Top 10 Final Fantasy Moments

Script written by Saeed Afzal

Top 10 Final Fantasy Moments

Spanning 14 main games with a 15th on the way, Final Fantasy is one of the longest series of RPGs, and definitely one of the most beloved. There are too many special moments to count, but we thought we’d try anyway. Welcome to http://www.WatchMojo.com, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Final Fantasy Moments.

For this Top 10, we’re looking at memorable scenes from the world’s most beloved JRPG series – scenes with a strong emotional and narrative impact. We’re talking about the iconic moments that have made Final Fantasy one of the most epic video game series in history. To no one’s surprise, this list will be full of spoilers – you’ve been warned!

#10: Tantalus Kidnaps Princess Garnet… or Tries To
“Final Fantasy IX” (2000)

In what’s probably the most comical opening to an FF game ever, Zidane and his talented band of performers-slash-bandits put on a play for Princess Garnet’s 16th birthday – all with the intention of kidnapping her. Don’t worry, it’s not as sketchy as it sounds – it turns out that the Princess is totally looking for a way out of her corrupt kingdom, ever since her mother’s began acting strangely. This opening is theatrical, musical, and even a little romantic, as Zidane whisks Garnet off to start their whirlwind adventure.

#9: Cecil Becomes a Paladin
“Final Fantasy IV” (1991)

Even when the series wasn’t sporting the flashy graphics it has today, it still managed some pretty awesome scenes. In Final Fantasy IV, you play as the Dark Knight Cecil, struggling to come to terms with the corruption of his beloved Kingdom of Baron. After climbing Mt. Ordeals, he has his moment of catharsis. He cleanses the darkness from his soul (in an intense boss battle against, well, himself) and emerges a Paladin, ready to strike down evil. It’s a triumphant moment for our hero, and a turning point in the story: Cecil just gained a level in bad-ass.

#8: Tietra’s Death
Final Fantasy Tactics” (1997)

Kidnapping the girl is a tried-and-true tactic in every villain’s arsenal, and poor Tietra was yet another dime-a-dozen damsel-in-distress for her brother Delita to rescue. Except… things didn’t exactly go that way. Pursuing the Corpse Brigade to Ziekden Fortress, Ramza and Delita’s heroic rescue is complicated by the appearance of the Order of the Northern Sky. In the chaos, Tietra is killed by the traitorous Argath, and Ziekden Fortress went up in flames as Delita cradled his sister’s body. …Let’s just say Delita doesn’t take that so well.

#7: The Sorceress Parade
“Final Fantasy VIII” (1999)

The whole gang’s finally together, and fireworks are going off in the skies above Deling city, all in celebration of one very special lady. Being the party-crashers that they are, Squall and his group of fellow SeeDs are about to commit the ultimate party faux-pas: assassinating the guest of honour. Yeah, we always knew Squall wasn’t exactly a social butterfly. In this high-tension sequence that closes out Disc 1, the party’s split up across the sprawling city to make sure this plan goes off without a hitch, climaxing in an epic confrontation with the sorceress Edea herself.

#6: Infiltrating Don Corneo’s Manor
“Final Fantasy VII” (1997)

The iconic FF7 has way too many memorable scenes – some more dramatic than others – but who can forget the time our battle-hardened ex-SOLDIER had to ditch the tough guy persona for one magical evening with the sleaziest man in Midgar? Thanks to Aerith’s scheming, Cloud is forced into a dress and pigtails (among other things…) in order to infiltrate the manor of Don Corneo, a Wall Market fat cat who happens to be looking for some company for the night – yeah, that kind of company. With the FF7 remake on the way, we can only pray to the Planet that this scene remains untouched, in all of its glory.

#5: Galuf vs. Exdeath
“Final Fantasy V” (1992)

Years before the tragedy of Aerith, fans of FF were no strangers to the heart-wrenching experience of losing a major party member. Galuf at least went out in a blaze of glory: taking on the game’s big bad, Exdeath, one-on-one, and coming closer to victory than anyone else. Of course, all of his friends, his grand-daughter, and the world all had to be in danger before Galuf activated his hidden ass-kicking powers, but that’s just how these things go. The kooky old man, who’s been with you since the beginning of the game, bites the dust – but he doesn’t go down without a fight.

#4: Tidus & Yuna in Macalania
“Final Fantasy X” (2001)

You can’t help but feel for these two ill-fated love birds. After all, Yuna just left her husband-to-be at the altar and Tidus proceeded to beat the crap out of him – that’s how you know these two are meant to be! At this point, they’ve been through a lot, and Yuna’s about to make the ultimate sacrifice as her pilgrimage draws to a close; Tidus tries to convince her otherwise, but the two of them know that their ending isn’t a happy one. In one of their last few moments alone, they share this tender moment, complete with romantic j-pop playing in the background. Do you think James Cameron played this game?

#3: The Opera Scene
“Final Fantasy VI” (1994)

How do you get an airship? Why, you convince the ex-imperial general in your party to put on a dress, learn to sing, take the place of a famous opera singer, all in the hopes that a flying gambler will kidnap her and take her aboard his airship. All while thwarting the plans of an evil octopus. Sure, it’s a stretch, but when it lead to one of the most memorable scenes ever, who cares? FF6 gave us a full opera on the Super Nintendo, with complete movements, lyrics, and vocalizations. It’s one of the best musical moments in video game history, hands down.

#2: Kefka Destroys the World
“Final Fantasy VI” (1994)

If you’ve heard about FF6, you’ve heard of its maniacal, cackling, court jester of a villain: Kefka. Aside from upstaging every villain in the series with his hilarious one-liners, he’s also famous for accomplishing what every villain ever has tried and failed to do: ending the world. Even by today’s standards, that’s a gutsy move to pull in the middle of a game’s story! Just as your party thinks they’re on their way to their final confrontation, the world splits apart, upheaving the game into a dystopian post-apocalyptic adventure.
Before we reveal our top pick, here are some honorable mentions:

Return to Cocoon
“Final Fantasy XIII” (2009)
The Transformation of Balamb Garden
“Final Fantasy VIII” (1999)
Leaving Midgar
“Final Fantasy VII” (1997)

#1: Aerith’s Death
“Final Fantasy VII” (1997)

Sorry for the spoiler – though you’d have to be living under a rock to not know about this one. It was the Masamune stabbing heard ‘round the world: at the end of FF7’s first disc, fans cried out in heartbreak as Aerith returned to the Planet. I swear, that’s just dust in my eye! Visiting her homeland, the capital of the ancients, Aerith is ambushed by Sephiroth and impaled, with Cloud and the player powerless to stop him. Sure, Kefka may have destroyed the world, but murdering an innocent flower girl? That’s just evil. Emotional, cinematic, unexpected and unforgettable, Aerith’s Death is without a doubt our top pick.

Do you agree with our list? What other moments from Final Fantasy deserved to be mentioned? For more magical Top 10s posted daily, subscribe to WatchMojo.com.