Best Final Fantasy Villains Who Survive

It likely won’t surprise players to learn that most antagonists in the Final Fantasy series don’t get to survive the final encounter. This includes some of the best villains of the series who refuse to change their ways, and must be put down in an amazing battle for the ages.

This makes it all the more notable when certain antagonists in the series end up with their lives intact by the time the series is over. Some of these villains may have a change of heart, while others just get lucky, allowing them to survive where others have fallen.

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7

Seifer Almasy

Redeems Himself Near The End Of The Game

It’s hard not to hate Seifer from the moment Final Fantasy 8 starts. He has it out for Squall, bullies Zell regularly, and becomes Edea’s knight in a betrayal that was both shocking and expected at the same time.

However, it turns out that he was being manipulated behind the scenes, and may have taken a different course of action without this outside influence. After all, he did turn over a new leaf and help Squall and the heroes near the end of the game when they had to reach Ultimecia’s twisted dimension and defeat her for good.

6

Rufus Shinra

Stands In Cloud’s Way Before The Stakes Get Even Higher

Systems

Released

February 29, 2024

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Rufus is one of the most interesting characters in Final Fantasy 7, taking over his father’s position as President after he’s killed by Sephiroth. What follows is a memorable and challenging boss battle where players must face off against Rufus and his pet in a solo battle with Cloud.

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His imposing presence endures throughout the game until a pivotal moment when Diamond Weapon blasts the upper floors of the Shinra building, leading everyone to believe that he’d died. However, his appearance in Advent Children made it clear that he had somehow survived this deadly attack.

5

Golbez

Cecil’s Brother Was Being Manipulated By Zemus

Final Fantasy 4 features a compelling story, with Golbez serving as the antagonist for the majority of this adventure. However, it’s not until the end of the game that it’s revealed that this character is being controlled by Zemus from the moon.

Golbez expresses regret for his actions, and Cecil is overjoyed to finally bond with his brother. At this point, he stops being a villain and survives to see the happy ending that Cecil and his friends fight for in the final battle against Zeromus.

4

The Turks

Stylish Rivals Who Eventually Help The Heroes

The Turks are some of the most interesting antagonists in the Final Fantasy franchise. This group is full of charismatic individuals who are hired by Shinra to make life difficult for Cloud and his group during their quest to save the world.

However, after the party lands in Midgar once again, the Turks help them out and let them reach Hojo to give this mad scientist the beatdown he deserves. It was a refreshing moment that redeemed the Turks. Players cheered the fact that they survived to the end despite the many problems they caused early on in Final Fantasy 7.

3

Ultros

Leaves His Life Of Villainy In The World Of Ruin

An entertaining octopus who hounds the party multiple times in the World of Balance, Ultros is a rare example of a recurring boss that players look forward to fighting every single time. He may be dangerous, but his goofy personality ensures that these encounters don’t get boring.

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After his final fight against the party where he teamed up with Typhon, Ultros decides to live a less dangerous life in the World of Ruin. He can later be found working in the Dragon’s Neck Coliseum, making for a hilarious reunion where he declares that he has renounced his evil ways.

2

Whispers

The Arbiters Of Fate Who Appear To Enforce Destiny

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Final Fantasy 7 Remake

Systems

Released

April 10, 2020

Developer(s)

Square Enix Business Division 1

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

One of the most contentious additions in Final Fantasy 7 Remake, many players wondered what the true purpose of the Whispers was in the game. It turns out that the remake follows a different continuity, where these creatures appear to ensure that events occur as ordained by destiny.

This may make the story of the remake even wilder than before, but fans won’t mind since they can always go back to the original game to enjoy its narrative instead. As things stand, the Whispers show no sign of fading away in Final Fantasy 7‘s remade trilogy and will play a major role until the very end.

1

Edea Kramer

Manipulated By An Even More Powerful Figure

Edea is a sinister sorceress who causes no end of problems for Squall and Co in FF8. The fact that she ended up impaling the hero after their climactic battle in Deling City was a shocking moment. This eventually popularized the Squall is Dead fan theory that has been making the rounds.

However, it’s not until Ultimecia’s manipulations are revealed that players learn the truth about Edea. She was the matron for everyone in the orphanage and eventually reunited with her kids before a final confrontation for the ages against the time-warping sorceress who served as the true antagonist of Final Fantasy 8.

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Final Fantasy

Creation Year

1987

Developer(s)

Square Enix

Publisher(s)

Square Enix