Summary
- FF15 has unique endgame content, with quests only after the main story, challenging dungeons, and iconic hunts.
- FF5 has legendary weapons and secret bosses, with plenty of optional dungeons and rewards.
- FF10 offers Dark Aeons and Celestial Weapons as endgame challenges, requiring creative tasks for completion.
Final Fantasy games are often known for their long, winding JRPG storylines, their memorable characters, or their in-depth battle systems. As genre-defining examples of the JRPG, they've often included, or even pioneered, the kind of content that fans have come to expect in the genre. That includes endgame content like hidden super bosses or hard-to-obtain legendary weapons.
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In typical Final Fantasy style, each game in the series has handled its endgame content slightly differently. Some games start with multiple side-stories or mini-games that take until the endgame to complete. Some games have optional content that can only be accessed after certain story milestones have been reached, and some even have post-game content that can only be completed after the main story. Taking into account the amount of endgame-only content and how fun it is to engage with, these are the Final Fantasy games with the best endgames.
7 Final Fantasy 15
Menace Dungeons
Final Fantasy 15
- Released
- November 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Language, Mild Blood, Partial Nudity, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Final Fantasy 15 is relatively unique in the series when it comes to endgame content. That's because many of the game's final side quests can only be completed after the main story is complete. Despite this, in terms of the game's timeline, players are placed back before the final events of the story to go about these tasks. An unusual choice, for sure.
There's a lot to do in FF15's endgame, from assembling the Regalia Type-F, to challenging the Menace Dungeons, to taking on the iconic Adamantoise hunt. Not all the endgame content is spectacular, but there's a lot of it, and there are some memorable moments to be had with the party beyond the main storyline.
6 Final Fantasy 5
Legendary Weapons
Final Fantasy 5
- Released
- December 6, 1992
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Mild Fantasy Violence, Partial Nudity
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
The early Final Fantasy games set the JRPG standards when it comes to having legendary weapons and secret bosses to find as players head to the endgame. Final Fantasy 5's endgame is fondly remembered by many players, as there are plenty of secrets to find before players enter the Interdimensional Rift to face Exdeath.
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One of the best parts of Final Fantasy 5 is the job system, and there are advantages to leveling multiple jobs for each character, so players will likely want to spend some time cultivating their jobs before they get to the final boss. The game provides plenty of opportunities for this, with optional dungeons like the Deep Sea Trench, Phoenix Tower, and Istory Falls. There are 12 legendary weapons to find, as well as optional summons and powerful spells like Meteor.
5 Final Fantasy Tactics
Midnight's Deep
Final Fantasy Tactics
- Released
- June 20, 1997
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square
- Genre(s)
- Tactical, RPG
While Final Fantasy Tactics has some distinct differences from the mainline Final Fantasy games in terms of gameplay, it still has many of the hallmarks of the JRPG series. That includes an in-depth job leveling system that's well worth experimenting with, and optional endgame challenges to test players' party compositions.
The main endgame dungeon is Midnight's Deep, an optional challenge with some tough enemies and some of the game's rarest treasures. Players will need the treasure hunter ability on one of their characters to get the hidden loot, but the payoff can be worth it. There's also a secret character to find, and if players are playing one of the updated versions of the game, like War of the Lions, there's an optional super boss to take on too.
4 Final Fantasy 6
World Of Ruin
Final Fantasy 6
- Released
- October 11, 1994
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Partial Nudity
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix, Square
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Final Fantasy 6's storyline splits the game into two distinct parts. The World of Balance is replaced by the World of Ruin in the game's second half. This is still pretty far from what most players would consider the endgame, where players must eventually ascend Kefka's tower. There's more to do as players approach the end of the World of Ruin act than just taking on Kefka's tower, though, as players can freely explore with the Falcon airship.
There are plenty of optional side quests in the World of Ruin, and some can only be finished at the endgame. There are some challenges that players will want to wait to take on, like finding the optional Espers, which include fighting the secret boss, DeathGaze. Players will also want to seek out the game's best Relics before taking on Kefka's Tower, which can easily be the hardest part of the game if taken on unprepared.
3 Final Fantasy 7
Secret Bosses And Mini Game Mastery
Final Fantasy 7
- Released
- January 31, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- RPG
One of the reasons that Final Fantasy 7 is so well regarded by fans is its expansive world and layered approach to exploration. As players progress, they obtain more ways to traverse the world, until eventually they're able to get to every nook and cranny via a combination of an airship and some well-bred chocobos.
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There's plenty to find as players get to the culmination of Final Fantasy 7. Players can spend many hours hunting down every last summon and magic materia in the game, as well as the best equipment to slot them into. There are the Weapon bosses to fight and, of course, there are always the mini-games to finish off, if players want to 100% complete the game. This variety sets FF7 apart from its peers when it comes to a fun and extensive endgame.
2 Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age
Zodiac Weapons And Secret Espers
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
- Released
- July 11, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Suggestive Themes, Violence, Mild Blood
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age redeemed the game's leveling system for many players. It also added to an already extensive list of endgame-level content, while making it more fun to get to high levels and chase the endgame gear. With the secret Espers, endgame hunts, and the Zodiac Weapons to chase down, Final Fantasy 12's endgame includes some of the best battles and challenges in the game, as well as some interesting puzzles.
There are plenty of secret bosses to find in Final Fantasy 12, possibly the most in the series, depending on what fans count as an endgame boss. Players can also make some powerful characters in the Zodiac Age with the second job board adding power scaling, but the game also offers extra challenges for players who want it. It's not technically endgame content, but players can replay the entire game in new game minus mode, which prevents leveling up, forcing players to use equipment and licenses smartly to survive.
1 Final Fantasy 10 HD Remaster
Celestial Weapons And Dark Aeons
Final Fantasy 10
- Released
- December 17, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Final Fantasy 10 already had a reasonably well-fleshed-out endgame, but the subsequent re-release of the game added the Dark Aeons, adding a cherry on top for players who like their challenging optional boss fights. Players of the re-release and the original alike will also remember their quest to assemble the Celestial weapons for each character, which involves some creative challenges.
Players don't just have to beat tough bosses to get the best gear, they'll need to collect butterflies, dodge lightning bolts, and become a Blitzball champion if they want to get everything. This endgame gear will be needed for 100% completing the game. The Dark Aeons will blast away anything other than fully leveled, well-prepared characters, and players also need to hunt and capture fiends across the game to complete the monster arena and its monster creations, including the super boss, Nemesis. Final Fantasy 10's endgame offers a lot of optional challenges, but players need to remember to keep a save before the point of no return in the final dungeon to access it all.
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