Best Friendships In Final Fantasy Games

Summary

• Bonds and friendships between characters are a key focus in Final Fantasy games, adding depth to the storytelling.
• Characters like Firion and Leon, Zidane and Vivi, and Cecil and Kain showcase complex relationships that evolve throughout the game.
• Each friendship in Final Fantasy has its own unique dynamic, adding emotional depth and complexity to the overall gaming experience.

Final Fantasy is one of the most popular JRPG franchises of all time, with the bulk of its games focusing on character-driven stories where a band of heroes save the day by any means necessary. So, as one would expect, several bonds and relationships are formed between characters during these adventures.

From sibling rivalries to love triangles and everything in between, Final Fantasy is no stranger to complex relationships. This includes friendships that develop on-screen and become the best part of their respective games.

8

Firion & Leon

A Friendship With Many Twists And Turns

It’s a shame that Final Fantasy 2‘s gameplay makes it somewhat inaccessible for many fans, especially since they’re missing out on an excellent story as a result. Firion, Maria, Guy, and Leon are orphans who form a familial bond with each other, only for them to split up after an attack by the Empire.

Leon becomes a Dark Knight serving the Emperor, fighting his friends multiple times during their adventures before eventually joining the heroes. It’s clear that his friendship with Firion is frayed as a result, but the hero has no problem welcoming his best friend with open arms regardless of the history they share.

7

Zidane Tribal & Vivi Ornitier

These Unlikely Friends Form A Strong Bond That Ends On A Tragic Note

Zidane is a knave who revels in his thievery, but he’s forced to grow up after being embroiled in a series of events that threaten the very existence of the world itself. He meets several valuable allies along the way, including Vivi.

This mysterious character forms a beautiful friendship with Zidane, only to figure out that his life as a Black Mage is incredibly short compared to a human. It’s a shame that Zidane’s emotions aren’t shown after his friend passes away, but the moments they share during this grand adventure make it clear that the duo would move Heaven and Earth for each other.

6

Shadow & Interceptor

The Bond Between This Assassin And His Dog Is Unmatched

A dog is a man’s best friend, and nowhere is this saying more appropriate than in Final Fantasy 6. Shadow is a brooding and mysterious rogue who refuses to go out of his way for anyone but his dog, Interceptor.

The duo have traveled the world and become steadfast friends as a result, with Interceptor being fiercely protective of Shadow. Watching Shadow send his loyal hound away at the end of the game to finally move on and meet his friend in the afterlife is a heartbreaking moment, especially given how unwilling Interceptor is to leave his companion behind.

5

Squall Leonhart & Zell Dincht

Squall’s Moody Personality Is Offset By Zell’s Upbeat Attitude

Squall can be a tough protagonist to like, especially given how he loves to ignore one of his closest friends, Zell. He’s the perfect foil for Squall’s personality, countering his brooding nature with his upbeat and loud personality.

He eventually wears Squall down and becomes one of his closest friends, with the revelation of their history in the orphanage deepening their bonds further. Squall and Zell may be polar opposites in terms of their personalities, but this is perhaps why fans can’t get enough of them.

4

Cecil Harvey & Kain Highwind

A Tumultuous Friendship Corrupted By Zemus’ Mind Control

Cecil and Kain are established as close friends at the start of Final Fantasy 4, but it’s clear that all is not as it seems. It eventually becomes evident that Kain harbors feelings for Rosa, a woman who loves Cecil.

This, coupled with Zemus’ mind-control shenanginans, made it easy to manipulate Kain into fighting the party numerous times in Final Fantasy 4. However, he eventually gets over his insecurities and is forgiven by Cecil, joining his friend on an epic adventure to save the world from the Lunarians.

3

Balthier & Fran

These Sky Pirates Have Enjoyed A Long And Fruitful Partnership

Balthier and Fran make their bonds evident from the very moment they debut together in Final Fantasy 12. Vaan, the player’s eyes at the beginning of the story, is enraptured by these Sky Pirates, given that his dream is to become one, too.

Their partnership makes it clear that Balthier and Fran are close friends who look out for each other more often than not. The way they support one another helped them to become legendary Sky Pirates. On top of that, they were also willing to take part in a quest to save Dalmasca from invading forces, further highlighting their strong bond.

2

Cloud Strife & Zack Fair

A Friendship With An Ending So Traumatic That It Rewired Cloud’s Brain

Cloud is one of the most iconic video game protagonists of all time, with his memories being compromised well before the game even starts. After being forced to undergo inhumane experiments by Hojo, he was saved by his friend Zack, a SOLDIER who did everything in his power to escape the encroaching forces of Shinra.

Players familiar with Crisis Core will know the bond that Cloud shares with Zack, culminating in a tearful sacrifice as Zack lays his life down to save his friend. The trauma of his friend’s death, coupled with his mako poisoning, causes Cloud to take on Zack’s memories, erasing any presence of this SOLDIER in his mind until Tifa helps him see the light once again.

1

Noctis Lucis Caelum, Gladiolus Amicitia, Ignis Scientia, & Prompto Argentum

Arguably The Most Fleshed-Out And Believable Group Of Friends In A Final Fantasy Game

As flawed as Final Fantasy 15 may be, one thing that fans can give it a ton of credit for is the bond shared by Noctis and his allies. While Brotherhood: Final Fantasy 15 does a great job of fleshing out their relationships, people need only jump into the game and enjoy the relentless banter of this group to understand how close they are.

Gladio, Prompto, and Ignis are three of the closest friends that Noct has the privilege of knowing, which is what makes the final stretch of the game so emotional. Players can always look at the photos that Prompto took along the way to relive a grand adventure before bidding goodbye to the world of Final Fantasy 15 once and for all, but doing so is likely to bring a tear to one’s eye.