After a few decades, 15 main series titles, and quite a lot of spinoffs, Square Enix‘s Final Fantasy isn’t as final as the title suggests. Moreover, the critical acclaim of hit releases such as FF7 and FF14 show the timeless quality of Square Enix’s works. However, it seems Square Enix didn’t just pop out one Final Fantasy title after another. In fact, hardcore fans know the publisher had a few rough patches in the form of unreleased spinoffs and cancelled titles.
Some fans might wonder just what titles didn’t make it to the acclaimed franchise, if any of these titles evolve into released games, and what exactly happened to these titles that led to their cancellation. Read on to find out the stories behind these unreleased– or released and later cancelled– entries.
8 FF 14 1.0 Part 1: Rapture
Players of Final Fantasy 14 might be surprised to learn that FF 14 had a “cancelled” iteration, but that explains why FF14: A Realm Reborn is officially considered FF14 2.0. Despite delayed beta tests and praise for its music and graphics, the original version of FF14 left players with the impression that it was a rather unfinished game.
The lackluster interface and gameplay, as well as conflicts with the Crystal Tools engine, led to negative reception and caused internal staff changes, “letters from the producers” populating the game and the main website, and official polls for player insight. All things culminated when servers went online on 2012, and the game’s narrative eventually led to a catastrophic event that sends players into the “future,” which became the FF14 that is currently active.
7 FF Versus 13: The Concept Behind FF 15
In its original conception, Versus 13 and Agito served as companion games for FF13, all of them being part of FF13‘s overarching Fabula Nova Crystallis theme. Players who saw footage of FF Versus 13 a few years ago noted that the fast-paced battles were very Kingdom Hearts-esque. As time went on, Versus 13 would eventually become Final Fantasy 15.
FF15 took a lot of the core ideas in Versus 13, including a modernized premise, action-packed combat, the cast of characters, and their basic powersets. However, FF15‘s place in the Final Fantasy franchise became clouded as the years went by.
6 Final Fantasy Agito 13
Fans of Type-0‘s Class Zero know that the game used to be in development as Agito 13. Despite announcements for a mobile release, Square Enix opted to redevelop the title for the PlayStation Portable. Original director Hajime Tabata wanted Agito 13 to tackle heroes challenging a god in a believable fantasy story, with Class Zero eventually making a stand against the warring factions, including their own, in an effort to stop the conflict.
The original mobile game idea for Agito 13 did come to fruition in the form of Final Fantasy Agito, a mobile game. Unlike Type-0, that mobile title focuses on player choice as they get to make their own character and interact with Type-0‘s main cast. As for the original Agito 13, it was cancelled in 2015.
5 Final Fantasy Dimensions
Square Enix released Final Fantasy Dimensions, an episodic mobile game, in 2010. Essentially, Dimensions gives mobile users a signature light-versus-dark Final Fantasy experience with 2D graphics as well as the classic Job System. Unfortunately, the game eventually met its end in March 2018 alongside other titles of the Square Enix Mobile Portfolio.
Players who played Dimensions may have appreciated its presentation, with it taking the episodic format akin to FF4: The After Years. Moreover, the game used the Active Time Battle system with party members changing every episode. While Dimensions is no more, Dimensions 2, a game under the Dimensions branding with a standalone story, lives on as of this writing.
4 Final Fantasy Type-Next
Fans who loved the darker and more mature take of Type-0 clamored for a sequel. Director Hajime Tabata answered with artwork for a planned follow up, showing feudal Japanese settings and a main character resembling Class Zero’s Ace. However, Square Enix didn’t release any information as to how– or even if– Type-Next tied in with Type-0.
Fans know little about the true nature of Type-Next. In its initial form, the game looked like a prototype for eighth-generation consoles. Unfortunately, this concept got left behind when the Type-0 team got transferred to work on FF15. Fans still hope for the eventual release of Type-Next as Square Enix didn’t officially announce the cancellation of the title, but it seemed unlikely after Tabata left Square Enix in 2018.
3 Fortress
Aside from Final Fantasy Tactics and FF12, Square Enix planned make other games set in Ivalice, approaching Stockholm-based GRIN to work on a spinoff for Final Fantasy 12. Fans eventually heard about Fortress when GRIN’s team spoke up about the project following the studios’s closure. At that time, FF13 director Motomu Toriyama confirmed the cancellation of Fortress.
Fortress supposedly starred FF12‘s Basch fon Ronsenburg in a journey against an ancient evil that only a fortress could hold off. Basch proved unsuccessful and had to call on Vaan and the rest of his comrades back for “one final mission.” It seems Square Enix didn’t approve of Fortress‘ intended art direction, as it had heavy Norse influences that strayed away from FF12‘s art style.
2 Chocobo De Battle
Square Enix actually had something in store for Chocobo lovers. If Square pushed through with Chocobo de Battle, fans in the early 2000s would have a Chocobo battle racing game similar to Mario Kart. Breaking with the company’s tendency to focus on home platforms, Chocobo de Battle would’ve released as an arcade title with full 3D graphics.
Interestingly, it’s the battle system that could’ve made Chocobo de Battle a potentially-awesome game, especially for its time of release. It seems Chocobo de Battle would’ve had motion controls, with players having to wave their hands on a part of the machine to move their Chocobo and perform combos.
1 Chocobo Racing 3D
Interestingly, Square Enix almost released a Chocobo racing game for the Nintendo 3DS. Square announced Chocobo Racing 3D for the 3DS back in 2010, albeit with no confirmation of its relation to the original Chocobo Racing game. Unfortunately, the team announced the game’s cancellation in 2013.
Square hasn’t revealed much about this title. However, it is assumed it would have had similar gameplay to 1999’s Chocobo Racer, perhaps even being a kind of remake of that title. As such, fans would’ve had Mario Kart-esque gameplay featuring Final Fantasy characters in various vehicles, likely accompanied by an awesome soundtrack.
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