Saddest Final Fantasy endings

Summary

  • Final Fantasy games are known for bold and melancholy endings that create unforgettable and emotional experiences.
  • Final Fantasy 10, 15, and 16 all have bittersweet endings that tug at the player's heartstrings.
  • Emotional gut punches, heartbreaking sacrifices and ambiguous conclusions characterize the endings of these iconic Final Fantasy games.

Despite how colorful and whimsical his setting and characters can be, Final Fantasy the franchise has always been a series that prides itself on challenging moments and excellent storytelling. Games naturally have incredible moments that play on emotion, but some of the most notable come from multiple game endings.

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Final Fantasy isn't afraid to go bold with its endings, often forgoing the traditional happy ending and instead going for melancholy or something downright depressing, all in the service of creating an unforgettable experience.

This article spoils the endings of several Final Fantasy Games, including Rebirth, Crisis Core, 16, 15, and 10

5

Final Fantasy 10

No win without loss



Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD

Released

March 18, 2014

OpenCritic rating

Strong

Side of Final Fantasy 10 defeating Sin for good, stopping the cycle and saving Yuna from the terrible fate of self-sacrifice. However, it still pays to win. Since Tidus is revealed to be a summon, just like the Aeons, a storyline brilliantly foreshadowed by him being the only cast member to have a variable name, like the Aeons, he has to go back to where he came from just like them.

Players see a heartbreaking cutscene where Yuna tries to catch Tidus, only to find that he has become intangible. Yuna exchanges one last “I love you” before Tidus hugs her and jumps into the sky and disappears. But it's not all bad. Yuna reaches out to the citizens of Spira and decides to rebuild the world with Sin gone. It's as bittersweet an ending as it gets, but maybe that post-credits scene and Final Fantasy 10-2 he can still change things…

4

Final Fantasy 15

Brothers to the end



Final Fantasy 15

Released

November 9, 2016

OpenCritic rating

Strong

While the story is a little rough around the edges, there's no denying that the ending Final Fantasy 15 hits like a truck. Towards the end of the long journey, Noctis must sleep in the crystal for 10 years to absorb the power needed to defeat Ardyn and stop the demons. However, it is at the cost of one's own life. While the self-sacrifice plot isn't particularly ground-breaking, FF 15The focus on brotherhood and the relationship Noctis shares with Ignis, Prompto, and Gladio makes this sacrifice heartbreaking.

Square Enix decided to take the heartbreak a little further by letting players choose their favorite photo taken by Prompto. This photo is fondly admired by Noctis and Luna Freya in the afterlife. It's a bittersweet moment unless the player uses a dumber photo like a picture of cup noodles.

3

Final Fantasy 7: Crisis Core

All is not fair in love and war for Zack

Released

December 13, 2022

OpenCritic rating

Strong

The Final Fantasy VII universe is filled with melancholy moments in all of its games and extended media, so it only makes sense that the ending Crisis coreprequel to 7 starring Zack Fair would be one of the saddest moments. After going through the events of Nibelheim, Zack and Cloud are captured and experimented on by Professor Hojo for four years before they escape, with Zack carrying Cloud's catatonic body. Zack defeats Genesis and attempts to travel back to Midgar with Cloud at his heels to see Aerith again, but is chased by Shinra along the way.

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After hiding Cloud, Zack makes one last stand against a small army of Shinra soldiers, much like he did during the flashback in 7. The player is forced to act out this moment through combat, giving them some hope that Zack might make it before hope is lost as flashbacks of all his friends begin to play before their image fades away.

Zack is left to die in a pool of his own blood as Cloud crawls to his side before Zack bequeaths Buster's sword to him and tells Cloud “My honor, my dreams are yours now” before dying and meeting his mentor Angeal in the Lifestream . Cloud takes over Zack's memories, leading to the events of Final Fantasy VII. While players may be familiar with this tragic story, playing it packs an even bigger emotional punch.

2

Final Fantasy 16

A flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long



Final Fantasy 16

Systems

PC-1 PlayStation-1

Released

June 22, 2023

OpenCritic rating

Mighty

A reasonable argument can be made for Clive Final Fantasy 16 she suffered the most of any character in the franchise. He's lost his father and friends, been betrayed by his mother, enslaved by another kingdom, and to top it off, Ultima tries to make Clive his vessel so that the former can defend the latter.

After a long journey, Clive teams up with Dion and his brother Joshua (whom he thought was dead at the beginning of the game) to kill Ultima once and for all. Unfortunately, Dion and Joshua die. Before fighting Ultima, Clive tries to revive his brother with seemingly no success and loses him a second time. This leads to a final emotional encounter in which Clive kills Ultima before she succumbs to petrification, a disease that afflicts the Bearer if they use too much magic. Clive is seemingly left to die while his wolf Torgal and love interest Jill are seen grieving as the credits roll, making even the most stony of people cry a little.

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Interestingly, this may not be the end for one of the characters. In a flash forward to a better future, a book called “Final Fantasy” is seen written by Joshua. Players who complete side quests at the end of the game are given additional context to help interpret this ambiguous ending, pointing to the fact that Clive may have lived and used Joshua's name, but despite all the hints, it's still left up to interpretation. , ultimately allowing each player to interpret their own version of the ending.

1

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Things were to be different this time

Systems

PlayStation-1

Released

February 29, 2024

OpenCritic rating

Mighty

Aerith dies in the original Final Fantasy VII. Players remember this haunting flashback from the end of Disc 1 as one of the saddest deaths in the series, as it was the loss of one of 7party members. Everyone hoped he would make it Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthbecause the remake trilogy changes the story. The game even has a moment where it looks like Cloud deflected Sephiroth's killing blow. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be, as reality (or Cloud's perception, it's not made clear yet) shifts back to Aerith getting stabbed. Square Enix decides to reserve Rebirth with this tragedy to motivate the player to continue to the final part. He then twists the knife further with Cloud still seeing Aerith's ghost and denying her death.

In addition, the updated graphics and acting give a better insight into the emotional state of the party, making players feel the loss of a dear friend. The final shot of the game is of Aerith's ghost saying goodbye to the party as they fly away in the Tiny Bronco. It's not entirely clear how Square Enix intends to end the trilogy or if Aertih will return in any way, but one thing is for sure: How interesting it will be to see.

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