Calendar:Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within 2002 Calendar

Final Fantasy is a Japanese video game franchise owned by Square Enix. Created by Hironobu Sakaguchi in 1987, the series consists mainly of role-playing video games but also includes spin-off games of various genres, anime, movies, comics, action figures and other promotional merchandise. The initial game was so named because Sakaguchi intended it to be the final game he ever developed for the industry, but it became so successful that sequels quickly followed. Sakeguchi credits games such as The Legend of Zelda, Ultima and Dragon Quest as his inspirations.

Selling over 100 million copies since its inception, Final Fantasy is one of the top grossing video game franchises of all time. The series is recognized for popularizing console RPGs outside of Japan, and its innovative gameplay remains highly influential in the genre. The series is also well known for its sweeping musical score, much of which is composed by renowned musician Nobuo Uematsu, and its highly distinctive artwork, produced by Yoshitaka Amano.

While some direct sequels exist, the majority of Final Fantasy games introduce brand new characters and settings. The series is instead linked by common themes and gameplay. Most games include a large battle between an overarching Good and Evil, and the protagonists often belong to a rebellion against a government or overlord. The existence of two villains is also common. Players spend three-quarters or more of the game fighting who they think is the primary antagonist, only to discover a greater evil pulling the strings. Items such as crystals and orbs make frequent appearances, and they are generally linked in some way to the world itself or its creation. Gameplay includes many stables of the RPG genre, such as random encounters, leveling up for experience, job classes, and an emphasis on spell casting. The hero is always supported in his or her quest by a group of followers, and battles generally include up to four members of this party.

While not all Final Fantasy games achieved the same high level of success, the franchise itself is still one of the most popular in video game history, and Square Enix continues to produce innovative sequels that push the limits of the RPG genre.