With Final Fantasy XIV patch 4.1 now live and in the hands of players, gamers are getting the chance to return to the world of Ivalice. It’s a good chance to remind existing players and those that are new to the game that despite FFXIV being a MMORPG, the game includes all of the elements that the series is known for. In fact, in several cases Final Fantasy XIV pays homage to the past with references and locations straight from Final Fantasy lore. Some of these are fairly obvious in their inclusion in a Final Fantasy game, but there are a few you might not realize make an appearance.
To learn more about what goes into including these elements in a new Final Fantasy game, we were able to get quotes from Final Fantasy lore developers Koji Fox and Banri Oda about several different elements inside Final Fantasy XIV. From the Gold Saucer to primals, here are the nine nods to the past found within the game:
For those curious about Final Fantasy XIV patch 4.1, it introduces new main scenario quests, 24-Player alliance raids, a new high-level dungeon, new side quests, housing areas, and custom deliveries. This is a massive update that will bring hours upon hours of new content to existing and returning players.
Were there any references here that you might have missed in your time with Final Fantasy XIV? Have you had a chance to try out 4.1 and if so, what do you think of Ivalice?
FFXIV Patch 4.1
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Final Fantasy XIV Airships
“Final Fantasy just wouldn't be the same without airships, so choosing a method of transportation between the city states couldn't have been easier. They are also central to the game's plot, and many share names with famous airships from throughout the series, such as the Enterprise, the Tiny Bronco, and the Blackjack.”
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Final Fantasy XIV Chocobos
“Mounts are an essential mode of transport in almost any MMORPG. Chocobos, the beloved series mascots, were the obvious choice as the first mounts available in the game. They have evolved from trusty steeds to stalwart companions who can also fight alongside adventurers. As FF tradition dictates, gysahl greens play an important part in raising them. Reagan peppers and curiel roots also appear as chocobo-related veggies, and there are references to similar items in FFVII.”
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Final Fantasy XIV Familiar Faces
“The FINAL FANTASY series includes several recurring character names, with "Cid" being the most widely known. When we were writing the story for FFXIV, we felt it was important for this title to have its own Cid, to really make it feel like a FF game. There are many other characters with names from classic FF titles, such as Biggs, Wedge, Matoya, and Krile.”
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Final Fantasy XIV Gilgamesh
“The "Agent of Inquiry" quests were a big hit with fans of the original FFXIV. We wanted to continue this in A Realm Reborn, and thought it would be fun to introduce a classic FF character. The first to spring to mind was Gilgamesh, who debuted in FFV and has starred in several other FF titles. Not only is he a perfect fit for comedic scenes, but he can also hold his own in battle, making him a worthy addition to this line of quests.”
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Final Fantasy XIV The Gold Saucer
“When asked for a new type of content that didn’t fall into battle, crafting, or gathering, falling back on the massive amusement park that made its first appearance in FFVII was only natural. Of course FFXIV not only covers the park’s many attractions, but also smaller details like the solid gold statue of its muscle-bound owner.”
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Final Fantasy XIV Primals
“In FFXIV, the adventurers battle against fearsome adversaries known as "primals". It was crucial for them to not only be formidable, but to be visually appealing and leave a lasting impression. The summon creatures that appear throughout the series were prime candidates for this role. Mainstays Ifrit, Shiva, Ramuh, and Leviathan are all present, alongside Bahamut and infamous foes such as Shinryu. While some primals are original to FFXIV, like Ravana and Susano, we can expect more familiar favorites to join the cast in future.”
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Final Fantasy XIV Moogles
“Alongside chocobos, moogles are another of FINAL FANTASY's most recognizable mascots, and it was clear early on they'd show up in FFXIV, too. They move from a lovable sidekicks in A Realm Reborn to a more central role in Heavensward where the chieftain of Moghome is called "Moglin", a name taken from one of the moogles in FFVI. The folk of Moghome also reveal that one of their ancestors was "a lance-wielding moogle warrior" named "Mog", who also might sound familiar!”
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Final Fantasy XIV The Palace of the Dead
“When designing this constantly changing, randomly generated dungeon with over 100 floors, we came up with several ideas for an overall theme. One involved a particular character who disturbs the dead and is popular with FFXIV fans. Next, we decided to base this dungeon on the "Palace of the Dead" from the renowned SRPG Tactics Ogre, which also contains 100 floors. We pulled out all the stops, and even got the go-ahead from Tactics Ogre's creator Yasumi Matsuno to include the nefarious Nybeth, one of the antagonists from that title.”
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Final Fantasy XIV Warriors of Light
“We wanted to make the rebirth of FFXIV part of the game's story, so in order to bring a close to the original FFXIV, we ushered in the Seventh Umbral Era. FFXIV eventually returned as "A Realm Reborn", set five years later. In terms of the story, the heroes who confronted the Calamity in the old FFXIV disappeared, enveloped in light. When they finally returned to Eorzea, they were aptly named the "Warriors of Light"
