Editing Final Fantasy (section)

=== Plot and themes ===
[[File:Final Fantasy V death crystal screenshot.png|thumb|''[[Final Fantasy V]]'' is similar to the earlier games in the series, in that the heroes must attempt to retrieve crystals to save the world from an ancient evil.]]

The central conflict in many ''Final Fantasy'' games focuses on a group of characters battling an evil, and sometimes ancient, antagonist that dominates the game's world. Stories frequently involve a [[sovereign state]] in rebellion, with the protagonists taking part in the rebellion. The heroes are often destined to defeat the evil, and occasionally gather as a direct result of the antagonist's malicious actions.<ref name="GS-FFHistory-Main"/><ref name="GT-FFRetrospectiveXIII">{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/full-episodes/r0ogno/gt-retrospectives-final-fantasy-retrospective--part-vii |title=Final Fantasy Retrospective Part XIII |publisher=[[GameTrailers]] |date=November 2, 2007 |access-date=August 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905043019/http://www.gametrailers.com/full-episodes/r0ogno/gt-retrospectives-final-fantasy-retrospective--part-vii |archive-date=September 5, 2013}}</ref> Another staple of the series is the existence of two villains; the main villain is not always who it appears to be, as the primary antagonist may actually be subservient to another character or entity.<ref name="GS-FFHistory-Main"/> The main antagonist introduced at the beginning of the game is not always the final enemy, and the characters must continue their quest beyond what appears to be the final fight.<ref name="GT-FFRetrospectiveXIII"/>

Stories in the series frequently emphasize the internal struggles, passions, and tragedies of the characters, and the main plot often recedes into the background as the focus shifts to their personal lives.<ref name="IGN-Evo"/><ref>{{cite book | title = Japan Pop!: Inside the World of Japanese Popular Culture | first = Timothy J. | last = Craig | year = 2000 | publisher = M.E. Sharpe | isbn = 0-7656-0561-9 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/japanpopinsidew00crai}}</ref> Games also explore relationships between characters, ranging from love to rivalry.<ref name="GS-FFHistory-Main"/> Other recurring situations that drive the plot include [[amnesia]], a hero corrupted by an evil force, mistaken identity, and self-sacrifice.<ref name="GS-FFHistory-Main"/><ref name="videogamesandart"/><ref name="egm">{{cite magazine|title=Interview with Yoshinori Kitase and Tetsuya Nomura |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=196 |date=October 2005 |url=http://www.ff7citadel.com/press/int_egm.shtml |access-date=August 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818173016/http://www.ff7citadel.com/press/int_egm.shtml |archive-date=August 18, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Magical orbs and crystals are recurring in-game items that are frequently connected to the themes of the games' plots.<ref name="GT-FFRetrospectiveXIII"/> Crystals often play a central role in the creation of the world, and a majority of the ''Final Fantasy'' games link crystals and orbs to the planet's [[Energy (esotericism)|life force]]. As such, control over these crystals drives the main conflict.<ref name="GT-FFRetrospectiveXIII"/><ref name="1upinterview">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3151333 |title=FFXIII Interview: Nomura, Kitase, Hashimoto and Toriyama |publisher=1up.com |date=June 7, 2006 |first=Luke |last=Smith |access-date=August 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805002459/http://www.1up.com/news/ffxiii-interview |archive-date=August 5, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[classical element]]s are also a recurring theme in the series related to the heroes, villains, and items.<ref name="GT-FFRetrospectiveXIII"/> Other common plot and setting themes include the [[Gaia hypothesis]], an apocalypse, and conflicts between advanced [[technology]] and [[nature]].<ref name="GT-FFRetrospectiveXIII"/><ref name="videogamesandart">{{cite book | title = Videogames and art | first1 = Andy | last1 = Clarke | first2 = Grethe | last2 = Mitchell | year = 2007 | publisher = Intellect | isbn = 978-1-84150-954-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/i_finalfantasyxii_ps2 | title = This Great Fantasy Interview | first = Rob | last = Fahey | website = [[Eurogamer]] | page = 2 | date = October 31, 2006 | access-date = August 4, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125070658/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/i_finalfantasyxii_ps2 | archive-date=January 25, 2009}}</ref>