Gaming
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds Year 2 Adds Final Fantasy VII
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will kick off its Year Two content plan on Nov. 3, 2026, bringing crossovers with Final Fantasy VII, Godzilla and Evangelion...
Franchise Hub
Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy news and guides, Square Enix's long-running RPG franchise.
About Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy is Square Enix's long-running role-playing game franchise, known for standalone stories, worlds, and characters in each numbered mainline entry rather than a single continuous narrative. Since 1987, the series has been a major influence on the JRPG genre, known for elaborate storytelling, memorable musical scores, and ambitious production values for its era.
Beyond mainline numbered games, Final Fantasy has spawned numerous spin-offs, sequels, and massively multiplayer entries, most notably Final Fantasy XIV, which rebuilt itself after a troubled launch into one of the most successful MMORPGs in the genre.
History
1987
Franchise begins
The original Final Fantasy launches in Japan, reportedly named for its high financial stakes for developer Square at the time.
1997
Final Fantasy VII
The series' jump to 3D on PlayStation becomes a landmark commercial and cultural success, introducing the franchise to a huge global audience.
2010–2013
Final Fantasy XIV relaunch
After a poorly received initial launch, Final Fantasy XIV is rebuilt as A Realm Reborn, eventually becoming one of the most successful MMORPGs available.
Key People
Hironobu Sakaguchi
Creator of Final Fantasy and director of its earliest entries
Nobuo Uematsu
Longtime series composer behind its most celebrated soundtracks
Yoshinori Kitase
Director/producer on numerous mainline entries including Final Fantasy VII
Key Final Fantasy Releases
| Title | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Final Fantasy VII | 1997 | A landmark entry that introduced the series to a global mainstream audience |
| Final Fantasy X | 2001 | The first mainline entry with full voice acting |
| Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn | 2013 | Relaunched the MMO into long-term success |
| Final Fantasy VII Remake | 2020 | Began a multi-part reimagining of the 1997 classic |
Financials
How It Compares
| Compared To | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| Dragon Quest | Both are pillars of Japanese RPGs, but Final Fantasy reinvents its world, cast, and systems with nearly every mainline entry, while Dragon Quest maintains a more consistent visual and mechanical identity across games. |
| Elder Scrolls | Final Fantasy favors tightly scripted, story-driven JRPG campaigns, while Elder Scrolls emphasizes open-ended, player-directed exploration. |
Trivia & Fan Culture
Named for a financial situation, not just fiction
According to series lore, creator Hironobu Sakaguchi named the game Final Fantasy in part because Square was in a precarious financial position and the project was conceived as one last major effort.
Each mainline game largely stands alone
Unlike many long-running franchises, most mainline Final Fantasy entries feature entirely new worlds, characters, and stories rather than direct narrative continuity.
A cornerstone of JRPGs in the West
Final Fantasy VII's 1997 release is widely credited with popularizing Japanese role-playing games with Western console audiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to play Final Fantasy games in order?
No, most numbered Final Fantasy games tell independent stories with new worlds and characters, so they can generally be played in any order.
Is Final Fantasy XIV an MMO?
Yes, Final Fantasy XIV is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game, distinct from the single-player mainline numbered entries.
Do Final Fantasy games share a continuous story?
No. With a few exceptions (direct sequels and spin-offs within a sub-series), each mainline Final Fantasy game features a self-contained world, cast, and story.
Who publishes Final Fantasy?
Square Enix publishes the series, formed from the 2003 merger of developers Square and Enix.
Latest Coverage
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