Summary
- General Leo deserved a better fate, but Kefka's betrayal led to his cold-blooded demise in FF6.
- Benedikta in FF16 had potential but was taken out too early by Clive, wasting her character arc.
- Lunafreya from FF15 lacked screen time, so her emotional death by Ardyn felt underwhelming to many fans.
Final Fantasy is a series full of memorable characters with interesting motivations and abilities. From iconic heroes to detestable villains, the amazing character writing ensures that some of the most colorful personalities in the Final Fantasy games will leave a lasting impression on players.
Final Fantasy: 8 Strongest Characters Who Use Guns, Ranked
Who’s the quickest shot in the Final Fantasy Frontier? This breakdown of some of the most powerful gunslingers in the franchise will find out.
Some characters in Final Fantasy get the short end of the stick, receiving a fate that many fans find hard to accept. Clearly, their achievements warranted something better, but some people get all the luck, while others don't. Here are some of the most notable Final Fantasy characters who deserved better.
8 General Leo Cristophe
Betrayed And Killed By Kefka In Cold Blood
Final Fantasy 6
- Released
- October 11, 1994
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Partial Nudity
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Despite his allegiance to the Empire, it doesn't take long for General Leo to realize that things are becoming a bit too monstrous. Emperor Gestahl will stop at nothing to get what he wants, and Kefka is a violent jester who is not to be trusted.
Leo was correct in his assessment of the jester, who took him off guard by telling him that his services were not required before stabbing him in cold blood. His noble heart could've allowed him to play a major role in bolstering the resistance's efforts, but this was not meant to be.
7 Benedikta Harman
A Promising Antagonist Taken Out Way Too Early
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
Benedikta is one of the most charismatic villains in Final Fantasy 16, boasting a ton of promise. She is Garuda's Dominant and clearly wields a ton of power, which is why her boss fight doesn't sit right with players after a point.
Despite being more experienced at wielding her powers, Benedikta is taken out by Clive, who barely has the hang of controlling Ifrit in a battle that ends with her demise. It feels like a wasteful death, especially since Clive could take the powers of other Dominants without ending their lives.
6 Lunafreya Nox Fleuret
Instead Of Valuable Screen Time, She's Unceremoniously Taken Out By Ardyn
Final Fantasy 15
- Released
- November 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Language, Mild Blood, Partial Nudity, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Lunafreya is a romantic interest who needed a ton of screen time. Instead, aside from some flashbacks and letters, her romance with Noctis was barely fleshed out. So, when she's stabbed by Ardyn, fans don't feel the emotions they should as she dies in front of a helpless Noctis.
Final Fantasy: 8 Best Characters Who Were Brought Back From The Dead
Not all Final Fantasy characters who die actually stay dead. Here are some of the best examples who somehow manage to avoid meeting their end.
The game could've done a great job of fleshing out her character so that this moment could be more emotional. As things stand, Lunafreya is more of a forgettable character whose personality basically screams wasted potential.
5 Jecht
Turned Into A Mindless Aeon Before He Could Make Amends For His Absence As A Father
Final Fantasy 10
- Released
- December 17, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Jecht's story is a tragic one, with the father being robbed of reuniting with his son after being transported to Spira. He accompanies Braska on his journey, eventually realizing that the summoner will die and that he must sacrifice himself in order to become the Aeon that holds Sin back.
As a result, the only time Tidus actually meets his father is when he's already become a mindless Aeon. It's a tragic and cruel fate for a father who could've redeemed himself in Tidus' eyes, only to be robbed of the opportunity.
4 Jill Warrick
A Powerful Dominant Who Was Made To Appear Weak Numerous Times
- Final Fantasy 16
Jill should've been a powerful Dominant who could use Shiva's power to obliterate powerful enemies in a flash. Instead, her powers were lacking as she was mowed down by antagonists who were made to look stronger.
The worst example of this is when her Dominant form is taken out by Barnabas, who didn't even need to transform in order to take her out. This cheapens her power as a Dominant and leads her to play second fiddle to Clive almost every single time.
3 Noctis Lucis Caelum
The Game's Tragic Ending Prevents The Prince From Witnessing His Kingdom's Comeback
- Final Fantasy 15
Noctis is the Crown Prince who matures and goes through a tough journey of his own after his city is attacked and his father is killed. On top of that, he must take the help of the Astrals and acquire the power of the Crystal in order to save the world from the threat of the Starscourge.
Final Fantasy: 8 Strongest Characters Who Use Swords, Ranked
Raise your blades and guard yourselves! These Final Fantasy sword-wielders have all the skill and abilities to slice and dice through any warrior.
Noctis achieves this by sacrificing himself in order to meet Ardyn in a version of the afterlife and taking his darkness out at the root. It's a noble sacrifice that elevates Noctis in the eyes of those who failed to see the world change with his actions. Though it's a pretty bleak ending, Noctis being able to reunite with Lunafreya in the afterlife somewhat lessens the sting.
2 Aerith Gainsborough
A Sudden And Brutal Stabbing Robs Her Of A Happy Life With Her Friends And Family
Final Fantasy 7
- Released
- January 31, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Aerith is one of the most iconic Final Fantasy characters of all time. A joyful slum-dweller who's revealed to be the last surviving Cetra, she refuses to let anyone be burdened by the responsibility on her shoulders.
This leads her to head to the Temple of the Ancients on her own, a decision that results in dire consequences when Sephiroth catches her unawares and stabs her right in front of Cloud. Her life was snuffed out in the blink of an eye, which felt like an unfair outcome for a character so likable and important in Final Fantasy 7's plot.
1 Vivi Ornitier
His Short Lifespan Prevents Him From Enjoying The Fruits Of His Heroism
Final Fantasy 9
- Released
- July 7, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Violence, Mild Language
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
To this day, there's something about Vivi's story that will bring a tear to the eye of most Final Fantasy 9 fans. He was a confused Black Mage who found purpose with his newfound friends as he fought to save the world, only for it to be revealed that his lifespan was so short that he wouldn't enjoy the happy ending he deserved.
Even then, Vivi didn't let this bring him down, continuing to aid the heroes in their quest to defeat Kuja. The world was saved, but Vivi passed away before he could see how his heroic actions brought a new age of peace to Gaia.
Final Fantasy Games With The Best Endgames, Ranked
Final Fantasy fans who love the endgame content will find plenty to occupy their time with these games in the series.