One of the most revered JRPG series of all time, Final Fantasy is deeply rooted in the hearts of fans all over the globe. Boasting some of the most iconic characters and memorable stories ever featured in a video game, the series has etched its name into the annals of gaming history for all the right reasons.
The narratives of Final Fantasy have always been grandiose high-stake epics that have continuously pushed the boundaries of what can be covered from a storytelling point of view, leading to some truly unique and memorable experiences. One aspect that plays a major role in this regard is the various memorable romances present across the series, propelled by a cast of memorable characters that make these interactions all the more believable.
Of course, not every romance in the series can be justified, with some absolute duds present in the mix as well. So, let’s take a look at five of the best romances present in the series, coupled with five absolute duds.
10 SUPPORTED: Cloud & Aerith (Final Fantasy VII)
We kickstart this list with what is arguably one of the most iconic love stories ever presented in a Final Fantasy game, with a tragic ending that has become the stuff of legends in the realm of video games.
Watching Cloud slowly come out of his shell with Aerith’s help, only to have all those dreams dashed to the ground is simply too much for many to handle. The way the remake handles this iconic scene will partially determine its reception.
9 COULDN’T GET BEHIND: Cloud & Tifa (Final Fantasy VII)
The abrupt manner in which the relationship between Cloud and Aerith ends is too tragic to handle, which makes Tifa’s inclusion in the mix all the more tasteless.
Instead of honoring Aerith’s memory, Tifa goes out of her way to fill the so-called void that the group’s healer left behind, arguably using Cloud’s fractured emotional state as a way to fulfill her own agenda. Now, to her credit, Tifa proves vital in saving Cloud after he slumps into a depression following Aerith’s death. That said, their romance never quite escaped the shadow of Cloud’s previous relationship.
8 SUPPORTED: Squall & Rinoa (Final Fantasy VIII)
Final Fantasy VIII takes the concept of a central romance and cranks it up to a hundred, providing players with one of the most enthralling relationships ever presented in a video game.
Watching Squall slowly overcome his own insecurities and develop feelings for Rinoa is one of the most satisfying character arcs in a video game.
7 COULDN’T GET BEHIND: Laguna & Julia (Final Fantasy VIII)
However, not all of the romances present in Final Fantasy VIII are something to write home about. The hurried nature of the game’s development means that some ideas were inevitably executed poorly, with the interactions between Laguna and Julia being a great example of this.
While the couple’s solitary conversation is quite engrossing, the game just completely forgets about this entire situation. Ultimately, this romance felt like a hamfisted and forgettable way to introduce Rinoa’s mother, and nothing else.
6 SUPPORTED: Laguna & Raine (Final Fantasy VIII)
Thankfully, Laguna’s love life was eventually done justice when he met Raine. A resident of Winhill, Reina nursed Laguna back to health after he tried to escape his Esthar pursuers by attempting a near-suicidal dive off a cliff.
During the course of Laguna’s stay in Winhill, they both developed feelings for each other and eventually got married. However, this love story doesn’t have the perfect ending of Squall and Rinoa’s. Laguna has to go away to rescue Ellone and leaves a pregnant Raine behind, who dies in childbirth as she gives birth to Squall.
5 COULDN’T GET BEHIND: Edward & Anna (Final Fantasy IV)
Love stories that add absolutely nothing to the overall plot are bound to leave a bad taste in the mouth of fans, and this was especially true for Edward and Anna.
It didn’t help that the spoony bard was the weakest party member in the group by far, making for endless frustration as the player constantly had to babysit Edward throughout every battle.
This, coupled with Anna’s non-existent character, made for an incredibly boring side-story in what is generally considered to be an excellent game.
4 SUPPORTED: Cecil & Rosa (Final Fantasy IV)
Thankfully, Final Fantasy IV does feature an excellent love story in the form of Cecil and Rosa’s relationship. Their chemistry is very much palpable from the get-go, making it all the more poetic that she joined her knight as a part of the final party.
The next entry on this list could have learned something from Cecil and Rosa’s relationship, especially given that their dynamics were roughly the same.
3 COULDN’T GET BEHIND: Noctis & Lunafreya (Final Fantasy XV)
For all the credit one can give Final Fantasy XV for pushing the boundaries of the series and ushering the franchise into the modern era of gaming, its plot leaves something to be desired. Story points are disjointed, character motivations aren’t all that clear, and the central love story is contrived in every manner possible.
Without watching Kingsglaive and Brotherhood, players will be at a loss as to why Noctis and Luna are even together in the first place. And — to be woefully honest — even after consuming all the recommended material, the relationship still lacks much of a spark, culminating in a Final Fantasy VII-esque death scene that has absolutely no weight to it whatsoever.
2 SUPPORTED: Tidus & Yuna (Final Fantasy X)
While an argument can be made for various Final Fantasy love stories being the best, a large proportion of fans will instantly point towards the brilliant chemistry between Tidus and Yuna in Final Fantasy X.
While the main character might be a bit of an annoyance at times, there’s no denying that the game’s central love story between the two main characters ends up being nothing short of enthralling.
1 COULDN’T GET BEHIND: Seymour & Yuna (Final Fantasy X)
The scintillating nature of Tidus and Yuna’s relationship is what angered players to no end when they saw the antagonist of the game, Seymour, try and marry Yuna against her will.
Rescuing Yuna from the clutches of this heathen and beating him to a pulp time and time again has to be one of the most cathartic moments in the entirety of gaming.
NEXT: Final Fantasy: 10 Most Badass Female Characters, Ranked
