The Final Fantasy series rose from nothing to become a worldwide phenomenon. While some fantastic RPGs predate the series, few genre entries have become as iconic and beloved. These timeless adventures have inspired generations.
The debate over which entry in the series in the very best will surely never end, but one thing’s for sure: the story is always a crucial factor. Deep, enthralling, emotional plots are a Final Fantasy speciality, but which games tied up those plots the best and which missed the mark (for a variety of reasons)? Here are some of the highlights –and possible low points— of the series’ endings.
10 BEST: Final Fantasy 7: The Fate Of The World
The ending of the original Final Fantasy VII was one heck of a ride. The gauntlet through the Northern Cave, the final showdown with fan-favorite villain Sephiroth… it was about as cinematic as gaming got back in 1997. The conflict between Cloud and Sephiroth ultimately became the conflict of the planet itself versus humanity and their influence upon the natural world.
As Bugenhagen asks during the course of the game, are people good for the planet, or bad? Taken in a vacuum, the ending (in which Red XIII and his children dash past a mouldering Midgar), leaves that decision unclear, which is super thought-provoking and ties in with some of the central themes of the game: corporate greed and the importance of preserving natural resources.
9 WORST: Final Fantasy XIII-2: When The True Ending Is The Bleakest Of All
One of the most divisive series entries has proven to be Final Fantasy XIII, which suffered from issues such as linearity and a bit of a muddled plot. With Final Fantasy XIII-2, this issue was only compounded, with a whole array of paradox endings available depending on the player’s actions throughout the game.
The most objectionable ending of all, perhaps, is the one that awaits players who take the time to fully complete the game. After all of this effort, surely some kind of positive ending is unlocked? Sadly not. The reward is an extra scene in which Caius celebrates the fact that the game’s heroes did exactly what he wanted and eradicated the goddess.
8 BEST: Final Fantasy Tactics: Delita, Ramza And Ovelia, Oh My!
Being as successful as it has, it’s no surprise that a huge range of spin-offs have been released bearing (and sometimes not bearing) the Final Fantasy name. One of the most popular has been Final Fantasy Tactics, a game that blended tactical strategy gameplay with a classic plot worthy of the series.
Its conclusion was far from bright and positive, but it was incredibly poignant. Delita assuming the throne, his killing of Ovelia and the depths of his grief, Ramza’s unimportance in the eyes of history… it’s an ending that profoundly affects some of the major and minor players and offers some all-important closure.
7 WORST: Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII: You Thought You Were Ready, But You Weren’t
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII is another side story to the main series, a PSP prequel to the 1997 classic that took players to unfamiliar (at the time) action RPG territory. It’s a crucial part of the overarching saga of the seventh game.
There’s one huge elephant in the room here: Final Fantasy VII fans know exactly what happened to Zack Fair, steeling themselves all the way through Crisis Core for the inevitable last stand against the Shinra horde. It’s tragic, touching, and very well done, with Zack entering the Lifestream, but it broke fans’ hearts all over the world at the same time. More than that, Final Fantasy VII Remake’s ending actually shows Zack triumphing in his ‘final’ battle, leaving fans wondering what the heck’s happening with the timeline.
6 BEST: Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII: Lucky Lightning
Over the course of the Final Fantasy XIII saga, Lightning and the rest of the cast certainly go through the wringer. The games as a whole continue to divide the fanbase, with sequels addressing certain gripes with the original Final Fantasy XIII while also proving problematic in other ways.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII was, in a way, the title that really had to deliver, to tie up the journey in a satisfying way. The secret ending, in which the souls are taken to this brand-new world to free of control and able to shape their own destinies, was just beautiful. The brief glimpse of Lightning’s own new-found freedom was then the icing on the cake.
5 WORST: World Of Final Fantasy: No, Let’s Do This Right
World of Final Fantasy is one of the most visually striking and just plain adorable games in the franchise, with super cute takes on familiar characters (and monsters such as the iconic Cactuar). Its ‘first’ ending, to contrast the comedy and cheery visuals, is as sad as it was abrupt.
In the battle against the villainous Brandelis, Lann gives his life to imprison their nemesis, freezing them both in time. Reyn is unable to accept this, with the player given the option of reloading their save and shooting for the true ending. Which, incidentally, is much better and sees the twins saving their parents’ spirits and sending Brandelis through the Ultima Gate.
4 BEST: Final Fantasy VIII: That All Makes Sense… Right?
1999’s Final Fantasy VIII is a series entry that is often considered an anomaly. Innovations such as the equippable Guardian Force system and Junction mechanic are just too different from the norm for some players’ tastes.
While its ending is sometimes derided for being a little out there, there’s something brilliant about it that perhaps transcends its abstract nature. The way it harkens back to that iconic intro scene, the moment Squall and Rinoa share, Laguna’s memories at Raine’s graveside and Selphie’s ‘home video’ with the SeeDs as the major players celebrate making it through Time Compression… what a happy ending.
3 WORST: Final Fantasy Type-0: The Forgotten Heroes
Sometimes, ‘worst’ endings don’t have to strictly be bad, unsatisfying, or otherwise flawed. As was the case with Crisis Core or World of Final Fantasy, endings that are the worst to endure because they’re so dang tragic are a huge factor too.
The trials and tribulations of Final Fantasy Type-0’s Class Zero and their inability to defeat the Arbiter tugs at the heart-strings for sure. Even when they do bring an end to Tempus Finis, they perish from their injuries afterward, thinking longingly about a peaceful life they may have had. An alternative ending sees the cycle and the conflict brought to an end as Arecia removes the crystals, though.
2 BEST: Final Fantasy IX: Zidane, Is That You?
As a throwback to the earlier releases in the series, Final Fantasy IX was a huge hit with long-time Final Fantasy fans. Its main characters were larger than life, entertaining, and often somewhat silly (they make for fantastic subjects for cosplay), and the game generally had a more upbeat tone than other Final Fantasy titles.
At the same time, though, a very dark undercurrent ran through the game, as questions of life and the finality of death were explored. In the end, Kuja proves not to be such an unrepentant villain after all, saving the party’s lives, though Zidane seems to have been lost. The ending scene reveals the truth, though, that he survived and has returned to be united with his beloved Dagger. A feelgood ending that was a little cliché, but very enjoyable.
1 WORST: Final Fantasy X-2: Would You Like Some Tidus With That?
Of course, Final Fantasy X-2 took a very different direction from its predecessor, in terms of its battle system, mechanics, and storyline. In the end, though, what many players wanted to see was a reunion between Tidus and Yuna.
The game’s default ending, however, concerns Yuna, Payne, and Riku flying off happily into the sunset with Brother. To see Tidus reconstructed by the Fayths, the good or perfect endings must be achieved, which involves a lot of busywork (as reported by Neoseeker). The ending that a lot of players will see just seems a little lackluster.
NEXT: Final Fantasy X-2: 10 Things That Make No Sense About Yuna
