Fabula Nova Crystallis
Overview
Fabula Nova Crystallis is a series of games and related media under the Final Fantasy franchise, developed and published by Square Enix. The term "Fabula Nova Crystallis," which translates to "the new tale of the crystal," is derived from Latin. The series primarily revolves around a common mythos focusing on important crystals tied to deities.
Concept and Development
The concept of Fabula Nova Crystallis was conceived by Kazushige Nojima, Motomu Toriyama, and Tetsuya Nomura. The series was announced in 2006 as a part of the Square Enix's production team's new direction to create games that, while independent in terms of story and characters, are thematically linked under the umbrella of the Final Fantasy series. The development team aimed to create a universe that could expand and evolve with new games and stories, rather than being confined to a single game.
Games
The Fabula Nova Crystallis series consists of several games, each with its own unique story, characters, and gameplay mechanics, but sharing a common mythology.
Final Fantasy XIII
Final Fantasy XIII is the first game in the Fabula Nova Crystallis series. It was released in 2009 and introduces players to the world of Pulse and the city of Cocoon. The game's story revolves around a group of individuals who are branded as l'Cie by the hostile Fal'Cie and are given a task to complete, or face a fate worse than death.
Final Fantasy XIII-2
Final Fantasy XIII-2 is a direct sequel to Final Fantasy XIII. The game follows Serah Farron, the sister of Final Fantasy XIII protagonist Lightning, and a young man named Noel Kreiss, as they attempt to find Lightning, who disappeared at the end of the previous game.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is the final game in the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy. The game focuses on Lightning, the protagonist of the original game, as she navigates a world that is set to end in thirteen days.
Final Fantasy Type-0
Final Fantasy Type-0 is an action role-playing game that was originally released on the PlayStation Portable. The game is set in the world of Orience and follows the story of Class Zero, a group of students from the Vermillion Peristylium.
Final Fantasy XV
Final Fantasy XV was originally announced as Final Fantasy Versus XIII, a companion game to Final Fantasy XIII. However, it was later rebranded and released as a standalone game. The game follows Prince Noctis and his friends as they embark on a journey to reclaim their kingdom.
Reception
The Fabula Nova Crystallis series has received mixed to positive reviews from critics. While the games have been praised for their graphics, storytelling, and innovative gameplay mechanics, they have also been criticized for their complex narratives and lack of player freedom in some titles.
Legacy
Despite the mixed reception, the Fabula Nova Crystallis series has left a significant impact on the Final Fantasy franchise. The series has introduced new gameplay mechanics, storytelling techniques, and a rich mythology that has been explored in multiple games and media.