Final Fantasy XIV has a habit of pulling from other Final Fantasy games and re-purposing that content to fit into the world of Etheirys. However, re-purposed content isn't the only way that elements from other Final Fantasy games appear, as we've seen crossovers that bring characters from other worlds straight to Etheirys, where they usually need the Warrior of Light's help to get back to where they belong, as was the case when Clive appeared during the FF16 crossover event. So, it won't be surprising—and it should be expected—that we'll continue seeing the series' past represented in FFXIV.

Patch 7.2 was recently released for FFXIV, which means we're getting close to the end of Dawntrail's extended narrative in the patch sequence, and then moving into patches that set up the story to lead us into the next big expansion. While the expansion doesn't need to pull influence from another game, like Endwalker did with FF4 or Dawntrail with FF9 in its later half, it's the perfect chance to feature content from another game, reimagining its world and characters. With that being said, I believe it's time to bring FF8 into the mix.

FFXIV Composer Soken Thinks The MMO Needs More FF8

Not Many References Or Elements Appear From It

In an interview with PCGamesn, Soken said he'd like to see more FF8 in FFXIV, a sentiment I agree with as a longtime fan of both games. There's a reference here and there to FF8, such as a boss in the last section of the Crystal Tower, World of Darkness, having an attack named, "Eyes on Me," referencing the song from FF8, or gunblades being introduced. However, the references aren't anyway near the level we see for other games, most notably FF9 at the current moment, since it's a big part of the most recent main quests.

Naturally, Soken having the opportunity to create tracks based on music from older games always ends with incredible results, thanks to his talent and the talent of his team, and we recently got to see this with "Roses of May" being recreated as a battle theme in FFXIV. I wouldn't expect too many songs to get this treatment, but having one or two would be amazing to hear. Plus, FF8 seems to end up being overlooked when the series overall is being discussed, so having FFXIV bring more attention to this game would be a fun way to honor it.

Final Fantasy 8 Could Bring So Much To FFXIV

There's A Need For A New Villain

Right now is the perfect time to incorporate FF8 into FFXIV, because we need a new long-term villain for the next overarching storyline, since Zodiark, the Ascians, and the cause of the Final Days have all been dealt with in Endwalker, and Dawntrail didn't give us a new villain to fill that void, opting for a temporary choice instead. There's some side content that makes it feel like Ultima could be the next villain, even though we fight her at the end of the Stormblood Alliance Raids. However, maybe it'd be better to bring in Ultimecia instead.

If you're unfamiliar with FF8, Ultimecia is the primary antagonist of the game, and the first female main villain in the series. She's a sorceress from the future who sends her consciousness back in time, taking over the bodies of other sorceresses as she attempts to cast a time compression spell in order to become a living god. Her story follows the classic traits of a tragedy, where trying to go back and defeat those who would kill her in the future ends up leading to the events she wanted to stop.

Her ability to travel through time, possess other sorceresses, and desire to make herself a living god are all traits that can be perfectly adapted to FFXIV to bring her in as a new villain, especially with her coming from the future. It wouldn't be the first time that there's been a bit of time travel in convoluted ways, but it would be perfect for bringing in a new villain, since we don't have the set-up for anybody else as a villain yet, and the destruction she can cause can be a driving factor for how future content is approached.

As a villain, Ultimecia's arc could lead to a scenario similar to Dalamud falling, where the in-game world sees significant changes as a result of catastrophe. This wouldn't need to mean a complete reset like the way A Realm Reborn handled events, but it would be a tool that could be used at the end of another arc, which could be another 10 years, to refresh the world so that it feels new again, even if it isn't entirely reset. Aside from that, Ultimecia could be genuinely threatening, as we know several sorceresses she can target.

FF8 Shouldn’t Be Emphasized Without A Reason

There's No Need To Force It

Forcing content to overlap can work for crossovers, such as the FFXIV and Fall Guys collaboration, but FF8 deserves more than just a crossover, and it could solve big issues, like the next primary villain for an entire storyline across multiple expansions. Because of that, trying to force the content without a reason would make it feel disingenuous, and it could lead to a jarring feeling, which tends to happen with forced content, as there's a lack of natural flow in the story to lead to that content.

The current point that the story of FFXIV is in has ways that FF8 could be emphasized without forcing the content, and the reasons leading from where we are in the story into a new point with this emphasis can be varied. Plus, a time-traveling villain tends to bring their own reasons for the content to shift to emphasizing FF8. With all that being said, it's unlikely that this is the direction that the game is going right now. But if a decision is made to bring in FF8 elements, it's better to make sure there's a reason behind them.

I love FF8, which is why I'd love to see it brought into FFXIV with a heavier emphasis, and I love the idea that Ultimecia could be a villain in the game, because she would feel like a genuine threat even against the Warrior of Light's power. Unfortunately, I don't think this is where the story will go in the next expansion. However, I'll hold out hope that Soken will get his wish, and that we'll be able to hear his FF8-inspired masterpieces in the future in Final Fantasy XIV.

Source: PCGamesn