Final Fantasy worlds

The Final Fantasy games take place in various worlds. Each new installment usually takes place in a new world and universe, although there are some exceptions. Ivalice is a Final Fantasy world visited in numerous games that could be considered to form their own sub-series, but the Ivalice in each game is vastly different, akin to having a whole new world for every game. The Final Fantasy worlds are self-contained, but could be considered loosely part of a multiverse connected by The Void, a dimension of nothingness and a realm of formation that transcends time and space.

The original Final Fantasy was heavily influenced by Dungeons & Dragons and thus its world is similar to a typical world in the tabletop game. However, especially after the series moved to the PlayStation platform, Final Fantasy worlds have had various designs from the contemporary pre-2000 world of Final Fantasy VIII to the futuristic Cocoon of Final Fantasy XIII and its primitive sister world of Gran Pulse. Spin-off games that have characters appearing from various Final Fantasy games tend to have similar worlds to the early series, where Crystals have a major influence to the world, often as a force that sustains the worlds and as a source of magic.

List of worlds[]

Final Fantasy[]

Final Fantasy takes place in an unnamed fantasy world with three large continents. Though never named in the original game, it is referred to as World A in Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy. The world's elemental powers are determined by the state of four glowing crystals each governing one of the four classical elements: earth, fire, water, and wind. True to its name, fantasy elements are highly present. The NES version includes some futuristic settings in the latter parts of the game, which were toned down in redesigns when the game was ported to other platforms with enhanced graphics. However, since its inception the series has been a mix of futuristic and medieval elements.

Final Fantasy II[]

Final Fantasy III[]

Final Fantasy IV[]

The Earth is the planet mankind lives on. It is known to the Lunarians as the "Blue Planet", and to the dwarves as Mother Earth (SNES version). It is divided into an Overworld and an Underworld and it has two satellites: the Red Moon, and a larger, natural moon. The True Moon briefly orbits it during the events of Final Fantasy IV: The After Years. The Overworld is covered in oceans and landmasses, and the Underworld is the inside of the Earth, and thus is filled with rock and magma. There are eight mysterious crystals in the world, four in the Overworld and four in the Underworld, guarded by the various nations. Feymarch is where the Eidolons, magical creatures of legend, live, where time flows faster.

Final Fantasy V[]

The world is unnamed in Final Fantasy V, but in the anime sequel, Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals, this world is called Planet R. The planet actually consists of more than one world, and the mysterious otherworldly dimension known as the Interdimensional Rift. The worlds are sustained by elemental crystals, which are said to have been born in the Void.

Final Fantasy VI[]

The game takes place on an unnamed planet, but is divided in the World of Balance and the World of Ruin. The World of Balance consists of two main continents: a Northern Continent and a Southern Continent. There are two remote islands: Crescent Island and Triangle Island. The World of Ruin is characterized by barren wastelands, deserts, burned forests, and polluted water. It consists of a series of small islands that dot the world where most people live. There also exists a magical realm cut off from the rest of the world known as the Esper World.

Final Fantasy VI takes a step toward a more corporeal world from the mainly medieval fantasy settings of past Final Fantasy games, depicting a world amid industrial revolution, progress being championed by the Gestahlian Empire, while the more traditional societies still live by the ways of old, such as Doma.

Final Fantasy VII[]

Gaia, known more commonly as the Planet and also spelled Gaea, is the world in which the stories in the Final Fantasy VII universe take place: Final Fantasy VII, Before Crisis -Final Fantasy VII-, Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-, Dirge of Cerberus -Final Fantasy VII-, and Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children as the most notable. Most of Gaia has a temperate climate with large grassy plains broken up by mountains, but the Icicle Area taking up the northern continent is made up of a massive plain of ice known as the Great Glacier. At the northern tip of the landmass is the gigantic North Crater that has a cave inside, known as the Northern Cave, which leads into the bowels of Gaia.

Gaia is a living organism and is implied to be sentient. Its life blood is the Lifestream, a flow of energy that contains all the knowledge of all the creatures that ever lived on it. Humans with special powers, called Cetra, can speak directly with Gaia. The planet creates protectors called Weapons. Minerva seems to have a connection to the will of Gaia, apparently being the embodiment of the Lifestream. The most prominent location on Gaia is Midgar, a polluted metropolis governed by the Shinra Electric Power Company whose mako reactors herald an environmental disaster on the planet.

The game follows in the footsteps of Final Fantasy VI in presenting a world with more advanced technology than previous installments. The gamut of the game's technology covers space flight, robotics, advanced genetic engineering, automatic firearms, directed energy weapons, automobiles, helicopters, cellphones and major global corporations; the level of technology in Gaia could be said to approximate that of near-future science fiction.

Final Fantasy VIII[]

The world has no known name, but it is composed of four large continents and one small continent along with several islands of varying sizes. Travel is facilitated mainly by trains and cars. Because of the worldwide radio interference, communications across the world are suppressed, and no worldwide information network exists. Guardian Forces are beings of immense power that can offer theirs to complement another's. It is unknown how they are formed, or even where they come from, but they are found in various parts of the world. The mythical and fantastical do exist, but its knowledge is more specialized akin to real life paranormal interest studies and advanced sciences, and as elusive as word of mouth legends and local folklore with truth to its basis. Magic has been correlated with the manipulation of the planet's energy fields.

The planet has a moon that is populated by monsters. In a phenomenon called the Lunar Cry, the monsters fall onto the planet in an event that can destroy entire civilizations.

The world was designed after western European aesthetic and though mostly relative to real-world late 1990's—particularly 1999—there are some instances in the world where the extent of technology dips into the realm of science fiction.

Final Fantasy IX[]

Gaia is a young planet that consists of four major continents: the Mist Continent, the Outer Continent, the Lost Continent, and the Forgotten Continent. Majority of Gaians live on the Mist Continent, and few travel to, or are even aware of, the other three continents. Gaia has two moons, one blue moon, and one red. Though the planet presumably used to be lush, in current times it is mostly barren. The most vibrant of the continents, the Mist Continent, is covered in a harmful substance known as the Mist sending most sentient races to live in the plateaus above it.

The mysterious world of Terra is a stark opposite of Gaia in many ways, but most are unaware of its existence as the two are not geographically connected. Memoria is a place born out of the memories from all walks of life on Gaia, including the earliest recollections of the planet itself. By venturing into its depths one can eventually discover the true form of the universe.

Final Fantasy IX was meant to capture the "essence" of Final Fantasy, and the theme of crystals that had been present since the beginning of the series is brought back, the crystal now representing the interconnecting life force of the universe. The game world was designed with traditional Final Fantasy world in mind, and the game makes numerous allusions to previous games. Gaia's world map resembles the map of the first Final Fantasy with almost identical positioning of three of the four continents.

Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2[]

Spira is composed of a mainland continent with several smaller islands. Its climate is diverse. On the southern part of the continent, Spira's climate resembles the real-world climate of the South Pacific Ocean. The climate gets colder toward the north. With the exception of the snowy mountain trails of Mt. Gagazet, the northern tip of the continent has a temperate or mildly warm climate and lighter clothing is worn by the area's occupants. Spira's unique fauna composes mainly of fiends, hostile monsters.

The colossal monster Sin and the temple of Yevon dominate Spiran life. Sin destroys any large cities, and Yevon spreads its teachings on how repentance can one day rid the world of the monster. Yevon is the protector of a much diminished world—a world where technological and social progress has stalled for 1000 years, ever since Sin appeared. The sport blitzball unites the world around a common passion.

The energy of the world manifests as pyreflies. They are closely linked with the lifeforce of beings by being the form that disembodied spiritual energy takes. Pyreflies are usually invisible, but can be seen when condensed in high concentrations, and exist everywhere and in everything in Spira. The Farplane is an underworld of sorts that is a gathering place for the dead, and a realm full of pyreflies.

Unlike previous Final Fantasy worlds, Spira is pointedly South East Asian in its feel, most notably with respect to vegetation, topography, architecture and names. The world also draws heavily from Japanese mythology with a spirit world that has geographical continuity with the mortal plane, and the fayth that manifest as aeons, among other aspects.

Final Fantasy XI[]

It has been said that in ages past a sentient jewel banished the darkness. Its iridescent light filled the world with life and brought forth mighty Gods who in time fell into slumber. That world was called Vana'diel. Vana'diel's intelligent races are divided into the Enlightened Races and the Beastmen horde. The two factions are in an unofficial war. Vana'diel is broken up into regions across various landmasses, which are then broken up into zones. These locations are where adventurers travel to defeat monsters, complete quests and get from one city to another.

Final Fantasy XII[]

Ivalice is a geographical region in the world populated by a handful of unique races, each with its own culture and traditions. Ivalice is made up of three continents: Ordalia, Valendia and Kerwon, that all have distinct characteristics. Mist is a mystical phenomenon related to crystals that allows the use of magick and other phenomena. Mist appears linked to an alternate dimension, as Espers are said to have been banished from the mortal realm to "walk the Mist" and can only manifest in the physical realm when called upon by a summoner, or when a trespasser breaches an area they have been bound to guard. When densely concentrated, Mist becomes visible as a fog, and it gathers in both living beings and stones called magicite.

Jagds are a prevalent geographical element heavily filled with Mist. Jagds can be found all around Ivalice, and each have different characteristics. Airship travel is usually not possible on Jagd, and they are not inhabited by humes. The soil infused with magicite can form sky continents only approached by airship.

The Ivalice of Final Fantasy XII is arguably based on the Ivalice in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance and the world is inspired by a mixture of Mediterranean, Arabesque, and Indian themes.

Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings[]

Lemurés is a sky continent part of the same world Ivalice is part of, but it has been separated from the surface world for eons. Lemurés is ruled by a magickal stone known as the Sacred Crystal, which erected a barrier to shield the Purvama from the rest of the world. In time, the Legend of the Floating Land became an ambition for sky pirates who sought the island and the riches of legend that it held. The ruins of Lemurés are where the aegyl reside, and due to being shielded within the flying continent, the aegyl have no knowledge of the outside world.

Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy XIII-2[]

This world is the setting for the Lightning Saga games, but is distinctly different in each installment. Final Fantasy XIII mainly takes place on the futuristic world of Cocoon, whereas Final Fantasy XIII-2 has more of Gran Pulse, and its time travel mechanic lets one glimpse various eras.

The world is divided, with most of mankind living in the artificial floating continent of Cocoon, which floats above the land of Gran Pulse like a low-hanging moon. Although Cocoon has the appearance of a small planetoid, it is hollow and its inhabitants live inside of the shell. It is a futuristic paradise filled with advanced technology which protects it against the supposed intruders from the planet below. Gran Pulse can be considered the parallel of Cocoon; it is a primal world of natural evolution, where animals and plants can grow to tremendous sizes.

The worlds were created by fal'Cie, immortal machines powered by crystal cores that are responsible for the creation and maintenance of the lands. Cocoon was crafted by the fal'Cie created by the god Lindzei, whereas Gran Pulse was crafted by the fal'Cie of the god Pulse. As the gods have vanished from the world, mankind can only be left guessing for fal'Cie's true goals and the reasons the gods crafted the worlds for.

Valhalla is an alternate dimension located in a gap between the unseen realm and the real world. The death-bound nature of it manifests in distortions of the timeline and battles that take place in Valhalla are expected to go on eternally.

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII[]

Nova Chrysalia is the world that is a blend of Gran Pulse and Valhalla. Over the next centuries Chaos has eroded the land until only four continents are left, and the world will soon be destroyed. Nova Chrysalia is surrounded by a lagoon whose waters fall into an endless abyss. Two of its continents are urbanized, while the other two have natural terrain. Above the land floats the Ark, a structure within Bhunivelze, the "new Cocoon" that floats in Nova Chrysalia's atmosphere. This is where Yggdrasil, the tree of life that has the power to sustain Nova Chrysalia, grows.

The new world is the world created to replace the dying Nova Chrysalia. It resembles Earth with its continents mirroring those of the real world.

Final Fantasy XIV[]

Hydaelyn is a planet comprised of three regions with a total of 6 landmasses: The Three Great Continents which consist of Eorzea in the west, Islabard in the center, and Othard in The Far East and various large and small islands scattered around them; The New World, which consists of the continent of Tural and a currently unnamed northern landmass; and Meracydia, a lone island continent in the planet's southern hemisphere.

The planet shares its name with the goddess and Mothercrystal who guides the adventurer.

The Ascians, an ancient race thought to be the original inhabitants of the planet, referred to the planet as "Etheirys". This naming was also used by the Loporrits who resided on one of the planet's moons.

Aether is an energy found throughout the world, a source of both magic and life. Any disruption in the aetherial flow is either the cause or indicator of catastrophic events, as evidenced by the Umbral Eras.

Final Fantasy XV[]

Eos is a world were the modern life humans lead and the magical forces of gods and Astrals meet. The kingdom of Lucis and the empire of Niflheim are technologically advanced: in many ways, the world is similar to contemporary Earth with cars and smartphones and metropolitan cities. However, the land is also roamed by colossal monsters, and magical beings like daemons and Astrals exist.

The game started as Final Fantasy Versus XIII as part of the Fabula Nova Crystallis: Final Fantasy. The "Versus XIII" name comes into play in juxtaposition to Final Fantasy XIII and its sequels that take place in fantastical worlds that are literally and culturally disconnected. For "Versus XIII" Square wanted the world to be different by presenting one whole, connected world. This theme has carried over to Final Fantasy XV in the form of a seamless open world.^[1]

Final Fantasy XVI[]

The game takes place on an unnamed planet, on the two continents of Storm and Ash, together known as Valisthea, the Twin Realms, or just "the Twins". Other landmasses are known of but not depicted in the game: the outer continent, the outer isles, or the southern continent, might all refer to the same locations. A mysterious land from where the Ultima collective hails from also exists somewhere on the planet but is said to have already been consumed by the Blight.

Final Fantasy Tactics[]

The kingdom of Ivalice is found on a headland at the western tip of its continent. It is unknown what this continent's name is, but its geographical features have been shaped to an extent by an event known as the Cataclysm. The western parts of the land are covered with fertile plains, while the east has a drier climate. Ivalice is surrounded by the waters of Rhana Strait on the north, and the Bugross Sea to the southeast and southwest. The land is mountainous, and mountain ranges span across entire territories, creating many valleys and mountain passes.

Ivalice is a kingdom similar to a European country in the Middle Ages. It is a feudal society with a single major religion, the Church of Glabados, of which all Ivalicians are members, mirroring pre-Reformation Christian Europe. Ivalice has recently suffered a series of wars that involved the invasion of neighboring kingdoms. The Fifty Years' War led to the current destabilized political situation, and eventually the War of the Lions, to decide the kingdom's true ruler.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance[]

Ivalice is a kingdom created by Mewt Randell's imagination after he bought the Gran Grimoire from a bookstore. Ivalice is influenced by classic Middle Eastern cultures as everything from the architecture, character design, and clothing patterns indicates an arabesque style. The Ivalice of Final Fantasy XII is arguably based on the Ivalice in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, although a more mature version; in Tactics Advance Ivalice was created by a child. Laws play an important role in this world, being supervised by the Judges of the palace. Hideo Minaba has stated his team tried to bring Arabic culture in the setting.^[2]

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift[]

Ivalice is a geographical region, not a kingdom. The land is not a dream world, but a region called Jylland, an area situated within the larger world of Ivalice, combining elements from Tactics Advance with Final Fantasy XII. Jylland is comprised of the Loar continent in the west and the western half of the Ordallia continent in the east.

Final Fantasy Type-0[]

Orience is comprised of four nations that until recently had coexisted peacefully, each controlling a Crystal that grants them a unique power. The price is memory loss: people are forced to forget those who have died, as the Crystals erase all memory of the dead from the living. Agito is a messiah prophesied in ancient mythology to appear at the time of Tempus Finis, the end of the world.

Dominion of Rubrum controls the Vermilion Bird Crystal that contains the power of magic. The Militesi Empire controls the White Tiger Crystal that contains the power of weapons. Lorican Alliance controls the Black Tortoise Crystal that contains the power of the shield. Kingdom of Concordia is a matriarchal nation that controls the Azure Dragon Crystal.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles series[]

The stories of the Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles series take place in the same, unnamed, world during different periods. There are four main tribes in this world: Clavats, Selkies, Lilties, and Yukes. At one point all four of the tribes lived together peacefully in harmony. The Golden Age ended when a Meteor fell from the sky and destroyed the Great Crystal. Within the Meteor was the Meteor Parasite, which spreads Miasma across the world. Pieces of the Great Crystal were spread across the world and the people built settlements around them as the crystal keeps the Miasma at bay.

Final Fantasy Explorers[]

The island of Amostra was created during a vast seismic event. Due to humanity forging their civilization using crystals, they see the island as a vast new source of energy and Explorers. At the center of the island on the Leggi Steppe is the Grand Crystal, said to be the source of life in the world. The island's major crystal resources are defended by summoned monsters, who see the presence of humans on the island as a threat.

Final Fantasy: Unlimited[]

A fictionalized version of real-world planet Earth, the world includes some real-world locations and culture. The Earth is but one of numerous worlds in a multiverse, all of them threatened to be devoured by Chaos and assimilated into Wonderland. A Pillar of Darkness appears in the Sea of Japan that serves as portal into Wonderland. Out of Pillar come two dragons, which do battle above the Japanese port of Sadogashima. Two scientists, Joe Hayakawa and his wife Marie Hayakawa enter the Pillar and explore the world of Wonderland. They return and publish their findings in a book that becomes famous. The Interdimensional Train later serves as a portal between the worlds.

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within[]

The world is a fictional depiction of the real-world Earth set in the 2060s. In this future, the world has been invaded by ghost-like aliens called Phantoms who have driven the human race near the brink of extinction. What few cities are left are fortress towns called Barrier Cities, whose bio-etheric ovo-packs protect the inhabitants. Outside of the Barrier Cities, the Earth has been turned into a barren wasteland. Dr. Sid's Gaia Theory posits the planet itself is sentient.

World of Final Fantasy[]

Grymoire is a world consisting of floating continents and islands in the sky, inhabited by dwarfen humanoids called Lilikins and a myriad of monsters called Mirages. There are six major continents, each with a different geography, as well as a smaller one where The Crystal Tower is located. Most towns and dungeons in Grymoire are named and designed from locations in other games in the Final Fantasy series. According to the Who's Who character database, Grymoire is one of the many worlds created by Alexander (the true form of Enna Kros), known as "A-World"s.

Nine Wood Hills exists in a different world from Grymoire, and appears as a large city. A large gate in a park (known as the Main Gate) serves as a portal that connects the two worlds. A decimated city that resembles Nine Wood Hills exists in Grymoire's Nonary Region. It is revealed that the city is the real Nine Wood Hills, destroyed in events prior to the game's story, and that the other Nine Wood Hills was created as an illusory dimension.

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