Summary
Final Fantasyis a legendary gaming series full of quality JRPGs that are easy to get lost in. From turn-based masterpieces toopen-world games with real-time combat, the franchise has always tried to reinvent the wheel and remain relevant in modern times.
The characters in mostFinal Fantasygames are a blast to interact with, often making a strong impact whenever they get the chance to shine. This is why some of the deaths inFinal Fantasygames can be hard to digest, especially if they come out of nowhere early on and blindside players.
Final Fantasy 7is an epic gamespanning multiple discs on the PS1, where Cloud and his buddies embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Aerith is one of the characters who appear early on in the game, so it can be puzzling that she gets the chance to master her final Limit Break before Disc One even ends.
This is because Aerith is slated to leave the party permanently before Cloud and his other companions enter the Temple of the Ancients. In one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the game, Aerith meets her end at the hands of Sephiroth in a moment that comes way too soon for most players' liking.
A romantic interest needs to get enough valuable screen time and connect with players. Barring some disconnected flashbacks and odd letters, players don’t see Noctis and Luna interacting all that often inFinal Fantasy 15.
However, the assumption was always that the duo would eventually reunite, and their romance would blossom as a result. Instead,Ardyn appears and unceremoniously kills Lunaafter an epic battle with Leviathan. As shocking as this moment was, most fans agree that Luna should’ve interacted with Noct directly more often in order to give this death more of an emotional impact.
One of the few deaths in theFinal Fantasygames that can be dictated by the player, Shadow’s selflessness gives players enough breathing room to escape the Floating Continent. However,the ninja is nowhere to be foundwhen it is time to go, leaving most players to assume that he will follow once they leave the Floating Continent itself.
However, this will doom Shadow to an early grave, something that can be avoided if players just wait until five seconds are left on the timer. This will let them recruit Shadow in the World of Ruin, allowing him to fight against Kefka in one final battle before he decides to meet his end at the collapsing tower and join his friend in the afterlife.
Final Fantasy 16is a mature title full of numerous deaths that can be hard to stomach. This includes the demise of the charismatic Cid, who leads a rebellion to fight back against the injustice faced by Bearers all over the world.
It’s a shocking scene, yet many fans can’t help but feel that Cid should’ve stuck around for longer before meeting his end. It’s a sentiment that stretches to numerous characters in the game and highlights the pacing issues withFinal Fantasy 16’s narrative.
Most people would be surprised to see Vivi here, given that his absence is never felt in the game from a gameplay standpoint. However, it’s the context of the story that makes Vivi’s demise all the more saddening.
ThroughoutFinal Fantasy 10, it’s assumed that Tidus will meet his father and get the closure he was desiring for so long. However, over the course of the story, it’s revealed that Jecht was a part of the previous Summoner’s entourage and helped Braska complete his duty.
Though he is still technically alive by the timeTidus finally encounters him in his Aeon form, he doesn’t stick around for long. Toward the climax of the story, Yu Yevon fully possesses Jecht and forces him to fight Tidus and his companions. Once the party defeats him, he and Tidus take a moment to speak to one another, but this moment quickly passes with Jecht fading away and joining the Farplane. Though his death comes during the final few moments of the game, it would still have been nice to see this character get a few additional scenes to bond with his son before the credits rolled.
2Regis Lucis Caelum
Died Too Quickly In An Anticlimactic Manner
Final Fantasy 15may have a ton of heart, but there’s no denying that the story’s execution is quite clunky. This is evident in the early goings, when Noctis and his friends find out that Insomnia has been invaded and that his father has died via of a newspaper report of all things.
It’s a moment that comes out of nowhere unless players saw the deridedKingsglaive: Final Fantasy 15. Many fans unanimously agree that Regis' death should’ve happened organically instead of coming out of nowhere before players truly got to know his character.
1Benedikta Harman
A Compelling Villain Who Should’ve Survived For Longer
Final Fantasy 16features its fair share of riveting antagonists that many fans love, which is why it’s such a shame that the vast majority of them die so quickly before they can have a major impact. This problem severely affects Benedikta, a compelling Dominant who serves as the first major boss ofFinal Fantasy 16.
Clive takes her on in battle and realizes that he was the Dominant of Ifrit all along.As spectacular as this boss fight may be, it eventually concludes with Benedikta’s death and robs players of one of the most charismatic and entertaining villains in the game rather quickly.
