Forspokenis an upcoming open-world fantasy game being developed by Luminous Productions. The studio was formed by developers who previously worked onFinal Fantasy 15, and it is not hard to see parallels between the two games. There is a great opportunity for developers to slip in a few subtleFinal FantasyEaster eggs, though they should not interfere withForspokencarving a unique identity for itself.
Forspokenhas been highly anticipated by gamers with its magical elements and intriguing premise. Unfortunately, the game has faced several delays, and it is now slated for a January 2023 release. It could be a potentiallybig year for Square Enix, as 2023 also hasFinal Fantasy 16andFinal Fantasy 7: Rebirthon the calendar.
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Forspoken’s Connection to Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy 15is a game that had a difficult development period marred with difficulties from start to finish. Development began in 2006, and the game was initially intended to be a spin-off titledFinal Fantasy Versus 13. As the project’s scale grew, it eventually became a mainlineFinal Fantasyentry titledFinal Fantasy 15. Although developers originally aimed to release the game on PS3, enough time passed that it eventually became necessary for them to set their sights on thePlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Furthermore, development was passed from a team led by Tetsuya Nomura to one led by Hajime Tabata, and the game was also shifted to the Luminous Engine.
Final Fantasy 15was finally released in 2016, with the reception mixed among fans of the franchise. While some praised its cast of characters and the way it depicted a road trip with friends, others pointed out howFF15’s open world feels deadand unpopulated. Many employees who worked on the game went on to form a new studio within Square Enix. This studio, called Luminous Productions, was originally led by Tabata, but the current head is Yosuke Matsuda.
Forspokenwill be Luminous Production’s first project, and gamers have already pointed outsimilarities between the game andFinal Fantasy 15. IfForspokencan emulateFinal Fantasy’s best parts, this is a good sign for the studio. However, it appears that the upcoming game will also be bringing plenty of new elements to the forefront, including its magical parkour traversal method. Due to the connection between the two games, it would be a fun wink to gamers if a fewFinal FantasyEaster eggs made it intoForspoken.
How Forspoken Could Incorporate Final Fantasy Easter Eggs
AsFinal FantasyandForspokenare in the same genre, the latter game will still want to establish a unique identity for itself. Consequently, it should not lean too heavily into its connection toFinal Fantasy. However, a few Easter eggs would be a pleasant addition for fans of the franchise. This could be done, for instance, by includingFinal Fantasy-related outfits that could be unlocked in New Game+ andworn by Frey, or by including collectibles that subtly referenceFinal Fantasywithout breaking immersion or confusing players who aren’t familiar with the franchise. In addition to giving gamers an incentive to exploreForspoken’s world, it would also be a great reward to players who have been loyal to Square Enix’s franchises.
There is still plenty of mystery shroudingForspoken, and gamers know very little about theTantas terrorizing Athia. It has also yet to be revealed how and why Frey has been transported to this magical land, and what role she plays in the epic events unfolding. After many delays, it appears that the answers will finally come in early 2023.
Forspokenis scheduled to release on July 28, 2025, on PC and PS5.
