As of 2008[update], twelve games have been released as part of the main (numbered) series, as well as many spin-offs and related titles. Each game in the main series takes place in a different fictional universe, though beginning with Final Fantasy X-2, video games set in main series games' worlds have been released. In addition to video games, Final Fantasy has spawned several anime, movies, novels and manga, as well as a few radio dramas. Many games, particularly the main series, have several companion soundtracks with music from the games. Since the announcement of Compilation of Final Fantasy VII, Square Enix has focused on "polymorphic content", expanding each game world with material on many video game platforms, as well as other forms of media.[3]
Video games
Originally, Final Fantasy II and III for the Famicom and V for the Super Famicom were not released in America. For number continuity, Square of America changed the numerals of the US releases: Final Fantasy IV became "II" and VI became "III". Starting with Final Fantasy VII the pretense was dropped, and all subsequent games used their original numbering, leading to an apparent "jump" over 3 games. This has been a source of much confusion, with many American fans continuing to refer to IV and VI by their American numbers. To solve this, many fans used to use the disambiguating suffixes "us" and "j" for American numbering and Japanese numbering respectively, e.g. "FF3us" and "FF6j" refer to the same game. This practice has practically ceased since the later ports began to include translations of the Japanese games with their original numbering.
The Nintendo DS version is the first version officially released outside of Japan. It is a full remake of the game with 3D graphics and refined gameplay.
The Nintendo DS version is a full remake of the game with 3D graphics and additional content, drawn from the portions of the script that were cut from the original version.[8]
International version released in Japan for PlayStation 2 in 2002, containing a short movie that bridges the story of Final Fantasy X with that of its sequel, Final Fantasy X-2
Four expansion packs have been released: Rise of the Zilart (2003), Chains of Promathia (2004), Treasures of Aht Urhgan (2006), and Wings of the Goddess (2007).
The first expansion was included in the North American release of the game in 2003.
The first two expansions were included in the European release of the game in 2004.
The first three expansions were included in the Xbox 360 release of the game in 2006.
An Xbox 360 version has also been announced for simultaneous release in North America and Europe.
Main series sequels, prequels, and sidestories
Until the release of Final Fantasy X-2 the idea of a "direct sequel," that is, a game which directly relates to the story or world from a previous game in the series, was unprecedented in the series. Starting with that game, however, several such sequels, and eventually, prequels and spinoffs, emerged, especially the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII series of media, all of which expand the story of the game Final Fantasy VII.
Announced at E³ 2006, director Tetsuya Nomura describes it as "not merely a sequel to Final Fantasy XIII, but a wholly independent story unfolding in a different world with different characters".
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The primary composer of music for the main series was Nobuo Uematsu, who single-handedly composed the soundtracks for the first nine games, as well as directing the production of many of the albums. Music for the spin-off series and main series games beginning with Final Fantasy X was created by a variety of composers including Masashi Hamauzu, Naoshi Mizuta, Hitoshi Sakimoto, and Kumi Tanioka, as well as many others.
The majority of Final Fantasy games, including all of the main series games, have received a soundtrack album release. Many have also inspired orchestral, vocal, or pianoarrangement albums. In addition to the regular albums, a number of compilation albums of songs from several Final Fantasy games have been produced both by Square Enix and outside groups. Music from the original soundtracks of the Final Fantasy games has been arranged as sheet music for the piano and published by DOREMI Music Publishing, while sheet music from the Final Fantasy piano albums have been published by Yamaha Music Media. Music from the franchise has been performed numerous times in concert tours and other live performances such as the Orchestral Game Music Concerts and the Video Games Live concert tour, as well as forming the basis of specific Final Fantasy concerts such as the Dear Friends and Distant Worlds concert tours.
