A fantasy is a situation imagined by an individual that expresses certain desires or aims at the part of its creator. Fantasies sometimes involve situations that are highly unlikely, or they may be quite realistic.
That is, each of the main characters has a “final fantasy” they want to accomplish before the game ends. In this case, each of the main characters imagined a situation they saw themselves in and went about achieving it.
Final Fantasy I, II and III are pretty difficult to categorize. Maybe with Final Fantasy II, we have Firion’s desire to see peace. But even then, his personality isn’t nearly as defined to focus on his fantasy. Same with Luneth and the Warrior of Light.
Final Fantasy IV, V, and V start to form fantasies in their main characters. Their main protagonists have character arcs. Cecil’s fantasy was seeking redemption. Bartz’s fantasy was to explore the world AND be in a harem. Terra’s fantasy was to find love in a loveless world and seek an end to all of the violence.
For Final Fantasy VII especially, Cloud’s fantasy was about living up to an ideal and seeking approval from it.
We used to have a popular theory about Squall’s fantasy, before it was retired by Kitase. But Squall’s actual fantasy was seeking friends who wouldn’t abandon him. I think he secretly liked his friend’s approval.
Zidane’s fantasy was finding a place to call his home. Tidus’ was, unconsciously, finding the approval of his father. Vaan’s was to be a sky pirate. Lightning’s was to find her sister, a sister who couldn’t get approval from her.
Final Fantasy XV is a “fantasy based in reality”. But I’m not sure what Noctis actual fantasy was, aside from the approval of his bros. Maybe it was also about marrying Luna? Ruling a kingdom? Putting an end to the Empire’s violence rule? Approval from his dad?
I’ll say it was to fish. Noctis’ fantasy was to fish. He got to fish a lot in that game.
Each of the games ends with their fantasies realized.
I notice that for Nomura’s titles, the fantasy is “seeking approval” to something of the sort. And like every developer, Nomura wants approval from us the fans.