't really give me any real "omg" moment when something familiar came up, outside of the main event of the game. The game is, after all, very much about one of these tropes. Still, not necessary to have that nostalgia to be amazed by them.

It's just mostly familiar monsters, character names and items, as all FF games. You really don't need to know any of it to enjoy it, but you'll remember them for your next one!