Editing Final Fantasy series

{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Final Fantasy'' series}}
{{infobox series
|title=''Final Fantasy''
|image=Final Fantasy series logo.png
|japanese=ファイナルファンタジー
|romaji=Fainaru Fantajī
|developer=[[Square Enix]], various
|publisher=Square Enix
|genre=Role-playing game, various
|media=Video games, various
|first=''[[Final Fantasy]]''<br/>December 18, 1987
|latest=''[[Final Fantasy VII Rebirth]]''<br/>Feburary 29, 2024
|}}
{{Quote|''After switching over to the Famicom, there was a time when I wasn't happy with anything I was creating. I thought of retiring from the game industry and I created Final Fantasy as my final project. That's why the title includes the word 'final' but for me, the title 'Final Fantasy' reflects my emotional state at the time and the feeling that time had stopped. They say that technologically, it's good to keep going, and each time, we give it our all and expend our skills and energy until we can go no further; this is what I consider to be the 'final fantasy'.''|Hironobu Sakaguchi<ref name="FF 25th Anniversary">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph/news/final-fantasy-series-celebrates-its-25th-birthday.html| page name = Final Fantasy series celebrates its 25th birthday| site url = http://www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph/| site name = Gadgets Magazine Phillipines| access time = 02:35, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref>}}
'''''Final Fantasy''''' is a fantasy anthology media franchise developed and published by [[Square Enix]]. It is a [[wikipedia:History of Eastern role-playing video games|Japanese role-playing game]] series with varying gameplay, settings and stories between each installment, retaining plot and gameplay elements throughout, focusing on fantasy and science fantasy settings. Though the core series is a role-playing game franchise, it has branched into other genres, such as [[wikipedia:Massively multiplayer online role-playing game|MMORPGs]], [[wikipedia:tactical role-playing game|tactical role-playing game]]s, [[wikipedia:action role-playing game|action role-playing game]]s, and [[wikipedia:fighting game|fighting game]]s. The series has been distributed on many platforms, beginning with the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], and including consoles, computers, mobile operating systems and game streaming services. The series has also branched into other forms of media, particularly films, anime, novels, and manga.

The majority of the games are stand-alone stories with unique characters, scenarios and settings, though several spin-offs and sequels to main series games continue stories within the same worlds. The series is defined by its recurring gameplay mechanics, themes and features. Commonly recurring features include: the series' "mascot" creature, [[chocobo]]s, that are often used as steeds; a character named [[Cid]] who is usually associated with engineering; [[Moogle (race)|moogles]], cute, flying creatures that often aid the player by facilitating some manner of in-game mechanics; the [[summoned monsters|mythology-based summoned creatures]] that can be called forth to aid players in battle and are also commonly fought as bosses; the [[job system]], whereby playable characters are defined by their unique job classes; and the [[Battle system#Active Time Battle|active time battle system]], an evolution of the classic turn-based system common in early JRPGs, where a unit's speed determines how many actions they can take.

The series' plots tend to focus on a group of characters from various backgrounds who team up to save their world while dealing with their own struggles and fighting against a central antagonist whose goal is usually world destruction or world domination. Names, designs and spells are often based on real-world mythologies, religions and cultures.

The series is Square Enix's flagship franchise and their best selling video game series with 130 million units sold<ref name="Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary Press Release">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://press.na.square-enix.com/releases/905/square-enix-kicks-off-final-fantasy-30th-anniversary-celebration| page name = Square Enix Kicks Off Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary Celebration| site url = http://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/index.html| site name = Square Enix Press Center| access time = 20170627163829}}</ref>(as well as revenue earned through mobile releases and MMO subscriptions), and has made an impact in popular culture, particularly for popularizing the console RPG genre outside of Japan. Its critically acclaimed orchestral musical scores, memorable and likable characters, realistic and detailed graphics and innovative mechanics have made the franchise notable in the industry.

==Game play==
The ''Final Fantasy'' series usually puts the player in control of multiple characters in a [[party]], though there are exceptions. The player will build the party's strength by gradually acquiring new abilities and equipment to handle more powerful opponents. In many games this task extends beyond the main story with challenging [[superboss]]es and [[bonus dungeon|bonus dungeons]] serving as optional tests of skill. As a Japanese role-playing game, many installments—particularly the earlier installments in the main series, or the throwback spin-offs returning to old formulas—involve frequent use of menus to select items, skills and upgrades.

===Battle===
[[File:FFVI Critical Hit.png|thumb|190px|left|Basic battle in ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]''.]]
[[Battle system|Battle systems]] have varied with the majority being menu-based with variants on turn-based combat, though others use action-based combat systems. Earlier installments have instanced battles based on [[random encounter]]s while roaming the [[world map]], while some later games (beginning with ''[[Final Fantasy XII]]'' in the single-player main series games) have free-roaming enemies that are engaged without transition. Battle commands typically feature a basic physical [[Attack (command)|attack]] with the equipped weapon(s), a [[Magic (command)|magic skillset]] (with magic spellsets featuring a [[Magic tier system|tiers]] naming system), other special command abilities (such as [[Steal]] or [[Throw (ability)|Throw]], or a skillset such as [[Summon (command)|summoning monsters]]), and a set of [[item]]s, though the player may also try to [[Escape (command)|flee]] from many normal encounters. The characters normally have an [[HP (stat)|HP]] and [[MP (stat)|MP]] stat (though some games ignore MP), where HP determines the damage characters can take before they are [[Knocked Out|KO'd]] while MP determines how many spells or other abilities a character can use. Most games also feature [[Element (term)|elements]] and [[status effect|status effects]], nuances which can affect the course of a battle, with enemies and allies using them to attack and exploit each other's weaknesses and/or to defend themselves, as well as to prepare for an upcoming encounter.

The best known and widely used battle system is the [[Battle system#Active Time Battle|Active Time Battle]] pseudo-turn-based system introduced in ''[[Final Fantasy IV]]'' where characters can perform an action when their ATB gauge is full. The fill rate is affected by [[stats]], status effects, abilities used and other factors requiring the player to be economical with time. Many games feature a variant of this system. As an early example, ''Final Fantasy XII'' uses the [[Battle system#Active Dimension Battle|Active Dimension Battle]] system to determine the rate at which characters will perform actions input through menus or the [[Gambits|gambit]] system; there are no random encounters, and the player can move the character around the field and must be within the range of the enemy they are using their skill on.

[[File:FFXII Attack.png|thumb|190px|right|Basic battle in ''[[Final Fantasy XII]]''.]]
The ''Final Fantasy'' series has also featured a more basic, traditional turn-based system, such as the original ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' through to ''[[Final Fantasy III]]'' that do not rely on time, but the player and the enemy party take turns executing commands. ''[[Final Fantasy X]]'' features a [[Active Time Battle#Conditional Turn-Based Battle|Conditional Turn-Based Battle]] system where turns are taken based on an Act List, the turn order depending on the units' stats and statuses, and commands being [[Rank (Final Fantasy X)|ranked]] usually with stronger commands having longer "recovery time" until the unit can act again.

Outside of turn-based systems, the series has occasionally featured purely action-based combat systems, in which the skills the characters use are still similar to traditional skillsets of attacks, magic spells, special abilities and items, but the rate the characters use these abilities depends on player skill with less reliance on menus. The first in the main series with an action role-playing game focus is ''[[Final Fantasy XV]]'', though many spin-offs, such as ''[[Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy Type-0]]'', have used these systems before.
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===Growth===
[[File:FFVII Materia Menu 1.png|thumb|190px|left|Materia menu in ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]''.]]
Character growth determines how player characters learn new abilities and [[stat growth|boost their stats]]. Unlike battle systems, character growth systems are less consistent throughout the series, and players must internalize the systems to make the correct decisions. The only consistent character growth mechanic used in the series has been the [[level]] based system where characters raise their level through [[Experience Points|experience points]] earned in battle to improve stats and sometimes learn new abilities. Even this system has been excluded from some games, such as in ''Final Fantasy X'' and ''[[Final Fantasy XIII]]'', where only [[Ability Points|ability points]] are accumulated from battles that can be expended for both better stats and new skills.

One of the most common and familiar systems that determines character growth is the [[job system]], a class-based system where players assign characters a job, choosing from series staples such as [[Black Mage (job)|Black Mage]], [[White Mage]], [[Monk (job)|Monk]], [[Thief (job)|Thief]] and [[Warrior (job)|Warrior]], among many. The character's job determines their base abilities and the stats gained. Throughout earlier games, this was often through experience, though ''[[Final Fantasy V]]'' introduced ability points as a separate system where the experience would increase a level independent of the job, and the ability points likewise accumulated from battles are used to grow the job's abilities. Many games featuring the job system allow the player to switch the jobs around to learn new abilities or face new enemies, though some, such as the original ''Final Fantasy'', stick the job as fundamental to the character. Similarly, games such as ''[[Final Fantasy IX]]'', do not have named job systems, but the characters have defined roles similar to the job system with pre-determined abilities they can learn.

[[File:FFV-jobs-iOS-Lenna.JPG|right|thumb|190px|Job select screen in ''[[Final Fantasy V]]''.]]
Many games offer different systems to allow more freedom when growing characters' abilities and stats beginning as early as ''[[Final Fantasy II]]''. Often this features a mix of the ability points system, in which points are used to grow abilities without being determined by a job. One of the popular systems is the [[Materia (Final Fantasy VII)|Materia]] system featured in ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'' and other games in its [[Compilation of Final Fantasy VII|sub-series]], where the player equips characters with Materia that contain various [[command ability|command]] or [[support ability|support abilities]], and accumulating ability points allows the Materia to grow and gain stat boosts and new abilities. Similarly, the [[Magicite (Final Fantasy VI)|magicite]] featured in ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'' allows the player to equip magicite remains of [[Esper (Final Fantasy VI)|espers]] with the accumulated ability points allowing the characters to learn the [[Magic (Final Fantasy VI command)|magic]] spells they contain, and once reaching a certain threshold the character learns the ability permanently to use it even without the equipped magicite. This way the player can directly control which party members use which skills and customize their party to their preferred play style.

Other games in the series deviate further from the typical formula. ''Final Fantasy XII'' has player characters learn [[Final Fantasy XII stats#LP|License Points]] (a variation of the ability points system) to spend on a [[License Board]] to purchase "licenses" to wield different equipment, use different spells and boost stats, with total freedom. In the ''[[Final Fantasy XII#International Zodiac Job System|International Zodiac Job System]]'' re-release the License Boards are based on jobs. In ''Final Fantasy X'' characters learn abilities based on a [[Sphere Grid]] that begins linearly but the player can eventually branch the grid out further, and potentially max all stats with various items usable to alter and improve Sphere Grid growth. Another example featuring items for growing skills is ''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]'' where [[Magic (Final Fantasy VIII)|magic spells]] are collected into an inventory similar to items, and acquired through [[refine]] or [[Draw (Final Fantasy VIII)|draw]] abilities, with other abilities learned via ability points from the character's equipped [[Guardian Force]]s.
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===Equipment===
[[File:FFIV PSP Equipment Menu.png|left|thumb|190px|Equipment menu in ''[[Final Fantasy IV]]''.]]
Typically, characters can equip [[Armor (equipment)|armor]], [[Weapon (equipment)|weapons]] and [[Accessory|accessories]], where armor provides defensive boosts, weapons determine the strength and type of the attacks used, and accessories provide various supporting abilities or bonuses. There are rarely optimal sets of armor or accessories, though many games feature [[Ultimate weapon (term)|ultimate weapons]] for each character, often involving [[sidequest]]s to obtain them.

Games can deviate from the standard format. ''Final Fantasy VI'' features [[Relic (Final Fantasy VI)|relic]]s as accessories, while ''Final Fantasy VIII'' has neither accessories nor armor, all effects typically associated with gear being abilities instead. Many games feature specific types of armor, such as head armor, body armor, arm armor or leg armor, while other games only have a single set of armor based on the character, such as ''Final Fantasy VII'' or ''Final Fantasy X''. Armor can provide bonus abilities, such as resistances to status effects or elements, and in some games, such as ''Final Fantasy IX'', are integral to the character growth system where characters learn new skills by equipping gear.
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===Field===
[[File:FFIX Morrid's Tower WM.png|right|thumb|190px|World map exploration in ''[[Final Fantasy IX]]''.]]
Outside of battles the player can explore the field for items, dialog with [[Non-player character|non-player characters]], and for trading in [[gil]] for items and gear. In games featuring instanced random encounters, the party will encounter an enemy randomly while exploring dangerous areas (though abilities to reduce the encounter rate can be learned), while games with free-roaming enemies have enemies appear in the dangerous areas for the player to engage or avoid.

The player can explore [[dungeon]]s where enemies are fought and [[Treasure chest (object)|treasures and items]] can be found. Enemies tend to be more numerous in dungeons, and there is often a [[boss]] at the end. Other areas are safe havens, notably [[town]]s, which contain [[shop]]s for the party to buy new items and equipment, and often an [[inn]] to rest at and fully restore HP and MP. Many games feature a world map used to traverse on foot or via [[Airship (term)|airships]], chocobos or other vehicles. World maps have random encounters and are crossed to reach other points of interest in the world, often with mountains and oceans and other impassable objects placed to ward off areas the player is not meant to visit yet; by end game players usually acquire a vehicle that allows exploration of every nook of the world.

[[File:Patient-in-the-desert.jpg|left|thumb|190px|Dialog with NPCs in ''Final Fantasy XII''.]]
The field areas often feature non-player characters and events that allow the player to play [[minigame]]s, for mandatory or non-mandatory rewards. The first major minigames were introduced in the [[Gold Saucer (Final Fantasy VII)|Gold Saucer]] in ''Final Fantasy VII'' where the player can play various games including [[Chocobo Square (Final Fantasy VII)|chocobo racing]] and [[Battle Square|battle arena]]. Another notable minigame was the [[Dragon's Neck Colosseum]] in ''Final Fantasy VI'' where the player can bet items for rewards and fight various enemies. Card minigames are also popular, particularly [[Triple Triad]] introduced in ''Final Fantasy VIII'', which has seen many iterations in following releases.
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===MMOs===
[[File:Duty Finder.jpg|right|thumb|190px|Menus in ''[[Final Fantasy XIV]]''.]]
Though the MMO releases, ''[[Final Fantasy XI]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy XIV]]'', are members of the main series, with the exception of some abilities, some equipment, and the job system, they deviate from the traditional gameplay format due to their nature as games of a different genre. The MMOs are free-roaming with enemies appearing on the field, rarely use traditional menu systems (instead abilities are selected from a player-customized list) and use various features typical of MMO games. Being multiplayer games they include player interaction as well as trading between players. The player does not control a party, but multiple players can form one to fight in dungeons and against bosses.
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===Spin-offs===
[[File:Dissidia Starfall.jpg|left|thumb|190px|Battle in ''[[Dissidia Final Fantasy (2008)|Dissidia Final Fantasy]]''.]]
The spin-offs' gameplay can deviate a lot from the main series. While spin-offs tend to include gameplay fundamentals, if only in abilities and ability names, many stick to role-playing game elements. As an example, although ''[[Dissidia Final Fantasy (2008)|Dissidia Final Fantasy]]'' and games following its format are fighting games, they still feature character growth, characters using their specific abilities, and similar equipment systems. Another notable spin-off, ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics]]'', is a tactical role-playing game with a job system that uses tactical unit command as opposed to one of the battle systems featured throughout the main series. Many games also feature action elements, such as ''Final Fantasy Type-0'', while others include shooting elements, such as ''[[Dirge of Cerberus -Final Fantasy VII-]]'', but still keep the series fundamentals.

Many spin-offs have been released on mobile platforms that use simplified forms of typical battle systems, such as ''[[Final Fantasy Record Keeper]]''. Other games use [[wikipedia:collectible card game|collectible card game]]play, barely reminiscent of the main series.
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==Synopsis==
===Settings===
[[File:Alexandria.jpg|right|190px|thumb|Alexandria, a city in ''[[Final Fantasy IX]]''.]]
The ''Final Fantasy'' series' settings range from traditional fantasy to science fantasy. Each game focuses on one world that varies dramatically in backstory, technological advancement, and culture. [[Human]]s are the dominant sapient species, with chocobos, moogles, and several enemy species being the most commonly recurring non-humans. The worlds often feature [[Crystal (term)|Crystals]] that throughout early settings were magical phenomena fundamental to the elements of the worlds, but in others have different roles.

Settings often contain elements based on real-world mythology, and the series features many [[Religious allusions in Final Fantasy|allusions to religion]]. A notable example are ancient mythological creatures that function as [[summoned monsters|summons]], and have various different roles within the game lores. Espers from ''Final Fantasy VI'' are a magical race that once lived alongside humans until a [[War of the Magi (Final Fantasy VI)|war]] wiped most of them out. [[Aeon (Final Fantasy X)|Aeons]] in ''Final Fantasy X'' are the physical realizations of the dreams of the [[fayth]], and [[Summoner (Final Fantasy X)|summoners]] use them to battle [[Sin (Final Fantasy X)|Sin]]. Many games featuring summoned monsters do not have them as a named race, or give them a key role within the lore, the summons being merely abilities to be used in battle. 

[[File:Ff7-midgar.jpg|left|190px|thumb|Midgar, a city in ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]''.]]
The series often features other mythological references, such as [[Kefka Palazzo]] and [[Sephiroth|Sephiroth's]] godforms based on divinity as their final encounters in ''Final Fantasy VI'' and ''Final Fantasy VII''. The game worlds themselves are commonly based on real-world mythology, such as ''Final Fantasy X'' and its Shinto and Buddhism influences, and the influence of Jewish mysticism in ''Final Fantasy VII''.

Each setting often features some form of [[Magic (term)|magic]] (sometimes spelled [[magick (ability type)|magick]]), though it often differs between the different lores. In many settings, magic is the power of the world's Crystals. In ''Final Fantasy VI'' magic has become a rarity, with many resorting to [[magitek]] (magic technology). In ''Final Fantasy VII'', magic is a product of the [[Lifestream]] and can be used via Materia, though scientists have stated that "magic" is an unfitting term for a force of nature. In ''Final Fantasy XII'', magick is provided by the mysterious substance known as [[Mist (Final Fantasy XII)|Mist]] that seeps from the inside of the planet.

===Plots===
[[File:Zanarkand camp.jpg|right|190px|thumb|The characters resting in ''[[Final Fantasy X]]''.]]
The series' most basic plots revolve around the cast fighting an antagonist who aims to destroy or conquer the world while coping with their own struggles. The characters are often part of a small resistance against one or more larger powers, and each tends to have different motivations within their own groups. There is a sense of desperation, as the characters fight for everything they hold dear. The plots vary from being overall light-hearted, such as ''Final Fantasy III'' or ''Final Fantasy V'', to being more grim and realistic, such as ''Final Fantasy II'' or ''Final Fantasy VII'', though many, such as ''Final Fantasy IX'' and ''Final Fantasy XIV'', are a mix.

For the first few installments a key plot point was the Crystals. Each world would feature four, each representing the [[wikipedia:Classical elements|four elements]], and without them the world would deteriorate. The antagonists often begin by destroying or stealing these Crystals for power, and the party would fail to prevent them and be forced to foil their grander scheme later. This plot was abandoned in ''Final Fantasy VI'', and while the games would still feature Crystals, they often did not have the same importance.

The Crystal-theme can be said to be the overarching theme of the series, as a traditional ''Final Fantasy'' plot involves an antagonistic force trying to make use of the Crystals' power with the player power in opposition, sometimes chosen to wield the Crystal's power to enact their will as the [[Warriors of Light]]. Some games subvert this theme, such as ''Final Fantasy XII''—where the Crystals are called [[nethicite]]—and the ''[[Fabula Nova Crystallis: Final Fantasy]]'' series with its various types of Crystal, showing that the power of the Crystals is not necessarily something that mankind should pursue despite its might.

===Themes===
[[File:Cloud VS Sephiroth.png|left|190px|thumb|Protagonist [[Cloud Strife]] fights antagonist [[Sephiroth]] in ''[[Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children]]'', an example of dualism and contrast.]]
One key theme in the series is [[dualism]], presented in many ways, such as through a contrast between two worlds, between two heroes/heroines, and between a protagonist and an antagonist. Most often this dualism represents a balance that is disturbed by outside forces, forcing the protagonists to restore it. Other times, the "balance" set is deemed unjust by the protagonists and they must instead end the cycle to free the world.

Another common theme is rebellion. The protagonists are often forced to fight a higher power either on a quest for revenge, for freedom or another motivation. The higher power can range from an empire, such as the [[Gestahlian Empire]] from ''Final Fantasy VI'', a religion, such as [[Yevon]] from ''Final Fantasy X'', or a deity, such as the [[fal'Cie]] from ''Final Fantasy XIII''. During the journey to vanquish these powers their threat escalates, until the protagonists free the world of the oppressor(s).

==Development==
<div class="floatright">
<timeline>
ImageSize = width:275 height:600
PlotArea = left:50 bottom:10 top:10 right:0

DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1987 till:31/12/2024
TimeAxis = orientation:vertical
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ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:1987

Colors =
 id:blue value:rgb(0,0,0)
 id:red value:rgb(0.9,0.05,0.05)

#there is no automatic collision detection,
#so shift texts up or down manually to avoid overlap

Define $dx = 25 # shift text to right side of bar

# shift texts up or down when two have same year
Define $up = shift:($dx,1)
Define $dw = shift:($dx,-8)

PlotData=
 bar:Games anchor:till color:green width:15 textcolor:blue align:left fontsize:S mark:(line,white) shift:($dx,-4)
 from:01/01/1987 till:31/12/2024
 at:18/12/1987 text:"[[Final Fantasy]]"
 at:17/12/1988 text:"[[Final Fantasy II]]"
 at:27/04/1990 text:"[[Final Fantasy III]]"
 at:19/07/1991 text:"[[Final Fantasy IV]]"
 at:06/12/1992 text:"[[Final Fantasy V]]"
 at:02/04/1994 text:"[[Final Fantasy VI]]"
 at:31/01/1997 text:"[[Final Fantasy VII]]"
 at:11/02/1999 text:"[[Final Fantasy VIII]]"
 at:07/07/2000 text:"[[Final Fantasy IX]]"
 at:19/07/2001 text:"[[Final Fantasy X]]"
 at:16/05/2002 text:"[[Final Fantasy XI]]"
 at:13/03/2003 text:"[[Final Fantasy X-2]]"
 at:16/03/2006 text:"[[Final Fantasy XII]]"
 at:17/12/2009 text:"[[Final Fantasy XIII]]"
 at:22/09/2010 text:"[[Final Fantasy XIV (version 1.0)|Final Fantasy XIV (original)]]"
 at:15/12/2011 text:"[[Final Fantasy XIII-2]]"
 at:13/08/2013 text:"[[Final Fantasy XIV|Final Fantasy XIV (current)]]" $dw
 at:21/11/2013 text:"[[Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII]]" $up
 at:29/11/2016 text:"[[Final Fantasy XV]]"
 at:10/04/2020 text:"[[Final Fantasy VII Remake]]"
 at:22/06/2023 text:"[[Final Fantasy XVI]]"
 at:29/02/2024 text:"[[Final Fantasy VII Rebirth]]"
</timeline></div>

===Background===
During the mid 1980s, [[Square Co., Ltd.]] entered the video game industry by developing games for the [[wikipedia:Family Computer Disc System|Nintendo Famicom]]. In 1986, [[wikipedia:Enix|Enix]] released its first ''[[Dragon Quest]]'' game and popularized the RPG genre in Japan (after western games, such as the ''[[wikipedia:Wizardry|Wizardry]]'' series, introduced them to Japanese audiences). Coupled with [[wikipedia:Nintendo|Nintendo]]'s ''[[wikipedia:Super Mario Bros. (original game)|Super Mario Bros.]]'' and ''[[wikipedia:The Legend of Zelda (video game)|The Legend of Zelda]]'', ''Dragon Quest'' was one of the defining games of the Famicom system.

Square had been developing simple RPGs, pseudo-3D games and racing games, although they failed to compete with the market, and did not perform well commercially. Series creator [[Hironobu Sakaguchi]] and his team grew pessimistic at the failures as the company faced bankruptcy, so he began to develop the RPG ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' as a personal final project to leave a legacy; if the game had sold poorly, he would have quit the industry to return to university.<ref name="IGN History of Final Fantasy p1">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/06/18/ign-presents-the-history-of-final-fantasy| page name = IGN Presents The History of Final Fantasy| site url = http://www.ign.com/| site name = IGN| access time = 19:32, October 10, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref>

Sakaguchi wanted the game to have a simple abbreviation in the Roman alphabet (''FF'') and a four-syllable abbreviated Japanese pronunciation (''efu-efu''). "Fantasy" was chosen due to the setting, though "Final" was originally intended to be "Fighting", and was changed to avoid conflict with the tabletop game ''[[wikipedia:Fighting Fantasy|Fighting Fantasy]]''.<ref>{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.destructoid.com/final-fantasy-was-almost-called-fighting-fantasy-creator-explains-actual-reason-behind-the-name-292792.phtml| page name = Final Fantasy was almost called Fighting Fantasy: Creator explains actual reason behind the name| site url = http://www.destructoid.com/?mode=&nav=| site name = Destructoid| access time = 19:32, October 10, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> Though ''Final Fantasy'' was released at a time when competing games, such as [[wikipedia:Sega|Sega]]'s ''[[wikipedia:Phantasy Star (video game)|Phantasy Star]]'' and ''[[w:c:dragonquest:Dragon Quest III|Dragon Quest III]]'', were released, it pulled Square out of its financial crisis, and when released three years later in North America, outsold several of its peers.

As ''Final Fantasy'' had not been planned with a sequel in mind, ''[[Final Fantasy II]]'' was developed in a new world separate to the first with new characters designed by [[Yoshitaka Amano]], and given a deeper story to match competitors such as ''[[wikipedia:Phantasy Star II|Phantasy Star II]]''.<ref name="IGN History of Final Fantasy p1"/>

Although not the first game to be released outside of Japan, ''Final Fantasy VII'' was the first overseas to popularize the series, and the JRPG genre.<ref name="0000001E">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2010/05/masterpiece-final-fantasy-vii/| page name = Masterpiece: Final Fantasy VII| site url = http://arstechnica.co.uk/| site name = Ars Technica| access time = 02:23, October 11, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref><ref name="0000CCAD">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.ign.com/games/final-fantasy-vii/ps-494| page name = Final Fantasy VII| site url = http://www.ign.com| site name = IGN| access time = 02:23, October 11, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> Although the game is still the best-selling game in the series, with over 11 million units sold between its original release and subsequent re-releases,<ref name="FFVII iTunes App">{{Refwebsite| page url = https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/final-fantasy-vii/id1021566244| page name = Final Fantasy VII App on iTunes| site url = https://www.apple.com/| site name = Apple| access time = 02:23, October 11, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> the series has continued to find financial success since and has become the company's best-selling franchise worldwide.<ref name="Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary Press Release"/>

From the very beginning ''Final Fantasy'' was the fruit of a team effort. To compete with games like ''Dragon Quest'' or ''Mario Bros.'', both of which showed the presence of highly talented individuals, Sakaguchi realized Square would need to aggregate the energies of multiple people, growing into a tradition of sorts. Working as a team enabled the incorporation of CG into the games. Sakaguchi has lamented that if ''Final Fantasy'' had been more of a solo effort, the series might have looked quite different.<ref name=famitsu>{{Refwebsite| page url = https://www.famitsu.com/matome/ff15/2016_05_13_eng.html| page name = Hironobu Sakaguchi and Hajime Tabata Discuss Their Passion for the Series and Behind-the-Scenes Episodes from the Final Fantasy XV Reveal Event | site url = https://www.famitsu.com/matome/ff15/| site name = Final Fantasy XV Famitsu.com Special Website| access time = 20180825005306}}</ref>

===Design===
[[File:Terra IV.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Artwork of [[Terra Branford]] by [[Yoshitaka Amano]].]]
Character concept artwork was handled by Yoshitaka Amano from ''Final Fantasy'' to ''Final Fantasy VI'' who also handled [[Logos of Final Fantasy|logo]] and promotional image designs for games to follow. He was replaced by [[Tetsuya Nomura]] from ''Final Fantasy VII'' onwards (with the exception of ''Final Fantasy IX''—where it was handled by [[wikipedia:Shukō Murase|Shukō Murase]], [[Toshiyuki Itahana]] and [[wikipedia:Shin Nagasawa|Shin Nagasawa]]—and ''Final Fantasy XII''—where it was handled by [[Akihiko Yoshida]]).

Gameplay systems were originally based on those seen in RPGs released at the time the series was developed, though many systems which would become series staples were designed by [[Hiroyuki Ito]]. Ito developed systems, such as the Active Time Battle system inspired by [[wikipedia:Formula One|Formula One]] racing (the concept of different character types being able to "overtake" each other). Ito refined the job system in ''Final Fantasy V'' to become the system used frequently throughout the series, and designed the Gambits system for ''Final Fantasy XII''.<ref>{{Refwebsitedead| page url = http://www.1up.com/features/final-fantasy-hiroyuki-ito-science| page name = Final Fantasy's Hiroyuki Ito and the Science of Battle| site url = http://www.1up.com/| site name = 1UP.com| access time = 21:30, October 10, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> Other systems, such as the Materia system in ''Final Fantasy VII'', were designed as a group effort, and was designed so the combat changed depending on how the Materia was used, as opposed to characters having innate skills.<ref>{{Refwebsite| page url = http://shmuplations.com/ff7/| page name = Final Fantasy VII – 1997 Developer Interviews| site url = http://shmuplations.com/| site name = shmuplations| access time = 20:52, October 10, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref>  [[Toshiro Tsuchida]] would design systems for other games, such as the removal of Active Time Battle in ''Final Fantasy X'' to replace with conditional turn-based battle, and later designed the [[Command Synergy Battle]] system for ''Final Fantasy XIII'' to make battles appear as visually impressive as in the movie ''[[Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children]]''.<ref>{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news070606ffxiii| page name = FF to look like Advent Children?| site url = http://www.eurogamer.net/| site name = Eurogamer.net| access time = 20151011183754}}</ref> The MMO gameplay systems have been drastically different, but mostly drawn inspiration from a mix of the ''Final Fantasy'' games and from other games in the genre.

Stories have been worked on as a collaborative effort from multiple developers with concepts having drawn inspiration from multiple sources. In the early games, Sakaguchi drew inspiration from anime film maker [[wikipedia:Hayao Miyazaki|Hayao Miyazaki]], and staples such as chocobos and airships originally derived from them.<ref>{{Refwebsitedead| page url = http://www.1up.com/features/every-game-is-hayao-miyazaki| page name = Every Game is Hayao Miyazaki| site url = http://www.1up.com/| site name = 1UP.com| access time = 21:30, October 10, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> Furthermore, many have noted similarities between the series and ''[[w:c:starwars:Star Wars|Star Wars]]'', present in references such as [[Biggs and Wedge]] and in recurring plot points such as an "Empire".<ref>{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.usgamer.net/articles/every-final-fantasy-is-star-wars| page name = Every Final Fantasy is Star Wars| site url = http://www.usgamer.net/| site name = USgamer| access time = 21:30, October 10, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> The series contains many darker themes of tragedy and loss, many inspired by the developers' own experiences. While developing ''Final Fantasy VII'', the series creator Sakaguchi's mother died, which caused him to drastically reform the game's story to be about coping with loss.<ref>{{Refwebsite| page url = http://uproxx.com/gammasquad/2015/03/cloud-originally-had-slicked-black-hair-14-facts-you-may-not-know-about-final-fantasy-vii/| page name = 14 Facts You May Not Know About ‘Final Fantasy VII’| site url = http://uproxx.com/| site name = UPROXX| access time = 21:30, October 10, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref>

The series has had multiple directors: Sakaguchi directed the first five installments, [[Yoshinori Kitase]] and Ito collaboratively directed ''Final Fantasy VI'', and the two went on to direct many later installments on their own. Ito directed ''Final Fantasy IX'' and ''Final Fantasy XII'', while Kitase developed ''Final Fantasy VII'', ''Final Fantasy VIII'' and ''Final Fantasy X''. After ''Final Fantasy X'' Kitase decided to stop directing but remained involved as a producer instead, choosing [[Motomu Toriyama]] as the director for ''Final Fantasy XIII'' and its sequels. The MMO releases have had multiple directors, though most recently, [[Naoki Yoshida]] has directed ''Final Fantasy XIV''. [[Hajime Tabata]] started with directing spin-off games for portable gaming systems with ''[[Before Crisis -Final Fantasy VII-]]'' and ''Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-'', but when ''[[Final Fantasy Versus XIII]]'' became ''Final Fantasy XV'' Tabata took over the role of director.

===Music===
[[File:Blackmages2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Nobuo Uematsu]] (middle) and [[The Black Mages (band)|The Black Mages]], a hard rock band that has released three albums of arranged Final Fantasy music.]]
{{main|Music of Final Fantasy}}
The majority of the music in the series—including the main recurring themes, and the full official soundtracks for the first ten games in the main series—was composed by [[Nobuo Uematsu]], and has been praised as one of the greatest aspects of the series.<ref name="Classic FM Hall of Fame">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://halloffame.classicfm.com/2015/chart/position/9/| page name = Hall of Fame: Final Fantasy series| site url = http://www.classicfm.com/| site name = Classic FM| access time = October 16, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref><ref name="Final Symphony Review it's all dead">{{Refwebsite| page name = Review: Nobuo Uematsu – Final Symphony| page url = http://itsalldead.com/2015/03/03/review-nobuo-uematsu-final-symphony/| site url = http://itsalldead.com/| site name = it's all dead| access time = 21:55, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref><ref name="IGN Uematsu 20 Years Soundtracks">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/12/19/nobuo-uematsu-remembers-20-years-of-final-fantasy-soundtracks| page name = Nobuo Uematsu Remembers 20 Years of Final Fantasy Soundtracks| site url = http://www.ign.com/| site name = IGN| access time = 21:55, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> The music has had a broad musical palette, taking influences from [[wikipedia:classical music|classical]] symphonic music, [[wikipedia:heavy metal|heavy metal]] and [[wikipedia:techno|techno]]-[[wikipedia:electronica|electronica]].

Each game typically features themes for different locations (or types of locations), story events, characters and [[List of battle themes|battle themes]] (typically a [[battle theme|basic battle theme]], [[boss theme|boss battle theme]], and a [[final boss theme]], as a minimum, with some special bosses having their own battle themes). There are many recurring themes, such as the "[[Chocobo Theme]]" associated with the series "mascot" creature, [[Final Fantasy (theme)|main series theme]] that has often played in the intro or in the [[Ending theme|ending credits]], the "[[Victory Fanfare]]" that concludes won battles, "[[Prelude (theme)|Prelude]]", also known as the "Crystal Theme" that has become one of the series' most recognizable themes, and "[[Battle at the Big Bridge]]", the boss battle theme of the recurring character [[Gilgamesh (character)|Gilgamesh]]. Themes have often been rearranged for their appearances within different games to suit the various settings.

From the beginning Uematsu was given creative freedom, though the series' creator Hironobu Sakaguchi would request specific set-pieces to fit themes, and early on there were specific notes Uematsu was unable to use due to hardware limitations.<ref name="Uematsu Interview">{{Refwebsitedead| page url = http://www.nobuouematsu.com/nobegm2.html| page name = Nobuo Uematsu Interview| site name = www.nobuouematsu.com| access time = 21:55, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> From ''Final Fantasy IV'' onwards, he had more freedom of instrumentation. For "[[One-Winged Angel (theme)|One-Winged Angel]]", the ''Final Fantasy VII'' final boss theme and the series' first vocalized theme, Uematsu combined both rock and orchestral influences having had no prior training in orchestra conduction.<ref name="Uematsu Interview"/>

The developers had originally planned to use a famous vocalist in the ending of ''Final Fantasy VII'', but the plan didn't go through due to being too abrupt, and there was no suitable theme in the story for a vocal song to suddenly come up in the ending. This idea was realized in ''Final Fantasy VIII'' whose "[[Eyes on Me (song)|Eyes On Me]]" has a meaning in the plot and it relates to the game's main characters.<ref>{{Refwebsitedead| page url = http://www.nobuouematsu.com/yosh.html| page name = Nobuo Uematsu interview by Yoshitake Maeda| site name = www.nobuouematsu.com| access time = 21:55, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> Uematsu went on to compose vocal theme songs for the main series games ''Final Fantasy IX'', ''Final Fantasy X'', ''Final Fantasy XII'' and ''Final Fantasy XIV'', even though he didn't otherwise participate with ''Final Fantasy XII'', [[Final Fantasy XII: Original Soundtrack|its soundtrack]] being composed by [[Hitoshi Sakimoto]].

From ''Final Fantasy X'' onward the series has had other composers as Uematsu eventually left Square to go freelance, though he has continued to compose music for the series for as recent as the original ''Final Fantasy XIV''. The [[Final Fantasy X: Original Soundtrack|soundtrack for ''Final Fantasy X'']] was a joint effort between Uematsu, [[Masashi Hamauzu]], and [[Junya Nakano]], the music for ''Final Fantasy XII'' was mainly composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masashi Hamauzu did the [[Final Fantasy XIII: Original Soundtrack|soundtrack for ''Final Fantasy XIII'']], and [[Yoko Shimomura]]—who had previously composed the music for Square Enix's ''[[Kingdom Hearts]]'' series—composed the music for ''Final Fantasy XV''. [[Masayoshi Soken]]—best known for composing the music of ''Final Fantasy XIV'' and its expansions—composed the music for ''Final Fantasy XVI''.

The compositions' success has resulted in many side projects by Uematsu based on the music from the series. [[The Black Mages (band)|The Black Mages]] was a hard rock band that arranged and remixed music from the series. Other notable projects have included live orchestral tours [[Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy (tour)|Music from Final Fantasy]], [[Final Symphony]] tours and the [[Dear Friends -Music from Final Fantasy-]] tour. Many rearrangement compilations have been released on the series' music, the [[Piano Collections]] being among the best known, with many games also having special orchestrated albums whose compositions have been performed in the live orchestral tours. Official [[Sheet music|sheet music]] books have been released in Japan, usually for piano arrangements of the in-game soundtracks.

===Technology===
[[File:Final Fantasy 1 NES Battle.png|left|200px|thumb|Battle in ''[[Final Fantasy]]''.]]
The first three titles were developed on the 8bit [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] while the next three were developed on the 16bit [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]]. These games were two-dimensional and used [[wikipedia:Sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]] to depict characters and enemies on screen. The enemies in battle would have more detailed sprites that more closely resembled their artwork, but far fewer animations. The character sprites had several frames of animations, as well as different sprites based on their various statuses or weapons equipped, but were less detailed. Field sprites were less detailed than battle sprites. Though the SNES allowed games to have greater graphics and use higher-quality music with more instrumentation, the games were mostly the same format and similarly basic.

When transitioning to the 32bit era, Square began to develop games in 3D. A tech demo in 1995 using ''Final Fantasy VI'' characters, ''[[Final Fantasy VI: The Interactive CG Game]]'', showed the kind of technology they were using. Square opted to develop on the [[PlayStation]], as opposed to the [[wikipedia:Nintendo 64|Nintendo 64]] as originally intended, due to its use of disc storage instead of the more limited cartridges,<ref name="IGN History of Final Fantasy p4">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/06/18/ign-presents-the-history-of-final-fantasy?page=4| page name = IGN Presents The History of Final Fantasy| site url = http://www.ign.com/| site name = IGN| access time = 19:32, October 10, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> and the game still required three discs of storage. ''Final Fantasy VII'' was the most expensive game at the time to develop, costing $145 million,<ref>{{Refwebsitedead| page url = http://www.gamespot.com/gallery/20-of-the-most-expensive-games-ever-made/2900-104/5/| page name = 20 of the Most Expensive Games Ever Made| site url = http://www.gamespot.com/| site name = GameSpot| access time = 20151003100217}}</ref> though $100 million was spent on marketing.<ref>{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-06-02-final-fantasy-7-retrospective| page name = Final Fantasy 7 retrospective| site url = http://www.eurogamer.net/| site name = Eurogamer.net| access time = 20150924130820}}</ref> It used pre-rendered backgrounds and character models instead of 2D sprites, in addition to introducing full-motion video sequences.{{note|[[File:Aeris-ffvii-fmv-altar.png|150px|]]<br>An example of a full-motion video sequence in ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]''.}} Character models used on the field and those in battle differed, with blocky and less detailed models used on the field. When developing ''Final Fantasy VIII'', Square Enix opted to use a more photo-realistic style, and there was no longer a distinction between field and battle models. The game used more FMVs, and required four discs of storage. ''Final Fantasy IX'' was similar, and though its art style was not one of a photorealistic game, it did allow for greater detail than seen previously in the series.

[[File:Yuna during the final battle.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Example of facial expressions technology in ''[[Final Fantasy X]]''.]]
The next three titles would be released on [[PlayStation 2]]. Due to the more advanced technology, the games no longer relied on pre-rendered backgrounds, instead using the game engine to render the backgrounds immediately. ''Final Fantasy X'' improved in the facial expressions displayed by the characters, using skeletal animation technology and motion capture, to allow the characters to make more realistic lip movements to match the new voice acting, a first in the series which previously was restricted to text-based story telling. The following release, ''Final Fantasy XI'', was the first in the series to use online multiplayer features, which was another expensive development project for the company.<ref>{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/05/10/final-fantasy-xi-big-plans-big-money| page name = Final Fantasy XI: Big Plans, Big Money| site url = http://www.ign.com/| site name = IGN| access time = 20170902192209}}</ref> ''Final Fantasy XII'' would later use only half as many polygons as ''Final Fantasy X'' in exchange for improved lighting and texture rendering.<ref>{{Refwebsitedead| page url = http://www.1up.com/previews/final-fantasy-xii_19| page name = Final Fantasy XII Preview| site url = http://www.1up.com/| site name = 1UP.com| access time = 20151103121109}}</ref>

When transitioning to the next generation of video game consoles, the now-merged Square Enix developed ''Final Fantasy XIII'' for [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Xbox 360]]. It was developed using [[Crystal Tools]], a proprietary engine built to develop games for the consoles. As the first high definition title, it allowed for a major improvement in graphics with many reviewers citing its visuals as a strong point.<ref name="FFXIII GamesRadar Review">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.gamesradar.com/final-fantasy-xiii-review/| page name = Final Fantasy XIII Review| site url = http://www.gamesradar.com/| site name = GamesRadar| access time = 20151024172921}}</ref><ref name="FFXIII Review GameSpot">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/final-fantasy-xiii-review/1900-6252888/| page name = Final Fantasy XIII Review| site url = http://www.gamespot.com| site name = GameSpot| access time = 20150930003839}}</ref><ref name="FFXIII IGN Review">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/03/09/final-fantasy-xiii-review?page=2| page name = Final Fantasy XIII Review| site url = http://www.ign.com/| site name = IGN| access time = 20150901071441}}</ref> The [[Final Fantasy XIV (version 1.0)|original release]] of ''Final Fantasy XIV'' was also developed using Crystal Tools, though its subsequent re-release, ''Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn'', was developed using different technology.

[[File:Cindy-FFXV.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A cutscene rendered using the Luminous Engine in ''Final Fantasy XV''.]]
''Final Fantasy XV'' is developed for the [[PlayStation 4]] and [[Xbox One]]. It uses a new proprietary [[Luminous Engine]], which was showcased during the demo [[Agni's Philosophy (demo)|Agni's Philosophy]], and the engine early in development allowed the game to produce 5 million polygons per frame, with suggestions that the final game could be even more advanced.<ref>{{Refwebsite| page url = http://gamingbolt.com/final-fantasy-15-receives-information-drop-on-polygons-bone-count-luminous-engine-more| page name = Final Fantasy 15 Receives Information Drop On Polygons, Bone Count, Luminous Engine & More| site url = http://gamingbolt.com/| site name = GamingBolt.com| access time = 20151118235013}}</ref> ''[[Final Fantasy XVI]]'' is being developed as a [[PlayStation 5]] exclusive.<ref>{{ref|id=Yoshida, Takai 2020|first1=Naoki|last1=Yoshida|first2=Hiroshi|last2=Takai|year=2020|month=09|day=16|entry=Final Fantasy XVI announced for PS5|url=https://blog.playstation.com/2020/09/16/final-fantasy-xvi-announced-for-ps5/|title=''PlayStation Blog''|publisher-link=https://blog.playstation.com/|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20200916205845/https://blog.playstation.com/2020/09/16/final-fantasy-xvi-announced-for-ps5/|access-date=September 16, 2020}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Reception==
===Critical reception===
The series has overall enjoyed high critical acclaim, with varying success. Of the main series, six titles have reached a [[wikipedia:Metacritic|Metacritic]] score of or above 90: ''Final Fantasy VI'' at 91,<ref name="FFVI Metacritic">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/final-fantasy-vi| page name = Final Fantasy VI for iOS reviews| site url = http://www.metacritic.com/| site name = Metacritic| access time = 23:08, October 27, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> ''Final Fantasy VII'' at 92,<ref name="FFVII Metacritic">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/final-fantasy-vii| page name = Final Fantasy VII for PlayStaion reviews| site url = http://www.metacritic.com/| site name = Metacritic| access time = 23:08, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> ''Final Fantasy VIII'' at 90,<ref name="FFVIII Metacritic">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/final-fantasy-viii| page name = Final Fantasy VIII for PlayStation reviews| site url = http://www.metacritic.com/| site name = Metacritic| access time = 20150926072305}}</ref> ''Final Fantasy IX'' at 94,<ref name="FFIX Metacritic">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/final-fantasy-ix| page name = Final Fantasy IX for PlayStation reviews| site url = http://www.metacritic.com/| site name = Metacritic| access time = 23:08, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> ''Final Fantasy X'' at 92,<ref name="FFX Metacritic">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/final-fantasy-x| page name = Final Fantasy X for PlayStation 2 reviews| site url = http://www.metacritic.com/| site name = Metacritic| access time = 20151105022007}}</ref> and ''Final Fantasy XII'' at 92.<ref name="FFXII Metacritic">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/final-fantasy-xii| page name = Final Fantasy XII for PlayStation 2 reviews| site url = http://www.metacritic.com/| site name = Metacritic| access time = 20151101031145}}</ref> The only game to reach a Metacritic score below 70 was the original ''Final Fantasy XIV'' launch at 49,<ref name="FFXIV Original Metacritic">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/final-fantasy-xiv-online| page name = Final Fantasy XIV Online for PC reviews| site url = http://www.metacritic.com/| site name = Metacritic| access time = 23:08, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref>, though the subsequent re-release, ''Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn'', reached a score of 83.<ref name="FFXIV ARR Metacritic">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/final-fantasy-xiv-online-a-realm-reborn| page name = Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn for PC reviews| site url = http://www.metacritic.com/| site name = Metacritic| access time = 20151026063121}}</ref> Spinoffs, likewise, have enjoyed varied critical reception, though lower than that of the main series. Many spinoffs have been well received, such as ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions]]'',<ref name="FFT WotL Metacritic">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.metacritic.com/game/psp/final-fantasy-tactics-the-war-of-the-lions| page name = Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions for PSP reviews| site url = http://www.metacritic.com/| site name = Metacritic| access time = 23:08, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> ''[[Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy]]'',<ref name="D012FF Metacritic">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.metacritic.com/game/psp/dissidia-012-duodecim-final-fantasy| page name = Dissidia 012: Duodecim Final Fantasy for PSP reviews| site url = http://www.metacritic.com/| site name = Metacritic| access time = 23:08, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> and ''[[Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call]]''.<ref name="TFFCC Metacritic">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/theatrhythm-final-fantasy-curtain-call| page name = Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call for 3DS reviews| site url = http://www.metacritic.com/| site name = Metacritic| access time = 23:08, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> Many other spinoffs have been poorly received, such as ''[[Final Fantasy: All the Bravest]]'',<ref name="FFATB Metacritic">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/final-fantasy-all-the-bravest| page name = Final Fantasy: All the Bravest for iOS reviews| site url = http://www.metacritic.com/| site name = Metacritic| access time = 23:08, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> ''[[Dirge of Cerberus -Final Fantasy VII-]]'',<ref name="VIIDoC Metacritic">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/dirge-of-cerberus-final-fantasy-vii| page name = Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII for PlayStation 2 reviews| site url = http://www.metacritic.com/| site name = Metacritic| access time = 23:08, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> and ''[[Final Fantasy IV: The After Years]]''.<ref name="IVTAY Metacritic">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/final-fantasy-iv-the-after-years| page name = Final Fantasy IV: The After Years for iOS reviews| site url = http://www.metacritic.com/| site name = Metacritic| access time = 23:08, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref>

Titles in the series have generally received praise for their storylines, characters, settings, music, battle elements, and graphics.<ref name="FFVII Review IGN">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/09/04/final-fantasy-vii| page name = Final Fantasy VII Review| site url = http://www.ign.com| site name = IGN| access time = 22:41, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref><ref name="FFX GameSpot Review">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/final-fantasy-x-review/1900-2832771/| page name = Final Fantasy X Review| site url = http://www.gamespot.com/| site name = GameSpot| access time = 22:41, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref><ref name="FFXIII GamesRadar Review"/> Many other aspects in particular have received praise, such as the job system, a series staple,<ref name="FFD IGN Review">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/09/18/final-fantasy-dimensions-review| page name = Final Fantasy Dimensions Review| site url = http://www.ign.com| site name = IGN| access time = 22:41, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref><ref name="FFT WotL Eurogamer Review">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/final-fantasy-tactics-the-war-of-the-lions-review| page name = Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions Review| site url = http://www.eurogamer.net/| site name = Eurogamer| access time = 22:41, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> with [[wikipedia:GameSpot|GameSpot]] stating it is "hard to say enough good things" about it, referring to the the "exciting variety" it offers to the gameplay.<ref name="FFV GameSpot Review">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/final-fantasy-v-advance-review/1900-6161822/| page name = Final Fantasy V Advance Review| site url = http://www.gamespot.com/| site name = GameSpot| access time = 22:41, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> Another popular feature is the self-referential nature of many of the games and inclusions of allusions to previous games, with recurring features such as chocobos, moogles and Gilgamesh among others, being well received as nods to make fans feel at home.<ref name="FFIX GameSpot Review">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/final-fantasy-ix-review/1900-2605459/| page name = Final Fantasy IX Review| site url = http://www.gamespot.com/| site name = GameSpot| access time = 22:41, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref><ref name="FFXIV GamesRadar Review">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.gamesradar.com/final-fantasy-14-realm-reborn-review/| page name = Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn Review| site url = http://www.gamesradar.com| site name = GamesRadar| access time = 22:41, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref><ref name="DFF GameSpot Review">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dissidia-final-fantasy-review/1900-6215910/| page name = Dissidia Final Fantasy Review| site url = http://www.gamespot.com| site name = GameSpot| access time = 22:41, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> The series has also been praised for its gameplay variety and innovation between installments to prevent the gameplay from going stale.<ref name="Innovation of Final Fantasy Hits and Misses">{{Refwebsitedead| page url = http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/721825/the-innovation-of-final-fantasy-hits-and-misses/| page name = The Innovation of Final Fantasy: Hits and Misses| site name = G4| access time = 22:41, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref><ref name="WalkofGame 2006 Innovation">{{Refwebsitedead| page url = http://www.walkofgame.com/inductees/inductees.html| page name = 2006 Walk of Game Inductees| site name = WalkofGame.com| access time = 20080701102427}}</ref><ref name="FFXV Not Afraid to Innovate">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/07/final-fantasy-15-isnt-afraid-to-innovate-to-find-greatness| page name = Final Fantasy 15 Isn't Afraid to Innovate to Find Greatness| site url = http://www.ign.com| site name = IGN| access time = 22:41, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref>

The series has received criticism for many other aspects. Many have found the menu-based combat system and its use of random encounters to be a turnoff, or an outdated annoyance,<ref name="Evolution of Final Fantasy">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/01/19/the-evolution-of-final-fantasy| page name = The Evolution of Final Fantasy| site url = http://www.ign.com| site name = IGN| access time = 22:41, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref><ref name="Five Things I Like And Dislike">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://kotaku.com/5944900/five-things-i-like-and-five-things-i-dont-like-about-the-latest-final-fantasy-game| page name = Five Things I Like (And Five Things I Don't Like) About The Latest Final Fantasy Game| site url = http://kotaku.com| site name = Kotaku| access time = 22:41, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref><!--feel free to replace Kotaku reference if you have a better one--> with [[wikipedia:IGN|IGN]] stating the the use of random encounters "need[ed] to change".<ref name="FFIX IGN Review">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/23/final-fantasy-ix| page name = Final Fantasy IX Review| site url = http://www.ign.com| site name = IGN| access time = 20151028091420}}</ref> The series' minigames have been divisive and often come under fire as weaker aspects<ref name="5 reasons to hate Final Fantasy">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.gamesradar.com/5-reasons-to-hate-final-fantasy/| page name = 5 reasons to hate Final Fantasy| site url = http://www.gamesradar.com| site name = GamesRadar| access time = 22:41, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref><ref name="Top 5 Worst Minigames">{{Refwebsitedead| page url = http://www.twinfinite.net/2014/05/26/top-5-painful-excruciating-mini-games-final-fantasy/| page name = Top 5 Most Excruciating Final Fantasy Minigames| site url = http://www.twinfinite.net/| site name = Twinfinite| access time = 20150611111534}}</ref><ref name="FFX-2 GameSpot Review">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/final-fantasy-x-2-review/1900-6083743/| page name = Final Fantasy X-2 Review| site url = http://www.gamespot.com/| site name = GameSpot| access time = 22:41, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> (although minigames have received praise in other regards<ref name="Top 5 Best Minigames">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.twinfinite.net/2014/05/19/top-5-enjoyable-mini-games-final-fantasy/| page name = Top 5 Most Enjoyable Final Fantasy Minigames| site url = http://www.twinfinite.net/| site name = Twinfinite| access time = 22:41, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref>). Finally, many direct sequels in the series have been poorly received and believed to be worse than the original titles.<ref name="FFIV TAY GameSpot Review">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/final-fantasy-iv-the-after-years-review/1900-6212132/| page name = Final Fantasy IV: The After Years Review| site url = http://www.gamespot.com| site name = GameSpot| access time = 22:41, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref><ref name="DoC FFVII IGN Review">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/08/12/dirge-of-cerberus-final-fantasy-vii-review?page=2| page name = Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII Review| site url = http://www.ign.com| site name = IGN| access time = 22:41, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref><ref name="FFXIII-2 PC Gamer Review">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.pcgamer.com/final-fantasy-xiii-2-review-2/| page name = Final Fantasy XIII-2 Review| site url = http://www.pcgamer.com| site name = PC Gamer| access time = 20151101043724}}</ref>

Due to the large differences between the games in terms of setting and gameplay, opinions of games in the series tend to also differ greatly. As a result, when listing the best ''Final Fantasy'' games, many publications have very different listings, with the only real consensus being ''Final Fantasy VI'' almost always listed in first place and ''Final Fantasy VII'' being listed very highly, in many cases second place.<ref name="Top 10 FF Games WatchMojo">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://watchmojo.com/video/id/13640/| page name = Top 10 Final Fantasy Video Games| site url = http://watchmojo.com| site name = WatchMojo.com| access time = 01:03, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref><ref name="Top 25 FF Games GamesRadar">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.gamesradar.com/best-final-fantasy-games/| page name = The 25 best Final Fantasy games| site url = http://www.gamesradar.com| site name = GamesRadar| access time = 20151107072512}}</ref><ref name="Ranking FF Games IGN">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/12/29/ranking-the-final-fantasy-series| page name = Ranking the Final Fantasy series| site url = http://www.ign.com| site name = IGN| access time = 01:03, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref><ref name="Top 10 FF Games Gamingbolt">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://gamingbolt.com/top-10-final-fantasy-games-of-all-time| page name = Top 10 Final Fantasy Games Of All Time| site url = http://gamingbolt.com/| site name = Gamingbolt| access time = 01:03, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref><ref name="Best to Worst FF Games Giant Bomb">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.giantbomb.com/profile/johnnybarnstorm/lists/the-shockingly-hard-best-to-worst-ranked-final-fan/42990/| page name = The Shockingly Hard Best to Worst Ranked Final Fantasy Games| site url = http://www.giantbomb.com| site name = Giant Bomb| access time = 01:03, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref>

===Accolades===
The series was the first series to win a [[wikipedia:Walk of Game|Walk of Game]] star in 2006, for seeking perfection and for being a risk taker in innovation.<ref name="WalkofGame 2006 Innovation"/> [[wikipedia:GameFAQs|GameFAQs]] held a contest in 2006 for the best game series of all time in which ''Final Fantasy'' appeared just behind ''[[w:c:zelda:The Legend of Zelda series|The Legend of Zelda]]'' at second place;<ref name="Best Series Ever GameFAQs">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/bse| page name = Summer 2006: Best. Series. Ever.| site url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/| site name = GameFAQs| access time = 01:03, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> additionally, the site has listed ''Final Fantasy VII'' as the best game of all time in 2004's top 100 games list, and in a 2014, featured two titles in its top 100 games list.{{note|''Final Fantasy X'' at 10th and ''Final Fantasy VII'' at 3rd}}<ref name="Top 100 Games GameFAQs">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/top10/2704-the-top-100-games-of-all-time-according-to-gamefaqs-10-to-1| page name = The Top 100 Games of All Time, According to GameFAQs| site url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/| site name = GameFAQs| access time = 01:03, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> In 2006, IGN listed the ''Final Fantasy'' series as the third greatest series of all time;<ref name="Top 25 Videogame Franchises IGN">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/12/05/the-top-25-videogame-franchises?page=5| page name = The Top 25 Videogame Franchises| site url = http://www.ign.com| site name = IGN| access time = 01:03, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> the site also listed three titles in its top 100 games list,{{note|''Final Fantasy VII'' at 80, ''Final Fantasy Tactics'' at 67 and ''Final Fantasy VI'' at 23}}<ref name="Top 100 Videogames IGN">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.ign.com/top/top-100-games| page name = The Top 100 Video Games of All Time| site url = http://www.ign.com| site name = IGN| access time = 01:03, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> nine titles in its top 100 RPGs list <ref name="Top 100 RPGs IGN">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.ign.com/top/rpgs| page name = Top 100 RPGs of All Time| site url = http://www.ign.com| site name = IGN| access time = 01:03, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> two titles in their top PlayStation 2 games list,{{note|''Final Fantasy XII'' at 17 and ''Final Fantasy X'' at 5}}<ref name="Top 25 PS2 Games IGN">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/08/10/the-top-25-ps2-games-of-all-time| page name = The Top 25 PS2 Games of All Time| site url = http://www.ign.com| site name = IGN| access time = 01:03, October 17, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> and two titles in their top 25 SNES games list{{note|''Final Fantasy II (IV)'' at 14 and ''Final Fantasy III (VI)'' at 4}}.<ref name="Top 100 SNES Games IGN">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.ign.com/top/snes-games| page name = The Top 100 SNES Games of All Time| site url = http://www.ign.com| site name = IGN| access time = 01:03, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> Video Game Canon ranks three ''Final Fantasy'' games (''VII'', ''VI'', and ''Tactics'') in their top 100 games of all time.<ref name="Video Game Canon">{{Refwebsite| page url = https://www.videogamecanon.com/| page name = Video Game Canon| site url = https://www.videogamecanon.com/| site name = Video Game Canon| access time = 6:12, November 29, 2021 (UTC)}}</ref>

WatchMojo.com has frequently placed titles in the series in top ten lists, including top 10 JRPGs of all time,{{note|''Final Fantasy VI'' at 2}}<ref name="Top 10 JRPGs WatchMojo">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://watchmojo.com/video/id/13828/| page name = Top 10 JRPGs of All Time| site url = http://watchmojo.com| site name = WatchMojo.com| access time = 01:03, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> top 10 PSOne games,{{note|''Final Fantasy VII'' at 4}}<ref name="Top 10 PSOne Games WatchMojo">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://watchmojo.com/video/id/12183/| page name = Top 10 JRPGs of All Time| site url = http://watchmojo.com| site name = WatchMojo.com| access time = 01:03, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> top ten PSOne RPGs,{{note|''Final Fantasy VII'' at 1}}<ref name="Top 10 PSOne RPGs WatchMojo">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://watchmojo.com/video/id/14352/| page name = Top 10 Playstation 1 RPGs| site url = http://watchmojo.com| site name = WatchMojo.com| access time = 20151118044156}}</ref> top ten PlayStation games of all time,{{note|''Final Fantasy VII'' at 4}}<ref name="Top 10 PlayStation Games WatchMojo">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://watchmojo.com/video/id/13998/| page name = Top 10 PlayStation Games of All Time| site url = http://watchmojo.com| site name = WatchMojo.com| access time = 01:03, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> and top ten Super Nintendo RPGs.{{note|''Final Fantasy VI'' at 2}}<ref name="Top 10 SNES RPGs WatchMojo">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://watchmojo.com/video/id/13709/| page name = Top 10 Super Nintendo RPGs| site url = http://watchmojo.com| site name = WatchMojo.com| access time = 01:03, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> The series held seven [[wikipedia:Guinness World Records|Guinness World Records]] in its ''[[wikipedia:Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition|Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition]] 2008'', including "Most Games in an RPG Series", "Longest Development Period",{{note|Awarded for ''Final Fantasy XII'' at the time}} and "Fastest Selling Console RPG in a Single Day";<ref name="Guinness World Records Gamers 2008">{{Refbook| title = [[wikipedia:Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition]] 2008| first page = 157| last page = 167}}</ref> in the subsequent issue in 2009, two titles in the series featured in its top 50 console games.{{note|''Final Fantasy VII'' at 20, ''Final Fantasy XII'' at 8}}<ref name="Guinness World Records Gamers 2009">{{Refbook| title = [[wikipedia:Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition]] 2009| first page = 190| last page = 191}}</ref>

The music of the series composed by Nobuo Uematsu won the series a place in the Hall of Fame on Classic FM.<ref name="Classic FM Hall of Fame"/>

===Commercial performance===
The series has become a commercial success, and is the best selling Square Enix franchise with over 130 million units sold worldwide.<ref name="Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary Press Release"/> This makes it one of the [[wikipedia:List of best-selling video game franchises|best selling franchises world-wide]]. The best selling title has been ''Final Fantasy VII'', with 11 million copies sold as of October 2015,<ref name="FFVII iTunes App"/> and became the second best selling game on the PlayStation.<ref name="Eurogamer FFVII Steam Review">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-08-28-final-fantasy-7-review| page name = Final Fantasy VII Steam Review| site name = Eurogamer.net| site url = http://www.eurogamer.net/| access time = 23:13, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> The second best-selling title in the series is ''Final Fantasy X'' with over 8.05 million units sold as of August 2015 (not including the ''[[Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster]]'').<ref name="FFX VGChartz">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.vgchartz.com/game/759/final-fantasy-x/| page name = Final Fantasy X (PlayStation 2)| site url = http://www.vgchartz.com/| site name = VGChartz| access time = 23:13, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> Meanwhile, ''Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn'' reached subscriber numbers of 5 million, making it the second most popular subscription-based MMO as of July 2015.<ref name="FFXIV 5 Million Subs GameRevolution">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.gamerevolution.com/news/final-fantasy-xiv-has-had-5-million-subscribers-is-second-most-popular-subscriptionbased-mmo-33713| page name = Final Fantasy XIV Has Had 5 Million Subscribers, Is Second Most Popular Subscription-Based MMO| site url = http://www.gamerevolution.com/| site name = GameRevolution| access time = 23:13, October 18, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> The mobile game ''[[Final Fantasy Record Keeper]]'' was downloaded over 5 million times in Japan alone as of August 2015.<ref name="FFRK Google Play">{{Refwebsite| page url = https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dena.west.FFRK&hl=en| page name = FINAL FANTASY Record Keeper| site url = https://play.google.com/store| site name = Google Play Store| access time = 23:13, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref>

The success of ''Final Fantasy'' and its key role within Square Enix's business plan has served as a double-edged sword. The first movie in the franchise, ''[[Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within]]'', was a box office flop with a net loss of $72-102 million,<ref name="Box Office Flops Filmsite">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.filmsite.org/greatestflops21.html| page name = Greatest Box-Office Bombs, Disasters and Film Flops| site url = http://www.filmsite.org/| site name = filmsite| access time = 23:13, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> and delayed the merger between Square and Enix.<ref name="Square Enix Chrono Break Trademark Playmates">{{Refwebsitedead| page url = http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q2-2003/042503e.html| page name = Square-Enix Gives Chrono Break Trademark Some Playmates| site url = http://www.rpgamer.com| site name = RPGamer| access time = 23:13, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> On the other hand, ''Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn'' was primarily responsible for overturning the company's financial losses at the end of 2013.<ref name="FFXIV Saves Profit Margin Escapist">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/129327-Square-Enixs-Final-Fantasy-XIV-Saves-Its-Profit-Margin| page name = Square Enix's Final Fantasy XIV Saves Its Profit Margin| site url = http://www.escapistmagazine.com/| site name = The Escapist| access time = 23:13, October 31, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref>

===Pop culture and legacy===
{{main|Final Fantasy in popular culture}}
The series' popularity has led to it having an impact in popular culture, with appearances and references in anime, TV, and film. The music in particular has garnered much attention, such as winning a place on the Classic FM Hall of Fame,<ref name="Classic FM Hall of Fame"/> and a performance from [[wikipedia:synchronized swimmers at the 2004 Summer Olympics|synchronized swimmers at the 2004 Summer Olympics]] to "[[Liberi Fatali]]" from ''Final Fantasy VIII''.<ref name="Liberi Fatali Summer Olympics">{{ref |month=5 |day=27 |year=2019 |title= Final Fantasy VIII's soundtrack inspired this artistic swimming routine by Team USA |youtube-id= LUmnhU8KOk8 |channel= Olympics |channel-id= UCTl3QQTv_qHFjurroKxexy2Q |access-date=April 13, 2024}}</ref>

The series has spawned many spinoff franchises. The most notable, ''[[Kingdom Hearts]]'', is a crossover between ''Final Fantasy'' characters and [[w:c:disney|Disney]] characters, and has gone on to be successful in its own right with 21 million units sold.<ref name="Square Enix Business Holdings">{{Refwebsite| page url = http://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/group/index.html#game1| page name = Square Enix Businesses Holdings| site url = http://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/index.html| site name = Square Enix Holdings| access time = 19:32, October 10, 2015 (UTC)}}</ref> Many games have been released by staff who previously worked on ''Final Fantasy'' titles. ''[[Bravely Default]]'' began as a spiritual successor to ''[[Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light]]'', and includes the job system and similar abilities. ''[[wikipedia:The Last Story|The Last Story]]'' was developed by series creator Sakaguchi after leaving Square Enix, while ''[[wikipedia:Granblue Fantasy|Granblue Fantasy]]'' was developed by former staff and had a musical score composed by Nobuo Uematsu.

==Notes==
{{annotations|2}}

==Citations==
{{reflist|3}}

==External links==
* [[wikipedia:Final Fantasy|''Final Fantasy'' on Wikipedia]]

{{navbox series}}



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