The best cinematic boss fights in Final Fantasy games, ranked

Key conclusions

  • Final Fantasy boss fights focus on cinematic spectacle and dynamic elements in combat.
  • Endsinger in FF14: Endwalker offers visually dramatic phases and complex mechanics.
  • Adamantois in FF15 is impressive in its sheer scale and visual experience.



In all years in Final Fantasythere were many memorable boss fights. Whether players appreciate puzzle battles, secret super bosses, or visual spectacle, there's something for everyone. Even from the earliest 3D incarnations, Final Fantasy has always tried to push the visuals in games, first with CGI, then bringing that flair to environments and battles.

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Of course, recent entries in the series have improved the visuals and taken advantage of modern hardware to create combat that surpasses what previous games could achieve. The move to more action-oriented combat systems may be controversial, but it allowed for more dynamic elements in boss fights. The boss fights here focus as much on the cinematic spectacle as the combat itself.


9 Endsinger

Endwalker's epic finale


systems

PC-1

The end of Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker the plot couldn't take place in a more epic setting. Players ride on the back of a primordial Shinryu to battle the Endsinger in a clash at the edge of the universe. FF14 had some interesting raid bosses for various expansions, but Endsinger is one of the most impressive.

Combat is a two-phase challenge, and the phase shift itself is visually dramatic and impressive. Players must not only avoid AOE attacks that paint the ground, but also avoid falling from the edge of the arena into the void of space. The music elevates the cinematic brilliance, drawing on the motifs of previous battles.

8 Adamantois

More than life


Released
November 9, 2016

OpenCritic rating
Strong

Final Fantasy 15Adamantois' interpretation is the most epic of the series in terms of scale. Final Fantasy 15 sure, it enjoyed showing off its open-world beauty with giant-sized field enemies visible from afar, but none of those enemies even compare to the mountain-sized Adamantois.

The fight itself can be something of an endurance contest, as Adamantois has more enemies than any other in the game. Seeing it for the first time after unlocking the final hunt is one of the most beautiful visual experiences in the game.

7 Bahamut has risen

Super simulator

systems

PlayStation-1

Released
February 29, 2024

OpenCritic rating
Powerful

Most of the simulation battles in the Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth doesn't match the cinematic nature of other fights in the game, mainly due to the comparatively bland “blue computer space” where they take place. Bahamut Orysen manages to defy what is itself a visual spectacle.


It's actually more impressive for first-time players not knowing how to win, as it means they'll likely see a mode switch and Gigaflare Bahamut's final attack. Sure, it means losing the fight, but it's worth it for the cinematic destruction.

6 Ifrit

Firepower

Ifrit can be the penultimate boss in Final Fantasy 15but his fight is perhaps more impressive than the finale. From the interesting look of his form to his flaming sword attacks and his ability to pick up Noctis and the group and toss them around like toys, he is an impressive sight.

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Even more cinematically, activating certain conditions and triggering Shiva's summon during battle can lead to a unique scene where Shiva nullifies Ifrit's fiery powers with Diamond Dust. The way Final Fantasy 15 the invocation used remains controversial to some, but it's an interesting interaction.


5 Bahamut

Dominion in the air

systems

PC-1 PlayStation-1

Released
June 22, 2023

OpenCritic rating
Powerful

Bahamut always impressed Final Fantasywhether it appears as a challenge, as an enemy, or both. Final Fantasy 16Looking at Eikon vs. Eikon fights takes this one step further in terms of cinematic visuals. The four-way fight sees Dion Lesage go wild in his Eikon form and take on Clive and Joshua in them.

The fight unfolds in stages, with Clive as Ifrit fighting on the ground before Joshua takes to the skies as Phoenix. The climax of the fight is Joshua and Clive combining their Eikonic powers to fight together, and Bahamut's final attacks are as impressive as ever.

4 Hell's house

Hell in a cell


systems

PlayStation-1

Released
April 10, 2020

Developer(s)
Square Enix Business Division 1

OpenCritic rating
Powerful

​​​​​​​Although it is a mid-game boss, the setting of this fight, the spectacle of the fight itself, and the way this quirky enemy has been reimagined for the new battle system make this an unforgettable encounter. Cloud and Aerith find themselves occupying this ghastly lodging in the underground Coliseum.

It's an interesting enemy design on its own, but the phase changes and how the boss uses the arena to attack are equally impressive. The third phase in the flight is particularly exciting, along with the commentary from the Coliseum announcers, it helps heighten the cinematic factor.

3 Titan

Bitter clash


With Hugo Kupka driven mad by the death of his lover and the ether he has absorbed, Clive and Hugo's final confrontation is bittersweet. It begins with the two clashing in their Eikon forms before an ether transforms Kupka into the Lost Titan, a giant version of the Titan with stone tentacles.

Most of the combat comes in the form of cinematic sequences and QTEs both in between and during the four different phases. While some players felt this took away too much control, it allows for a cinematic spectacle where Ifrit climbs a giant Titan, tears it apart, and battles the smaller form of Kupka while falling through the giant's remains.

2 Sephiroth

The end of the beginning

  • From Final Fantasy 7 Remake

Sephiroth's inclusion as a final boss after Whisper Harbinger may have been controversial, as players of the original game didn't actually encounter Sephiroth until later in the story. However, Sephiroth was always meant to have a much bigger presence Final Fantasy 7: Remake and its inclusion here makes for an epic final boss.


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The fight itself forces Cloud to start out alone before his allies can gradually join him. It's a slow build leading up to the final phase of Sephiroth's confrontation with his one-winged angel, complete with an epic version of this track playing in the background.

1 Ultima Origin

Final showdowns

The final battle Final Fantasy 16 has a lot going for it in a game that revolves around the visual spectacle of boss fights. Fortunately, Ultima's multi-phase fight against various forms does not disappoint in both the game's visual and emotional climax.

The battle starts firing on all cylinders as the three Aikons Ifrit, Phoenix and Bahamut attack Ultima together. After some emotional scenes, Clive fights the next form of Ultima with the help of Ifrit and Phoenix.


In the latter stages of the fight, Clive defeats Ultimalius without his Akon form, while the boss uses moves from all of the Akons. The end of the fight is a thrilling QTE sequence, like many of the boss fights in the game, but the visuals and emotional impact of the ending help elevate this fight even in a game full of visual feasts.

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