Summary
Final Fantasyis a series full to the brim with some of the most iconic video game moments of all time.The recurring summons, enemies, spells, characters, items, and other such elements help this franchise maintain its iconic status, even if the modern trajectory of this series has been rocky at times.
One trope thatFinal Fantasyplays around with time and time again is the idea of players being thrust into a battle they have no hope of winning. It’s meant to show the gulf in power between them and their foes orset up a cinematic momentthat helps progress the stories of each game so that they stand out even more.
Final Fantasy Type-0has its fair share of amazing boss fights that make the most of its real-time combat, but there’s one boss that players fight who can’t be defeated via traditional means in their first playthrough.Shinryu Celestiais a ridiculously powerful boss who wastes no time smashing players with a few hits.
Class Zero may lose the battleagainst this foe, but a savior arrives in the form of Bahamut ZERO. Players must cast Tera Flare with this eidolon to end the fight against Shinryu Celestia. In New Game+, Class Zero can attempt to defeat this boss legitimately with their improved stats, but it’s still far from a straightforward battle and requires pinpoint reflexes and powerful attacks to come out victorious.
Final Fantasy 4starts on a strong note, with Cecil andKain being fooledinto killing an eidolon, who protected the town of Mist, and unleashing bombs on the town. Their first transgression leads to the death ofRydia’smother, who is incensed at the actions of the duo and takes them on in combat.
Most people assume that she’s just acting out and has no power to speak of, only for her to summon Titan and cause a landslide that splits her and Cecil from Kain. It’s an incredible moment in the early goings ofFinal Fantasy 4that demonstrates its narrative-heavy focus.
The advent of the World of Ruin inFinal Fantasy 6is one of the most memorable video game moments of all time,compelling Celes to reunite the gangand take out Kefka. This is easier said than done, with people like Terra trying to move and save lives on a smaller scale.
However,Humbaba’sappearance makes it clear that these demons will continue to terrorize the land unless the heroes do something about it. After multiple confrontations against Humbaba (some of which are unwinnable), Terra understands what needs to be done and rejoins the party to put an end to Kefka’s nightmarish reign once and for all.
Final Fantasy 16’saction-packed combat isn’t all that challenging, with players easily walking through most of the encounters in the game without too many issues. However, there’s one fight in the main story that shows just how tough the combat can be if allowed to truly challenge players.
BattlingBarnabas, aka. Odin, after he cleaves the ocean in two with his Zantetsuken is an incredible backdrop for a fight, but players soon learn that they’re in for a rough time when Clive is unable to stop him from using Iron Flash to end the battle. It’s a scripted moment meant toshow off Barnabas' power, which is what makes the subsequent fight against Odin such a blast. In this fight, players can handle this imposing foe once and for all after a lengthy, challenging battle that is arguably tougher than the final fight against Ultima.
Edeais a sorceress whose motivations inFinal Fantasy 8are left unclear for the longest time. The first battle against her is far from simple, and players who feel like they have the upper hand on this character will sing a different tune when an FMV starts where she impales Squall with an Ice Spike to end the battle.
The hero eventually recovers, and the party finds out that Edea was being manipulated behind the scenes by Ultimecia. Still, that doesn’t take anything away from the brutal manner in which she defeats Squall, which has led to the creation of one of the most infamous video game fan theories of all time.
Encounters meant to troll players can become quite memorable if executed properly, and such is the case inDissidia 012 Final Fantasy.If players confidently state that they are experts at this game, then they’re promptly humbled with a battle against the game’s superboss.
Feral Chaosis no joke, and is a hard nut to crack even if players fight him legitimately, so it’s easy to see why using a Level 1 Lightning to try and beat this foe is nothing more than an exercise in futility. They’re meant to lose, as the game is punishing them for being too cocky for their own good.
Final Fantasy 9isa love letter to fans of the series, with its characters being just one of the many aspects that help this title stand out as one of the greatest video games ever made. One such personality who has a major impact on the narrative, despite technically standing against the player more often than not, isBeatrix.
This trusted warrior is ordered by Queen Brahne to hunt down the heroes every step of the way, showing off her might in a string of unwinnable battles that make her one of the strongestFinal Fantasycharacters of all time. Steiner’s affection for this character is clear as day, making it a feel-good moment for the ages when the duo finally team up after she’d whooped the party into shape numerous times before.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7is one of the greatest video game spin-offs ever made. The sheer amount of effort put into fleshing out Zack’s adventures prior to the events of the main game is incredible, with the final fight sticking a knife in players' hearts.
Realizing that Cloud is in no state to move, Zack is forced to make a final stand against the Shinra Troopers pursuing him. Try as he might, these soldiers are stubborn and don’t stop shooting at Zack, with the battle eventually ending when his Digital Mind Wave breaks down and he is unable to continue, departing from the world in one of the most emotional endings in anyFinal Fantasygame.
