Back in 2006, Square Enix unveiled Final Fantasy Versus XIII. Bear in mind that the PlayStation 3 launched in November of 2006; that’s how long ago that was.
As time went on, we kept hearing vague updates, but nothing really concrete. Finally, after many years of that, they announced that Versus XIII had become Final Fantasy XV. The ironic part? Now they say it’s “quite far into development” and it’s a “very high priority within the company.”
As for the story, and how it retains part of the original narrative, this is what Final Fantasy producer Yoshinori Kitase told VideoGamer:
“Right from the start when we first it announced it as Versus XIII, the game itself was backed up by the same Crystal legend: the Fabula Nova Crystallis mythology that underpins the whole of the XIII series.
So even though it’s not necessarily the same universe or the same game, they’re all linked and underpinned by the backdrop of that legend. Now it’s moved on–obviously the title’s been changed to Final Fantasy XV–but that hasn’t actually changed. The story and the world is still going to be linked and backed up by that. So yes, there is the link between XIII and XV, and they both share that mythology as a backdrop and a starting point.”
Given the lukewarm critical response for the recently released Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, fans are likely willing to give Square Enix plenty of time. As for the story, I’d be good if they just left this Fabula Nova Crystallis narrative behind.
2006 to 2014… and counting. … Just sayin’.
