Noctis’ adventure in Final Fantasy 15 doesn’t directly tie-in to any other Final Fantasy game, but franchise experts should be able to spot allusions to the other installments at nearly every corner. The massive RPG is likely still full of dozens of other easter eggs that players haven’t found yet, but after a month in the hands of the community, this massive list of references has been assembled thanks to the dedicated players who constantly update the Final Fantasy Wiki. Take a look and see how many of the allusions you picked up on.
Spoiler warning: This list, curated from our gameplay experience and the Final Fantasy Wiki community, is jam-packed with spoilers for not only Final Fantasy 15, but also for many of the preceding games in the series. Proceed with caution…
Final Fantasy
The opening loading screen says “In a time unknown, only a prophecy keeps hope alive in people’s hearts. ‘When darkness veils the world, the King of Light shall come. ‘” This will sound familiar to fans who remember the opening lines of the original Final Fantasy: “The world lies shrouded in darkness. The winds die. . . The seas rage. . . The earth decays. . . But the people believe in a prophecy, patiently waiting for its fulfillment. ‘When darkness veils the world, four Warriors of Light shall come. ’ The Final Fantasy XV opening loading screen also calls the player party “four brave warriors”, referring to the Warriors of Light. The throne that shows up in the prologue looks like the throne Chaos sits in a concept art piece by Yoshitaka Amano for the original Final Fantasy. Elemancy spells are replenishable, but finite in use and don’t relate to the use of MP. The original Final Fantasy similarly uses magic charges, which were inspired by their use in Dungeon & Dragons. Near the end of Chapter 1, the group reaches a hill on the outskirts of Insomnia, looking over the kingdom beyond a bridge. In Final Fantasy, the Warriors of Light are similarly positioned to look over Cornelia castle before leaving on their journey. The design of the Behemoth King is based on the winged Behemoth creature that appeared in one of the game’s concept art by Yoshitaka Amano.
Final Fantasy II
The Goblin design makes a comeback in Final Fantasy XV. Minwu’s Japanese name, Min’u (ミンウ?), appears on a building sign in Insomnia. The Emperor Iedolas Aldercapt becomes a deamon, similar to Emperor Mateus in Final Fantasy II. Similar to the Palamecian Empire in Final Fantasy II, the Niflheim Empire uses daemons among their forces.
Final Fantasy III
The edible Aegir Root refers to the Aegir, which first appeared in Final Fantasy III. It is also related to later versions, which depict it as being more plant-like. Wiz Chocobo Post sells gysahl green crisps. Gysahl Greens debuted in Final Fantasy III as an item to summon the Fat Chocobo, but have since appeared in various games as either allusions or as chocobo feed. The food vendor in Hammerhead is named Takka. In the 3D remake of Final Fantasy III, this is also the name of Refia’s adoptive father.
Final Fantasy IV
The familiar blue glowing runes surrounding camp sites in Final Fantasy XV allude to save point areas inside dungeons in Final Fantasy IV, where similar glowing symbols surround the save spots. In IV, the lights were placed to ward off nearby monsters, allowing the party to rest in tents without fear of being attacked. The post-credits scene reveals Noctis and Luna in wedding attire. Cecil Harvey and Rosa Joanna Farrell also wed at the ending of Final Fantasy IV.
Final Fantasy V
Garulas appear as enemies in Final Fantasy XV. Final Fantasy V had a Garula who starts out as tame, but gets possessed and unexpectedly attacks the party. In Final Fantasy XV Garulas are docile and will not attack unless provoked. The Catoblepas in Final Fantasy XV is modeled after its Final Fantasy V counterpart. T`he Aegir’s depiction in Final Fantasy V is much more plant-like in fitting with the Aegyr Root. The large samurai enemies resemble the Yojimbo enemy. Ardyn Izunia’s backstory of a former healer who sealed demons within himself and turned evil as a result resembles Exdeath’s backstory of being a tree where all the demons in the world had been sealed until it gained sentience.
Final Fantasy VI
The soldiers that attack Noctis and his group are Magitek Troops. Magitek (magic technology) is a term for manmade magic invented by the Gestahlian Empire in Final Fantasy VI. The Doman Plum Pits chocobo seeds are named after Doma. There are edible items related to the Aepyornis in Final Fantasy XV, including Aepyornis Egg and Aepyornis Tenders. Final Fantasy XV references the Chadarnook battle by having a possessed painting of a woman in Altissia called Lakshmi that initiates a battle when approached. In Final Fantasy VI a demon possesses a painting of the esper Lakshmi, and the party must fight it to get the magicite. One of the lures that can be won at the Totomostro Arena, “Big Master Typhon”, has the context line: “A vibration lure inspired by a monster that fought fiercely in the arena. " This is a nod to the appearance of Typhon in the Dragon’s Neck Coliseum who would use “snort” to dispose of his enemies in one round. The Auto Crossbow, Bioblaster, Noiseblaster, Circular Saw, and Drillbreaker that Noctis and Prompto can equip are named and function similarly to the tools that Edgar can use in Final Fantasy VI. Biggs and Wedge appear alongside Aranea Highwind as her subordinates. Ardyn Izunia plays a similar role to Kefka Palazzo as antagonists. Both start out working for the antagonistic Empires, only to take down the Emperors, usurp power, and reign supreme while their worlds are sent into a state of ruin. They become the final bosses the player party must set out to defeat. Similar to Kefka, Ardyn is implied to not particularly care if he wins or loses during the final battle, although for different reasons (Kefka was a nihilist and thus held no value over anything, even his own life, while Ardyn believed that he won either way). Both Kefka and Ardyn have a more light-hearted characterization that belies the dark nature of their true personas. Before the final boss fight, Noctis calls Ardyn a jester, which is what Kefka’s design and overall character derives from. The first main quest of Chapter 14, “World of Ruin”, refers to the World of Ruin in Final Fantasy VI created by Kefka’s apocalypse. Noctis awakens in Eos that has fallen to the Starscourge for ten years under Ardyn’s rule, which parallels Celes Chere awakening one year later in a world ravaged by monsters with civilization scattered. Both set out, alone, to regroup with their allies and bring down the main antagonist who has ruled the world in their absence.
Final Fantasy VII
Niflheim from Final Fantasy XV is spelled and pronounced similarly to Nibelheim from Final Fantasy VII. The cooking ingredient Gighee Ham refers to the Gighee enemy from Final Fantasy VII. In Platinum Demo – Final Fantasy XV, one of the weapons young Noctis can acquire is Meteorain. Meteorain was Cloud’s Limit Break in Final Fantasy VII. The Masamune katana, available as bonus content, is classed as a greatsword. The size of the weapon reflects the Masamune that Sephiroth wields in Final Fantasy VII, and its passive ability is tied to his philosophy of taking down the enemy in a single blow. The engine oil for sale at Hammerhead is called “Junon Super Engine Oil”. The player can also spot “Junon Gear Lubricant” at Burbost Souvenir Emporium Outpost in Duscae. Junon is a town in Final Fantasy VII, and the most technologically advanced town after Midgar. Old freezers scattered about the world have the text “Great Glacier Cola”. Great Glacier is a location from Final Fantasy VII. There is a sign for chocobo-grooming services at Wiz Chocobo Post that has Noctis suggest it to Prompto. He will answer: “My hair does not look like a chocobo butt. " In Final Fantasy VII, if the player inspects a bird’s nest at Mt. Corel, Tifa says Cloud’s hair “looks like a chocobo”. There is sign in Meldacio Hunter HQ and in Lestallum for “Adamantoise Paradise”. This alludes to the Turtle’s Paradise pub in Wutai Village in Final Fantasy VII. Vyv in Lestallum owns a publishing company named Meteor Publishing. His shirt resembles the Final Fantasy VII logo, which has the Meteor. In Insomnia, there is a sign that reads “Nanaki,” which is the real name of the Final Fantasy VII character Red XIII. Midgardsormr is a high level enemy in Final Fantasy XV that guards an area outside the Greyshire Glacial Grotto. Most first-time players likely avoid it and run past it, as it is much stronger than most monsters. In Final Fantasy VII Midgar Zolom is a big snake enemy the player is advised to avoid when heading to the Mythril Mine caverns. There is a chocobo racing track near Wiz Chocobo Post where the player can race. Chocobo racing is a recurring minigame in the series, first appearing in Final Fantasy VII. The thirteen Lucian kings of old appear during the final encounter to finish Ardyn Izunia off with a strike from each king, a reference to the Knights of the Round. During the final encounter, a single button prompt appears that enables Noctis to finish off Ardyn, alludes to the final battle with Cloud Strife and Sephiroth, in which the former unleashes Omnislash to destroy Sephiroth for good.
Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII
There is a sign outside Hammerhead that reads “Banora White. " Banora White is a variety of apples in Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII. In a random campfire scene, Gladiolus can be seen doing squats in the style of Zack Fair.
Head to Page 2 for Easter Eggs from Final Fantasy 8 and 10!
Final Fantasy VIII
There is a “Weapons Monthly” magazine in the item shop at Meldacio Hunter HQ. Weapons Monthly is a magazine in Final Fantasy VIII that gives recipes for remodeling weapons. The Mesmenir returns as an enemy. Throughout Eos, Noctis can absorb elemental energy from certain objects that contain that magical affinity, such as Fire from a fireplace, or Ice from a nitrogen canister. The more he absorbs, the stronger a particular spell can become. This method of obtaining magic resembles the draw system. The Ring of the Lucii resembles the Solomon Ring. Quetzalcoatl first appeared as a summon in Final Fantasy VIII. It returns as a boss in Final Fantasy XV, and like in Final Fantasy VIII uses Lighting based attacks. The complete logo of Final Fantasy XV features both Noctis and Luna together, making this the second game in the main series to feature love interests. Final Fantasy VIII logo features Squall Leonhart and Rinoa Heartilly.
Final Fantasy IX
In Final Fantasy XV, the Crystal is said to hold the soul of the planet of Eos. This is also the relation of crystals and planets in Final Fantasy IX. In Duscae, the player can find Cherished Frogs, which cannot be sold. Their description reads, “Frog from fond childhood memories. Never caught more than nine. " This refers to Quina’s frog catching minigame from Final Fantasy IX, with the “nine” referring to Final Fantasy IX itself. A pair of Mage Mashers based on their Final Fantasy IX appearance is a bonus item for the players who pre-ordered the game from certain outlets. Luna’s full name is Lunafreya Nox Fleuret. Her first name is similar to “Freya Crescent”, Luna meaning “moon”. There is a quest called “A Place to Call Home”, named after a prominent theme in Final Fantasy IX. The name for acquiring Hunter Rank 10 is “Alleyway Jack,” a reference to the name the character Gilgamesh adopts in his appearance in Final Fantasy IX.
Final Fantasy X
Ramuh’s staff resembles Ixion’s head. Both are lightning-elemental summons. The player can spot “Pyrefly Motor Oil” at Burbost Souvenir Emporium Outpost in Duscae. Pyreflies are the essence of life energy in Final Fantasy X. One of the businesses in Insomnia is called Spira, the name of the world in Final Fantasy X.
Final Fantasy X-2
A business in Insomnia is called “YRP”, alluding to the three protagonists from Final Fantasy X-2: Yuna, Rikku, and Paine.
Final Fantasy XI
The Mamook Pear Seeds chocobo seeds are named after the Mamook dungeon.
Final Fantasy XIII
Lightning’s Blazefire Saber appears as a bonus weapon for Noctis, for the players who pre-order the game with 7-Eleven in Japan. There is a side quest given by Dave called Dust to Dust, a reference to the theme played in Oerba. Ravus’s final appearance and boss battle resemble that of Cid Raines. Both characters are voiced by Yuichi Nakamura in Japanese. Ardyn’s display of the hanged corpses above the Citadel’s throne room is similar to Barthandelus’s display of the crystalline forms of Serah and Dajh, both of which were illusions made to taunt the player parties.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII
The conclusion of Noctis’s final battle with Ardyn and Lightning’s final battle with Bhunivelze have some connections. Lightning confronts Bhunivelze in Cosmogenesis, an otherworldly realm, where she uses the power of all of the souls of humanity to deliver a Fatal Blow. Noctis, after ending Ardyn’s life, sacrifices himself to end the Starscourge and faces Ardyn one last time in the afterlife, where he and his ancestors deliver a final blow that puts an end to Ardyn for good.
Final Fantasy XIV
Final Fantasy Type-0
Dave gives a series of side quests asking the party to search for dog tags of fallen hunters, alluding to Knowing Tags in Final Fantasy Type-0. These served as identification in a world where the living forgot their memories of the deceased.
Fabula Nova Crystallis: Final Fantasy
In the large room during young Noctis’s dream sequence in Platinum Demo – Final Fantasy XV, a deck of cards on the floor has the King card featuring the l’Cie symbol on the bottom. The number cards feature numbers written in Etro script, a writing system associated with the goddess Etro. During the ending, soul fragments are shown at Noctis and Luna’s wedding. They also appear when Noctis is about to summon, and when he wields the Ring of the Lucii in battle. Noctis’ ten-year slumber inside a crystal is similar to crystal stasis as seen in Fabula Nova Crystallis games, although he ages during it. The corrupting force of daemons in the world of Eos is similar to the power of chaos in the Fabula Nova Crystallis mythology. The daemons hearken to the concept of the Cie’th from Fabula Nova Crystallis games. Daemons are born of souls corrupted by darkness, and normal humans can become daemons. The daemon form of Ravus resembles both Cid Raines’s Cie’th form from Final Fantasy XIII and Snow’s Cie’th form from Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII. The daemons’ Japanese name, (シガイ, Shigai?), is also pronounced identically to the Japanese name for Cie’th.
The creators definitely jammed a ton of references into this one. As FF15 DLC starts to roll out and players continue to explore the open world end game, this list will continue to grow. Did this compilation miss an allusion that you spotted? Let us know in the comments!
Final Fantasy 15 is available now for PS4 and Xbox One.
