video game: Nintendo Final Fantasy

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. Sakaguchi 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 may 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 staples 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 acclaim, the franchise owes its success to the original entry. Developer and publisher Square released Final Fantasy to Japanese audiences in 1987 for Nintendo����_��s Family Computer (Famicom) and to American gamers in 1990 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The game features the Warriors of Light as primary protagonists. Players choose both the names and classes for each member. Class choices include the Warrior, the Monk, the Thief, the White Mage, the Black Mage, and the Red Mage. Together, the four individuals known as the Warriors of Light must save four magic crystals from the dark influences of the Four Fiends: Lich, arch-fiend of Earth; Marilith, arch-fiend of Fire; Kraken, arch-fiend of Water; and Tiamat, arch-fiend of Wind. The protagonists must also battle the malevolent Garland in order to restore peace to the land. Final Fantasy single-handedly helped create one of the most renowned video game franchises of all time, and became an incredibly successful endeavor for Hironobu Sakaguchi and Square.