Final Fantasy

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 It has been suggested that Final Fantasy battle systems be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)
This article is about the Final Fantasy franchise. For the video game, see Final Fantasy (video game).
For other uses, see Final Fantasy (disambiguation).
A generic Final Fantasy logo. This typeface was first used in Japan with Final Fantasy IV, and in North America and Europe with Final Fantasy VII.
A generic Final Fantasy logo. This typeface was first used in Japan with Final Fantasy IV, and in North America and Europe with Final Fantasy VII.

Final Fantasy (ファイナルファンタジー Fainaru Fantajī?) is a media franchise created by Hironobu Sakaguchi and owned by Square Enix that includes video games, motion pictures, and other merchandise. The series began in 1987 as an eponymous console role-playing game (RPG) developed by Square, spawning a video game series that became the central focus of the franchise.[1][2] The franchise has since branched out into other genres and platforms, such as tactical RPGs,[3] portable games, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game, and games for mobile phones. As of March 2007, there are twenty-eight games in the franchise—including twelve numbered games and numerous spin-off titles.[4] The series has spurred the release of three animated productions, two full-length CGI films, and several printed adaptations.

Most Final Fantasy installments are independent stories (the numbers after the title refers more to volumes than sequels); however, they feature common elements that define the franchise. Such elements include recurring creatures, character names, airships and character classes. The series has popularized many features that are now widely used in console RPGs, and it is well known for its visuals, music, and innovation,[5][6] such as the inclusion of full motion videos, photo-realistic character models, and orchestrated music by Nobuo Uematsu. The series have been commercially and critically successful; it is the fourth-best-selling video game franchise,[1] with more than 80 million units sold as of December 2007.[7] Many individual titles in series have garnered extra attention and their own positive reception. In addition, the series was awarded a star on the Walk of Game in 2006.[8]

Contents

[edit] Games

Further information: List of Final Fantasy media

The first installment of the series premiered in Japan on December 18, 1987. Each subsequent title was numbered and given a unique story. Since the original release, many Final Fantasy games have been localized for markets in North America, Europe, and Australia, on numerous video game consoles, IBM PC compatible computers, and mobile phones. Future installments will appear on seventh generation video game consoles; two upcoming titles for the PlayStation 3 include Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII. As of March 2007, there are 28 games in the franchise.[4] This number includes the main installments from Final Fantasy to Final Fantasy XII, as well as direct sequels and spin-offs. Many of the older titles have been re-released on multiple platforms.

[edit] Main series

Cover of the North America release of Final Fantasy for the Nintendo Entertainment System
Cover of the North America release of Final Fantasy for the Nintendo Entertainment System
  • Final Fantasy II was originally released on the Famicom in Japan in 1988.[10] The story centers on four youths who join a resistance to end the Emperor's military campaign against the world. Final Fantasy II was the first game to introduce Chocobos and Cid.[5]
  • Final Fantasy III was released on the Famicom in Japan in 1990.[11] The plot focuses on four orphaned youths who come across a crystal, which grants them power and instructs them to restore balance to the world. It was the first game to implement a Job System, summoning and introduce Moogles.[5]
  • Final Fantasy V was released on the Super Famicom in Japan in 1992.[15] The story focuses on a wanderer and his allies as they prevent the resurgence of Exdeath. It features an expanded version of the Job System from Final Fantasy III.
  • Final Fantasy VI was released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1994,[16] but it was released in North America under the title Final Fantasy III.[16] The plot centers on a group of rebels as they attempt to overthrow an imperial dictatorship. It has more battle customization options than its predecessors, as well as the largest playable cast in the series.
  • Final Fantasy VII was released on the PlayStation in 1997 and was the first title to be officially released in Europe.[17] The story centers on a group of adventurers as they battle a powerful corporation. Final Fantasy VII was the first game in the series to use 3D computer graphics, which feature fully polygonal characters on pre-rendered backgrounds. This is the first Final Fantasy to have the same number designation in America and Japan since the original game was released.
  • Final Fantasy VIII was released on the PlayStation in 1999.[18] The plot focuses on a group of young mercenaries who seek to prevent a sorceress from manipulating an international war. It was the first game in the series to consistently use realistically proportioned characters, and feature a vocal piece as its theme music.
  • Final Fantasy IX was released on the PlayStation in 2000.[19] The story begins with the protagonists attempting to stop a war sparked by an ambitious queen. It returned to the series' roots by revisiting a more traditional Final Fantasy setting.
  • Final Fantasy X was released on the PlayStation 2 in 2001.[20] The story focuses on the protagonists trying to defeat a rampaging force known as Sin. Final Fantasy X introduced fully three-dimensional areas and voice acting to the series, and it was the first to spawn a direct sequel (Final Fantasy X-2).
  • Final Fantasy XI was released on the PlayStation 2 and PC in 2002[21], and later on the Xbox 360. The first MMORPG in the series, Final Fantasy XI is set in Vana'diel, where players can experience hundreds of quests and stories. It is also the first game in the series to feature real-time battles instead of random encounters.
  • Final Fantasy XII was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2006.[22] The game takes place in Ivalice, where the empires of Archadia and Rozarria are waging an endless war. It features a real-time battle system similar to Final Fantasy XI, a "gambit" system that automatically controls the actions of characters, and a "license board" that determines which abilities and equipment the character can use.

[edit] Direct sequels and spin-offs

See also: Category: Final Fantasy spin-offs

Final Fantasy has spawned numerous spin-offs and compilations. Three Square games were released in North America with their titles changed to include "Final Fantasy": The Final Fantasy Legend and its two sequels. Final Fantasy Adventure is a spin-off to the Final Fantasy series and spawned the Mana series.[23] Final Fantasy Mystic Quest was developed for a United States audience, and Final Fantasy Tactics featured many references and themes found in previous Final Fantasy games. In 2003, the video game series' first direct sequel, Final Fantasy X-2, was released.[24] Square Enix has released numerous games featuring Chocobos, and the Kingdom Hearts series includes characters and themes from Final Fantasy.[25] Vagrant Story, another Square game, is set in Ivalice, the same world featured in Final Fantasy Tactics and Final Fantasy XII.[26] Three Final Fantasy compilations—Compilation of Final Fantasy VII, Ivalice Alliance, and Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy XIII—share many themes.

[edit] Overview

[edit] Common elements

Main article: Common elements of Final Fantasy

Although most Final Fantasy installments are independent, many themes and elements of gameplay recur throughout the series. The concept of summoning legendary creatures to aid in battle has persisted since Final Fantasy III; common summons include Shiva, Ifrit, and Bahamut.[5] Recurring creatures include Chocobos, Moogles, Tonberries, Behemoth, Cactuars and Malboros.[27] Some spin-off titles have cameo appearances of characters from other games, and most titles feature recycled character names. For example, there has been a character named Cid in each game since Final Fantasy II;[28] however, each appearance and personality is different. Airships and character classes—specific jobs that enable unique abilities for characters—are other recurring themes.[5][27]

[edit] Gameplay

[edit] Game screens

Final Fantasy games typically have several types of screens, or modes of interaction, that are broadly categorized by function. Screens are accessed either by the player's actions or by automatic events. Such screens include: field screens, battle screens, world screens, menu screens, cutscenes, and minigames. The player normally controls the character interaction with the environment via Field, Battle, and World screens; minigames are sometimes used for this as well.

"Field screens" are enclosed and interconnected areas—towns, caves, fields, and other environments—through which the player can navigate the playable characters. Most of the character dialogue and exploration occurs on the field screens. In the first ten titles (except Final Fantasy VIII, where other characters follow the main character when you are not on the world map), players can navigate the main character, which represents the whole party, around the environment. Since Final Fantasy XI, multiple playable characters have been shown on the Field screen, and battles have been incorporated into the Field screen.

Final Fantasy IV (SNES) world screen
Final Fantasy IV (SNES) world screen

"Battle screens" facilitate battles in an arena, usually with a change of scale and a background that represents where the battle is occurring. For example, a random battle in a desert will have a desert backdrop.[29] Battles are normally either plot-relevant or random encounters. In Final Fantasy XI and XII, battles screens were omitted by having battle sequences occur on the main field screen;[30][31] the change was influenced by a desire to remove random encounters.[32]

The "World screen" is a low-scale map of the game world used to symbolize traveling great distances that would otherwise slow the plot progression. The party can often traverse this screen via airships, Chocobos, and other modes of transportation.[29] "Menu Screens" are used for character and game management; typical menu screens include items, character status, equipment, abilities, and game options.[27] This screen is usually presented in a very simple table layout. "Cutscenes" are non-interactive playbacks that provide instructions for the player or advance the plot. They can either be pre-rendered video, also known as full motion video, or they can be executed with the same engine as any of the first three modes. "Minigames" are small activities that generally serve as diversions from the story.

Example diagram of the Active Time Battle system used in several Final Fantasy games from its US patent application
Example diagram of the Active Time Battle system used in several Final Fantasy games from its US patent application

[edit] Battle system

Main article: Final Fantasy battle systems

Combat in the Final Fantasy series started with a simple menu-driven, turn-based battle system. Since Final Fantasy IV, the series has gradually introduced more real-time elements,[5] culminating in a full real-time system for Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XII.[33][34] The traditional, turn-based battle system was used in the first three games. At the beginning of each combat round, the player chooses battle commands for all playable characters. These commands are carried out in an order determined by the "speed" statistic of the characters.

With Final Fantasy IV, the turn-based battle system was replaced by the Active Time Battle (ATB) system. ATB was replaced by the Conditional Turn-Based (CTB) system in Final Fantasy X, and Real Time Battle systems were introduced in Final Fantasy XI. At the 2006 E3 conference, Square Enix presented a short demo of Final Fantasy XIII, in which a menu at the bottom of the screen was used for inputting battle commands; the system was barely noticed because of the cinematic nature of the battles.[35]

Most installments use an experience level system for character advancement, in which experience points are accumulated by killing enemies—however, defeating bosses in some titles did not provide experience points.[36][37][38] Battles also use a point-based system for casting magical spells. Since Final Fantasy III, most titles have featured a variety of "special commands", such as stealing items from enemies or performing more powerful attacks. These abilities are sometimes integrated into the job system, which has appeared in several installments.

[edit] Music

Nobuo Uematsu, composer of most of the Final Fantasy soundtracks
Nobuo Uematsu, composer of most of the Final Fantasy soundtracks
Main article: Music of Final Fantasy

Nobuo Uematsu was the critically acclaimed chief music composer of the Final Fantasy series until his resignation from Square Enix in November 2004.[1] Uematsu is also involved with the rock group The Black Mages, which has released three albums of arranged Final Fantasy tunes.[39][40] Other composers who have contributed to the series include Masashi Hamauzu and Hitoshi Sakimoto.[41][42]

Although each game offers a variety of music, there are some frequently reused themes. Most of the games open with a piece called "Prelude", which has evolved from a simple, 2-voice, arpeggiated theme in the early games to a complex melodic arrangement in recent installments.[5][27][29] Battle victories in the first ten installments of the series were accompanied by a victory fanfare; this theme has become one of the most recognized pieces of music in the series. The basic theme for Chocobos is rearranged in a different musical style for each installment. A piece called "Prologue" or "Final Fantasy", originally featured in Final Fantasy I, is often played during the ending credits.[5] Although leitmotifs are often used in the more character-driven installments, theme music is typically reserved for main characters and recurring plot elements.[1]

[edit] Development

[edit] History

In the mid 1980s, Square entered the Japanese video game industry with a string of simple RPGs, racing games, and platformers for Nintendo's Famicom Disk System (FDS). In 1987, Square designer Hironobu Sakaguchi began work on a new fantasy role-playing game for the cartridge-based Famicom, inspired in part by Enix's popular Dragon Quest. Sakaguchi planned to retire after completing the project, so it was named Final Fantasy.[2][43] Despite Sakaguchi's explanation, the name of the game has also been attributed by various sources to the company's hopes that the project would solve their financial troubles.[5] Final Fantasy indeed reversed Square's lagging fortunes,[2] and it became their flagship franchise.[1]

Following the success of the first game, Square immediately developed a second installment. Unlike a typical sequel, Final Fantasy II features a world bearing only thematic similarities to its predecessor. Some of the gameplay elements, such as the character advancement system, were also overhauled. This approach to has continued throughout the series; each major Final Fantasy game features a new setting, cast of characters, and battle system.

Final Fantasy VI artwork by Yoshitaka Amano
Final Fantasy VI artwork by Yoshitaka Amano

[edit] Design

See also: Category: Final Fantasy designers

The first five games were directed by Hironobu Sakaguchi, who also provided the original concept. He served as a producer for subsequent games until he left Square in 2001.[43][44][45][46][47] Yoshinori Kitase took over directing the games until Final Fantasy VIII,[44][45][46] and has been followed by a new director for each new title. Hiroyuki Itō has designed several gameplay systems, including Final Fantasy V's Job System, Final Fantasy VIII's Junction System[46] and the Active Time Battle concept, which was used from Final Fantasy IV until Final Fantasy IX. Itō also co-directed Final Fantasy VI with Kitase.[44]

Kenji Terada was the scenario writer for the first four games; Kitase took over as scenario writer for Final Fantasy V through Final Fantasy VII. Kazushige Nojima became the series' primary scenario writer from Final Fantasy VII until his resignation in October 2003; he has since formed his own company, Stellavista. Nojima partially or completely wrote the stories for Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VIII, Final Fantasy X, and Final Fantasy X-2. He has also worked as the scenario writer for the spin off series, Kingdom Hearts.[48] Square Enix continues to contract story and scenario work to Nojima and Stellavista.

Artistic design, including character and monster creations, was handled by Japanese artist Yoshitaka Amano from Final Fantasy through Final Fantasy VI. Amano also handled title logo designs for all of the main series and all of the image illustrations from Final Fantasy VII onward. Following Amano's departure, he was replaced by Tetsuya Nomura,[5] who worked with the series through Final Fantasy X; for Final Fantasy IX, however, character designs were handled by Shukou Murase, Toshiyuki Itahana, and Shin Nagasawa.[47] Nomura is also the character designer of the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII, and all three installments of the upcoming Fabula Nova Crystallis: Final Fantasy XIII. Other designers include Nobuyoshi Mihara and Akihiko Yoshida. Mihara was the character designer for Final Fantasy XI,[49] and Yoshida served as character designer for Final Fantasy Tactics, Final Fantasy XII, the Square-produced Vagrant Story, and the Final Fantasy III remake.

[edit] Graphics and technology

Final Fantasy debuted on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987. It featured small sprite representations of the leading party members on the main world screen because of graphical limitations, while in battle screens, more detailed, full versions of all characters would appear in a side-view perspective. The Super Famicom installments used updated graphics and effects, as well as higher quality music and sound than in previous games, but they were otherwise similar to their predecessors in basic design.

Final Fantasy VII was the first game in the series to incorporate pre-rendered cutscenes.
Final Fantasy VII was the first game in the series to incorporate pre-rendered cutscenes.

In August 1995, Square showed an interactive SGI technical demonstration of Final Fantasy for the next generation.[50] Articles in GameFan and Nintendo Power led fans to believe the demo was of a new Final Fantasy title for the Nintendo 64 video game console. However, 1997 saw the release of Final Fantasy VII for the Sony PlayStation and not the Nintendo 64 as many had originally anticipated.[51] This was due to a dispute with Nintendo over its use of faster and more expensive cartridges, as opposed to the slower, cheaper, and much higher capacity compact discs used on rival systems.[52] Final Fantasy VII introduced 3-dimensional graphics with fully pre-rendered backgrounds.[53][54] It was because of this switch to 3D that a CD-ROM format was chosen over a cartridge format.[50]

Starting with Final Fantasy VIII, the series adopted a more photo-realistic look.[55] Like Final Fantasy VII, some full motion video sequences would have video playing in the background, with the polygonal characters composited on top. Final Fantasy IX returned briefly to the more stylized design of earlier games in the series. It still maintained, and in many cases slightly upgraded, most of the graphical techniques utilized in the previous two games in the series. Final Fantasy X was released on the PlayStation 2,[20] and made use of the much more powerful hardware to render many cutscenes in real-time, rather than in pre-rendered FMV sequences. Rather than having 3D models moving about in pre-rendered backgrounds, the game featured full 3D environments, giving it a more dynamic look, though the camera angle was fixed. It was also the first Final Fantasy game to introduce voice acting, occurring throughout the majority of the game, even with many minor characters. This aspect added a whole new dimension of depth to the character's reactions, emotions, and development.[56]

Taking a temporary divergence, Final Fantasy XI used the PlayStation 2's online capabilities as an MMORPG.[57] Initially released for PlayStation 2 with a PC port arriving 6 months later, Final Fantasy XI was also released on the Xbox 360 nearly four years after its first release in Japan.[58] This was the first Final Fantasy game to use a free rotating camera. Final Fantasy XII was released in 2006 for the PlayStation 2 and utilizes only half as many polygons as Final Fantasy X in exchange for more advanced textures and lighting.[59][60] It also retains the freely rotating camera from Final Fantasy XI. Final Fantasy XIII was shown at E3 2006 and is slated to be the first game in the main series for PlayStation 3.[61] The game will make use of Crystal Tools, a middleware engine developed by Square Enix.

[edit] Merchandise and other media

Further information: List of Final Fantasy media

Square Enix has expanded the Final Fantasy series into various different mediums. In addition to the games, there have been CGI films, animated series, books, and different types of merchandise.[1] Many of the games have been re-released on multiple platforms, and several have been adapted into manga and novels. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance and Final Fantasy: Unlimited have been adapted into radio dramas. Many of the titles' official soundtracks have been released for sale as well. Companion books, which normally provide in-depth game information, have also been published. In Japan, they are published by Square and are called Ultimania books. In North America, they take the form of standard strategy guides.

[edit] Anime and films

Theatrical release poster of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
Theatrical release poster of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within

There have been several anime and CGI films produced that are based either directly on individual Final Fantasy games or on the series as a whole. The first was an OVA titled Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals and was based on Final Fantasy V. The story was set on the same world as the game though 200 years in the future. It was released as four 30-minute episodes first in Japan in 1994 and later released in the United States by Urban Vision in 1998.[62] In 2001, Square Pictures released their first feature film, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. The story was set on a future-Earth that had been invaded by alien life forms.[63] The Spirits Within was the first animated feature to seriously attempt to portray photorealistic CGI humans, but was considered a box office bomb.[1][63][64] One reviewer points out that the environmentally-themed plot may have been ahead of its time.[65] 2001 also saw the release of Final Fantasy: Unlimited, a 25 episode anime series based on the common elements of the Final Fantasy series. It was broadcast in Japan by TV Tokyo and released in North America by ADV Films.[66] In 2005, Final Fantasy VII Advent Children and Last Order: Final Fantasy VII were released as part of the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII. Advent Children was a CGI film directed by Tetsuya Nomura and Last Order was a short OVA directed by Morio Asaka.

[edit] Printed adaptations

Several of the video games have either been adapted into or have had spin-offs in the form of manga and novels. The first was the novelization of Final Fantasy II in 1989 and was followed by a manga adaptation of Final Fantasy III in 1992.[67][68] The past decade has seen an increase in the number of adaptations and spin-offs. Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within has been adapted into a novel,[69] Crystal Chronicles has been adapted into a manga,[70] and Final Fantasy XI has had a novel and manhwa set in its continuity.[71][72] Two novellas based on the Final Fantasy VII universe have also been released. The Final Fantasy: Unlimited story was partially continued in novels and a manga after the anime series had ended.

[edit] Reception

The Final Fantasy series has been overall critically well received and commercially successful, though each installment has seen different levels of success. In July 2007, the series was listed as the fourth-best-selling video game franchise.[1] The series has had a steady increase in total sales. By August 2003, the series had sold 45 million units worldwide[73] and 63 million units by December 2005.[74] As of December 2007, the series has sold over 80 million units worldwide.[7] Several titles have been commercially successful as well. At the end of 2007, the seventh, eighth, and ninth best-selling RPGs were Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VIII, and Final Fantasy X respectively.[75] Final Fantasy VII has sold more than 9.5 million copies worldwide, earning it the position of the best-selling Final Fantasy title.[76] Within two days of Final Fantasy VIII's North American release on September 9, 1999, it became the top-selling video game in the United States, a position it held for more than three weeks.[77] Though not as commercially successful as Final Fantasy VII or Final Fantasy VIII, Final Fantasy IX was a top seller at the time of its release.[78][79][80] Final Fantasy X sold over 1.4 million Japanese units in pre-orders alone;[81] which set a record for the fastest-selling console RPG.[75] Final Fantasy XII sold more than 1,764,000 copies in its first week in Japan.[82] By November 6, 2006—one week after its release—Final Fantasy XII had shipped approximately 1.5 million copies in North America.[83]

[edit] Critical response

The series and several specific games within it have been credited for introducing and popularizing many concepts and features that are widely used in console RPGs.[5][6] In addition, it has been praised for the quality of its visuals and soundtracks.[1] The Final Fantasy series was awarded a star on the Walk of Game in 2006. WalkOfGame.com commented that the series has sought perfection as well as been a risk taker in innovation.[8] IGN has commented the menu system used by the series is a major detractor for many and is a "significant reason why they haven't touched the series."[27] The site has also heavily criticized the use of random encounters in the series' battle systems.[84][85] They also stated the various attempts to bring the series into film and animation have either been unsuccessful, unremarkable, or did not live up to the standards of the games.[86] In July 2007, Edge magazine criticized the series for a number of related titles that include the phrase "Final Fantasy" in their titles, which are considered to be not of the same quality as previous titles. They also commented that with the departure of Hironobu Sakaguchi, the series might be in danger of growing stale.[1]

Many Final Fantasy games have been included in various lists of top games. Two games were listed on GameFAQs' "The 10 Best Games Ever" contest in Fall 2005, with Final Fantasy VII voted as the "Best Game Ever." Six other Final Fantasy titles were included in the additional 90 games listed.[87] GameFAQs has also held a contest for the best video game series ever, with Final Fantasy being the runner-up, behind The Legend of Zelda.[88] Several games have been listed on multiple IGN "Top Games" lists.[89][90][91][92] Eleven games were listed on Famitsu's 2006 "Top 100 Favorite Games of All Time", four of which were in the top ten, with Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy VII being first and second, respectively.[93] Many Final Fantasy characters have been included in GameFAQs' "Character Battle" contests. Final Fantasy VII's Cloud Strife and Sephiroth have both won once and have been listed as the runner-up multiple times.[94][95][96][97] In ScrewAttack's list of "Top Ten Coolest Characters", Cloud was rated the number two "coolest" character; Sephiroth was also considered but the list stipulated one character per franchise.[98]

Several individual Final Fantasy titles have garnered extra attention; some for their positive reception and others for their negative reception. Final Fantasy VII won GameFAQs' "Best. Game. Ever." tournament in 2004.[99] Despite the success of Final Fantasy VII, it is sometimes criticized as being overrated. In 2003, GameSpy listed it as the 7th most overrated game of all time.[100] Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII shipped 392,000 units in its first week of release,[101] but received review scores that were much lower than that of other Final Fantasy games.[102][103] A delayed, negative review after the Japanese release of Dirge of Cerberus from Japanese gaming magazine, Famitsu, hinted at a controversy between the magazine and Square Enix.[104] The MMORPG, Final Fantasy XI, reached over 200,000 active daily players in March 2006[105] and had reached over half a million subscribers by July 2007.[1] Though Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within was praised for its visuals, the plot was criticized[106] and was considered a box office bomb.[1][63][64] Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles for the GameCube received overall positive review scores, but reviews stated that the use of Game Boy Advances as controllers was a big detractor.[6][107]

[edit] References

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