{{Short description|2015 video game}} {{Infobox video game | developer = CROOZ | publisher = [[Square Enix]] | series = ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' | platforms = [[iOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]] | genre = [[MMORPG]] | released = September 30, 2015 | modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]] | image = FF_Grandmasters_cover_art.png | caption = App icon of iOS version | alt = }} '''''Final Fantasy Grandmasters''''' was a [[Mobile game|mobile]] [[Massively multiplayer online role-playing game|MMORPG]] [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] of ''[[Final Fantasy XI]]'', developed by CROOZ and published by [[Square Enix]]. It saw a Japan-only release on September 30, 2015 for [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] following a closed beta that summer.<ref name=":0" /> Part of the "Vana'diel Project", it was initially meant to be a tie-in with ''Rhapsodies of Vana'diel'', at the time meant to be the final major scenario pack for ''FFXI'', and a separate mobile [[remake]] of the original MMO called ''Final Fantasy XI R'' in development from [[Nexon]], then scheduled for release in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=2015-03-19 |title=Square Enix announces the Vana'diel Project, details future plans for Final Fantasy XI |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2015/03/square-enix-announces-the-vanadiel-project-details-future-plans-for-final-fantasy-xi |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}</ref> However, the remake became [[vaporware]], with ''Grandmasters'' the only additional game to be released. It was shut down on April 25, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sato |date=2019-02-25 |title=Final Fantasy Grandmasters' Adventure Comes To An End With An April 25 Service Termination |url=https://www.siliconera.com/final-fantasy-grandmasters-adventure-comes-to-an-end-with-an-april-25-service-termination/ |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=[[Siliconera]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
Taking place in the same fictional world of [[Vana'diel]], the game involved players creating a character as a Hume (human) or one of four other fantasy races, Elvaan, Tarutaru, Mithra, and Galka, all depicted with [[Chibi (style)|chibi]] character models. The player traveled the world by airship in a quest to become the strongest "Grandmaster" adventurer. Meant to give a similar experience as the original game, players could select from a variety of jobs for their character, and engage in [[cooperative multiplayer]] battles against enemies, while communicating with other players using an in-game [[Instant messaging|chat]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-19 |title=スマホ向けオンラインRPG『ファイナルファンタジーグランドマスターズ』が配信決定！ もうひとつのヴァナ・ディールで新しい冒険を |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201503/19074445.html |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=ファミ通.com |language=ja}}</ref>
== Gameplay == The game allowed the player to create and customize a unique player character from one of five races, assigning them a job and equipment. From their home base, the player took quests to hunt monsters in dungeons, gaining experience points. Combat was turn-based, using an [[Active Time Battle]] (ATB) system that gradually recharged a player's action points and allowed them to trigger moves. Up to four players could join a battle in progress without affecting the experience gained. Text chat and emoticons could be used to communicate with other players and organize [[Raid (video games)|raids]].<ref name=":0" />
== Release == By January 2016, the game had surpassed two million downloads. In the same month, Square Enix planned an item giveaway for the subsequent week.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=2016-01-15 |title=Final Fantasy Grandmasters tops two million downloads |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2016/01/final-fantasy-grandmasters-tops-two-million-downloads |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Reception == In a preview, Romendil of ''[[Jeuxvideo.com]]'' rated the game 3/5 points, or "Average". They called one of the game's primary strengths and weaknesses its MMO-style design, causing players to be dependent on the goodwill of others to help them. They criticized a lack of variety with quests, noting they all revolved around hunting down specific monsters, and the "relatively deserted" environments. They summed up their judgement of the game as containing interesting ideas, but also being worryingly repetitive with its missions, stating that it would nevertheless be of interest to fans of the original game.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Romendil |date=2015-10-22 |title=Preview du Final Fantasy Grandmasters: L'expérience MMORPG sur smartphones |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/preview/447164/final-fantasy-grandmasters-l-experience-mmorpg-sur-smartphones.htm |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=[[Jeuxvideo.com]] |language=fr}}</ref>
In a separate preview, Seiichiro Kawasaki of ''[[4Gamer.net]]'' stated that he was not completely satisfied with the game compared to its original incarnation, but that it had a different form of fun. Saying that the game was easily accessible even for those who were not familiar with ''FFXI'', he also praised how easy its party system was to use, the lack of an [[Energy (video gaming)|energy]] system to impede play, and its soundtrack.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kawasaki |first=Seiichiro |date=2015-06-11 |title=「ファイナルファンタジーグランドマスターズ」インプレッション。スマホで冒険するヴァナ・ディールの感触をチェック |url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/295/G029542/20150513043/ |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=[[4Gamer.net]] |language=ja}}</ref> Chris Priestman of ''[[Pocket Gamer]]'' described ''Grandmasters'' as "cute" and expressed the hope that it would be released in the West,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Priestman |first=Chris |date=2015-03-19 |title=[Update] Final Fantasy Grandmasters announced for iOS and Android |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/choose-a-company-final-fantasy-grandmasters/update-final-fantasy-grandmasters-announced-for-ios-and-android/ |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=[[Pocket Gamer]] |language=en}}</ref> but Heath Hindman of ''[[GameRevolution]]'' had a less positive impression of the game, stating that it looked "stupid".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hindman |first=Heath |date=2015-03-19 |title=Final Fantasy XI Not Dead Yet; Last Content Coming May 2015; Also Goes Mobile |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/10558-final-fantasy-xi-ps2-360-versions-ending-date-iphone-mobile |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=[[GameRevolution]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}} {{Final Fantasy series}}
[[Category:2015 video games]] [[Category:Android (operating system) games]] [[Category:Final Fantasy spinoffs|Grandmasters]] [[Category:Free-to-play video games]] [[Category:Inactive massively multiplayer online games]] [[Category:IOS games]] [[Category:Japan-exclusive video games]] [[Category:Massively multiplayer online role-playing games]] [[Category:Online games shut down in 2019]]