It's common knowledge by now that Final Fantasy XV had a very long and troubled development cycle. The game began as a spin-off for the Final Fantasy XIII saga, and there seemed to be times when the game's director Tetsuya Nomura couldn't make his mind up about what he wanted from the game, especially when he expressed a huge desire to turn Final Fantasy XV into some kind of musical game. Thankfully that never materialized, and whether or not that led to Square-Enix handing the directing duties to Hajime Tabata we'll never know, but many fans were grateful that he managed to create a very a good Final Fantasy game despite all the obstacles that were in his way.

However, despite Tabata's rescue a lot of fans felt that the game lacked any real history or lore and if you didn't pay attention to the Brotherhood anime series or the Kingslagive movie, you'll have very little idea about what's going on. However, with the announcement of the Final Fantasy XV Universe at the GDC 2017 the story is clearly going to get expanded.

There are fans out there that claim that due to the time constraints that Final Fantasy XV took the Bloodborne and Dark Souls route by telling a story through its environment and the various pieces of lore (the Cosmology) found scattered all over the world. This idea has led to fans coming up with all sorts of weird and wonderful theories — some of which have proven to be true — so without further ado let's take a look at 15 Final Fantasy XV theories so crazy that they could be true.

15 Pitios Is The Tragic Story Of Ifrit And Eos

Via Final Fantasy wikia

One of the most popular and well put together theories was written by a husband and wife duo known on Reddit as persona77. Their theory is the Pitioss Ruins were built by Ifrit and that the strange puzzles, statues, and architecture function as a means of telling his own tragic story.

The theory suggests that Eos isn’t just the name of the world but a goddess who was another Astral. In Greek mythology, Eos is the goddess of dawn, and the coming of dawn is an ongoing theme in Final Fantasy XV. The couple believes that Eos fell in love with a mortal resulting in a child, so for her crime, she was sealed in the Pitioss (the Pit of Eos) by all the Astrals except for Ifrit. Ifrit loved Eos and tried to save her from her inevitable death but was too late.

14 Ifrit Is Blind

Via Square-Enix

There seems to be a lot of signs that suggest Ifrit is suffering from some kind of blindness. The blindness theory is supported by the blank lifeless look in his eyes, never seeming like they are able to focus on anything. He also doesn’t notice Noctis and the others approaching as he sits on his throne.

When Ifrit grabs and hold Noctis in his grasp he doesn’t seem to be able to focus on him, and he never once looks down at Noctis or the rest of the team as they round around freely by his feet. While Ifrit is able to avoid the attacks of Bahamut, this is explained by Ignis as he himself is able to sense and see certain flashes of light, allowing him to fight. Finally, and perhaps the most telling, is that he never once focuses on Shiva or any of her copies as she surrounds him and casts Diamond Dust.

13 Ifrit's Afflictions Are Reflected Upon Noctis' Friends

Via Final Fantasy Wikia

To further the Ifrit blindness theory, each of Noctis’ friends seems to have an injury or some kind of affliction that is clearly shown on Ifrit’s body. The scars on Ifrit’s chest reflects the one on Gladios which was seen when he returned from his quest seen in the Episode Gladio DLC.

In Episode Prompto, we found out that Prompto was intended to become another Magitek Trooper before he was rescued. Magitek Troopers were created when humans were injected with the Starscourge. Prompto's potential fate and the psychological damage that suffered could represent both Ifrit’s unleashing of the Starscourge.

Finally, if Ifrit’s blindness is ever confirmed then this would explain his link to Ignis, there's a chance it could be explained in the upcoming Episode Ignis. An interesting and possibly unrelated note, Ignis is Latin for fire, maybe there’s a bigger connection to Ifrit than we realize.

12 Final Fantasy VIII Connection

Via

Many fans enjoy the idea that there’s a possible connection between Final Fantasy VIII and Final Fantasy XV. There’s a lot of allusions to the seventeen-year-old FFVIII, such as the Weapon’s Monthly magazines, and the way magic is drawn from certain points in the game is similar to the Junction System. Also, there are locations and buildings in the game that contain the name Balamb — a reference to the Balamb Garden military school in Final Fantasy VIII.

The best connection between the two games is found in the description of the Solomon Ring found in Final Fantasy VIII, the ring’s description reads

“The legend goes that it was a ring that belonged to a royal family.”

Not only does the description sound like it’s referencing the Ring of Lucii, but the two items are almost identical.

11 Regis Controls Time

Via Square-Enix

A popular theory is that King Regis was shown the fate of his son Noctis through the power of the crystal. It’s also suggested that the Omen Trailer is a vision shown to King Regis by the crystal portraying many outcomes, destinies, and fates for Noctis. It’s possible that Regis used the powers of the crystal to manipulate time and events, which is an ability we know the crystal has as the player can move their characters between the past and the present.

After the battle with Ardyn is finished, Aardyn asks if he will be “erased from history again,” which suggests that this has happened before. In addition, right after what players would assume are the spirits of Noctis and Luna, the game cuts back to the friends pushing the car in the same way that they did in the beginning of the game, with Gladio wondering, “if this is all some kind of omen.” Suggesting that Regis (or something) is manipulating time and realities for a happier outcome.

10 Alternate Realities

Via finalfantasy peasant/Youtube

The alternate timelines and realities theories are some of the most interesting and intriguing of all that the fans have come up with. Whether those realities and timelines are controlled by Regis or another all powerful and overseeing force, it can potentially lead to a ton of Chrono Trigger-like experiences.

The above image which was shown at the GDC 2017 seems to confirm to some degree that the developers definitely have something in mind when it comes to alternate realities histories and timelines. How amazing would it be if players would change Noctis and Lunafreya’s final fate? Or even go as far as preventing the world from going dark. Maybe there’s even a chance we can go back and change Ardyn’s own tragic fate by allowing him to become the hero he was supposed to be, the possibilities could be endless.

9 Noctis Is Part Astral

Via Square-Enix

Further adding to the theory that the Lucians were the descendants of both Gilgamesh, many fans believe that the gift that the Lucian kings receive which allows them to wield the Ring of Lucii without any ramifications was genetically inherited from the Eos bloodline.

It’s also believed that the placement of the Genji Gloves at the statue of Eos’ belly was symbolically stating that she had twins. The Japanese translation for Genji is twins, so it’s suggested that Ardyn and the brother who betrayed him were not only the original Lucian kings, but they were also twins. Which is why they were both capable of using the Ring of Lucii, and the reason why Noctis has also inherited the same power.

8 Gilgamesh Is The Father Of The Lucians

Via Persona77/Reddit

A slightly different spin on the original Pitioss theory makes Ifrit the villain rather than the hero of this story, and instead of imprisoning Eos, they were hiding her and the children away from a jealous and spiteful Ifrit — which would fit his historical mythology perfectly.

The Astrals attempted to imprison him and keep him away from Eos, but after breaking free, he makes his way to Pitioss, does battle with Gilgamesh, almost killing him by tearing off some of his arms, and then eventually killing Eos.

The Genji equipment being in Pitioss, and the above artwork definitely suggests that Gilgamesh played a huge part in the story. It’s also thought that Eos gave birth to twin boys which may have been the rival brothers Ardyn and Izunia Lucis Caelum, it's possible the 13 Royal Arms were actually Gilgamesh’s weapon collection.

7 The Rock Of Ravatough

via Persona77/Reddit

The Rock of Ravatough theory being the resting place of Ifrit’s real Astral body has been confirmed solidly in the Episode Gladius DLC. However, the other theory is that the large wing looking structure belongs to Eos, and (judging the image provided by persona77) the wing-like structure certainly matches what is thought to be Eos' wing.

Of course, it could just be a strange rock formation or perhaps it’s the remnants of the sword that Bahamut used to kill him in their final battle. It’s a great theory but it seems strange that they would confirm it was Ifrit body without mentioning the so-called wing of Eos.

6 The Final Fantasy VI Opera Of Maria & Draco

Via finalfantasy.wikia

Prior to the games release Hajime Tabata stated that Final Fantasy VI was his greatest influence in the development of Final Fantasy XV. With FFVI still being the overall highest rated game in the series and at the top of many gamers favorite RPG list, it’s easy to see why. While not many of the aspects were executed as well as that game, the influence is obvious, the Darkworld and the World of Ruin, and even Ardyn and Kefka also follow a very a similar path.

Perhaps the biggest parallel is found in the opera of Maria and Draco, the story focuses on a prince from the east and a princess from the west who are separated by war, family, and the gods. Maria dies in a similar fashion to Luna, and Noctis also follows a similar path to Draco. There’s obviously a lot of plot points that don’t cross over, but it’s possible they were lost in the transition between Vs. XIII to FFXV.

5 Nyx Became A Vessel/Messenger For Ifrit

Via Imagur

An earlier theory that some fans believe is that Nyx may have possibly become a Messenger (a human vessel) for the spirit of Ifrit after his death in the Kingsglaive movie. The ideas that tend to support this theory are the way they both sit in the exact same way, as in the above image whilst controlling fire. The crown that rests upon Ifrit’s head has some similarities to the Glaive mask, and the burns on Ifrit’s arm look very similar to the ones that Nyx received as a result of wearing the Ring of Lucis.

While this is a cool theory, the sitting pose could be considered quite a generic one, or at best it's done for symbolic or stylistic reasons. In addition, Nyx doesn’t just have control of fire, but he’s seen using lightning magic quite frequently in combat too. Finally, it was already confirmed that all of the Kingsglaive soldiers gained their powers as a divine gift from the Kings of Lucis.

4 Nyx Possessed The Power Of Coeurl

Via finalfantasy.wikia

There’s a theory that many of the important characters that Noctis and his friends encounter in the world of Final Fantasy XV represent one of the mythical creatures throughout the series history, whether they were one of the summons or another of the more well-known but less powerful creatures. For example, many players believe that the journalist Vyv is a representation of the Pheonix

During Nyx Ulric’s battle with General Glauca, Nyx displayed a lot of the power that he gained temporarily from the Ring of Lucii. However, during one moment Nyx showed displayed an animal-like power before he attacked Glauca where he could be heard roaring like a lion-type creature and changed into the Coeurl.

3  The Carnival Is A Dream

Via Square-Enix

The Carnival was a great way to take a break from the rest of the story and just have a bit of fun playing around and doing a lot of silly side quests while attaining a few nice items along the way. It was a reminder of the enjoyment gamers had when they played Final Fantasy VII and went to the Golden Saucer.

The same can be said for Noctis, as the character was provided a means of escaping the horrors of the world briefly. Many fans believe that this was a dream in the same way that the Platinum Demo was, as Noctis can only see and communicate with Carbuncle in this dream-like state. It also explains with Prompto, Gladio and Ignis weren't there too.

2 The Astrals Human Form Are Messengers

Via Square-Enix

When Noctis encounters and summons the Astrals, it’s very apparent that their true form is of huge giants that make humans look like insects in comparison. Yet as the game’s history is told through many cosmology books found scattered all over the world of Eos it’s clear that they were capable of communicating on a human level, as their language is incomprehensible in their normal state.

During the game, we discover that Gentiana was Shiva, yet her true body still lays in the desert of Gralea covering the desert wasteland in a coat of ice. We also know that Ifrit’s true body lays at the Rock of Ravatough, so fans believe that the Astrals are capable of using a chosen human a vessel to carry their message. Both Gentiana and Ifrit were much smaller than the likes of Ramah, Titan, and Leviathan.

1 The Omen Trailer Shows Ardyn's Fate

Via Square-Enix

There’s a big fan theory that the Omen trailer isn’t just a representation of potential and tragic outcomes for Noctis but it’s also a warning from that past. It is believed that the Omen trailer also very much represents Ardyn’s ultimate fate when he was manipulated and led down a dark path. We know from the Cosmology books that Ardyn also had his Oracle — and the trailer shows Noctis killing Luna.

The most interesting thing about the trailer is, if you take a very close look at the moment where Noctis begins to turn dark, his face is completely different. In fact, it doesn’t look at all like Noctis compared to the rest of the trailer, but instead, it looks exactly like a young Ardyn. It could be a foreshadowing or a warning that Noctis could fall on to the same path, but it seems like it’s a combination of the two, both a warning from the past and some of Ardyn’s own tragic fate.