Final Fantasy XIV is Square Enix's popular MMORPG, though it wasn't always as well-loved as it is now. The game originally launched in 2010 to poor reviews, prompting Square Enix to bring in a new team and re-release the game in 2013 as Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. Since then, it has solidified itself as one of the best MMORPGs on the market and has released several expansions.
Final Fantasy games often include references and easter eggs to other titles within its prestigious franchise, as well as other gaming titles, and Final Fantasy XIV is no different. The world of Eorzea (and Norvandt on the first reflection) is full of hidden allusions to other Final Fantasy games. Here are ten references that you may have missed during your journey as the Warrior of Light.
10 Past Summons
Summons are a staple feature of most Final Fantasy games, so, unsurprisingly, they make an appearance in Final Fantasy XIV. However, some of them are direct references to other titles. For example, Quetzacoatl and Diabolos are both bosses in different dungeons and their appearances are a direct nod to how they looked in Final Fantasy VIII, the game in which they both debuted.
Additionally, though the Shiva of Final Fantasy XIV has a unique appearance, the click she does as part of her Diamond Dust move is a direct reference to Shiva from Final Fantasy VIII. Other summons, or aeons as they are sometimes known, also make an appearance as dungeon bosses, such as Yojimbo from Final Fantasy X.
9 The Gold Saucer
The Gold Saucer is a special location in Final Fantasy XIV where players can partake in various mini-games, such as Chocobo racing, Triple Triad, Lord of Verminion, and many more. Players use a special currency here called MGP, which is also what they win from the mini-games.
This whole area is a direct reference to Final Fantasy VII, which first featured the amusement park called the Gold Saucer. Both versions look similar in design, the original Gold Saucer was also home to mini-games for players, as well as operating with a special currency called GP instead of gil. This isn't the only area borrowed from Final Fantasy VII either, as Final Fantasy XIV also features the beachy Costa Del Sol location.
8 Dungeons and Bosses
Many of Final Fantasy XIV's dungeons and bosses are inspired by past ones that featured in other Final Fantasy titles. For example, the Crystal Tower quest line is based on the Crystal Tower of Final Fantasy III, as well as Labyrinth of the Ancients referring to the Ancient's Maze. There are also a few bosses and antagonists that reappear from Final Fantasy III, such as Xande, Amon, and the Cloud of Darkness, all of which keep a similar appearance.
Furthermore, The Antitower's final boss Calcabrina is based on Final Fantasy IV's boss of the same name and even shares the same theme music. Another example is Ultros from the optional trial, The Dragon's Neck, where its design is almost exactly the same as it is in Final Fantasy XIII-2.
7 Music
Final Fantasy XIV often uses music from other Final Fantasy titles, normally remix versions, but notably similar enough to warm the hearts of fans. For example, a remix of "Terra's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI is the mount music for the Magitek Armor, which in itself is a nod to Yoshitaka Amano's concept design of the Magitek Armor from Final Fantasy VI.
Another example is that an arrangement of "The Decisive Battle" song from Final Fantasy V is used as the background music for the last boss of The Deltascape raids, Exdeath. Additionally, a remix of the battle theme of Final Fantasy II is used in various parts of the game, most notably during the main storyline set in Ul'dah.
6 Familiar Faces
Final Fantasy XIV has had some cameos from characters of other titles in special cross-over events, such as Lightning from Final Fantasy XIII and Shantotto from Final Fantasy XI, but these were limited time events. However, Final Fantasy XIV permanently features other characters, with familiar faces such as Fran from Final Fantasy XII appearing after the release of Shadowbringers.
Additionally, Gilgamesh appears during the Hildebrand side quest, and during the second part of "Battle in the Big Keep", Gilgamesh even recites his pre-battle monologue from Final Fantasy V almost word for word. Another character is Alpha, who strongly resembles the adorable design of the Chocobos from the spin-off title Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales. Alpha even does the same cute pose as the main Chocobo did in the original game. There are also minions available of several popular Final Fantasy characters from other titles.
5 Names
Final Fantasy XIV often uses the names of other characters, creatures, places, weapons, and more from other Final Fantasy titles for many of its own elements. For example, the servers for North America, Europe, and Japan all feature names based on the series.
Furthermore, the game cheekily makes fun of players with their own habit of naming their characters after Final Fantasy characters, and how they often change the name slightly if it is already taken. It does this with an NPC that says the following to the player "Why if it isn't Sephiroth! Or was it Sephiross? Setirophx? xXxSephirothxXx? "
4 Character Clothing
Final Fantasy XIV also pays tribute to past titles in the franchise by allowing players to dress their characters up in the various outfits of prominent characters from the series. Squall's outfit from Final Fantasy VIII and Zidane's outfit from Final Fantasy IX were both available as Veteran Rewards. Tidus and Yuna's outfits from Final Fantasy X were also available to players from the optional items store too.
Additionally, Balthier's outfit from Final Fantasy XII is used as the ranged DPS exclusive gear dropped in the Orbonne Monastery. Other equipment pieces are also available, such as the Warrior Light Helm and Onion Helm to those who purchased past collector editions.
3 The Sending
The Sending was one of the fan-favorite moments of Final Fantasy X, a beautiful cutscene where Yuna performs her dance atop the water to send the spirits of the dead to the Farplane. Unnoticed by many players is that this unique dance is recreated in a particular main scenario quest in Final Fantasy XIV.
In the Stormblood expansion, during the main scenario instance called The Will of the Moon, one of the story NPCs, Y'shtola, becomes playable. During the battle, she uses her limit break, Spiritual Ray, after players complete the Active Time Maneuver. Y'shtola performs the dance of The Sending as part of her limit break, including water bursting forth from the ground.
2 Zell's Tattoo
Final Fantasy XIV boasts one of the best character creation options in any MMO, allowing players to customize even small features to ensure their character is personalized especially for them. One of the customization options is to add face paint to your character, with different stencils and patterns being available and players being able to choose the color also.
Noticeably, one of the options for the face paint patterns is a reference to Zell's prominent face tattoo from Final Fantasy VIII. There are also other character customization options available based on other titles, such as hairstyles inspired by the main characters from Final Fantasy Type-0.
1 Red XIII
Some of Final Fantasy XIV's references are so subtle, you might not even notice them unless you were a die-hard fan. One example of this is an optional side quest storyline in The Fringes. The quest follows a Miqo'te who is under the belief that his father abandoned him because his father was a coward who ran away. However, the Miqo'te then learns that his father died to protect their village and was ultimately turned to stone from the poison of the attacking monsters.
This is a direct parallel to Red XIII's story from Final Fantasy VII, as he also believed that his father had fled in fear in the face of battle, but then later discovered that his father had actually sacrificed himself to stop an enemy attack via the tunnels under Cosmo Canyon.