*First published at The Indiependent*
Following its debut in 1987 on the Famicom/NES system, the Final Fantasy series has become one of the most widely beloved and recognised gaming series of all time. The very first Final Fantasy game, originally conceived under the working title Fighting Fantasy, was released to great commercial success and received many positive reviews. 35 years later, the franchise has spawned many successful sequels, remakes, spinoffs, and subseries that have popularised the role-playing game (RPG) genre.
Feeling the Fantasy
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Final Fantasy series is how accessible it is to newcomers. Each main series numbered instalment features a unique fantasy world and an original story that does not require players to have played any of the prior games. Traits such as the iconic Chocobo creatures reused character names (Cid, Biggs, Wedge), and recurring spell names and monsters have kept long-time fans falling in love with the series again and again.
There are some exceptions to this, especially with spinoff games, but Final Fantasy XIV is considered to be one of the greatest MMO RPG games active today – despite not being the single-player experience that the series is used to. Including the likes of Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon, Crystal Chronicles, Final Fantasy Tactics, and several mobile games, there are almost 100 Final Fantasy games altogether.
The popularity of the Final Fantasy series has had a huge impact on gaming and has collaborated with big names to have their characters appear in large properties. Final Fantasy XV had quite a few: Prince Noctis appeared in Tekken 7, antagonist Ardyn was in a side mission in Assassin’s Creed: Origins and the entire FFXV cast have a skin pack in Minecraft. Cloud and Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII are two of the most iconic characters in gaming: both appear as fighters in the popular Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The success of the Kingdom Hearts series was birthed from the idea that mixing Final Fantasy and Disney characters would be an ambitious fun crossover. Kingdom Hearts creator Tetsuya Nomura has also worked on the Final Fantasy series since Final Fantasy IV in 1991 and has significantly impacted the character designs in many games ever since.
To celebrate Final Fantasy’s 35th anniversary, publisher SQUARE ENIX had several games released this year. Chocobo GP (released 12 January 2022), is a kart racing game and a sequel to 1999’s Chocobo Racing. Stangers of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin (released 18 March 2022) is a hard-core action RPG and prequel to the original Final Fantasy, taking place in the same world. Crisis Core – Final Fantasy VII – Reunion (released 13 December 2022)is a remaster of the 2007 Final Fantasy VII prequel Crisis Core – Final Fantasy VII. Crisis Core follows the story of Cloud’s friend and SOLDIER Zack Fair, who discovers many of the secrets surrounding megacorporation Shinra and antagonist Sephiroth before the events of Final Fantasy VII begin. The follow-up and second part to Final Fantasy VII Remake is also expected to release in 2023.
A Fantastical Future
Final Fantasy fans still have much to look forward to with the release of Final Fantasy XVI on 22 June 2023, the first main series numbered instalment since the release of Final Fantasy XV in 2016. Final Fantasy XVI is set in the world of Valisthea, a realm divided between six nations with access to magical Crystals. Tensions escalate between nations as a malignant force known as the ‘Blight’ begins consuming the land. Protagonist Clive Rosefield, the firstborn son of Rosaria’s ruling family, witnesses the destruction of his kingdom and embarks on a quest in pursuit of revenge.
The game has an early Mature 18+ rating, making it the first mainline game in the series to receive one. Fans are expecting a much darker take on the series in this instalment, as it was announced that Devil May Cry 5 designer Ryota Suzuki is working as combat director on Final Fantasy XVI.
Final Fantasy XVI is set to release on 22 June 2023 as a PlayStation console exclusive coming to the PS5.