Introducing a Genre-Defining Franchise
The year was 1987. Japanese video game company Square was facing possible bankruptcy after a string of flopped titles. In a last-ditch effort, designer Hironobu Sakaguchi created what would be hailed as one of the most influential role-playing games ever – Final Fantasy.
The game‘s intricate fantasy world, compelling storytelling and innovative combat system captured players‘ imaginations worldwide. Final Fantasy became an overnight success story, selling over two million copies globally and saving Square in the process. Sakaguchi had coined a bold new franchise that would dominate the RPG genre for decades.
“This will be my last game if it doesn’t sell.” – Hironobu Sakaguchi on developing the first Final Fantasy
Since its debut, the Final Fantasy series has amassed a league of diehard fans through its rich worldbuilding and memorable characters. Common elements across its 15 mainline entries include:
- Turn-based battle systems
- Magic spells and special character abilities
- Epic quests to vanquish evil forces
- Job systems to customize playable roles
- Sprawling world maps dotted with cities, dungeons and secrets
Let‘s trace the incredible legacy of this premier RPG saga game-by-game…
A Fighting Chance – Final Fantasy (1987)
The game that started it all featured 4 Warriors of Light on a quest to restore their elemental crystals. Its class upgrade system let players tweak their team‘s skills through gaining levels and experience points.
Debuting on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), FF1 established signatures like the airships players could pilot and the notorious final boss marathon. It was a revelation for its depth of strategic combat in contrast to action-focused contemporaries.
Global sales: 3 million units
Empire Strikes Back – Final Fantasy II (1988)
Rather than create a direct sequel, Square opted to alter core elements like gameplay and characters while retaining familiar motifs. FF2 followed four new Heroes of Light battling an empire summoning demons.
It pioneered letting characters gain proficiency in weapons/magic through their actions. This opened the door to molding teams to suit one‘s playstyle. The ATB (active time battle) system also quickened combat‘s pace.
Global sales: 1.5 million units
Class is in Session – Final Fantasy III (1990)
While showcasing the fantastic job system that let players change classes, FF3 unveiled airship travel and Moogles to the canon. It featured Onion Knights out to stop an all-powerful Crystal wreaking havoc.
Its Jobs remain integral to the series, with classics like Thieves, Warriors and Black Mages debuting. This third quest cemented core tenants like exploration via ship and chocobos that Final Fantasy aficionados still adore.
Global sales: 1.4 million units
Reaching Beyond Nintendo – Final Fantasy IV (1991)
Marking the franchise‘s move to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), FF4 captivated with its narrative scale and character depth via the new Active Time Battle (ATB) system.
Players controlled Cecil the Dark Knight on his redemption arc across three worlds to defeat his brother Golbez. FF4 would demonstrate Square‘s masterful storyweaving and soundtrack composition for the first time.
Global sales: 4 million units
The Job Maestro – Final Fantasy V (1992)
While lighter on story, FF5 expanded vastly on FF3‘s job mechanics – over 20 roles with abilities to mix-and-match. Bartz and his wanderers could swap Jobs mid-battle, enabling extreme strategic flexibility.
The Sphere Grid in later titles echoes FF5‘s ambitious Job Board. It enabled unparalleled party experimentation – want a Ninja who can Dual Wield spell-flinging Cannoneer guns? FF5 welcomed such creativity.
Global sales: 2.5 million units
Court Mage to Magic Emperor – Final Fantasy VI (1994)
Perhaps the quintessential 16-bit FF, VI enthralled with its operatic storytelling and stirring soundtrack, earning it a 96 on Metacritic. Terra and her allies defended the Espers from Emperor Gestahl in a richly woven plot spanning three acts.
Its 14 playable characters and moving story cemented FF6 as one of gaming’s finest moments. It demonstrated how much narrative depth the SNES could deliver.
Global sales: Five million units.
Going 3D – Final Fantasy VII (1997)
If FF6 signaled Square’s ascension, then FF7 was its coronation as RPG royalty. Moving to the epic 3D vistas of the PlayStation, Cloud and company wowed fans new and old across its 40-50 hour quest.
Its ambitious scope and high production value attracted droves of followers to witness Sephiroth’s threat. FF7 has since spawned films and a recent PS5 remake expanding on its lore.
Global sales: 13 million units
Balancing Past and Future – Final Fantasy VIII (1999)
While a graphical marvel sporting unprecedented FMV cutscenes, FF8 also introduced the Refine/Junction system. Players could pair magic spells to stats for power-ups alongside Limit Breaks delivering spectacular attacks.
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Its SeeD squad resisting the Sorceress‘ ambitions captivated PlayStation owners hooked by FF7. This proved Square could balance innovation with expectations – Eidolon Guardian Forces supplanted traditional Espers as familiar yet novel summons.
Global sales: 10 million units
An Ode to Nostalgia – Final Fantasy IX (2000)
Arriving near the Playstation‘s end, FF9 oozed nostalgia in an era welcoming 3D gaming. From character classes to crystals, everything fondly recalled classic FF hallmarks.
Protagonist Zidane and his theater troupe mixed lightheartedness with emotional turmoil to deliver an evocative quest. Moogles and chocobos alike could relish FF9’s passion for FF lore through to its satisfying conclusion.
Global sales: 5.5 million units
Glamorous Graphics and Voice Acting – Final Fantasy X (2001)
As Square’s first foray on PlayStation 2, FFX astonished with visual splendor unthinkable in 2000. Its Sphere Grid development opened new depths for upgrading characters like hero Tidus.
Having actual voice acting deeply enhanced its timeless boy-meets-girl love story with summoner Yuna on her pilgrimage. The stellar soundtrack and emotional gut punches cemented FFX as another series‘ high point.
Global sales: Nine million units
Online Innovator – Final Fantasy XI (2002)
The franchise’s inaugural foray into massively multiplayer online RPGs (MMORPG) offered limitless adventure. Here players created avatars to quest and trade across the persistent world of Vana’diel.
This dynamic setting brimmed with warring factions amidst dozens of jobs. XI brought FF social interaction to unprecedented scopes as friends and strangers united online. It paved the way for expansive worlds like XIV’s.
Global sales: Nearly two million active accounts at its 2010 peak
New Battle Frontiers – Final Fantasy XII (2006)
Signaling another era leap to PlayStation 2, FFXII intrigued fans with its blend of fantasy and technology termed “Ivalice.” Judges restrict magic as the Empire seeks nethicite stone power.
Eschewing turns, its Gambit system let players program allies’ tactics akin to coding logic loops. With airships and political intrigue, FF12 remains divisive yet fascinating entry.
Global sales: Seven million units
Fabulous Fighters – Final Fantasy XIII (2009)
Scaling back from FF12’s scope yet maximizing hardware potential, FFXIII followed fugitives rebelling against corrupt Sanctum priests. It replaced towns with weapon/item stores along its world’s branching paths.
Combat complexity amplified dramatically compared to predecessors. Shifting paradigms mid-fight to transform classes kept players on their toes. Overall its semi-open progression offered field diversity.
Reborn Online Redemption – Final Fantasy XIV (2010)
This second MMO entry aimed to let everyone play their way together. Pick job and explore freely rather than compete for rare quest drops as in the past. But congested servers and glitches plagued launch, threatening its future.
Fan feedback led to massive redesign. 2013’s reborn A Realm Reborn rebuilt trust delivering an engaging online FF playground. Regular new stories and Jobs keeps loyal subscribers planted through 2023 and beyond.
Current active subscribers: Six million PC/PlayStation players as of August 2022.
Boy Band Road Trip – Final Fantasy XV (2016)
After years of development, FFXV transported the franchise into current gen consoles via PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Testing new combat ideas like weapon switching mid-attack, XV centered on Prince Noctis and his entourage resisting the Niflheim army.
Its self-contained open world brimmed with Americana flavoring its Japanese fantasy essence into something familiar yet foreign. Bonding with the quirky band of brothers shows Square‘s storytelling prowess undiminished.
Global Sales: 10 million units
The Future Arrives in 2023
Currently in development exclusively for PlayStation 5 hardware, 2023’s Final Fantasy XVI represents series’ founders passing the directorial torch; Naoki Yoshida of FF14 fame now heads up XVI.
Based on trailers, Yoshida-san seems to be balancing modern gaming innovations like action combat and seamless loading screens while retaining Final Fantasy‘s sweeping musical and thematic sensibilities. If early glimpses are indicative, FF16 may launch a legendary chapter for dedicated followers and curious newcomers alike.
One thing remains certain – the Final Fantasy name shall persist in driving inspiration and boundless joy for gamers everywhere. From Hironobu Sakaguchi‘s humble dream project to its current eminent position atop RPG gaming, this unparalleled franchise continues to proudly wave its banner, awaiting more glories ahead.
By The Numbers: Final Fantasy‘s Staggering Success
Most Main Final Fantasy games sold:
- Final Fantasy VII – 13+ million units
- Final Fantasy X – Nine million units
- Final Fantasy VIII – 10 million units
Total franchise sales: 172+ million units sold worldwide as of April 2022.
Records set: Holds seven total Guinness World Records, including “Fastest Selling RPG on a Single Platform” for 2001‘s FFX at nearly 2.4 million units sold in first four days.
Legacy and influence: Over three decades since 1987‘s FF1, the series maintains its crown atop Role Playing Games, its rich lore and soundtracks introduced waves of players globally to the genre. It remains widely credited for popularizing Japanese RPGs in the west.
