Fans have been waiting for a true continuation ofFinal Fantasy 10and10-2for many years. WhileFinal Fantasy 10-2satisfied some fans, it was met with a divisive reception in North America. Many have been waiting for a more impactful and new look at Spira and the remaining members of Yuna’s guardians and YRP. Supposedly, another sequel might be happening someday, but this hypotheticalFinal Fantasy 10-3is no more than a proposition by the developers at Square Enix right now.
According to a statement by Tetsuya Nomura, the basic plot outline forFF10-3has been written, likely building off of the novels and audio dramas that have been released in the years since the original game. However, Square Enix’s key staff members have been busy withKingdom HeartsandFinal Fantasy 7 Remake, and thusFinal Fantasy 10-3is a lower priority. It seems10-3is probably around a decade out if Square Enix sticks to its guns about wanting specific management on the project, but there are some public details on what the game could entail. There’s also a large number ofdirectionsFinal Fantasy 10-3’s story could gogiven how different Square Enix is now than when it made the first two games.
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Final Fantasy 10-2.5 and Final Fantasy 10 -Will-
To commemorate the release ofFinal Fantasy 10/10-2 HD Remaster, a novella was released in Japan calledFinal Fantasy 10-2.5 ~Eien no Daisho,and an audio drama was packaged in with the remaster calledFinal Fantasy 10 -Will-. These were both meant to cover the events afterFinal Fantasy 10-2’s secret ending, with10-2.5picking up immediately afterward. Yuna starts showing the newly-revived Tidus around Besaid, but they are sidetracked by a plot involving a number of summoners and guardians from the Zanarkand war 1,000 years prior. This novel was poorly received and is infamous for a scene whereTidus kicks a bomb disguised as a blitzball, dies, and is immediately brought back to life by an unknown god. Aside from a look at the dominant religion from 1,000 years ago and getting Yuna to admit her mixed feelings for Tidus, this novel contributes little toFF10’s story.
Final Fantasy 10 -Will-is a lot more pertinent toFinal Fantasy 10-3, and may serve as a direct lead-in it that project ever manifests. The audio drama takes place one year afterthe events ofFinal Fantasy 10-2and focuses on newcomers Chuami and Kurgum. Chuami is allegedly the daughter ofFF10’s Auron, but Lulu questions the veracity of this when she hears it. The pair work for the Spiran Council and are sent to meet with Yuna due to a number of bizarre happenings in Spira, including the reappearance of Sin. After some relational drama, two groups are formed with Tidus, Chuami, and Lulu on their way to join up with Yuna, Kurgum, and Wakka to defeat Sin once more.
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Determining Final Fantasy 10-3’s Story
There’s a lot to digest without one game to put it all together, but it’s the best lead fans have regarding the potential future ofFinal Fantasy 10. It seems likeFinal Fantasy 10-3could be about continuing to solve the metaphysical mysteries lying beneath Spira, and dealing with various parties’ attempts to abuseFF10’s vague magic systems.Final Fantasy 10producer Yoshinori Kitase has commented that Sin has a similar role inFinal Fantasy 10as Sephiroth inFinal Fantasy 7, justifying the beast’s return. It’s theorized in-Will-that Sin may have been reactivated via beckoning due to someone’s wish. Beckoning is a new concept introduced in the novella that involves illusions from the Farplane being manifested by a person thinking of someone they used to know, and-Will-shows that these illusions are becoming more lifelike.
Whether that will stick for10-3proper is anyone’s guess, but-Will-also proposes some new party dynamics, as well as developments to Yuna and Tidus’ relationship. The two have had a falling-out, and are now seeing other people. Tidus’ significant other is named, but Yuna’s is talked around in a way that suggests she may be making him up to get Tidus jealous. Chuami and Kurgum throw a further wrench into this, as Kurgam is initially smitten with Chuami and allows her to abuse his important social position. However, he falls for his idol Yuna and ends up leaving Chuami distressed and unsure of herself. This is one of the mostcomplicated romance situationsFinal Fantasyhas seen, and could add some potent spice toFF10-3’s story.
Final Fantasy 10-3 Could Stand Out From Its Peers
That’s all of the angles that can be mined from-Will-, but more can be done withFinal Fantasy 10-3. Tidus, Yuna, Wakka, and Lulu surely wouldn’t be the only returning characters in the next trip around Spira. The Spira Council will have a few familiar faces taken from the three competing factions in10-2, andvarious other merchants, guards, priests, and travelersfrom the two games should show up from time to time. Of course, Rikku, Kimahri, and Paine will probably be hanging around various parts of Spira, with Kimahri leading his tribe and the former YRP members doing odd jobs with their family and friends.
With the set-up in place for a plot that includes both personal relationships and globetrotting adventuring,Final Fantasy 10-3seems poised to deliver an exciting return to the world of Spira. Fans will probably need to wait upwards of a decade before they can actually play it, but plenty ofFinal Fantasygames will be coming out in the meantime to keep them entertained. The question of whetherFinal Fantasy 10-3will mark a return to turn-based combat for the series will also need to be answered consideringSquare Enix’s recent push into the action genre. Questions of gameplay and story alike will hopefully be answered onceFF10-3is confirmed to be entering development.
Final Fantasy 10/10-2 HD Remasteris available now on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
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