IMPORTANT NOTE: If you want to be surprised by any of the references, don't read this! Also contains minor spoilers!
There are a lot of references and nostalgia in A Realm Reborn that relate to past games in the franchise. I'm attempting to compile a list of all of them! Of course, with patches and expansions, more are constantly added. If you have any suggestions, read the bottom of this post!
Final Fantasy Series:
(These are references that apply to more than a few games in the series. This being a Final Fantasy game, there are a large amount of Final Fantasy things in the game, such as Chocobos and Moogles. There are also many songs reused throughout the series. These are not direct references, but rather part of the general Final Fantasy feel.)
1. Biggs and Wedge are in the game.
2. Cid is in the game and he's involved with Airships.
3. Bacchus Wine (found in many Final Fantasy games) is involved in the quest "It Won't Work" in Wineport.
4. Most of the servers are named after things/place/people/enemies/etc from other Final Fantasy games. I won't be listing these individually.
5. A "Pointing Finger" minion can be obtained that resembles the cursor used in menus of earlier Final Fantasy games.
6. Prior to many storyline battles, a "whoosh" effect is used similar to the effect used for random encounters in previous games.
7. During the Halloween event the Magic Pot says, "Gimme Elixir!" much like they do in other games of the series. (credit: Diyne)
8. The airship company, Highwind Airways, is a reference to the many characters in the series whose last names are Highwind. (credit: Celaine)
9. A large amount of Final Fantasy series characters are featured as cards in the Final Fantasy 14 version of Triple Triad. (credit: Enkidoh)
10. Many of the games sound effects are direct references to sound effects used throughout the Final Fantasy series. (credit: Renge13)
Final Fantasy 1:
1. The player characters are called "Warrior of Light" by many NPCs.
2. One of the veteran rewards is a minion that randomly summons one of the three Warriors of Light.
3. You are recognized as a person of destiny by the crystal you bear, much like the Warriors of Light. (credit: vanguard319)
4. NPCs don't recognize characters from version 1.0 as the Warriors of Light. In Final Fantasy 1, the Warriors of Light close a time loop that also causes everyone to forget them. (credit: vanguard319)
5. The Garlean Empire is most likely (in name atleast) a reference to Garland. (credit: aranwade)
6. The Unicorn mount acquired from a level 30 Conjurer quest is a reference to the Unicorn boss from Final Fantasy 1. (Note: It can also be found in Final Fantasy 5 and 6 as summons) (credit: laiferr)
7. The final boss of "Tam-Tara Deepcroft" is Galvanth the Dominator. He is a reference to the Mindflayer enemy in Final Fantasy 1. (credit: monkeydsabo)
8. At several points in the game, including a storyline quest in Costa Del Sol, part of the Final Fantasy 1 Victory Fanfare plays. (credit: BlueThunder)
9. Kraken appears as a boss in both Hullbreaker Isle and Sastasha (Hard).
10. The Armor of Light set that you obtain in Labyrinth of the Ancients and the Helm of Light obtained in Collector's Edition closely are based on the original artwork for Final Fantasy 1.(credit: Praag66 and SetsunaAlkaid)
Final Fantasy 2:
1. A remake of the Final Fantasy 2 Battle Theme is used in this game.
2. The password for the Scions of the Seventh Dawn is: 'Wild Rose' which is the same password used by Princess Hilda of Fynn to identify other members of the rebels against the Empire.
3. One of the zombie fates in Southern Thanalan plays a remixed version of the Final Fantasy 2 battle theme. (credit: Celaine)
4. The "Dreadnought", a Garlean ship, is a reference to a warship of the same name in Final Fantasy 2.
Final Fantasy 3:
1. The Crystal Tower, many of its enemies, its bosses, its story and its music are from or influenced by the dungeon of the same name in Final Fantasy 3.
2. The airship "The Enterprise" is a reference to the boat/airship in Final Fantasy 3. (credit: kanzer and dejima)
3. The "Wind-Up Airship" minion you get after a story quest is modeled after "The Invincible".
4. Players who bought the Collector's Edition of the original Final Fantasy 14 (v1.0), received an "Onion Helm", a reference to the Onion Knight Job of Final Fantasy 3. (credit: enkidoh)
5. The group of people researching The Crystal Tower are called NOAH, which is a reference to the Magus, Noah, from Final Fantasy 3. (credit: Enkidoh)
6. The Onion Knight minion is a direct reference to the Onion Knight job.
7. The Summoner's Artifact Armor is called "Evoker's _____", which is a reference to the job Evoker from Final Fantasy 3.
8. All weapons that can be purchased with Rowena Tokens (Soldiery) and many obtained from Extreme Primal battles are named after weapons from Final Fantasy 3. (credit: sarria22)
Final Fantasy 4:
1. Mist, the housing area outside of Limsa Lominsa, is the name of Rydia's hometown. (credit: silmina)
2. The Demon Wall can be found as a boss in Amdapor Keep. (Note: It can also be fought in Final Fantasy 7 and Final Fantasy 12) (credit: lazus.)
3. Bahamut was sealed inside Dalamund, the red meteor that once orbited the planet as a moon, just like in Final Fantasy 4. (credit: sotek)
4. The Dragoon's Artifact armor very closely resembles Kain's armor and one of the dragoon's weapon drawn poses is the same as in Kain's main artwork. (credit: aranwade and OMEGA_HACK)
5. The beast clan Sylphs are modeled after the Slyph that put Yang to sleep. (credit: aranwade)
6. The dungeon "Cutter's Cry" is very similar to the Antlion's Den, including its bosses. (credit: sizesmall)
7. The active help for the Search Window uses Kain Highwind's name as an example. (credit: Alhanelem)
8. The weather vane in the Heavensward cinematic is shaped like the original Final Fantasy 4 logo.
9. The NPC for the Bard quests uses the phrase "Call me a spoony bard, but..." which is a reference to Tellah saying, "You spoony bard!"
10. The Bard relic weapon, Artemis' Bow, is said to have been crafted by Gilbert (the japanese name for Edward Chris von Muir).
11. In the first and second turns of Binding Coil of Bahamut you fight the ADS boss and its nodes. These are based on the CPU from Final Fantasy 4.
12. Allagan buildings like Binding Coil of Bahamut have similar interior decorating to the Tower of Babil.
Final Fantasy 5:
1. An NPC Chocobo is named "Boco". (Note: A chocobo of the same name is also in Final Fantasy Tactics)
2. The 'Void' exists as a mysterious dark realm. (credit: lazus.)
3. Gilgamesh and Atomos both appear at points. (credit: aranwade)
4. Louisoix died saving the protagonists, similarly to Galuf. (credit: aranwade)
5. The Guardian Tree can be found in The Central Shroud. It is a reference to a tree of the same name on Planet R.
6. During a level 42 quest, you fight Siren in a ship graveyard which also happens in Final Fantasy 5. (credit: ShinrinCole)
7. Sugarloaf hats strongly resemble the hats Time Mages wear in Final Fantasy 5. (credit: Koga_Edge)
8. During a Hildibrand quest, Gilgamesh exlaims, "This is far from the strongest of swords!", the same line he says when attempting to use Excalipoor in Final Fantasy 5. (credit: HakuroDK)
9. The duty in which you fight Gilgamesh, "Battle on the Big Bridge", is a reference to Gilgamesh's battle theme in Final Fantasy 5, "Clash on the Big Bridge."
10. Krile is referenced many times after Patch 2.1. She is said to be comatose but recovering after the island she lived on was destroyed. Minfilia also says, "My regards to grandfather" which is likely a reference to Galuf, as he is Krile's grandfather in Final Fantasy 5. (credit: Zantetsuken and cotti)
11. Sastasha is heavily influenced by the Pirates' Hideout and both locations are the first dungeon of each game.
12. The Forgotten Springs in Southern Thanalan is a village of mostly female Miqo'te dressed in ancient clothing. This is likely a reference to Mirage Village from Final Fantasy 5.
13. In the guildhest "Hero on the Halfshell" you have to sedate a "Gil Turtle" which can also be found in the Gil Cave in Final Fantasy 5.
14. Twintania (Turn 5 BCoB), Melusine, (Turn 2 BCoB), Catoblepas (Halatali Hard), Halicarnassus (Haukke Manor Hard), and Karlabos (Sastasha Hard) are all named after bosses from Final Fantasy 5. (credit: Zell1226)
15. The Sons of Baldesion are named after Galuf Baldesion.(credit: sarria22)
Final Fantasy 6:
1. Magitek Armor is a direct reference to the Magitek Armor in Final Fantasy 6.
2. While riding Magitek Armor, the game now plays an orchestrated and altered version of Final Fantasy 6's "Opening Theme".
3. The Phantom Train is mentioned a few times and in Castrum Meridianum there is a section of the map called "Phantom Train Depot". (credit: powercow and Suireko)
4. Although summons exist in most Final Fantasy games, Primals in this game are most similar to Espers. (credit: aranwade)
5. During missions involving Sylphs, they make several references directed at Kefka such as referring to "The Dancing One" and saying that they "hate, hate, hate, HATE" something. (credit: annamolly)
6. Concept art for A Realm Reborn shows a "Magitek Research Facility". (credit: rmelzer1986)
7. Cid's backstory most resembles the Cid from Final Fantasy 6, including his home country's intentions towards Esper/Primals. (credit: MrKupo)
8. Cid's pseudonym is Marquez, which is Cid's last name in Final Fantasy 6. (credit: MrKupo)
9. One of the Scholar's job unlock quest references a "War of the Magi" which is an ancient war in Final Fantasy 6. (credit: Hawklaser)
10. The Gladiator's weapon skill "Riot Blade" is a reference to Terra's desperation attack in Final Fantasy 6.
11. The 2013 Halloween event includes a man named "The Impressario" which is a reference to a man of the same name in the Opera House of Final Fantasy 6.
12. The nation-state of Doma is based on a nation of the same name in Final Fantasy 6.
13. In one of the Ixal quests an airship named Blackjack appears.
14. Ultros and Typhon are optional bosses in the Hildibrand sidequests, using direct quotes from Final Fantasy 6 at several points.
15. During the battles with Ultros and Typhon, "The Decisive Battle" from Final Fantasy 6 plays.
16. Setzer Gabbiani's outfit can be bought at the Gold Saucer.
Final Fantasy 7:
1. In Final Fantasy 14, Biggs and Wedge pilot an airship called 'The Tiny Bronco'. The ship is a reference to a ship of the same name in Final Fantasy 7.
2. The Limit Break feature is a reference to a similar system in Final Fantasy 7.
3. Costa Del Sol is a reference to the location of the same name.
4. Many of the game's Limit Breaks are direct references to Limit Breaks in Final Fantasy 7. (credit: powercow)
5. Materia that is put into slots on armor is a reference to the same system in Final Fantasy 7. (credit: lazus.)
6. Chat Filter Options reference Cloud, Aerith, Zack and Tifa. (credit: rinoaheartilly)
7. In Thanalan there are a group of men doing squats. Likely a reference to the "Big Bro" squats scene.
8. Kujata appears in a Marauder class quest. (credit: maxwinter)
9. For the DPS Limit Breaks "Braver" and "Battledance" you use a Buster Sword. (credit: powercow)
10. The Gold Saucer is a direct reference to Final Fantasy 7. (credit: aranwade)
11. An image on the wall in Gold Saucer closely resembles Cait Sith.
11. The Aether system is similar to the Lifestream. One guard even says, "It's like a lifestream." (credit: aranwade)
12. Anyone who pre-ordered A Realm Reborn received a "Cait Sith Doll" Minion, though it more closely resembles the doll Lulu holds in Final Fantasy 10. (credit: aranwade)
13. One of catuar enemies is named "Sabotender Del Sol".
14. Ultima Weapon can be found in this game and strongly resembles the Ultima Weapon from Final Fantasy 7. (credit: aranwade)
15. A piece of promotional art used for Gaius strongly resembles the classic image of Sephiroth in front of flames. (credit: aranwade)
16. In Eastern Thanalan there is a FATE called "Desert Rose" which is a reference to an item dropped by Ruby Weapon. (credit: monkeydsabo and Nightblade96)
17. One of the Veteran rewards is Cloud's outfit and his buster sword.
18. In the minion guide, the Cait Sith minion quotes Cait Sith in Final Fantasy 7: "What may be a few to you was everything to those who died."
19. One of Limsa Lominsa's leader Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn's guns is named "Death Penalty" which is Vincent's ultimate weapon. (credit: dragonflie)
20. The bar in Revenant's Toll is called "Seventh Heaven", a reference to Tifa's bar of the same name. (credit: Liham)
21. One of Good King Moogle Mog XII's moves is called "Mog Creation" which is a reference to Yuffie's limit break "All Creation" and even looks similar in animation. (credit: Gwaeron)
22. The 'Mount Corel' area in Round Square of Gold Saucer is a reference to the area of the same name in Final Fantasy 7, near where Gold Saucer is actually located. (credit: Enkidoh)
23. Three music tracks that play inside the Gold Saucer are remixed versions of songs from Final Fantasy 7: The Gold Saucer main theme, Electric de Chocobo (plays during GATEs), and Fiddle de Chocobo (plays during the Chocobo Races, which was also where it played in Final Fantasy 7). (credit: Enkidoh)
24. During the "Dreams of Ice" missions, Yda can be found competing at squats with Hoary Boulder.
25. After completing a rotation, Monks get the buff "Greased Lightning", which is Yuffie's Limit Break in Final Fantasy 7. (credit: RoadBuster)
Final Fantasy 8:
1. Some Garleans use gunblades and other gun weapons.
2. The 'Echo' power player characters have is much like Ellone's powers. (credit: aranwade)
3. The story quest "Eyes on Me" is named after a song of the same name from Final Fantasy 8. (credit: aranwade)
4. In character creation, one of the tattoo options is Zell's tattoo. (credit: aranwade)
5. The final boss of "The Wanderer's Palace" is the Tonberry King. (credit: aranwade)
6. Nero Tol Scaeva, member of the XIVth Legion of the Garlean Empire, wears a helmet that resembles the airship Ragnarok. (credit: gutgut)
7. "Eyes On Me" is also a skill used by the giant eye in Dzemael Darkhold. (credit: Sajomir)
8. Turn 4 of the Binding Coil of Bahamut takes place on the "Ragnarok Drive Cylinder". (credits: Lucarius)
9. Squall's scar is an available option for Hyur Midlanders.
10. Part of the Eternal Bond ceremony references a cutscene from Final Fantasy 8 in which Laguna and Julia place rings on each other's fingers then hold their hands in the air. (credit: Nyxs)
11. The final boss in The Lost City of Amdapor is Diabolos, very closely resembling the summon from Final Fantasy 8. (credit: Arkenne)
12. The song that plays during a game of Triple Triad is a remixed version of "Shuffle or Boogie". (credit: Enkidoh)
13. The "Double" and "Triple" spells used by Nabriales are from Final Fantasy 8.
14. The card game Triple Triad is originally from Final Fantasy 8 and has been included the Gold Saucer of Final Fantasy 14. (credit: Enkidoh)
15. During the quest for Frontlines, Omega is talked about as a buried superweapon that was fought over by the city-states. (credit: therealkami)
16. Glasya Labolas in Syrcus Tower has a cleave attack called Astral Punch, which is Edea's physical attack in her first boss fight. (credit: Riffine)
17. Fenrir's freeze attack, Lunar Cry, is a reference to the event of the same name in Final Fantasy 8. (credit: Riffine)
Final Fantasy 9:
1. The Moogle Mail system is the same as how the Mognet works in Final Fantasy 9. (credit: aranwade)
2. A levequest references the Airship 'Red Rose'. (credit: aranwade)
3. One of the sounds you can hear when you receive a /tell message is the same as a sound from Final Fantasy 9. (credit: aranwade)
4. The Summoner artifact armor has wings on the back which closely resemble Eiko's wings. (credit: Imakun)
5. FATEs are likely a references to Active Time Events in Final Fantasy 9, though only by name. (credit: texhnolyze)
6. During a battle with Gaius in The Praetorium, he goes into a phase that closely resembles Final Fantasy 9's Trance system. (credit: Riv)
7. The Male Miqo'te's default idle stance is exactly the same as Amarant's classic pose. (credit: Stiffmeister)
8. The moogle delivery quests are very similar to the mognet quests in which you deliver mail on behalf of the moogles. (credit: Enkidoh)
10. In Aleport (Western La Noscea) you can find a winged mermaid statue that very closely resembles the figurehead of the Prima Vista airship.
11. When unsheathed, "The Majestic Moogle Mogtome", an Arcanist weapon, takes the appearance of a moogle writing in a book, closely resembling the Save Moogles of Final Fantasy 9.
12. The Japenese name for the dragoon skill "Chaos Thrust" is roughly translated to "Cherry Blossom" which is a skill used by Freya in Final Fantasy 9. (credit: velruis)
Final Fantasy 10:
(This includes the sequel, 10-2)
1. The Twin Adder's Grand Company Salute resembles the Blitzball salute.
2. During the Main Story while trying to learn more about Titan, an NPC repeatedly refers to Titan as Tidus. (credit: debola)
3. An Arcanist quest is titled "A Thousand Words" which is likely a reference to the song Yuna sings in Final Fantasy X-2.
4. The area of "Tam-Tara Deepcroft" in which you fight the boss is labeled as "Eternal Calm" which is a reference to the time after Sin was defeated. (credit: shinginravine and blitzwhat)
5. During a storyline quest, you collect a "Sabotender del Pol" which is a reference to Rikku's cactuar minigame. (credit: cronous)
6. Gae Bolg, the dragoon's relic weapon has been featured in many Final Fantasy games but first appeared in Final Fantasy X as one of Khimari's lances. (credit: Roman_Aers)
7. At the end of the Heavensturn event one of the characters calls horses "Hornless! Hornless!". This is a reference to Biran and Yenke Ronso insulting Khimari. (credit: Aelliot)
8. Garlean machines are referred to as "machina" much like in Final Fantasy 10.
9. Soul crystals are a very similar concept to dresspheres from Final Fantasy 10-2.
10. The Paladin's fighting stance very closely resemble's Tidus' fighting stance. (credit: IronysNobody)
Final Fantasy 11:
1. An NPC in the Weaver's Guild sings lyrics from "Memoria d'la Stona".
2. In the Battle chat log filters, there is a reference to the Shadow Lord.
3. A Black Mage job quest refers to the "Soul" item as "The Gem of Shatotto" which may be a reference to "Shantotto".
4. The playable races are all very similar to the races from Final Fantasy XI. (credit: aranwade)
5. Throughout the main story there is a Lalafell named Tataru. This is likely this is a reference to the race "Taru Taru" from Final Fantasy 11.
6. The dye "Rolanberry Red" is a reference to "Rolanberries". (credit: laiferr)
7. Raubahn, leader of the Immortal Flames, is a reference to a character of the same name in Final Fantasy 11, who is leader of the Immortals. (credit: rhynazullo)
8. Many of the beast tribes are references to beast tribes used in Final Fantasy 11. (credit: elkhorn)
9. Many notorious monsters make a re-appearance in FATEs, such as: Cactuar Jack, Bubbly Bernie, Icherous Ire and Lou Carcolh. (credit: elkhorn and aranwade)
10. The great dragon Nidhogg from Final Fantasy 11 plays a similar role in the Dragoon job quest backstory of Final Fantasy 14. (credit: aranwade)
11. Claustrum, the Black Mage Relic Weapon can be seen wielded by Kan-E-Senna. (credit: nahara)
12. Tizona, the Blue Mage Mythic Weapon is one of Raubahn's swords. (credit: nahara and Alpheus)
13. Death Penalty and Annihilator are both wielded by Merlwyb. The first is the Corsair Mythic Weapon and the latter is the Ranger Relic Weapon. (credit: nahara)
14. A large variety of monster designs are altered or improved versions of monsters from Final Fantasy 11. (credit: nahara)
15. Automations that Puppetmasters used can be found as Mammet minions in Final Fantasy 14. (credit: nahara)
16. Arcanists, like Summoners, start with Carbuncle. (credit: edyth)
17. For a limited time, a series of quests and FATEs were available involving Shantotto. You were even able to obtain her as a minion that can follow you around.
18. Many primals closely resemble their avatars in Final Fantasy 11, especially Garuda. (credit: Edyth)
19. Carbuncle's stance in 14 is exactly the same as his "Readying Ability" stance in Final Fantasy 11. (credit: Edyth)
20. Chocobo battle allies were likely heavily inspired by the "Adventuring Fellow" feature from Final Fantasy 11. (credit: Edyth)
21. Atomos closely resemble and may actually be the same Atomos from Final Fantasy 11, as they are capable of crossing dimensions and time. (credit: Suireko)
22. A large number of skills in Final Fantasy 14 are named after and inspired by similar skills in Final Fantasy 11 including One Ilm Punch, Mercy Stroke and more. (credit: Koga Edge and Alpheus)[/I]
23. The final boss of Amdapor Keep, Anantaboga, looks exactly like Dread Dragons from Final Fantasy 11.
24. The achievement for getting the Stardust Rod is called "Ohohohohoho!" which is a reference to Shantotto's laugh. (credit: Empyrean)
25. Batraal, a boss in Dzaemel Darkhold, uses "Grim Halo", which is likely a reference to a move of the same name used by Fomers in Final Fantasy 11. (credit: Koga_Edge)
26. During the NIN job quests, a guard says the code word "Ayame" and you must provide the correct password of "Kaede". This is a reference the sisters of the same names from Final Fantasy 11. (credit: Enkidoh)
27. The Pugilist's Guild quests makes a reference to Cornelia, who founded the guild. Cornelia was a monk in Final Fantasy 11.
28. The artifact and vintage armor sets for all jobs are identical to the names of the artifact armor sets in Final Fantasy 11.
29. The final boss of Snowcloak, Fenrir, looks much like Fenrir from Final Fantasy 11 and even uses similar moves.
30. The Black Mage relic weapon quest involves a black mage named Shatotto which is similar to Shantotto in both name and personality. (credit: fetchmemylongsword)
Final Fantasy 12:
(These two games share a common team member. As such, there are many similarities between the two games, from similar enemies to the user interface to the blue dotted lines between zones. This does not mean they are references, but rather similarities in design due to a common designer.)
1. The "Sunken Temple of Qarn" is extremely similar to "The Stillshrine of Miriam", even using similar enemies. (credit: laiferr)
2. Ul'dah may have been heavily inspired by Rabanastre. (credit: aranwade)
3. During a storyline quest, you fight a "Flowering Sabotender" which is a reference to the "Flowering Cactoid" Hunt. (credit: cronous)
6. The Ascians are immortal and involve themselves in mortal affairs, much like the Occuria. Particularly, they influence Gaius' decision to invade Eorzea, much like Venat. (credit: vanguard319)
7. The Ascian Lahabrea's name is a reference to the esper from Final Fantasy 12. (credit: slatervonjager)
8. The Summoner Job Questline involves Belias-Egi, a reference to Belias from Final Fantasy 12. (credit: aranwade)
9. Many enemies, including Mirror Knights (Thanalan), Deathgaze (a FATE in The Black Shroud) and Mimics (Turn 5 BCoB) are direct references to enemies from Final Fantasy 12.. (credit: koga_edge, kaize, velruis and aranwade)
10. The "Hunt" system is named after and similar to the system used in Final Fantasy 12.
11. During the main story you encounter a man named Drest who wishes to return to his country of Dalmasca. (credit: silentwindfr)
12. The group "Scions of the Seventh Dawn" is likely a reference to the summons in Final Fantasy 12 which are called Scions. (credit: cherubims)
13. Garuda-Egi, a summon in Final Fantasy 14, is likely a reference in name to an enemy in Final Fantasy 12. (credit: Koga_Edge)
14. Nabriales, Pashtarot and Lahabrea (three Ascians) are a reference to three "Scions of Light" by the same names. (credit: Nubrication)
15. The Mandragora you fight in the Hildebrand questline are a reference to the Mandragora Royalty bosses from Final Fantasy 12. (credit: Enkidoh)
16. Tyrant, a boss in Pharos Sirius, is the same boss found guarding the entrance to the great crystal in Giruvegan in Final Fantasy 12. (credit: Leoheart)
17. The final boss of Stone Vigil (Hard Mode) is Giruveganaus.
18. The beast tribe Gnath closely resmble Urutan-Yensa.
19. In the minion guide, the King Tomato minion has a quote attributed to Tomaj.
Final Fantasy 13:
(This covers all games in the 13 trilogy)
1. For a limited period of time, Lightning appeared in a series of FATEs. You could even obtain hers or Snow's outfits (depending on your gender).
2. In "Copperbell Mines" there are enemies called Hectoncheir Stonehaulers/Stonebreakers. The "Hecatoncheir" part is a reference to Vanille's Eidolon.
3. Many of the weapons used by characters in Final Fantasy 13 will be available through FATEs in Final Fantasy 14.. (credit: aranwade and aisthesis)
4. The Eshtaime Lapidaries of Ul'dah are based on a reference to Hope Estheim. (credit: monkeydsabo)
5. The Arcanist's spells Ruin and Ruin 2 closely resemble spells of the same name in Final Fantasy 13.
6. Many enemies in Turn 4 of the Binding Coil of Bahamut are references to the same enemies in Final Fantasy 13. (credit: Koga_Edge)
7. Jandelaine, the aesthetician, starts his service by turning a female Lalafell's hair into Lightning's hairstyle.
8. In Coerthas there is a quest "Rolling with the Snowies" in which a snowman says "Revolutionaries always get called crazy", which is a line used by Fang in Final Fantasy 13.
9. During the 2014 Halloween event, an NPC uses the phrase "Sugar and Rainbows" which was used by Sazh Katzroy.
10. The Gold Saucer side quest "So You Think You Can Ride This Chocobo" is a reference to the lyrics of the "Crazy Chocobo" theme in Final Fantasy 13.
Final Fantasy Tactics:
(Includes all Tactics games in the series)
1. An Amaljaa traitor says 'Don't blame me, blame yourselves or the Gods!'
2. Miluda and the "Corpes Brigade" are involved in a FATE in Southern Thanalan.
3. An Announcement chat log filter references Bremondt Freitberg.
4. The Garlean Empire's leaders strongly resemble Judges. (Note: Judges are also found in Final Fantasy 12)
5. One side quest is called "The Blood Prince" which is a reference to a skill of the same name in Tactics Advance 2. (credit: blitzwhat)
6. The Veil of Wiyu and the Omnilex are the Summoner and Scholar relic weapons. (credit: nahara)
7. The chocobo battle allies share many abilities with the chocobo's allies in Final Fantasy Tactics.
8. The active help that explains the Search Window uses Hurdy's name as an example. (credit: Alhanelem)
9. Elidibus the Asciian is a reference to a powerful wizard in Tactics who goes by the same name. (credit: Ayuhra)
10. The cowardly merchant Ungust quotes Delita Heiral at one point, saying, "Spare me your contempt! If you want to blame someone for the the world's in, blame yourselves or the gods!"
Final Fantasy Other:
(This is the section for references to other Final Fantasy media)
1. A Paladin skill is named "Spirits Within" after the Final Fantasy movie of the same title.
2. One of the titles you can receive is "Crystal Bearer" which is a reference to Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers.
3. The Active Help window that explains the Search Window uses character names from both Crystal Chronicles: Rings of Fate and Echoes of Time as examples. (credit: Alhanelem)
4. The imperial salute of the Garlean Emprire is the samea s the Millitesi Empre salute in Type-O.
References Involving Major Spoilers:
Final Fantasy 3: Unei and Doga from the Crystal Tower storyline are based on the sages of the same names from Final Fantasy 3. (credit: Enkidoh)
Final Fantasy 3: Noah, a famous Magus from Final Fantasy 3, possesses a researcher after you beat World of Darkness. (credit: Enkidoh)
Final Fantasy 4: Thancred betrays you and is revealed to have been under mind control, much like Kain was. (credit: vanguard319)
Final Fantasy 7: In the last Gladiator quest, Leavold kills himself by falling off a cliff with arms outstretched. This is very similar to how Dayne kills himself in Final Fantasy 7. In both cases, they did so after a duel. (credits: Nelos)
Final Fantasy 7: Jessie (a member of Avalanche) appears as a member of the Garlond Ironworks during the quest to repair your magitek armor. (credit: Enkidoh)
Final Fantasy 11: Gigi, the rude Mammet of the Goldsmith's Guild is later revealed to actually be Mnejing, the first ever automation built.
Final Fantasy 12: The 'one true god' that Ascians worship is "Zodiark". (credit: vanguard319)
Possible References:
These are references that I'm not completely sure are actually references. If you think its a reference, comment so and if its a popular opinion, I'll move it to the normal list.
1. The Ceruleum Processing Plant might be purposely similar to the Mako Reactors from Final Fantasy 7. (credit: aranwade)
2. The Garlean Empire may be modeled after either the Ghestal Empire from Final Fantasy 6 or the Archadian Empire from Final Fantasy 12. (credit: aranwade and slatervonjager)
3. During a story cutscene, a Garlean uses the word "Sin" with the first letter capitalized, implying its a name. It's possible this is a reference to Final Fantasy 10. (credit: naraku_diabolos)
4. The Goldsmith Artifact hat somewhat resembles Firion's hat in Final Fantasy 2. (credit: Koga_Edge)
5. The twin Elezen from the story quests, Alphinaud and Alisaie, might be a reference to Palom and Porom. (credit: kamikazeman)
6. Ferdiad, the final boss of Amdapor Keep (Hard Mode), vaguely resembles Kefka and has a similar maniacal laugh. This may be a reference to Final Fantasy 6. (credit: OMEGA_HACK)
7. The Active Help system may be inspired by the Active Time Event system in Final Fantasy 9 in which moogles would teach the player game mechanics through cutscenes. (credit: Velruis)
8. The Garlean Empire may be inspired by Shinra from Final Fantasy 7. They both started small until they used the world's dominant element to their advantage and exploded in power. (credit: Sove92)
9. A level 41 lance called "Wyvern Spear" may be a reference to Ricard's ultimate weapon, the "Wyvern Lance". (credit: Koga_Edge)
If you'd like to contribute to the list, here's how you can help:
1. Reply with a reference you have seen/heard of.
2. Reply with details concerning a reference on this list that seems vague. The more detailed, the better!
3. Reply with your opinion on whether or not something in the "Posssible References" section is truly a reference or just coincidence.
(3)
Originally Posted by SummerSkye
The amazing music score at character selection/creation was first heard (by me) in Final Fantasy IV (FF2 for the super Nintendo). I was happy to hear that when I was making my character.
(1)Rinoa Heartily - Leviathan
Reply With Quote
