Recently, a GQ interview with Naoki Yoshida and Hiroshi Minagawa, producer and art director of the upcoming Final Fantasy 16 game, discussed the possibility of dropping the numbers for future titles from the beloved Final Fantasy series which debuted way back in 1987. In the interview, Yoshida claimed that it could be difficult for new players to get into the games when they think that they have to start from the beginning, not knowing that each entry is a completely unique story. Personally, I think they should keep the numbers as they are a clear indication of when they were made (without being tacky and adding years to the titles like several sports game franchises).
However, what if the previous Final Fantasy games did have their own individual titles? What would they have been called? Running with that thought, I decided to take it upon myself to name each of the numbered entries for Final Fantasies 1-15 (not counting 14 because it technically already has its own name). If you had to give titles to the Final Fantasy games, what would you choose? Leave me a comment and let me know!
Final Fantasy (1):
The Warriors of Light
Final Fantasy 2:
Hellspawn
Final Fantasy 3:
The Dark Crystals
Final Fantasy 4:
Secret of the Moon
Final Fantasy 5:
The Sealed Evil
Final Fantasy 6:
Magic’s Ruin
Final Fantasy 7:
Cry of the Planet
Final Fantasy 8:
Transfer of Power
Final Fantasy 9:
Black Mage Army
Final Fantasy 10:
The End of Sin
Final Fantasy 11:
The Crystal War
Final Fantasy 12:
The Lost Princess
Final Fantasy 13:
Enemy of Cocoon
Final Fantasy 14:
A Realm Reborn
(official name from Square)
Final Fantasy 15:
Starscourge
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Eric Hagmann Music 
It’s been so long since I’ve played through a Final Fantasy game that there’s only two I have a firm enough memory of to offer up an idea.
– Final Fantasy IV: Ascension (or alternately, Redemption)
– Final Fantasy VI: Ruin and Light
As an aside, is there any one even remotely aware of Final Fantasy games that thinks they’re direct sequels? I think his concern regarding this is probably a non-issue.
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Those are great titles – I love the one for IV especially because it not only describes Cecil’s journey to becoming a paladin, but it also hides the surprise that your characters will literally be ascending to the moon later on in the story!
I don’t think the numbers have confused anyone yet, but I can see why it might be problematic for a younger player who is just getting into the games. So maybe they want to make it more accessible to someone who has never thought about playing a Final Fantasy game before? It removes the question altogether.
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Fair point. Though they’re so close to 20 now that I’m be personally upset if they don’t at least stop on that even number.
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I haven’t played a lot of these, but you’ve done a very good job of making them seem very enticing! I think I’d name a few others… Final Fantasy X-2 would be something like Sphere Story… Final Fantasy Tactics is already titled The War of the Lions (or maybe the Zodiac Brave Story?) but I would probably call it something like Legacy and Providence. Tactics is my fave FF game; the story unfolds so beautifully and the actual gameplay is very satisfying for the hardcore RPG fan!
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Thanks! I haven’t played all of them either, but I loved this exercise. I think your X-2 title is spot on. Tactics should have had a title from day one. It’s such a rich story that the “tactics” nomenclature doesn’t do it justice!
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Wow! These are some great titles! They definitely give more context.
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Totally! It makes me wonder if the Dragon Quest series would benefit from the same treatment.
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I agree with you, and hope they don’t add years to the Final Fantasy games. That would be horrible. Final Fantasy 2024. Yeesh I can see it becoming a franchise which churns out games each year with minor improvements if they did that. Kind of like Assassin’s Creed. Don’t get me wrong I’m sure a lot of people still love that franchise, but I feel it lost its allure a long time ago. I’ve only played Final Fantasy 7 (the remake) and 14 (I quit because I couldn’t afford it lol) and I haven’t really fallen in love with the franchise yet. Maybe the next game will do it for me.
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Right?? Years would not work for those titles! The nice thing about the FF games, though, is that you get a completely different story and experience no matter which one you try. I grew up with 4 and 6 which are regarded as some of the best in the series. If you’re into those older games, I’d suggest giving them a look!
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