The best Final Fantasy boss fights with multiple stages

Key points

• Some Final Fantasy boss battles deliver epic, cinematic moments with multi-phase combat that raises the stakes.
• Many fans love the power fantasy of defeating iconic villains like Ardyn, Exdeath, Zemus, and Yunalesca.
• Boss battles like Barnabas and Kefka in the Final Fantasy series offer challenging multi-phase encounters.

Final fantasy It's a series full of memorable, cinematic moments that fans will remember long after they've finished playing these amazing games. Once the series got into rhythm, fans could rest assured that each game's most epic moments would come with multi-phase boss fights that raised the stakes to a whole new level.

Some of the best encounters in the game can feature so many phases that fans can't help but wonder what it will take to take these villains down once and for all. These battles are always fun to engage in, with crescendoing visuals and music to allow players to enjoy an unforgettable video game scene.

8 Ardyn

Number of phases: 3

From a narrative perspective, eliminating Ardyn and preventing him from plunging the world to an untimely end is as satisfying as it gets. However, even the strongest Final Fantasy15 players will agree that the simple gameplay can make this boss's stages much easier than they have any right to be.

This isn't necessarily a bad thing, and most players will likely enjoy the power fantasy of using a super-powered Noctis to deplete Ardyn's health in record time. However, killing his physical form is not the end: Noctis must enter a state of limbo at the end of the game and kill the antagonist's spiritual form to eliminate the threat of the Starscourge from Eos.

7 Exdeath and Neo Exdeath

Number of phases: 2

Exdeath is an evil antagonist who haunts the heroes of Final Fantasy 5 every step of the way, trying to fulfill his plans to plunge the world into the Void. After a grueling journey through the Interdimensional Rift, players will face this boss one last time, with Exdeath revealing his true form as a tree born of evil that has taken root in this world between worlds.

After this tree is cut down to size, Exdeath is hurled into the Void and absorbs its dark energy to return as Neo Exdeath. This is a high-octane boss fight where players must prove their mastery of the job system and save the world from this villain once and for all.

6 Zemus and Zeromus

Number of phases: 2

Final Fantasy 4 boasts a strong narrative, although for some the inclusion of Zemus as the true final antagonist may come out of nowhere. However, his manipulative acts make him an easy villain to hate as players battle him on the moon, with Golbez and Fusoya entering the picture and defeating this villain for good.

In true JRPG fashion, this boss's hatred causes him to revive as Zeromus, whipping the entire party and nearly causing their deaths. However, the prayers and hopes of their allies force the heroes to take a breath and defeat this enemy, saving the world from his nefarious plans.

5 Yunalesca

Number of phases: 3

With the truth discovered that Spira was trapped in a cycle of chaos perpetuated by Yunalesca's lies and Yevon's teachings, the heroes of Final Fantasy 10 head towards Lady Yunalesca fully determined to defy his will. As you would expect, this enemy doesn't let this frivolity get to him and takes on the party in an epic boss fight.

Yunalesca is a tough boss that spans three levels. Beyond that, he makes absolutely no discounts. It is his third phase that players need to be wary of, as his Mega Death is a combat-ending spell and must be countered with immunities or Zombie status.

4 Barnabas

Number of phases: 3

Barnabas is one of the more difficult boss fights Final Fantasy16a statement that means a lot considering how easy the game would otherwise be. Most people would argue that it overshadows even the final match against Ultima, boasting three stages as challenging as they come.

What helps set this boss apart is that players don't control Ifrit in a train section that's impossible to miss. It's a true test of the player's skills as they dodge his erratic attacks and unleash a wealth of Eikonic abilities in an attempt to take this enemy down for good.

3 Synthesis of Jenova, Bizarro Sephiroth and Safer Sephiroth

Number of phases: 3

The final boss fight against Sephiroth in Final Fantasy7 it's a sequence that's been simmering since Cloud regained his memories. Exploring the northern crater is no easy feat, as players must face the game's toughest enemies before getting their hands on Sephiroth.

Before the fight against Cloud's nemesis even begins, players will have to assume the final form of Jenova they encounter before being drawn into a battle with Bizarro Sephiroth with both sides. Once this is done, players will begin the final boss fight against Safer Sephiroth in one of the most memorable encounters in history. Final fantasy. While this is followed by a one-on-one duel between Cloud and Sephiroth, this is technically a battle that players can't lose, which is why most people don't consider it part of the final boss rush of Final Fantasy7.

2 Statue of the gods and Kefka

Number of phases: 4

Final Fantasy 6 is hailed by many as the best game in the Final fantasy series. Not only is the story epic, but players are rewarded for all their efforts in reuniting the group in the Ruined World by having the chance to eliminate Kefka after scaling his tower.

This battle is the most cinematic final boss fight of all Final fantasyThe SNES days, with players slowly ascending to the heavens as they battle all three sections of the Statue of Gods. Downed party members are replaced by others until players complete this ascent and face Kefka in a cinematic boss encounter where the music and visuals of Final Fantasy 6 reach their most impressive point.

1 Ultimecia, Griever, Artemisia-Griever, and Ultimecia's final form

Number of phases: 4

Although it is true that the history and the joint system of Final Fantasy 8 was a bit of a mess, fans who tried this game in the past probably didn't mind once they saw the immense graphical improvement over its predecessor. The battles were more beautiful and epic than ever, especially when it came to the final boss rush.

The battle against Ultimecia is a long story where players face the sorceress with party members that can change in the blink of an eye before she unveils Griever. Defeating this Guardian Force will cause her to fuse with Ultimecia for the third phase, and players who assume the fight is over after defeating this fusion will be in for a rude awakening when Ultimecia reveals a final form that can be incredibly challenging.