Summary
- Final Fantasy games boast some of the best dungeon designs in JRPGs, incorporating creative challenges.
- Narratives and gameplay are enhanced by unique and engaging dungeon experiences that stand out.
- From creative puzzles to hidden secrets, each dungeon in the Final Fantasy series offers a rewarding exploration experience.
Any JRPG would feel woefully lacking without its fair share of dungeons that players can traverse. The heroes must wade through enemy territory and beat a fearsome boss numerous times to make substantial progress in their adventures.
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It's easy for most games to phone in this part of the game, but there's a reason why Final Fantasy has attracted such a massive fanbase. Some of the dungeons in these games are in a class of their own and show off some amazing art design time and time again.
8 Final Fantasy 5
Boasts Many Creative And Challenging Dungeons
Final Fantasy 5
- Released
- December 6, 1992
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
While Final Fantasy 5 prioritizes gameplay over story, that should take nothing away from its excellent dungeon design. Bartz and his friends must conquer major threats time and time again in their quest to save the Crystals and stop Exdeath from destroying the world.
Getting stranded in the Ship Graveyard and exploring the void that connects all dimensions at the end of the game are two of the game's best dungeons. These locations show just how much thought and effort were put into making Final Fantasy 5's adventure feel as grand as possible.
7 Final Fantasy 15: Royal Edition
The Definitive Edition Lets Players Explore The Game's Best Dungeon
Final Fantasy 15
- Released
- November 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
There are times when dungeons in Final Fantasy 15 can lack a bit of identity. Walking on tiled floors and seeing evil-looking environments is fun the first time around, but this gets old after a point.
Thankfully, the Royal Edition of this game expanded some sections of the game to make it feel more complete, and the dungeons are no exception. The city of Insomnia is rife with secrets, and players who complete the game can tackle the Pitioss Ruins for a unique challenge.
6 Final Fantasy 6
Players Love Splitting Up Their Party In Some Of The Game's More Ambitious Dungeons
Final Fantasy 6
- Released
- October 11, 1994
WHERE TO PLAY
There's no denying that the majority of Final Fantasy 6's dungeons involve exploring caves, which can look rather tiresome after a point. However, some memorable dungeons like the Floating Continent and Kefka's Tower make up for it.
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It helps that some Final Fantasy 6 dungeons require players to split up their party to make progress, which makes for a fresh change of pace. The game could've done with more dungeons with the same approach, but the few that exist are so well-designed that they single-handedly help Final Fantasy 6's dungeons stand out even more.
5 Final Fantasy 8
Boasts What Might Be The Best Final Dungeon In The Series
Final Fantasy 8
- Released
- February 11, 1999
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Final Fantasy 8 is one of the most divisive entries in the series, with the weird plot and the broken Junction System being the two biggest pain points for fans. However, that shouldn't take away from the game's immense strength.
The strong dungeon design helps this game stand out from the very moment players enter a fiery cave to fight Ifrit. Of course, nothing comes close to the surreal nature of Ultimecia's Castle, which is easily the best final dungeon in the series.
4 Final Fantasy 4
Various Enjoyable Dungeons Across The Game's Multiple Overworlds
Final Fantasy 4
- Released
- July 19, 1991
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square
- Publisher(s)
- Square
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Final Fantasy 4 takes some wild turns with its storytelling, and this reflects in the dungeon design too. The fact that the final stretch of the game takes place on the moon is a testament to how wild this title can get when it really wants to wow players.
The best dungeons in the game are the ones with Babil in their name. The Tower of Babil is an epic climb that ends with a shocking moment, while the Giant of Babil is a mechanical kaiju that Cecil and the heroes must dismantle from the inside to make for a fantastic and memorable dungeon.
3 Final Fantasy 9
The Excellent Art Style Allows Some Of The Dungeons To Look Positively Fascinating
Final Fantasy 9
- Released
- July 7, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
A huge part of what helped Final Fantasy 9 age timelessly is its art style, helping the game's many dungeons feel fantastic to explore. Walking on the roots of the Iifa Tree to defeat Soulcage is just one of the many ways that the dungeon design stands out.
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Along with this, Memoria is an excellent final dungeon that lets players face off against some of the most iconic bosses in Final Fantasy history. It's a great final dungeon that helps Final Fantasy 9 end on a strong note.
2 Final Fantasy 12
Expansive And Challenging Dungeons That Feature More Than Just Regular Combat Scenarios
Final Fantasy 12
- Released
- October 31, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Final Fantasy 12 boasts some of the most creative dungeon designs in the entire series. Instead of just moving from point A to point B, players are encouraged to find secrets and solve puzzles to make the most of each dungeon.
The Ancient City of Giruvegan is a mystical location that's a joy to explore, and the Necrohol of Nabudis is a challenging optional area that looks as eerie as they come. The fact that the longest Final Fantasy 12 dungeons end up being beloved by fans is a testament to the strong dungeon design in this title.
1 Final Fantasy 7
Features A Vast Array Of Memorable Dungeons
Final Fantasy 7
- Released
- January 31, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation (Original), PC, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
The shift to a futuristic setting was done well in Final Fantasy 6, but the sequel's massive budget allowed its environments to stand out even more. From climbing a makeshift platform in the slums to ascending the floors of Shinra Headquarters, the hostile areas in Final Fantasy 7 are designed brilliantly from the get-go.
Even optional areas like the Sunken Gelnika feel great to explore because of how eerie it feels. Finally, props should be given to the Northern Crater for letting players explore a challenging yet enjoyable final dungeon that ends with a fateful confrontation against Sephiroth.
- Creation Year
- 1987
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Creator
- Hironobu Sakaguchi
- Latest Release
- Final Fantasy 16
- Creator(s)
- Hironobu Sakaguchi