Star Trekis one of the biggest franchises in pop culture history, and it is not surprising that this Sci-Fi classic is often referenced in other mediums. From other television shows, movies, and video games, Star Trek is often a source of inspiration in the creative process.
RELATED:Final Fantasy Games Ranked From Shortest To Longest
It is not rare to see references and homages to Star Trek characters and lore in other science-fiction IPs.Square Enix’smega-franchise,Final Fantasy, is no different, with a chockfull of nods to the former found in various entries of the legendary JRPG series.
7The Enterprise (Final Fantasy 3 & 4)
A signature element in pretty much every Final Fantasy game is the eventualprocurement of an airship, usually mid-game. Final Fantasy 3 gives us a ship called The Enterprise, which is obtained at a certain point in the story with the help of an artifact called The Wheel of Time, that will transform the ship into an airship.
The Enterprise is a nod to Star Trek’s signature spaceship, the USS Enterprise. While this reference is somewhat debated as there is a famous real-world American Carrier ship of the same name, the fact that it will transform into a flying vehicle does give credence to it being a Star Trek reference as well.
6A Shipwrecked Vessel That Mirrors Another Ill-Fated Ship (Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn)
InFinal Fantasy 14, you can find a shipwrecked vessel in the Rasen Kaikyo area, located in the Ruby Sea. The underwater landmark is the last resting place of the Kobayashi Maru. If you know your basic Star Trek lore, then you are familiar with that name.
RELATED:The Best JRPG Airships
The Kobayashi Maru is a simulation exercise for cadets of the Starfleet Academy in Star Trek. This test puts cadets in a no-win scenario wherein they are tasked with saving a downed Starfleet freighter within enemy territory.
5Enterprise Excelsior… Engage! (Final Fantasy 14: Heavensward)
Final Fantasy 14 also pays homage to the iconic spaceship, the Enterprise Excelsior. As ‘Trekkies’ will undoubtedly notice, Final Fantasy 14 takes an extra step in referencing the famous science-fiction vessel.
Initially just called The Enterprise, it was later upgraded to The Enterprise Excelsior. For non-Star Trek fans, theExcelsior is a class of spaceshipthat The Enterprise is classified as. Finally, “engage” is the catchphrase of Jean-Luc Picard, the second-most popular captain of the USS Enterprise.
4Quests Alluding To Star Trek Lore (Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn)
Besides referencing well-known elements of Star Trek, Final Fantasy also alluded to a couple of fan-favorite episodes and films from the expansive franchise. The side quests “Trouble with Truffles” and “The Wrath of Qarn” are obvious allusions to a beloved episode and movie entry from the Star Trek franchise.
“Trouble with Truffles” is a clear reference to the episode of the same name from the second season of the popular space adventure series. While “Wrath of Qarn” is a play on the movie Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan.
3To Boldly Go (Final Fantasy 15)
One of the main quest lines ofFinal Fantasy 15has Noctis traveling around Eos to obtain the powers of past Kings of Lucis. Their tombs holdArmigers, or Royal Arms, which are powerful mystical weapons that will aid you as you progress throughout the game. One particular and noteworthy Royal Arm is the Sword of the Wanderer.
RELATED:Why Is There A Cid In Every Final Fantasy Game?
The description for this Royal Arms includes the line “A king was quick like the wind and went where no man had gone before,” a line that echoes the phrase from the opening title sequence of the original Star Trek series, “To boldly go where no man has gone before.” In addition, the Swords of the Wanderer have a striking resemblance to the Bat’leth, a traditional Klingon-bladed weapon.
2Villains United By A Common Quote (Final Fantasy 9)
Final Fantasy 9is packed with some of themost challenging bosses in the series, including the three deadly black mages called the Black Waltz. These bosses hound Zidane and the crew throughout the game, and one that sticks to mind is Black Waltz 2, thanks in part to his interaction before the battle.
In the game, the Black Waltz 2 will threaten the heroes with the phrase “Resistance is futile!” - a phrase that is all too familiar to Star Trek fans. In Star Trek, The Borg is a terrifying group of alien hive-mind cyborgs with a techno-totalitarian regime who wish to assimilate all living organisms in the universe. The Borg’s catchphrase is “Resistance is futile; you will be assimilated.”
1I’m A Doctor! (Final Fantasy 9)
Final Fantasy 9 is as different in aesthetics and setting from Star Trek as it gets, but it has one of the most obvious references to the latter. During your third visit to Lindblum, when asked to collect three unique potions to help Cid transform back to his human form, you will meet a rather grumpy man near the air cab in the Commercial District who quotes another irritable character from Star Trek.
The NPC simply called ‘Supervisor’ is wearing green clothes. When you ask him about potions, he will snap back at you, stating, “Dammit, Jim! I’m a doctor, not a miracle worker! Ask somebody else.” This is a clear reference to The Enterprise’s Dr. Leonard H. “Bones” McCoy.
