Final Fantasy 14 is no stranger to honoring its franchise roots. From boss fights to entire raid series, Square Enix has continued weaving legacy titles into the MMO’s narrative and gameplay. But while fan favorites like Final Fantasy 4 and Final Fantasy 6 have seen extensive representation, Final Fantasy 8 remains comparatively underused—despite having already made quiet, impactful appearances.
Composer Masayoshi Soken has expressed interest in expanding Final Fantasy 8’s influence in Final Fantasy 14, but only if the context fits. That caveat may be limiting the broader potential for more integrated tributes to the game’s themes, characters, and unique aesthetic. Yet, there’s still plenty of room to do more, especially through music, dungeons, and area design that embraces Final Fantasy 8’s distinct tone.
Related
In Defense of Final Fantasy 8’s Junction System
Final Fantasy 8’s Junction system was criticized at launch and remains divisive among fans today, but there are some counter points to that criticism.
Final Fantasy 14’s Existing (and Possible Future) Final Fantasy 8 Tributes
Final Fantasy 8’s influence can already be found in some of Final Fantasy 14’s major systems and expansions. The Gunbreaker job, introduced in Shadowbringers, is directly inspired by Squall Leonhart’s iconic weapon, the gunblade. But instead of tying the class to Balamb Garden or SeeD in the narrative, the job is given an entirely new origin, leaving only subtle hints of its source material.
The Eden raid series is the most overt homage to Final Fantasy 8. Named after the ultimate Guardian Force in that game, Eden transforms the boss into a central figure in Final Fantasy 14’s Shadowbringers post-launch narrative. While the reinterpretation is compelling, it reimagines Eden so drastically that the original connection might be lost on those unfamiliar with Final Fantasy 8. Still, it represents one of the few times a raid series has drawn from the title.
Final Fantasy 8 Music Deserves More Spotlight in FF14
Soken and the Final Fantasy 14 team have incorporated several Final Fantasy 8 tracks into the game, often through Triple Triad or instanced content. Blue Fields plays hauntingly in The Empty, an area that visually mirrors the desolation of Final Fantasy 8’s futuristic settings. Don’t Be Afraid and Force Your Way serve as battle tracks, preserving their high-energy orchestration while modernizing their instrumentation.
However, many of Final Fantasy 8’s most emotionally resonant pieces—like Eyes On Me, Fragments of Memories, or The Oath—have yet to make their way into the MMO. These tracks could serve as themes for new zones, questlines, or instanced content. Soken’s skill at adapting musical styles would allow him to emulate Final Fantasy 8’s moody, synth-driven palette without direct reuse. A new piano or orchestral arrangement of The Oath, for example, could easily accompany a cutscene involving sacrifice or reflection—two core themes of both games.
Final Fantasy 14 Could Expand Final Fantasy 8 Visually
Final Fantasy 14 could also benefit from exploring visual or location-based tributes to Final Fantasy 8. One of the most popular areas from that game, Balamb Garden, could be recreated as a floating hub area or dungeon entrance. A visual nod to its revolving halls and glass-walled classrooms would give longtime fans a rewarding sense of recognition while introducing a new generation to its sci-fi academic setting.
Other areas like the city of Deling or the futuristic Lunar Base could work well as instanced dungeons or trial arenas. These zones offer unique aesthetics distinct from what currently exists in Final Fantasy 14. For example, a multi-phase dungeon could begin on the streets of Deling before moving into its presidential palace, culminating in a boss battle with a sorceress projection pulled from the Rift. Even if not canon, these alternate-reality zones could be introduced through the game’s existing mechanisms for cross-dimensional travel.
FF8 Characters and Parallels Offer Another Opportunity
Final Fantasy 14 has featured alternate-universe versions of characters before, and Final Fantasy 8 could benefit from the same treatment. A sorceress-like figure, modeled after Edea but reimagined for Hydaelyn’s lore, could appear in a future expansion.
These additions wouldn’t just act as fanservice—they could reinforce some of Final Fantasy 14’s ongoing themes of conflict, identity, and time. Final Fantasy 8’s story revolves around lost memories and uncertain fates, and those motifs are echoed in expansions like Endwalker and Shadowbringers. That overlap makes Final Fantasy 8 a more fitting companion piece than it’s often given credit for.
Final Fantasy 14 has already laid the groundwork for deeper Final Fantasy 8 representation. With thoughtful music choices, bold visual nods, and character parallels, Square Enix could finally bring one of its most overlooked entries into the spotlight it deserves.
- Released
-
August 27, 2013
- ESRB
-
T for Teen – Language, Mild Blood, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Engine
-
Originally the Crystal Tools engine, but currently it’s a custom engine using parts of the Luminous Engine.
- Multiplayer
-
Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
