Explore the intriguing mysteries and speculations surrounding the beloved Final Fantasy series in this blog. From hidden quests and resurrected characters to interconnected worlds and existential questions, delve into the captivating fan theories that have fueled discussions for years. Uncover the secrets of Test 0 Monsters, debate the fate of Tidus, and ponder the enigmatic connections between Final Fantasy II and IV. Join the journey through the rich tapestry of these legendary games and the mysteries that continue to captivate fans worldwide.
The Interconnected Worlds of Final Fantasy VII and X-2
A prevalent theme in Final Fantasy VII revolves around the perils of unchecked megacorporations and their conscious wrongdoing. The game, released in 1997, portrays the Shinra Electric Power Company callously exploiting the life force of the planet Gaia for its selfish gains. Fans have speculated about the potential connection between the origins of Shinra and its hazardous planetary exploits and Final Fantasy X-2, even though the latter unfolds in the seemingly distinct world of Spira.
In Final Fantasy X-2, players encounter a young technical prodigy named Shinra aboard the Celsius, who discusses plans to extract a planet’s life force for raw energy. Yoshinori Kitase, the director of Final Fantasy VII, confirmed that this Shinra is the founder of the malicious corporation. According to Kitase, Shinra’s corporation traveled to different worlds to harvest their energy, suggesting that Final Fantasy VII is set approximately 1000 years after Final Fantasy X-2. In a further nod to this confirmed fan theory, the Final Fantasy VII Remake includes a photo featuring Shinra’s founders, one of whom is wearing the familiar mask from Final Fantasy X-2.
Sephiroth’s Party Membership Quest in Final Fantasy VII
Given Sephiroth’s iconic status in Final Fantasy VII, fans couldn’t help but ponder the possibility of having the silver-haired antagonist join the player’s party. The spark for this speculation came from Sephiroth’s temporary appearance as a computer-controlled member during Cloud’s flashback. Notably, players have no control over Sephiroth, and he remains impervious to harm during his brief stint as an ally. Additionally, his equipment, including the formidable Masamune Blade, cannot be unequipped.
Players using cheats managed to include Sephiroth in the main part of the game, prompting others to speculate if there might be legitimate, albeit secret, means to permanently add him to the party. However, there is no known method to permanently recruit Sephiroth beyond the flashback sequence. The cheat build of the character showcases stats far surpassing the conventional maximum level. Even after more than 25 years, fans continue to wonder if Sephiroth will ever become a permanent party member in Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth.
The Potential Connection Between Final Fantasy II and IV
Beyond recurring characters, Final Fantasy enthusiasts have been on the lookout for subtle hints suggesting that the games may have deeper connections than initially apparent. One prevalent theory suggests that Final Fantasy IV is a clandestine sequel to Final Fantasy II, drawing on similarities between the two games. The primary piece of evidence revolves around a seemingly inconspicuous character in Final Fantasy II.
In Final Fantasy II, there’s a young boy named Kain who aspires to follow in the footsteps of his father, Ricard Highwind, and become a Dragoon Knight. Fast forward to Final Fantasy IV, and players encounter a Dragoon Knight named Kain. The 2007 Nintendo DS remake of Final Fantasy IV even goes on to explain that Kain had a father named Ricard who perished in a previous war. While there may not be numerous overt connections between the two games, it’s undeniable that this alignment of details makes Final Fantasy IV eerily reminiscent of its predecessor.
The Peculiar Legacy of Cid in Final Fantasy
Gilgamesh isn’t the sole Final Fantasy character to establish a recurring presence in the mainline titles, despite the series’ standalone nature. Cid, often portrayed as a wise and sage-like figure to the player characters, has been a constant in the franchise since 1988’s Final Fantasy II. Cid’s character has made appearances in nearly every major Final Fantasy game, extending to 2023’s Final Fantasy XVI, the Kingdom Hearts crossover, and even the 2001 animated film Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.
In contrast to Gilgamesh, Cid’s appearance undergoes radical changes between each installment. However, there are consistent elements portraying him as an older, wiser figure frequently depicted as a scientist or inventor. In a 1997 interview with Electronic Gaming Monthly, Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi noted that there wasn’t a deeper meaning behind Cid’s repeated appearances; they simply aimed to create a character fulfilling the Yoda archetype from Star Wars. Despite this explanation, fans continue to speculate whether Cid might secretly play an overarching role in the franchise that could bring together the seemingly distinct games.
The Expanding Final Fantasy Multiverse
A distinctive feature of the Final Fantasy series is that each numbered installment presents a self-contained narrative, usually set in its own unique world with occasional nods to other games. However, one character who stands out for making appearances in multiple Final Fantasy games is the multi-armed antagonist, Gilgamesh—the closest thing the franchise has to a recurring character. Given the circumstances of Gilgamesh’s debut, players speculate that the character subtly introduces a multiverse concept, explicitly connecting the games together.
Gilgamesh initially appears in 1992’s Final Fantasy V, working for the villainous Exdeath and serving as an adversary to the player characters. Upon defeat, he tumbles into a dimensional vortex, expressing regret for not having the chance for one last battle. Since then, various versions of Gilgamesh have made appearances in subsequent Final Fantasy games, extending from Final Fantasy VI to as recent as 2016’s Final Fantasy XV. Dissidia Final Fantasy seems to support this theory, portraying Gilgamesh navigating a multiversal nexus that links the various universes within the Final Fantasy franchise.
The Hidden Nero Family Adventure in Final Fantasy IX
Thirteen years after the initial release of Final Fantasy IX, an online forum seemingly stumbled upon a secret side quest involving the Nero family in Lindblum. Shared by the user The_Kusabi_ on GameFAQs, this quest unfolded on the fourth disc of the game and required players to visit the family after each major event, such as defeating a boss or watching a cutscene, while exploring Memoria. With each visit, a new member of the Nero family would be introduced, and upon meeting the entire family, players would be rewarded with a secret item as a token of their thorough exploration.
Similar to the Leo resurrection in Final Fantasy VI, the Nero family quest is indeed true. Interestingly, there are 17 possible trigger events to unveil new members of the Nero family, ultimately introducing nine family members and granting players a Protect Ring from a treasure chest in the Nero family hideout in Lindblum. While the Nero side quest doesn’t involve high-stakes adventure, the fact that it remained unnoticed by Western audiences for 13 years adds a delightful touch of a hidden Easter egg to the game.
The Quest for Zack Flair in Final Fantasy VII
Throughout Final Fantasy VII, Cloud often mentions his best friend Zack Flair, glimpsed only in flashbacks through the game’s cutscenes. Fans began to speculate whether Zack secretly appeared in the game, theorizing that a Sephiroth clone in Sector 5 of the Midgar sewers might be Cloud’s long-lost companion. Adding weight to this rumor was Aerith’s comment about the clone, expressing her inability to heal him.
Urban legends circulated, suggesting that if Aerith reached full levels, she could heal the ailing clone, unveiling his true identity as Zack. Achieving this required significant grinding to boost Aerith’s level to the suggested strength, given her limited time in the sewers. However, despite players’ hard work, Aerith’s dialogue option never changed to heal the clone. Furthermore, no identifiable link between the clone and Zack was found in the game files, ultimately leaving Cloud’s friend as a poignant but unchangeable memory.
The Comeback Quest for General Leo in Final Fantasy VI
Aerith isn’t the only beloved character in Final Fantasy to meet an untimely demise. General Leo Christophe from Final Fantasy VI also falls victim to Kefka’s actions. While cheat codes allow players to bring Leo back into the party, many sought more legitimate methods to seemingly resurrect him within the game. Interestingly, a way to keep Leo in a limited capacity was discovered, though it involves an in-game glitch.
In a fresh playthrough, as the party splits into three groups, progress through Sabine and then Locke’s scenarios. Save the game at Figaro Cave and advance to the airship without encountering death or saving again. Upon returning to the flying continent, a random encounter will be triggered, and intentionally losing the battle will return the player to Figaro Cave with airship access. After completing the cave, Leo’s sprite will appear in Banon’s scenario. However, it’s important to note that he only shows up in specific areas, making this intriguing glitch more of a half-true urban legend than a full-fledged resurrection.
The Destiny of Palom and Porom in Final Fantasy IV
Released in 1991, Final Fantasy IV marked the first widespread availability of a 16-bit Final Fantasy game in North America, introducing a new level of storytelling and a cast of characters beloved by fans. Among the game’s most poignant moments is when Palom and Porom sacrifice themselves to shield the party after a battle with Cagnazzo in Baron Castle, ultimately turning to stone. The Elder later restores the twins, bringing them back in time for the showdown against the Giant of Babil. Yet, players couldn’t help but wonder if there was a way to personally rescue the twin siblings.
Speculation about the possibility of saving Palom and Porom found some support in the game, fueled in part by unused data in Final Fantasy IV’s source code. The rumor likely originated from the game allowing players to use healing items on the petrified bodies of Palom and Porom, despite the efforts proving futile. It’s crucial to note that no earned level or secret healing item has the power to revive Palom and Porom; their restoration is intricately tied to a specific moment in the game’s storyline.
Is There a Way to Save Aerith in Final Fantasy VII?
One of the most heart-wrenching moments in Final Fantasy VII is the tragic death of Aerith Gainsborough, pierced from behind by Sephiroth and passing away in the arms of the protagonist, Cloud Strife. Aerith’s demise marks a pivotal and sorrowful turn in the game’s narrative, propelling Cloud and Sephiroth toward a climactic collision as they seek vengeance for her murder. The sudden loss of such a beloved character naturally led fans to wonder if there was a way to alter or prevent this distressing event.
In a poignant cutscene, Cloud lays Aerith to rest in a subterranean pool beneath the Forbidden City. An urban legend began circulating, suggesting that players could use the Underwater Materia, a magical resource in the game, to resurrect her. This speculation gained traction due to the seemingly limited usefulness of the Underwater Materia throughout most of the game, leading players to believe it might have a secret and crucial purpose. Another theory proposed that choosing kind dialogue options with Aerith and unkind ones with Tifa could reverse the fates of the two characters. Unfortunately, both the Underwater Materia rumor and the dialogue-based theory proved to be unsuccessful attempts to avert Aerith’s tragic demise.
Confronting the Mighty CzarDragon in Final Fantasy VI
In the 1994 release of Final Fantasy VI (initially known as Final Fantasy III in North America), players encounter eight legendary dragons, each associated with a different element. The original version of the game hints at a leader among these dragons, presenting an opportunity for players to engage in an optional superboss fight if specific conditions are met. Speculation about a formidable super dragon intensified with the discovery of an enemy in the source code labeled “CzarDragon,” complete with intended in-game dialogue.
The 2006 Game Boy Advance port of Final Fantasy VI introduces a new adversary known as Kaiser Dragon, residing in a hidden section of the game as an optional superboss. Unveiled by activating specific switches in the Dragons’ Den, the location of the secret dungeon, Kaiser Dragon stands as the most challenging enemy in the game. Whether Kaiser Dragon was the original concept for CzarDragon or an addition by the developers in response to fan theories remains uncertain.
The Uncertain Destiny of Kuja in Final Fantasy IX
The Final Fantasy series boasts some of the gaming world’s most iconic villains, from the graceful Sephiroth to the nearly invincible Kefka. In the 2000 installment Final Fantasy IX, one of the standout antagonists is Kuja—a human genetically engineered to be a living weapon, brought to life by the malevolent Garland. Kuja swiftly spirals out of control, plotting to overthrow Garland and conquer the realms of Terra and Gaia. He manipulates Queen Brahne, triggering a devastating war that throws the kingdom into a vortex of violent chaos.
Unlike most major Final Fantasy villains, who typically meet their demise upon defeat, Kuja’s fate remains uncertain after being vanquished by Zidane and his allies late in the game. Zidane chooses to stay behind and rescue Kuja as the Iifa Tree collapses during their intense confrontation. While the epilogue confirms Zidane’s survival and safe return to Queen Garnet, there is no mention of what befell Kuja, leaving his whereabouts unknown as the story draws to a close.
The Existential Question of Tidus in Final Fantasy X/Final Fantasy X-2
The main character in the 2001 game Final Fantasy X on the PlayStation 2 is Tidus, a young athlete who unexpectedly finds himself in the fantastical realm of Spira, where he forms a deep connection with Princess Yuna. Together, they assemble a party to combat a villain named Sin. However, in the 2003 sequel Final Fantasy X-2, Tidus faces the risk of fading into nonexistence as it is revealed that he is a dream conceived by the Fayth, the disembodied souls of Spira.
This revelation raises doubts about the authenticity of Tidus and his background, questioning whether he ever physically existed before meeting Yuna. Players who complete Final Fantasy X-2 100% are rewarded with the game’s true ending, where the Fayth restores Tidus, reuniting him with Yuna. The couple then debates the reality of Tidus, leaving the question unresolved. Despite the uncertainty, with the reunited couple, it represents the closest the world of Final Fantasy X comes to a happy ending.
The Mystery of Test 0 Monsters in Final Fantasy VII
In the vast world of 1997’s Final Fantasy VII, filled with secrets, one peculiar glitch in the original Japanese release has sparked years of speculation and fan theories. In this version, players exploring the well near the start of Corel Prison have a rare chance of encountering monsters simply labeled as “Test 0.” Subsequent releases of Final Fantasy VII, including the international version, have completely removed this random battle encounter, making it accessible only to those who modify the game.
Speculations arose after the revelation of the temporary existence of Test 0 monsters, suggesting that there might be valuable items to be gained by defeating these creatures or further exploring the well. However, there is no solid evidence to support the idea that the Test 0 battles were intended to unlock additional secret content in Final Fantasy VII; these encounters and creatures could simply be remnants from the debug process.
Does Squall Die in Final Fantasy VIII?
One popular theory among Final Fantasy fans suggests that Squall, the main character in the 1999 game Final Fantasy VIII for the original PlayStation, might be dead for a significant portion of the storyline. Towards the end of the first disc, Edea stabs Squall severely in the torso with an ice shard. However, when the story continues on the second disc, Squall miraculously appears fully healed, leaving fans puzzled without any explanation. Adding to the mystery is the fact that Squall doesn’t seem to have any scars from the serious injury, and the game carries on as if nothing happened, reminiscent of The Sixth Sense.
Fans argue that the narrative takes on a more surreal tone after the first disc, suggesting that it could be a near-death hallucination experienced by Squall in his dying moments. Some also highlight the ending scene where Rinoa rushes towards the wounded Squall as a potential indicator of his actual death. Director Yoshinori Kitase later dismissed this theory, stating that Squall’s early wound was non-lethal. However, he acknowledged the theory as an intriguing idea.
