Theories connecting the Final Fantasy games usually refer to a linear timeline. The timeline has a definite beginning and ending, with games existing on this continuity in chronological order. Question is, which order?

Fans of these theories hesitate to say the order of release. Squaresoft released Final Fantasy VII before Final Fantasy IX. Final Fantasy I – VIII could follow a historical time progression (from medieval to futuristic). So where would Final Fantasy IX fit? Taking the order by release dates assumes Final Fantasy operates by our rules of historical time progression. But in a world of magic, it’s not necessary.

Fans find connections though references. For example:

Final Fantasy II and Final Fantasy IV

• The name Kain (Highwind)
• The town Mysidia

Final Fantasy IV and Final Fantasy VI

• Numbered as Final Fantasy II and III respectively
• The War of the Magi
• Ancient Castle/Baron, Doma/Fabul and other supposed shared locations.

Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy X & X-2

• Pyreflies/Lifestream
• Farplace/Lifestream
• Shinra
• Kazushige Nojima and producer Yoshinori Kitase’s admission

Final Fantasy III and Final Fantasy VIII

• Hein/Hyne
• The Floating Continent/Ultimecia’s Castle
• Clock tower with hands pointing to ‘III’ and ‘VIII’

Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy IX

• Garland
• The Four Fiends
• Mount Gulug/Moung Gulg

Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy VI

• The fight against Sin as the War of the Magi

Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy XIII

• Jenova as a Fal’Cie

Final Fantasy VIII and Final Fantasy X

• Pupu

If each Final Fantasy exists on a similar timeline, then perhaps many of them exist on the same world? Perhaps the map changes occur due to magical cataclysms?

But like all theories, this is just speculation at best. In fact, Hironobu Sakaguchi conceived Final Fantasy as a collection of standalone games with no direct sequels. The only reason fans believe the series has a connection is through the shared tropes and numbering conventions. So what do you think? What connections can you make?