For over three decades, the Final Fantasy series has captivated players with its rich worlds, compelling characters, and innovative gameplay. Beyond its surface appeal, the series has consistently woven a complex tapestry of cultural references, drawing from literature, film, mythology, and history. These references not only enrich the games’ narratives but also create a deeper connection between fantasy worlds and our own cultural heritage.

Literary and Mythological Foundations

Ancient Mythology Across the Series

From its inception, Final Fantasy has drawn heavily from world mythologies, particularly Norse, Greek, and Roman traditions. This is most evident in the recurring summons or “Eidolons/Espers/Aeons/Eikons” that appear throughout the series.

Bahamut, a fixture since the original Final Fantasy, derives from Arabian mythology where he was a fish supporting the weight of the earth. In Final Fantasy, he’s reimagined as a dragon king, often serving as one of the most powerful summons available to players. Similarly, Shiva—originally a male Hindu deity—appears as a female ice goddess, while Ifrit draws from Arabic djinn lore.

Final Fantasy VI introduced espers like Fenrir (Norse wolf), Carbuncle (from South American folklore), and Phantom (inspired by various ghost stories). By Final Fantasy XVI, these summonable creatures had evolved into “Eikons,” central plot devices tied directly to the political landscape of Valisthea.

Literary Homages

The series frequently incorporates references to classic literature. Final Fantasy VI, with its steampunk aesthetic and themes of war and environmental destruction, evokes elements of both Victorian literature and more contemporary dystopian fiction. The opera scene, “Maria and Draco,” stands as one of gaming’s most celebrated moments—a mini-play within the game that references operatic traditions while advancing the narrative.

Final Fantasy IX deliberately returns to a medieval fantasy setting reminiscent of earlier entries but incorporates deeper literary themes. The character Vivi’s existential crisis about his artificial nature echoes Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, while the overall theme of mortality and meaning closely aligns with existentialist philosophy. The game’s ending monologue delivered by Garnet directly addresses these philosophical questions about life and memory.

Final Fantasy XII‘s political intrigue bears similarities to Shakespearean drama, particularly histories like Richard III and Henry V, with its complex web of royal succession, betrayal, and war. The game’s elevated dialogue style further emphasizes these connections to classical dramatic works.

Cinematic Influences

Film Homages in Final Fantasy VII

Perhaps no entry in the series wears its cinematic influences more openly than Final Fantasy VII. The opening sequence—featuring Cloud jumping from a train in Midgar’s reactor—draws clear inspiration from action film openings. The Shinra Electric Power Company, with its exploitation of the planet’s resources, parallels eco-thrillers popular in the 1990s.

More specifically, Sephiroth’s character arc evokes elements from psychological thrillers where the protagonist discovers a hidden truth about their past. His iconic scene in Nibelheim, surrounded by flames, creates a visual motif reminiscent of films like Apocalypse Now.

The pivotal death of Aerith represents one of gaming’s most shocking moments, borrowing techniques from film to create emotional impact through camera angles, music, and pacing. This cinematic approach to storytelling would become a hallmark of the series going forward.

Star Wars Parallels in Final Fantasy XII

Final Fantasy XII‘s connections to Star Wars have been widely discussed among fans and critics alike. Both share desert settings, sky pirates (reminiscent of Han Solo), imperialism themes, and even similar character dynamics. Balthier and Fran mirror the relationship between Han Solo and Chewbacca, while Vaan’s journey from orphan to hero has clear parallels with Luke Skywalker.

Interestingly, both Star Wars and Final Fantasy XII draw from the same source: Akira Kurosawa’s The Hidden Fortress. This 1958 film influenced George Lucas significantly, and its DNA can be seen in Final Fantasy XII‘s story structure, which initially follows supposedly minor characters before revealing a grander political narrative.

The Dark Crystal’s Influence on Final Fantasy IX

The developers of Final Fantasy IX explicitly cited Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal as inspiration for the game’s world and character designs. This influence is apparent in the exaggerated, almost puppet-like proportions of characters like Vivi and Quina, as well as in the fantastic creatures that populate the world of Gaia. The Mist Continent’s mysterious fog parallels the darkening of the world in Henson’s film, while both works explore themes of mortality and the balance of nature.

Historical References and Political Themes

Roman and Byzantine Influences in Final Fantasy XVI

Final Fantasy XVI draws heavily from medieval European history, particularly the Byzantine Empire and its complex political machinations. The Holy Empire of Sanbreque mirrors aspects of the Holy Roman Empire, while the conflict over resources (Mothercrystals) resembles historical resource wars. The complex hierarchy of nobles, knights, and common folk reflects medieval social structures.

The game’s Bearers—humans who can use magic without crystals and are consequently enslaved—serves as an allegory for historical persecution of minority groups, while the Dominants (humans hosting immense power) represent how societies historically weaponized exceptional individuals.

Final Fantasy XII’s War Narratives

Final Fantasy XII presents perhaps the most politically sophisticated narrative in the series, focusing on the consequences of imperialism and war rather than simply positioning players against an evil empire. The conflict between Archadia and Rozarria draws parallels to numerous historical conflicts where smaller nations became battlegrounds for competing powers.

The game’s cutscene battles were directly influenced by Ancient Rome, according to the developers. This influence extends to the game’s architectural design, particularly in the Imperial capital, and the structure of the military forces with Judge Magisters serving roles reminiscent of Roman praetors or consuls.

Environmental Themes in Final Fantasy VII

While not strictly historical, Final Fantasy VII‘s environmental message reflected growing ecological concerns of the 1990s. The Shinra Electric Power Company’s extraction of Mako energy (the planet’s lifeforce) serves as a thinly-veiled critique of fossil fuel consumption and corporate exploitation of natural resources. This environmental theme has only grown more relevant over time, with the 2023 remake and its sequels doubling down on this message for contemporary audiences.

Recurring Elements That Became Final Fantasy Traditions

The Evolution of Cid

One of the most recognizable recurring elements in Final Fantasy is the character Cid, who appears in virtually every mainline entry. Originally introduced in Final Fantasy II as a side character, Cid has evolved into a tradition unto himself.

The role of Cid varies significantly across games. Final Fantasy IV‘s Cid Pollendina is a gruff engineer who eventually joins the party. Final Fantasy VI features Cid Del Norte Marquez as a scientist working for the Empire. Final Fantasy VII‘s Cid Highwind is a playable character—a foul-mouthed pilot with dreams of space exploration. In Final Fantasy IX, the character becomes a regretful ruler whose transformation into an oglop serves as both comedy and punishment for his mistakes.

By Final Fantasy XVI, Cid (Cidolfus Telamon) has become the Dominant of Ramuh and a key ally to protagonist Clive. This evolution demonstrates how Final Fantasy creates its own internal references and traditions while maintaining creative flexibility.

Chocobos and Moogles

Perhaps no elements are more emblematic of Final Fantasy than Chocobos and Moogles. These fictional creatures have become mascots for the series.

Chocobos—large, rideable birds—first appeared in Final Fantasy II but became truly iconic in later games. Final Fantasy VII expanded their role with breeding and racing mini-games, while Final Fantasy IX incorporated them into the world’s transport systems. By Final Fantasy XVI, they serve as standard mounts in an otherwise dark fantasy world, providing a connection to the series’ lighter roots.

Moogles—small, flying creatures often saying “kupo”—first appeared in Final Fantasy III and have fulfilled various roles throughout the series. In Final Fantasy VI, they guide the player through the World of Ruin. Final Fantasy IX makes them central to the “Mognet” postal system and several sidequests. These creatures have crossed over into other Square Enix properties, becoming a meta-reference to the company’s broader creative universe.

The Meta-Commentary of Final Fantasy IX

Final Fantasy IX deserves special mention for its self-referential approach to the series’ traditions. Released as the PlayStation era was ending, the game deliberately returned to the series’ roots with its medieval fantasy setting after the more futuristic entries of VI, VII, and VIII.

The game includes numerous nods to earlier Final Fantasy titles. The crystal motif from earlier games returns as a central plot element. Vivi’s black mage design evokes the original Final Fantasy’s character classes. Even the four-person party system returns after VII and VIII had experimented with three-member parties.

Most notably, the Tantalus theater troupe performs “I Want to Be Your Canary,” a play that references themes from earlier Final Fantasy stories. This meta-theatrical element acknowledges how the series itself performs familiar narratives with new variations—a self-aware commentary on the nature of long-running franchises.

How References Enrich Storytelling

Building Complex Worlds Through Familiar Elements

By incorporating recognizable references from our world, Final Fantasy creates fantasy settings that feel simultaneously alien and familiar. This technique allows players to connect with otherwise impossible worlds through cultural touchstones they recognize.

In Final Fantasy XII, the political complexity of Ivalice becomes more comprehensible because it echoes historical periods and conflicts from our own world. Players can understand the tensions between Archadia and Rozarria because they resemble real-world imperial conflicts.

Similarly, Final Fantasy VII‘s environmental message gains resonance because it reflects actual debates about resource consumption and corporate responsibility. By grounding fantasy in recognizable issues, the series creates worlds that feel relevant despite their fantastical elements.

Creating Emotional Depth Through Cultural Context

Cultural references also help establish emotional context for key moments. When Final Fantasy VI features an opera scene, it draws on players’ understanding of operatic traditions—tragic love, dramatic sacrifices, and heightened emotions—to set the stage for one of the game’s most memorable sequences.

The death of Aerith in Final Fantasy VII borrows from cinematic tradition to create its emotional impact. Without direct reference to film techniques for portraying loss and sacrifice, this moment might not have achieved its legendary status in gaming history.

Elevating Gaming Narratives

Perhaps most importantly, these cultural references have helped elevate video game storytelling. By incorporating literary themes, cinematic techniques, historical parallels, and mythological depth, Final Fantasy demonstrates that games can engage with cultural traditions in meaningful ways.

Final Fantasy VI‘s exploration of war, identity, and hope draws on literary traditions to create what many consider the emotional high point of the series. Final Fantasy XII‘s political narrative shows how games can portray complex social systems rather than simple good-versus-evil narratives.

As the series has evolved, so too has its approach to cultural references—moving from simple nods to mythology (summoning Bahamut or Shiva) to sophisticated engagement with literary traditions and historical themes. This evolution reflects the maturing of video games as a storytelling medium capable of the same depth and nuance as older art forms.

Conclusion

The Final Fantasy series stands as one of gaming’s most enduring legacies not simply because of its gameplay innovations or technical achievements, but because it has consistently engaged with broader cultural traditions. By drawing from literature, film, mythology, and history, these games create worlds that feel connected to our own cultural heritage while exploring new narrative possibilities.

From the mythological references of the original Final Fantasy to the sophisticated political allegories of Final Fantasy XVI, the series demonstrates how cultural references can enrich interactive storytelling. These references don’t merely serve as Easter eggs for attentive players—they form the foundation upon which the series builds its distinctive identity.

As Final Fantasy continues to evolve, its relationship with cultural references will likely evolve as well. Yet the fundamental approach—using familiar elements to make fantastical worlds feel meaningful—remains at the heart of what makes these games resonate across generations of players.