The History of the Computer Game "Final Fantasy" - Part 1

The Final Fantasy series, created by Hironobu Sakaguchi and developed by Square (now Square Enix), is one of the most iconic and influential franchise titles in gaming history.

Renowned for its deep storytelling, complex characters, and groundbreaking graphics, Final Fantasy has captured the attention of players worldwide since its debut in 1987.

The Beginning of Final Fantasy

The beginning of Final Fantasy was crafted by a small team at Square and released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1987.

It is said that Sakaguchi named it "Final Fantasy" because it was his final attempt to succeed in the gaming industry.

Set in a world plagued by chaos, players take on the role of the Warriors of Light, embarking on a journey to defeat demons and restore balance to the world.

The game introduced concepts such as iconic turn-based combat, character classes, and a deep, evolving storyline; its success laid the foundation for a legendary title, effectively saving Square Enix from financial ruin.

Final Fantasy II ~ III

Released in 1988, Final Fantasy II brought significant changes to story-driven gameplay and storytelling.

It introduced a more detailed and engaging system featuring unique recurring characters and a new concept of leveling up skills and character abilities through their actual use.

Instead of a traditional experience-based system, characters gained experience in specific skills as they used them in battle, adding diversity to character growth depending on the user.

In 1990, Final Fantasy III was released. It introduced the "Job System," allowing players to change character classes within the game, adding job diversity and a new level of strategy.

Players could assign character roles such as Black Mage, White Mage, or Warrior, each with their own unique abilities.

This system became a hallmark of the Final Fantasy series, offering creative freedom and the fun of developing characters in new directions even after completing the game.

It received critical acclaim in Japan for its deep gameplay and expansive dungeons, significantly impacting the RPG genre.

In particular, Final Fantasy's Job System became one of its most beloved features and heavily influenced future game releases.

Final Fantasy IV ~ VI

Released by Nintendo in 1991, Final Fantasy IV made huge strides in storytelling and character development.

This title introduced the "Active Time Battle" (ATB) system, a real-time component that added urgency to combat. Players take on the role of the Dark Knight, Cecil, embarking on an adventure of redemption and self-discovery.

The game's deeper story, rich characters, and new combat system led to massive success, marking a pivotal moment in the series' surge in popularity.

Final Fantasy IV was the first in the series to be released in North America, where it secured a strong fanbase.

In 1994, Final Fantasy VI was released, joining the ranks of masterpieces alongside titles like 4, 5, 7, 9, and 10 within the Final Fantasy series.

It boasts a cast of compelling characters, each with their own unique backstory, motivations, and special abilities.

Source: Final Fantasy Intro Video

Although it was the sixth title, it was the third to be released in North America, so it was launched under the title "Final Fantasy III" there.

The story, which influenced the later VII and VIII entries, follows the protagonists as they fight against the Gestahlian Empire, which seeks to conquer the world by reclaiming powerful machinery and lost magic.

By introducing the series' first female protagonist, Terra Branford, the game created a charming character distinct from other entries.

In particular, it maximized the scaling and rotation capabilities of the Super Famicom, resulting in quite spectacular direction; it is no exaggeration to say it represented the pinnacle of 2D pixel graphics.

Final Fantasy VI's intro is also considered one of the best in the series; the scene where three "Magitek Armors" trek across a snowy wasteland remains a memorable moment to this day.

The Final Fantasy series is currently available for purchase and play on Steam.