Most Emotional Battles In Final Fantasy

Given the story-driven approach of most Final Fantasy games, it’s easy to see why emotions can reach numerous highs throughout these epic adventures. Thankfully, most players love encounters that are full of emotional weight and mark a major turning point in the narrative.

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Many of the best battles in Final Fantasy manage to evoke a ton of emotions in players, even in instances where they may not be inputting any commands. This shows how strong storytelling can elevate even the simplest battles to become something very special. Though there are many to choose from, these are among the most emotional battles in the Final Fantasy series.

8

Clive Vs. Ultima

Clive Puts It All On The Line To Save The World

Systems

Released

June 22, 2023

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence

After uncovering Ultima’s diabolical plans, Clive, Dion, and Joshua decide to launch one final assault on the godlike entity. While his two companions fall during this battle, Clive remains standing and decides to use the will and hope of humanity to conquer Ultima in a final fight for the ages.

While this villain is challenging to deal with, Clive grits his teeth and comes out victorious at the end of a grueling encounter spanning multiple phases. With the sacrifices of his friends still weighing heavily on his heart, the protagonist decides to use his newfound power to destroy the final Mothercrystal and eradicate magic from the world, even though doing so seems to come at the cost of his life.

7

Cecil & Friends Vs. Cagnazzo

Cecil Finds Out His Adoptive Father Is Dead And Fights The Murderer

Released

July 19, 1991

ESRB

e

After clearing his doubts at the top of Mt. Ordeals and becoming a Paladin, Cecil decides to head back to Baron Castle and face off against his adoptive father once and for all. The answers he gets clear his father of any crimes, but this comes a major cost.

It turns out that the King of Baron had been killed by the Archfield Cagnazzo, who took over his place and sent the Red Wings on horrid quests to steal the Crystals. After this revelation, Cecil decides to avenge his adoptive father’s death by taking on Cagnazzo then and there in an emotional boss battle where the stakes are higher than ever.

6

Tidus & Friends Vs. Braska’s Final Aeon

Tidus Finally Reunites With His Father, Albeit Not In The Manner He Expected

Systems

Released

December 17, 2001

ESRB

T for Teen: Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence

Throughout Final Fantasy 10, it’s made clear time and time again that Tidus harbors resentment towards his father. However, even he wouldn’t have wished for Jecht to become an aeon, which is what made the penultimate boss fight so emotional.

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During the climax, players take on a gigantic form of Jecht who can use powerful attacks to decimate the party. Unless players have grinded to get and perfect the Celestial Weapons for each character, engaging in this battle at this point in the game will be genuinely challenging, further adding to the emotions players are likely to feel.

5

Tellah Vs. Golbez

In A Bid To Seek Revenge, Tellah Draws From His Life Force To Cast Meteor

All Tellah wanted was to secure Anna’s well-being, but he failed as Golbez’ assault on Damcyan leads to her demise. He swears vengeance on this villain, even though he’s long past his prime and boasts a ridiculously low MP pool.

So, when he faces off against Golbez, Tellah decides to throw caution to the wind in a cinematic battle where he uses his life force to cast Meteor multiple times. While he manages to injure Golbez, his life ebbs away as he fails to achieve his goal, passing over his quest for vengeance to Cecil as he dies in an emotional moment.

4

Galuf Halm Baldesion Vs. Exdeath

The Former Warrior Of Light Sacrifices Himself To Save His Granddaughter

Released

December 6, 1992

ESRB

T For Teen due to Mild Fantasy Violence, Partial Nudity

Galuf learns a lot of things about himself after the heroes travel to his home world. He remembers his granddaughter, and the two reunite after ages, but their happiness was destined to be cut short.

After the Warriors of Light are ambushed by Exdeath, Krile jumps into the fray to save them. Exdeath doesn’t take kindly to this interruption and launches a powerful attack that could’ve killed her. Galuf, unwilling to stand by as his granddaughter died, breaks free from the binds tying him down and takes on Exdeath in a solo battle where he has no chance of surviving. He’s beaten down by Exdeath but manages to save everyone in a final heroic act, with his death traumatizing the Warriors of Light before Krile decides to replace him and take on Exdeath in her grandfather’s place.

3

Noctis Lucis Caelum Vs. Ardyn Izunia

Noctis Makes The Ultimate Sacrifice To Destroy Ardyn’s Evil Presence For Good

Released

November 9, 2016

ESRB

T for Teen: Language, Mild Blood, Partial Nudity, Violence

Despite the problems plaguing Final Fantasy 15, most people will agree that this title achieves many emotional highs courtesy of how well the bond is sold between the main group. This makes it all the more tearful for the friends to bid farewell to Noctis, knowing what he has to do.

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He decides to take Ardyn on in an epic final battle where the fate of the world is on the line. Even after taking out the villain’s body, Noctis realizes that he needs to give up his own body and soul to the Ring of the Lucii so that he can take out the source of Ardyn’s evil once and for all. If this sacrifice wasn’t already powerful enough, the game ends with a flashback before the final act where Noctis declares his love for his friends in an emotional scene that will leave many in tears.

2

Tidus & Friends Vs. Yunalesca

The First Major Step To End The Cycle Of Violence Plaguing Spira

Words aren’t enough to describe just how powerful Final Fantasy 10‘s storytelling is, and this is especially evident during the moments before the party decides to take on Yunalesca. This legendary summoner had trapped Spira in a cycle of violence, but Tidus, Yuna, and the rest of the group decided to renounce this goal and go against the tradition of the Final Summoning.

What follows is a tough and cinematic boss battle where players must face a tricky Yunalesca who can inflict instant death on the entire party if they aren’t careful. It’s an amazing battle where the emotions are at an all-time high, marking the biggest step the heroes had taken to free themselves from a destructive cycle.

1

Cloud & Friends Vs. Jenova Life

A Battle That Occurs Right After An Emotional Moment That Will Leave Fans Drained

Released

January 31, 1997

ESRB

T for Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes

Aerith’s death in Final Fantasy 7 marks one of the most shocking moments in the series, and what makes things worse is how players don’t even get the time to process it properly. After she dies, Sephiroth forces the party to fight against another part of Jenova as the game’s emotional theme continues in the background.

Jenova Life is a truly tear-jerking encounter because of how jarring it is. Most players will want to get past this boss as soon as possible to get to Aerith and give her the sendoff she deserves.

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