Final Fantasy is a Japanese role-playing game that got its start way back in 1987. It was one of the last chances for then-fading game developing studio, Squaresoft. The game took off wildly in Japan; interestingly enough it took a little while longer to hit shelves in the west. Believe it or not, they even came out in a different order in America, causing a little bit of confusion initially. Since then, they have been releasing game after game that has become iconic in different ways, whether it be for game play, characters or music. A Final Fantasy game is easily distinguished because of their set style and tone. With hours of gameplay to each game, fans have been studying the lore of each entry for years.
Some of the theories out there are mostly speculation, while others have been officially debunked by series creators in recent interviews. Quite a few of them have taken hours to piece together, as each game in the series adds another level to them. It takes careful attention and slavish dedication on the part of the fans to gather all of the evidence. Sometimes the theories are as simple as ‘this game and that game are directly correlated.’ While it’s a simple theory at first glance, the implications of it are generally pretty large. Being a fan of the series myself, I found some of these incredible to say the least. Maybe this will spur you on to make up theories of your own.
25 Coming Back Around
Being the newest title in the Final Fantasy series is hard, because you have such large shoes to fill and you haven’t been around long enough for the nostalgia train to blind people to your flaws. Still, 15 provides some pretty serious evidence for the fan theory that the whole game is just a metaphor for the series as a whole. It’s a nice way to pay homage to the older games, but still be flexible enough to try out new gameplay mechanics that might just catch on.
24 Wishful Thinking
Tack this on with the other rumors you heard on the playground as a kid. Aerith was originally supposed to be revived towards the end of the game. She had lines written for her and everything in the script, and promotional art showed her in places she couldn’t have been because of her untimely end. I’m personally glad they changed it though, as it made the story that much more compelling. Still, it makes people cry to this day to think of her end.
23 A Powerful Resource
There are quite a few rumors about the crystals in the latest Final Fantasy game. Each of the three main kingdoms had one at some point, and the writer gives a few different reasons why the two kingdoms that aren’t being ruled by Noctis’ family doesn’t have one.
Royal bloodlines in Niflheim may have been lost.
The theory from there I liked the best was that only those of royal blood are allowed to use the crystal. This is assuming that the other royal families were somehow diluted or lost, but still pretty cool.
22 Not Just A Story
Granted, The World of Final Fantasy is not included in the main entry list, there are still some pretty intriguing theories about the game. For example, this particular theory states that the game is all just a fanfiction made by Enna Kros, one of the characters who seems to have quite a bit of power in the universe around her. She chooses to make herself known to the player, and controls how they progress in the story. It also ties up pretty nicely about how each of the characters can be there at the same time.
21 Method To The Madness
Reddit user Inner_Evil gives a pretty reasonable explanation how all of the worlds are connected. They suggest that Chaos tries to recreate each world into a thing he knows and then tries to rule it through whichever ne’er do well is facing our heroes.
A chocobo is in every game because of chaos.
It’s a great way to explain the things in the games that are series staples, such as moogles, chocobos, and characters named Cid. Knowing what kind of deity Chaos is, I like to think this theory is pretty close to the truth, even if it hasn’t been confirmed.
20 It Was Going To Happen Either Way
Many years ago, Square had the guts to do something drastic: end a character and not give any chance to revive them. It was pretty common for someone to nearly be destroyed, but saved at the last minute in these games. But in this case, Aerith wasn’t intending on coming back, even if she did could. The fact that Aerith did not come back gave some real heft to her life. This theory suggests that she knew she needed to return to the life stream, in order to save the planet. Aerith is the real MVP.
19 The More You Know
Jumping off some of the later points on the list, Final Fantasy 15’s Noctis has some impressive ancestors. One of which was theorized to be the summon, Knights of the Round. Kind of crazy, I know. TL; DR and it’s all through his maternal side, which is one of the reasons why Noctis has some of the powers he does. Given that summons change iterations every game, I’m not sure I buy it, but the implications of such a theory are quite far-reaching. Could you imagine what that origin story would look like if he actually were a summon’s descendant?
18 Ghosted
Although not technically cannon, Dissidia was an awesome fighting game. The specifics of how each character arrived are only spelled out as far as ‘Deity magic,’ which wasn’t good enough for some fans.
Your character isn't technically in the game.
So a fan theory came out that each of the characters is actually a summon, like Shiva or Ifrit. This would explain the different outfits and skill sets, as their moves do differ from their games a bit. I love this as it fits the series as a whole so much.
17 Lucid Dreams
Before Final Fantasy 15 was Final Fantasy Versus 13. Reddit user mindseye0444 theorized that the games are set in a different order than we thought: they describe how Final Fantasy Versus 13 is actually set during the ten years that Noctis is sleeping. The game as a whole is a way for him to prepare to live out his destiny and let go of everything tying him down. Having not played the game, I can’t say how accurate it is, but given the storytelling elements, it makes sense.
16 Once You Get To Know Him
Here’s another theory where a ‘bad guy isn’t actually a bad guy’ cliché comes in. This time its Rufus Shinra from 7. The theory by Reddit user kage_lockheart discusses how Rufus was always helping out AVALANCHE members by doing little things.
Rufus uses his position to play a role.
For example, he gave them keys to vehicles so they could accomplish a mission, or helped when Sephiroth was free from his restraints. Most of his good guy interactions come with Tifa and Barrett, and are incredibly subtle. Read into it what you will.
15 Boots With The Fur
When you go on a long journey, there’s one thing that most people always bring but never seem to think about: shoes. Being the tough guy that he is, that’s the one thing that Jecht did not bring on his trip across Spira. That’s why Reddit user Gold_Jacobson theorized that Auron didn’t have to get taken in by Sin. Jecht was too stubborn and hurt from walking barefoot all that time to walk back. It’s a little silly, and I don’t buy it, but it’s a good enough reason to include the fact that he’s barefoot all the time.
14 Unlikely Connection
In the same vein of the theory that all of the Final Fantasy games are connected, you have the fan theory that 10 and 10-2 are prequels to 7. This comes mainly from the Al Bhed (see next post) and their use of technology.
Two iconic games are tied together.
With Sin gone, those in charge are able to focus on their research into mako drilling, creating the world we know in 7. Its not above Tetsuya Nomura to connect two of the most popular games.
13 A Busy Businessman
Who is to blame for the research into mako extraction from the planet? If you think it’s one of the optional bosses of Final Fantasy 10 or 10-2, you’d be a little mistaken. This theory discusses how it’s actually the Al Bhed merchant Rin whose the cause for the rise of Shinra. He uses his tech knowledge to be employed by the higher up Yevonites (like Seymour) and gains money for research. It didn’t happen in his lifetime, but because of his major contributions, Final Fantasy 7 gets the foundation it needs.
12 The Magical McGuffin
Regis, Noctis’ dad in Final Fantasy 15 is one awesome guy; and when I say awesome, I mean in the old sense; one who causes awe. Not only is he a good king and fantastic swordsman, he’s also a great father to Noctis.
Regis uses time to help Noctis.
One theory by Reddit user perona77 discusses how Regis learns to make a time stitch from Ardyn (whose actually not really a bad guy) in order to allow Noctis to forge his own path- one where no one has to be destroyed. You can read the theory here.
11 A Different Route
While Rinoa might have been the female with the most screen time thanks to her relationship with Squall (I personally think the way the relationship is written works. You can check out my ranting here) she is not the only one with interesting theories. Wouldn’t you know it, but YouTuber Final Fantasy Peasant has an interesting idea where Selphie was a potential candidate for the next sorceress. His video covers the gist of it, but it’s a nice bit of character depth for Selphie, as your friends in the game don’t tend to get too much development, unfortunately.
10 A Tale Of Two In Love
For those lore junkies of the most recent Final Fantasy game, one of the dungeons you go through (Pitios) tells the tragedy between Ifrit and Eos. They loved each other, but were separated, never to see each other again. In his grief, Ifrit created the whole dungeon, complete with puzzles. The darkness at the bottom and the repeated falling sections of the platform are a great metaphor for Ifrit, and the statue of Eos in the background gives quite a focus for the process of grief.
9 Are You My Mummy?
Going along with the last entry, the story of Eos and Ifrit goes further. It is theorized that she may have been pregnant when she was taken, giving birth to the ever-complicated Ardyn.
Ardyn’s powers may have come from the Astral, Eos.
That would mean that Ardyn (and perhaps by extension Noctis) is a demi-god, being part human and part Astral. It certainly would explain the fantastical elements of each character, and where they get their powers. True or not, it adds a nice layer of complexity to the use of power by both Ardyn and Noctis.
8 The Aftermath Is More Interesting
Skip this theory if you like; I’m sure that most of you will have already heard the ins and outs of Squall's last moments theory. Instead of focusing on the theory, I’d like to take a moment to recognize what was said when the theory was debunked: “But that is a very interesting idea, so if we ever do make a remake of Final Fantasy VIII, I might go along with that story in mind.” Personally, I’ll take my happy ending, thank you. But you can’t say that it wouldn’t be an interesting twist.
7 Mirror Mirror
Reddit user fenreir1 took the characters from Final Fantasy 9 and created a theory that perhaps the characters of the game are not as different from things we have seen in the past. In the booklet that came with the game, players were given information about each character as well as a quote that summed them up. Each of the characters’ quotes directly tied into a protagonist from previous games, such as Cloud, Squall, and Cecil. The theory continues the connected world theory, as well as giving a sense of nostalgia with each new character.
6 Name Rings A Bell
When a series runs as long as Final Fantasy has, you’re bound to get a few names that get repeated. What if I told you that when you see Biggs and Wedge on screen in any game, it’s actually the same one as other entries?
Biggs And Wedge may be time travellers.
During Final Fantasy 6, they are hot on the trail of an ice summon who then sends them flying. Perhaps they go so far as to travel in time and space, as they are in several other Square games, including Chrono Trigger and other Final Fantasy entries.