Final Fantasy Turns 25 - A Celebration of One of the Most Important Game Series

After the Earth Orb and the Fire Orb followed, the world was plagued by natural disaster that in ages past would have been prevented by the power of the Orbs, and the true devastation that was caused by the events that lead to the removal of the beneficial presence of the four Orbs became all too apparent. A prophecy detailing the appearance of four "Light Warriors" who were destined to save the world in a time of darkness, and the basic premise of the story unfolds from there.

To understand where the series is going it helps immensely to understand where it has been, and where it has been is upon a long and complex journey to establish its presence, its cultures and people, and its lore in the minds of gamers the world over, building a presence in multiple genres that would change the face of gaming as we know it. The historical importance of the Final Fantasy series is so profound that it has left its mark on games from other publishers that have no relationship at all to the series or Square; it appears in popular culture, often serving as the in-joke and a way to express emotional events in a gamer's shorthand that requires no explanation or setup.

To understand the scope of the Final Fantasy legacy for gamers consider that the main game series for Final Fantasy comprises fourteen titles, while there have been thirteen (13) titles that were added to the series as prequels or sequels to the Main Game Series, with twelve (12) having actually been published, while one of the planned add-on or sequels/prequels, Final Fantasy Fortress, having been canceled in 2011 prior to its release date.

Additional sub-series include the three titles that make up the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII, three titles in the Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy series, three titles in the Final Fantasy Tactics, three titles in the Final Fantasy Legend series, twelve (12) titles in the Chocobo series, seven (7) titles in the Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles series, and three titles in the Crystal Defenders series.

One title each was released in the Final Fantasy Adventure series, the Final Fantasy Mystic Quest, Final Fantasy: Unlimited with U, Final Fantasy: Unlimited on PC Adventure - Labyrinth, Final Fantasy VII Snowboarding, Dissidia Final Fantasy, Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light, Final Fantasy Dimensions, Final Fantasy Brigade, and Theatrhythm Final Fantasy.