2011 was a big year for the Final Fantasy franchise, and while the last remaining hours until 2012 are slipping away (at least in this part of the globe), I feel it appropriate to take a look back throughout the year to recap the major news that the series.

01.18.2011: Square Enix 1st Production Department Premiere.
We first knew this event as the “Fabula Nova Crystallis Conference” but around Jump Festa time in 2010, we got the news that the event would undergo a name change to suit the several additions to the roster. The re-dubbed event featured the reveal of Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance and the newest Dissidia 012: Final Fantasy trailer.

However, the biggest news of the event came after a video detailing the lore of the Fabula Nova Crystallis games. Final Fantasy XIII-2 was unveiled, the second mainline Final Fantasy to receive a videogame sequel. The new title was billed as a “darker and more mysterious” affair than it’s predecessor and would release within the year.

Later on, we were treated to a new trailer for Final Fantasy Agito XIII — but afterwards, director Hajime Tabata announced that the game itself would be getting a name change to Final Fantasy Type-0. Following that, a lengthy trailer of Final Fantasy Versus XIII showed us a healthy dose of cinematics and in-game footage.

We happened to record the event, and you can re-watch it below! (Just skip in a few minutes.)

03.XX.2011: Dissidia 012: Final Fantasy releases.
Dissidia 012: Final Fantasy saw release in all major territories in March, the follow-up the wildly successful PSP title Dissidia: Final Fantasy. The game featured an expanded roster with a new storyline plus the original’s. A new Assist system allowed players to call allies into the fray, as well as an expanded Labyrinth mode. Also of note is that it is the first Final Fantasy to feature downloadable content.

07.06.2011: Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy revealed in Jump.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Final Fantasy series, Square Enix teamed up with designer Monster Octopus and developer indieszero to create Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy. The rhythm-based RPG features music, characters, enemies, and locales from throughout the first thirteen Final Fantasy games. The first Final Fantasy title for Nintendo’s 3DS, it’s set to release in Japan on February 16th, 2012.

09.15.2011: Final Fantasy X HD announced for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita.
While Final Fantasy XIII-2 took the spotlight at Tokyo Game Show, Square Enix executive producer Shinji Hashimoto took the stage at the Sony conference to announce that Final Fantasy X will be coming to the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita in full HD. Final Fantasy series producer Yoshinori Kitase recently commented about the game’s development as being in the early stages, so we might have to get into the meat of 2012 before we hear any more definitive information.

10.14.2011: Final Fantasy XIV Version 2.0 announced for PC and PlayStation 3.
It’s been a tough year for Final Fantasy XIV, as anyone might have guessed. But hey, there’s been a lot of content updates since the October 2010 release that have made the game a lot more enjoyable to play. The team isn’t stopping there though, with director/producer Naoki “Yoshi-P” Yoshida and Square Enix president Yoichi Wada announcing Final Fantasy XIV Version 2.0 in an address directly to players and fans.

Plans include revamps of just about everything in Final Fantasy XIV, causing some to consider this a “re-do”. With the major content updates that have been pushed out in 2011 and the ones that are planned in the coming year, they definitely have the justification to think so. While the 2.0 official client update isn’t scheduled until early 2013, many content updates to the MMORPG have landed or are in the works.

10.27.2011: Final Fantasy Type-0 releases in Japan.
After five long years, Final Fantasy Type-0 (formerly Final Fantasy Agito XIII) released on the PlayStation Portable in Japan. With an overseas version in the works and the PlayStation Vita to consider, it seems that 2012 will also be a year full of Final Fantasy Type-0 news. The game features the exploits of Class Zero & Co. defending their nation from a ruthless dictator’s invasion.

12.15.2011: Final Fantasy XIII-2 releases in Japan.
Final Fantasy XIII-2 released in Japan just this month to a rather sluggish start, managing to post one-third of the original’s first week sales. The game is designed particularly around player choice and involvement, and features a story that expands the Fabula Nova Crystallis lore. Players assume the role of Serah Farron, in search of her older sister Lightning. Newcomer Noel Kreiss guides Serah to the Historia Crux, a time-travelling apparatus that is foundation of the game’s structure.

So all in all, it’s been a rather exciting year! What did you think was the biggest Final Fantasy story of 2011? What do you think will be the biggest story of 2012? Leave us a comment below, and have a Happy New Year!