Most RPGs tend to have crafting systems nowadays which can largely be attributed to the fandom of the non-RPG hit,Minecraft. Crafting had existed in games long beforeMinecraftthough and even staples in the RPG genre likeFinal Fantasyhave had them for years or at least since the late 90s.
One odd example can be seen inFinal Fantasy 10with Rikku. In battle, she has a unique command called Mix. For example, she can make an Elixir by combining an Antidote and an Ability Sphere. It’s a cool skill for combat but not quite the robust crafting system some players may be looking for. These other examples should suffice.
Final Fantasy 8was one of the first games in the series to introduce a crafting system for weapons. In the game, players could collect magazines called Weapons Monthly. Getting magazines would unlockweapon upgrades in shopsbut they also required materials.
For example, Squall’s ultimate weapon, Lionheart, required players to find Weapons Monthly 1st Issue, Adamantine, Dragon Fangs, and Pulse Ammo. Getting materials was as easy as fighting enemies but the magazines were typically more hidden. There were also fewer weapons per character than other entries in the series.
The sequel,Final Fantasy 9, went more in-depth on a crafting system. Called Synthesis, players could wander into specific shops to combine old equipment to get new stuff. For example, the Butterfly Sword was aweapon of Zidane’sand it could be synthesized by combining a Dagger and a Mage Masher.
Synthesized weapons were often stronger and had rare abilities attached that characters could equip perhaps earlier than normal in the game. The Butterfly Sword had What’s That?! which was a back attack and Protect Girls which had Zidane cover female party members when in danger.
Final Fantasy 15didn’t have much of an equipment-based crafting system. The better crafting system was the cooking feature. At camp, Ignis could make the party food which would boost stats. The Fried Rookie on Rice, for example, could be made by combining a Birdbeast Egg, Saxham Rice, and a Sweet Pepper.
Fried Rookie on Rice would boost attack power, and HP, and prevent the party from being poisoned. Powering up on food before a big boss or side quest is similar to how food plays a big role in theMonster Hunterseries.
Final Fantasy 16had a fairly basic crafting systembut it was necessary to beef Clive up. Clive was the only playable character in the game but he had AI-based party members. At home base, players could use the smithy to get equipment or upgrade gear.
For example, a good sword in the game, the Diamond Sword, could be made from Bloody Hides, Imperial Links, and Whitewyrm Bones. The rarest materials were linked to side quests, making it necessary for players to engage with everything to get strong fast.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthimproved a lot overFinal Fantasy 7 Remakelike by adding this crafting system for items and gear. As players made more items, their crafting level would increase. Once increased, more recipes would show up on the board. The best part was that players could craft whenever and wherever they wanted, removing the need for vendors. For example, one of thebest accessories inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the Karmic Cowl, could be made with Marjoram, Exquisite Beast Hides, and a Tonberry King’s Robe which negates instant death attacks.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7was one of two big prequels on the PSP from Square Enix. This one starred Zack, the SOLDIER Cloud mirrored in the main game. The other PSP prequel wasKingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep.
Besides the prequel factor, both games are linked because they had fusion systems for magic. InCrisis Core: Final Fantasy 7, players could combine Materiato make new spells. For example, Fire and Thunder could make Blizzard, which was a fun way for players to experiment with magic, unlike the original game wherein Materia was just Materia.
Final Fantasy 15’srecipe system could have been inspired by the Monster Hunter games butFinal Fantasy Explorerswas the full package. Players could customize their avatar and their starting Job like a mage or knight.
Afterward, players could go into missions to loot materials to get stronger. Go out, fight monsters, go back and make gear to get stronger, and repeat. A Falchion, for example, could be crafted with a Heavy Carapace, a Spellcast Iron, and a Vicious Fang. It was a lot of the same fights but co-op made the repetition less awkward.
It should come as no surprise that an MMO has the best crafting system.Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Rebornhas eight craft-based Jobsincluding Carpenter, Leatherworker, Weaver, Alchemist, Armorer, Blacksmith, Goldsmith, and Culinarian. There are three gathering Jobs too like Miner, Botanist, and Fisher.
It’s easier to make things like armor and weapons if players co-op with either a crafting Job or a gathering Job.Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Rebornis great because of Jobs like these so that the game is not all about fighting. It’s about living in an enriched fantasy world and hanging out with friends and that’s what the crafting systems help promote.
