Which Final Fantasy Games Are Canon?

As a long-time Final Fantasy fan and gaming enthusiast, one of the most common questions I see debated is whether all the Final Fantasy games share an overarching canonical continuity. With over 30 entries across the core series, multiple sub-franchises, and various spinoffs, it can be confusing for newcomers to unravel which Final Fantasy titles are actually connected by story and canon.

The clear answer is that each numbered Final Fantasy entry constitutes its own distinct, standalone canonical universe.

Save for direct sequels and compilation titles associated with a specific game (like the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy or the Final Fantasy VII Compilation), the majority of mainline Final Fantasy games exist within separate worlds and continuities. The stories, characters, lore, and timelines do not crossover or connect.

Below I‘ll provide an in-depth analysis on where the intersections of canonicity do and do not exist both within and across the wider Final Fantasy multiverse. As a passionate FF analyst and gaming commentator, I‘ll also share my perspectives on some of the most hotly debated fan theories related to unifying the fragmented Final Fantasy timelines.

Do FF7 and FF10 Share the Same Universe? Evaluating the Easter Egg Evidence

One theory that has sparked considerable debate in the Final Fantasy fandom is whether FF7 protagonist Cloud Strife and FF10‘s Tidus inhabit the same universe. This speculation ignited based on a purported "easter egg" in Final Fantasy 7 Remake.

In the Sector 5 slums, some fans noticed that a poster on a wall resembles two characters from Final Fantasy X: Blitzball athletes Wakka and Lulu. This is likely just a fun visual reference, but some fans took this as proof that Gaia (the world of FF7) and Spira (the world of FF10) are connected.

However, based on analysis of the games‘ distinct settings, lore, and continuities, I do not believe this easter egg confirms FF7 and FF10 share canonical ties. Each game takes place on clearly different worlds, with their own unique histories, cultures, myths, and geographic landscapes that do not align. The Cetra, Mako energy, and Weapons that define FF7‘s lore have no presence in Spira. Sin, Fayth, and other integral FF10 mythos conversely never appear in FF7.

The prevailing evidence – and comments from the games‘ developers – supports my viewpoint that FF7 and FF10 occupy separate universes that should retain standalone canonicity outside of fun visual homages. Unless Square Enix makes an unprecedented declarataion, the connections between Gaia and Spira likely start and end with that poster.

Evaluating the Canonicity of Crossover Spinoff Titles Like Dissidia Final Fantasy

The Final Fantasy franchise also encompasses crossover spinoff games like Dissidia Final Fantasy that unite characters from across various main FF entry worlds. These ensemble titles are clearly not canon to the core numerated games, but rather offer fresh "what if?" scenarios to have beloved heroes and villains interact outside their native continuities.

Dissidia Final Fantasy, for example, centers on a war between ten heroes and ten villains summoned from different Final Fantasy universes to fight for the deities Cosmos and Chaos respectively. Fan favorites like Cloud, Terra, and Tidus team up for cosmic battles, meeting for the first time in Dissidia‘s undisclosed fantasy world.

While Dissidia enables non-canonical crossovers previously impossible in FF canon, the events unfolding in these spinoffs do not impact the sacred continuity already established in games like FFVI, FFVIII or FFX where these fighters originated. Tidus being summoned from Spira to fight Kefka from FFVI has no bearing on either characters‘ native worlds and timelines.

Essentially, Dissidia and other crossover installment exist in non-canon side universes specially crafted so heroes and villains can interact freely without rewriting Final Fantasy continuity as we know it. Their adventures offer "for fun" what if storylines rather than main canon entries.

Getting Into Final Fantasy Lore – Which Game is the Best Starting Point?

Given the massive scope the Final Fantasy multiverse has expanded to in its 35 year history, it‘s daunting for newcomers to know where to dive in first. As established above, each numbered FF existe as its own separate story and world. But based on accessibility for modern gamers and quality of narrative, certain FF games make better jumping on points.

In a 2021 r/FinalFantasy poll asking fans to vote on the best FF starting game for beginners, Final Fantasy X claimed victory with 36% of over 4,500 votes. FFX‘s turn-based combat, expansive sphere grid system, and strong central narrative create an inviting onboarding point. Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy IX tied for second place with 19% of votes each.

Below I summarized the top 5 Final Fantasy games I recommend to newcomers seeking an intro to FF lore and gameplay with strong stories and comfortable difficulty curves:

Jumping into the franchise with any of the top Final Fantasy games in this list will offer newcomers an exciting adventure and gateway into the magical worlds that await across the full FF library. Just know that the epic stories told in those masterpieces generally remain isolated tales rather than interconnected pieces of a unified canon.

Each new Final Fantasy journey transports players to beautifully realized realms filled with brave heroes, mystical creatures and exhilarating quests to save humanity – even if those realms occupy distinct dimensions of imagination exclusive to their respective games. Once you play your first FF though, you’ll inevitably feel compelled to visit even more of these glorious parallel game worlds!

Let me know in the comments if this helped explain the complexities around Final Fantasy canonicity! I’m always happy to chat more FF lore and analysis with fellow wandering warriors in these storied realms of fantasy.