One More FF8 Tribute FF14 Needs

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I’ve always admired how Final Fantasy 14 pays tribute to its roots as a franchise. Whether it’s the boss battles or entire raid series, Square Enix consistently incorporates iconic titles into the MMO’s story and gameplay. While fan favorites like Final Fantasy 4 and Final Fantasy 6 have had significant showings, there seems to be a quiet yet profound influence from Final Fantasy 8. Despite its relatively low-key appearances so far, it’s left an indelible mark on the game.

Masayoshi Soken, the composer, has shown a desire to incorporate elements from Final Fantasy 8 into Final Fantasy 14, but only when it aligns with the context. This condition might be restricting the opportunity for more extensive homages to the game’s themes, characters, and signature style. However, there’s still ample opportunity to expand on this, particularly through music, dungeon design, and area layout that reflects Final Fantasy 8’s unique atmosphere.

Final Fantasy 14’s Existing (and Possible Future) Final Fantasy 8 Tributes

The impact of Final Fantasy 8 is evident in certain key aspects and expansions of Final Fantasy 14. For instance, the Gunbreaker job, debuted in Shadowbringers, draws heavily from Squall Leonhart’s signature weapon, the gunblade. However, unlike its roots in Balamb Garden or SeeD, the class’s origin is reimagined in a fresh context within the storyline. Only subtle nods to its original source are maintained.

The “Eden” raid sequence in the game is the most direct tribute to “Final Fantasy 8”. Named after the powerful Guardian Force from that game, Eden significantly alters the role of the boss within the post-launch storyline of “Final Fantasy 14’s Shadowbringers”. Although the revamp is engaging, it transforms Eden so much that those unfamiliar with “Final Fantasy 8” might not recognize the original connection. Nevertheless, it stands as one of the rare instances where a raid series has been influenced by a specific title.

Final Fantasy 8 Music Deserves More Spotlight in FF14

Soken and the Final Fantasy 14 group have selectively added music from Final Fantasy 8 into the game, typically through Triple Triad or instance-based content. The Empty region echoes with the melancholic strains of Blue Fields, a track that reflects the desolate visual aesthetics reminiscent of Final Fantasy 8’s futuristic landscapes. Don’t Be Afraid and Force Your Way are employed as battle tracks, maintaining their original intense orchestration while updating their instrumentation to give them a contemporary feel.

Although some of the most moving tracks from Final Fantasy 8, such as Eyes On Me, Fragments of Memories, and The Oath, have not been incorporated into the MMO yet, they could be used for new zones, questlines, or instanced content. Soken’s ability to adapt musical styles makes it possible for him to replicate Final Fantasy 8‘s melancholic synth-driven tones without directly reusing them. A fresh piano or orchestral rendition of The Oath could effortlessly accompany a scene involving sacrifice or introspection, themes that are central to both games.

Final Fantasy 14 Could Expand Final Fantasy 8 Visually

It would be great if Final Fantasy 14 could pay tribute to elements from Final Fantasy 8, particularly by recreating iconic locations like Balamb Garden. This could be designed as a floating hub area or entrance to a dungeon, featuring nods to its rotating corridors and transparent classrooms. Such a tribute would delight longtime fans with a sense of familiarity, while also offering new players an introduction to the unique sci-fi academic atmosphere of Balamb Garden.

Alternative locations such as the city of Deling or the advanced Lunar Base might make excellent instances for dungeons or battle arenas. These environments provide a fresh visual appeal that sets them apart from current landscapes in Final Fantasy 14. For instance, a multi-stage dungeon could initiate on the streets of Deling and progress into its presidential palace, ending with a boss fight against a sorceress manifestation drawn from the Rift. Although not part of the game’s established lore, these alternative reality zones could be integrated through Final Fantasy 14’s existing mechanisms for cross-dimensional travel.

FF8 Characters and Parallels Offer Another Opportunity

In previous instances, characters from Final Fantasy 14 have been depicted in alternate universes. It might be intriguing to see similar treatment applied to Final Fantasy 8. For instance, a character resembling Edea but tailored to fit Hydaelyn’s lore could potentially make an appearance in a future expansion.

These additional elements not only cater to fans (fanservice), but also strengthen some of the persistent themes in Final Fantasy 14, such as conflict, identity, and time. The narrative of Final Fantasy 8 revolves around lost memories and uncertain destinies, and this theme is mirrored in expansions like Endwalker and Shadowbringers. This commonality makes Final Fantasy 8 a more suitable complementary piece than it’s typically acknowledged to be.

Final Fantasy 14 has paved the way for a more substantial portrayal of Final Fantasy 8. With careful music selections, striking visual references, and character similarities, Square Enix might at last shine light on one of its lesser-known masterpieces.

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2025-04-09 14:35