Summary
- Heroes in Final Fantasy face impossible odds, leading to humiliating losses that push them to achieve new heights.
- Battles against powerful foes like Cloud of Darkness show the heroes' struggle and ultimate triumph.
- Clive in Final Fantasy 16 faces a difficult rematch against Barnabas, showcasing his growth and the game's challenge.
Final Fantasy is a series with its fair share of incredible battles where the heroes put it all on the line to defeat tough monsters and imposing bosses. In most cases, the player has more than enough might at their disposal to take out the many foes standing in their way.
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However, there are instances where the heroes find it impossible to overcome the gigantic odds stacked up against them. This leads to a humiliating loss, although these moments of hopelessness pave the way for the protagonists to reach new heights and finally rise to the challenge that stumped them not so long ago.
1 Warriors Of Light VS Cloud Of Darkness
The Heroes Have No Chance Against A Fully-Powered Cloud Of Darkness
Final Fantasy III
- Released
- April 27, 1990
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
The Cloud of Darkness is a malevolent force in Final Fantasy 3 that wants to reduce the world to a state of nothingness. It's a diabolical foe that smites the Warriors of Light with ease, using her signature Particle Beam attack to decimate the party.
The Warriors of Light were instantly killed at this point, only for the spirits of Doga and Unei to revive them for one final battle. Players must gather the Warriors of Darkness and use them to weaken this foe before the heroes can finally take on the Cloud of Darkness in a final battle to save the world.
2 Galuf Halm Baldesion VS Exdeath
Galuf Gives Up His Life To Save His Granddaughter
Final Fantasy 5
- Released
- December 6, 1992
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Mild Fantasy Violence, Partial Nudity
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Exdeath is a diabolical villain who has caused his fair share of death and destruction in the series. After Galuf travels to his home and uncovers his true identity, he reunites with his granddaughter Krile.
A string of events led to the Warriors of Light being at Exdeath's mercy. To make things worse, Krile tries to save the day, only to be cornered. Seeing his granddaughter on the brink of death, Galuf shook off his bonds and engaged in a doomed battle with Exdeath, where he suffered mortal damage, although he did manage to save his friends in the process.
3 Tellah VS Golbez
The Sage Is Way Past His Prime To Take On Golbez Single-Handedly
Final Fantasy 4
- Released
- July 19, 1991
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
There's no denying that Tellah was one of the most powerful mages in the world of Final Fantasy 4 back in the day. However, by the time players encounter him, he's a feeble man well past his prime whose MP pool is criminally low.
He reaches his ceiling well before the others, but that doesn't stop him from trying to kill Golbez for the needless death of her granddaughter. He's finally able to cast Meteor, but Golbez only suffers minor damage while Tellah's life ends after he strains his body to its very limit.
4 Firion, Maria, Guy, & Leon VS Black Knights
The Orphans Try To Run Away, Only To Be Chased Down By The Emperor's Dark Knights
Final Fantasy II
- Released
- December 17, 1988
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Final Fantasy 2 starts with the four heroes running away from an attack by the Empire, only to face four Black Knights. Given how weak the party is at this point, it's easy to see why players are supposed to lose this battle.
Firion, Maria, and Guy are rescued by the Wild Rose Rebellion, while Leon is taken by the Palmecian Empire following this battle. It's a taste of the Emperor's might and the power that players must be ready to overcome in Final Fantasy 2.
5 Terra Branford VS Humbaba
Terra Tries To Stand Up For The Orphans She's Caring For, Only To Be Struck Down
Final Fantasy 6
- Released
- October 11, 1994
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Partial Nudity
- Genre(s)
- RPG
After Kefka reduces the world to a state of ruin, it's up to Celes to reunite the band and stop Kefka in his tracks once again. During their adventures, the heroes will find Terra taking care of a group of orphans in the now-ruined town of Mobliz.
What makes things worse is that a demon named Humbaba is terrorizing the survivors, and Terra is nowhere strong enough to deal with this demon on her own. It's not until she accepts the help of her friends that the demon is finally defeated and Terra gains the motivation she needs to join the party.
6 Squall Leonhart VS Edea Kramer
In A One-on-One Battle, It Was Only A Matter Of Time Before Squall Would Fall
Final Fantasy 8
- Released
- February 11, 1999
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Squall is one of the most durable heroes in all of Final Fantasy, and his fight against Edea proves this. By all accounts, he should've died in their one-sided battle where Edea toyed with Squall before impaling him with an ice spike.
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However, he manages to survive this ordeal and becomes strong enough to take on Edea at full strength. However, it turns out that Edea was being manipulated by Ultimecia behind the scenes, forcing the heroes to travel through space and time to defeat this ultra-powerful sorceress.
7 The Heroes VS General Beatrix
A Valiant Warrior Who Can Solo The Entire Party With Ease
Final Fantasy 9
- Released
- July 7, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Violence, Mild Language
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Beatrix is one of the best characters in Final Fantasy 9, who is used sparingly and makes a resounding impact whenever she appears on-screen. This top-ranking general schools the party on her own time and time again, showing just how much power she wields every time she gets the chance.
To watch her fight side-by-side with Steiner is a cathartic moment that shows how far players have come. All of a sudden, players are bossing other enemies while controlling Beatrix, which is an immensely satisfying moment.
8 Clive Rosfield VS Barnabas Tharmr
The First Encounter Ends With Odin's Dominant Thrashing Of Clive After Splitting The Sea In Half
Final Fantasy 16
- Released
- June 22, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Clive is one of the most powerful characters in Final Fantasy 16, but even he met his match against Barnabas' might. After the Dominant of Odin split the ocean in two with his Great Divide, he fights Clive in a one-sided battle with a foregone conclusion.
There's no way Clive can beat Barnabas at this point, being treated like a toy by the King of Waloed. It's not until Clive becomes stronger that he engages in a rematch with Barnabas, which is quite possibly the hardest fight in Final Fantasy 16 up till that point.
- Creation Year
- 1987
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Creator
- Hironobu Sakaguchi
- Latest Release
- Final Fantasy 16
- Creator(s)
- Hironobu Sakaguchi