The fact I got such a wide range of places just goes to show how good Final Fantasy is with making locations. Even though the following are the runner ups, many of them are pretty fantastic places in their own right.
The Runner Ups (1 Vote)
IV Tower of Babel
Mysidia (IV)
VI
Zozo
Floating Continent
VII
Gold Saucer
Icicle Inn
VIII
Winhill
Esthar City
Ultimecia's Castle
IX
Burmecia
Treno
Cleyra
Memoria
Lindblum
Chocobo Forest
X
Mi'hen Highroad
Besaid
XI
Windhurst
XII
Henne Mines
Rabanastre
The Pharos
Bhujerba
XIII
Gapra Whitewoods
XIV
Kugane
X-2
Via Infinito
Third Place (2 Votes)
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Altissia, The City on the Water (Final Fantasy XV)
Or as I like to call it, Fantasy Venice. I'm not surprised this location made it here as it got the most PR all the way back when this game was still called Versus XIII, and unlike Insomnia, you actually get to really explore this location. With its gorgeous vistas, plenty of fishing, and the biggest story moments, Altissia is a really memorable locations. Especially for players who got their first taste of Jedi Yoda Tonberries or VI fans losing their trout at the Chadarnook Quest. It also has a pretty unique theme too:
It's interesting how Square placed a lot of emphasis on the starting locations in the PS1 era. While Alexandria in IX never reached the same heights as Midgar, Balamb Garden is one of the most iconic locations in FFVIII. Helped by the fact its one of your first vehicles. Balamb Garden is a place most VIII fans will spend most of their time in, especially if they go after sidequests like the CC Card Club or explore Zell's relationship with the girl at the Library. The theme song is very peaceful and actually uses musical stylings reminiscent of Japanese school bells.
I'm actually surprised this made it this far. I didn't imagine anyone else would vote for it besides me. Vector to me is an interesting contrast from all the previous locations in VI, taking the steampunk aesthetics of Figaro Castle and Narshe and pushing it into dystopian extremes. This is also the moment the gloves come off in the game proper as we learn the truth about Magitek Research, can get some insight into Kefka's origins, fight some insane enemies that are going to punish you if you haven't been properly learning magic, and we finally get to see the face of the enemy we had only heard about for so long. The main theme of the place is also great and imposing.
This one caught me a little by surprise. I figured someone would vote for it, but I didn't imagine it would get as far as it did. Personal feelings aside, it makes sense Cosmo Canyon would make it on this list as there are few locations within FF itself that are similar, and it works as a stark contrast to Midgar. Helped by the fact it has some great music attached to it and is the hometown of everyones fan favorite dog boy Nanaki. Personally, I love finally getting to hear Lifestream and The Great Warrior when I come here.
Okay, of all the entries, this one surprised me the most. I could see Cosmo Canyon cause it has great music and a lot of people have a soft spot for Red XIII, but I wasn't expecting this place to rank as high as it did. In terms of atmosphere, it is a very distinct place, so I'll give it that with the great use of blues and pyreflies. Its home to the Butterfly Catching sidequest if that's your thing, and this is also the lcoation to get the Celestial Mirror for Ultimate Weapons. Course I imagien this place stays in most people's minds for the iconic "love scene" between Tidus and Yuna. It's theme song is both calming and haunting at the same time.
To no ones surprise, Midgar easily cinched this category and who can blame anyone? Its the most iconic location in the series at this point. Based off of the original plans for Disney's Epcot Center, Midgar is a dystopian corporate city with a not so subtle social commentary in its design. You spend roughly the first ten hours of the game exploring this collassal city, and the Remake is going to ectend that into the 30+ range. Its not a surprise that so many of VII's most monumental moments are all here in this place. While the city has several themes, I feel the theme that introduced everyone in 1997 to this city is the most iconic as it displays the cities grandeur.
Last edited by Wolf Kanno; 03-20-2020 at 09:30 PM.
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