Summary
- Boss fights in JRPGs require tactical thinking and evoke emotions like rage and joy.
- Music and storytelling elevate boss fights like Dolcinaea in Octopath Traveler 2.
- Emotionally charged battles, like against Yunalesca in FFX, add depth and investment.
JRPGs are no strangers to their fair share of amazing boss fights that will force players to employ everything they've learned to defeat these imposing foes. The combat of these games requires that players use tactical thinking to overcome and defeat these climactic foes.
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What makes some JRPG boss fights all the more memorable is when emotions are spiking during these battles. Rage, anger, and joy are just a few of the emotions that these games manipulate to get players invested in these incredible boss fights.
Spoiler Warning: due to the nature of these dramatic battles, each entry will delve into various narrative spoilers for their respective JRPGs.
8 Dolcinaea (Octopath Traveler 2)
The Music Crescendoes In An Uplifting And Epic Battle
Octopath Traveler 2
- Released
- February 24, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix, Acquire
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Octopath Traveler 2's music does a lot of the heavy lifting (along with its HD-2D visuals, of course) when getting players hyped up for its boss battles, which is why the fight against Dolcinaea is so memorable. In a bid to remind this singer about the beauty of the stage and how magical a performance can be, Agnes puts on a show for the ages as the music crescendoes with a beautiful vocal track.
It makes for what is possibly the best final chapter boss fight in terms of emotions and spectacle. After a hard-fought battle, Dolcinaea can't help but be moved by Agnes' performance as she finally sees the light and concedes defeat.
7 Magus (Chrono Trigger)
A Climactic Boss Fight Against A Major Antagonist Where A Lot Of Things Are At Stake
Chrono Trigger
- Released
- March 11, 1995
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- SNES, PlayStation (Original), PC, Nintendo DS, Android, iOS
Magus is built up as the major antagonist of Chrono Trigger, with Frog having a personal grudge against this foe for cursing him. After Crono's "death," players get to interact with Magus and are given the option of fighting him.
While players can refuse this battle, accepting will initiate a tough one-on-one battle between Magus and Frog. Victory will ensure that Frog will be freed from his curse, although he will only regain his human form at the end of the game after this emotional battle to get his life back.
6 Yunalesca (Final Fantasy 10)
Auron's Speech Fires Players Up For This Tough Fight
Final Fantasy 10
- Released
- December 17, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Platform(s)
- PS2
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Lady Yunalesca is supposed to be a revered deity looking out for humanity, but the party is well aware of her treachery by the time they encounter her in the Zanarkand ruins. She lied to the summoners and all of humanity about the teachings of Yevon, trapping Spira in a cycle of violence that has ravaged them for centuries.
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Hearing Auron motivate the party to fight against fate and defeat Yunalesca for good is a rousing affair that heightens the emotions of this tough boss battle. It's one of the best speeches before a boss battle that proves once again why Auron is hailed by many as one of the greatest Final Fantasy characters of all time.
5 Goro Akechi (Persona 5)
Akechi Is Fired Up And Questions The Value Of Friendship During This Chaotic Battle
Persona 5
- Released
- September 15, 2016
- ESRB
- m
Goro Akechi is a genius detective who prefers working alone, which is why it's odd to see him team up with the Phantom Thieves. However, it doesn't take long for the group to figure out that he's the one causing people to go psychotic, almost tanking the reputation of the Phantom Thieves in the process.
The boss battle against him in Shido's Palace is one of the best moments in Persona 5. He laughs at the idea of friendship, projecting his insecurities onto Joker and his party as they engage in a hellacious battle. It's an emotional fight that ends with Akechi sacrificing himself to save the party in a heartbreaking moment, even if this sacrifice is cheapened somewhat after his return in Persona 5 Royal's final semester.
4 Ardyn Izunia, AKA Ardyn Lucis Caelum (Final Fantasy 15)
Ends On An Emotional Note As Noctis Purges The Starscourge From The World
Final Fantasy 15
- Released
- November 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Ardyn Izunia is one of the most tragic JRPG villains of all time, although that's no excuse for his atrocious actions in Final Fantasy 15. He serves as a thorn in Noctis' side, made even worse by the fact that he's related to Ardyn since they're part of the same family.
Realizing that he needs to sacrifice his body and mind to eliminate Ardyn for good, Noctis bids farewell to his friends before defeating Ardyn and using the Ring of the Lucii to end the Starscourge for good. Seeing him one final time in the afterlife after this moment is emotional enough as is, but it's the post-credits scene that will make fans bawl after they hear Noctis proclaim his love for his friends before he heads to Insomnia for the final time.
3 Ryo Aoki, AKA Masato Arakawa (Yakuza: Like A Dragon)
Ichiban Knocks Some Sense Into The Young Master
Yakuza: Like A Dragon
- Released
- November 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Publisher(s)
- Sega
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Yakuza: Like a Dragon did a great job of doing justice to Ichiban Kasuga, a new character who needed to hit the ground running and avoid the mistakes that turned Judgment's Yagami into such an unlikable protagonist. His earnestness and goofy nature made him a perfect main character for the Yakuza series, but what made him all the more compelling was his ability to become emotional at the drop of a hat when the story required him to become serious.
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Him forgiving Nanba is a great moment in its own right, but it's the rousing speech he delivers to his former master, Masato Arakawa, at the end of the game that will make fans shed a tear. Instances like these are why many people consider Yakuza: Like a Dragon to boast one of the best stories told in the series, which is a massive achievement.
2 Jenova Life (Final Fantasy 7)
A Boss Fight That Blindsides Players Right After A Sudden Tragedy
Final Fantasy 7
- Released
- January 31, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation (Original), PC, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Jenova Life is a boss fight that comes out of nowhere, barely letting players process Aerith's death in Final Fantasy 7. The sight of Sephiroth's sword impaling their favorite healer is still fresh in their minds during this battle.
It doesn't help that Aerith's theme plays throughout this emotional boss fight, with the party members refusing to crack their victory pose after defeating Jenova Life. What follows is a touching moment as Cloud bids farewell to Aerith before the party is forced to move on.
1 The Final Stand Against The Shinra Soldiers (Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7)
Zack Puts It All On The Line To Save Cloud
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7
- Released
- March 24, 2008
- ESRB
- Teen // Blood, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation Portable
Everyone knew how Crisis Core would end, but that doesn't prepare them for the manner in which Zack meets his end. After trying to escape with Cloud, his friend's mako poisoning prevents the spiky-haired blonde from making this escape any easier.
As a result, the Shinra Troopers pursuing the duo eventually catch up, and Zack makes a heroic final stand as he takes on a wave of Shinra troopers, incurring a ton of damage in the process. Seeing the DMW break cements Zack's fate, who's left mortally wounded and passes on the Buster Sword to Cloud in a tragic moment as the protagonist of Final Fantasy 7 inadvertently takes on the memories of his fallen comrade.
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