Final Fantasy Characters Who Suffered The Most In The Franchise

Summary

Characters like Auron, Celes, and Zack from Final Fantasy have endured immense tragedies, adding depth to their stories.
From losing loved ones to sacrificing themselves, these characters’ hardships make them more memorable for players.
Tragic events like losing friends, torture, and sacrifice shape the characters’ resolve and add emotional layers to the games.

In the “Final Fantasy” series, many characters experience significant hardships, such as personal losses and tragic events, which are prevalent in certain mature installments of the game.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve noticed that some game characters face trials so intense, it feels like they’ve been through hell and back. Yet, these hardships only seem to strengthen their resolve, making them even more captivating. Despite how harrowing these experiences may be, they end up etching these characters into our memories in a profound way.

8. Auron

Lost His Friends In A Doomed Quest That He Could’ve Fought Against All Along

Auron appears as a straightforward warrior, primarily serving as a source of rationality and maintaining an impressive demeanor. Yet, as gameplay advances through the narrative, players uncover details regarding a previous pilgrimage he was part of, revealing more about his background.

Among Braske’s security detail was Auron, which sparked curiosity among guests about his attendance at the gathering. It later emerged that he had tragically lost companions in a sacrificial ritual and attempted to slay Yunalesca, but instead was killed and reborn as an Unsent. Witnessing him join the party in their struggle against destiny during their intense battle against Yunalesca becomes a significant moment in the game “Final Fantasy 10“.

7. Celes Chere

An Imperial Soldier Who Has Faced Torture And Can Potentially Lose A Man Who’s Been Like A Father To Her

In the game Final Fantasy 6, many characters experience heartrending hardships, and Celes is one such character. Originally an Imperial soldier, she defied the empire, leading to her imprisonment. Witnessed by Locke, she was brutally mistreated by guards; however, this graphic depiction of torture was later omitted in subsequent releases of Final Fantasy 6.

In the aftermath of the World of Ruin, Cid becomes Celes’ caretaker, whom she regards as a father figure. However, if players overfeed him spoiled fish while he’s ill (a common mistake for inexperienced players), he will unfortunately pass away, leaving Celes devastated and alone. This heartbreaking incident propels Celes to jump off a cliff in despair, but she finds Locke’s headband that compels her to leave her island sanctuary and reunite the group for a final stand against Kefka’s Tower.

6. Zack Fair

Loses His Mentor And Sacrifices His Life To Save A Close Friend

Zack Fair stands out among the characters in Final Fantasy 7 for his cheerful demeanor. He develops a strong connection with Aerith and vows to meet her again once all is said and done, unfortunately, this commitment remains unfulfilled.

Instead, events in Nibelheim result in the town being engulfed in flames, Sephiroth turning against the group, and Zack fleeing while a troubled Cloud follows. Eventually, he reaches his limit and makes the selfless decision to save Cloud, creating one of the most touching endings in video game history that elevates Crisis Core as a top-tier Final Fantasy title for fans to enjoy.

5. Terra Branford

An Amnesiac Who Is Forced To Serve A Tyrannical Empire For A Long Time

Right from her debut in Final Fantasy 6, Terra’s situation seems off. As a warrior gifted with magical powers, she’s enslaved under a Slave Crown until its removal. She then navigates through dodging imperial riffraff to join up with the Returners.

After being disabled temporarily, Terra comes to understand that she is half-Esper. Her family was brutally separated from her due to the Empire’s actions, and she seeks revenge against Kefka by eliminating him and ending the exploitation of Espers for their magical powers forever.

4. Shadow

Tried To Escape His Past, Only To Succumb To His Fate After Defeating Kefka

Upon initial observation, Shadow appears as a stern, businesslike ninja focused solely on completing tasks. But when you lodge with him, there’s a sliver of possibility that a sequence of scenes unfolds, offering glimpses into Shadow’s life prior to his transformation into the emotionless hired gun.

His actions reveal a profound sense of remorse for not being able to save his friend from capture by the Imperials, who would have subjected him to torture. Despite his efforts to move on and find happiness, he falls in love and tragically loses his wife during childbirth. Leaving behind his home with only his loyal dog companion, he later encounters his daughter years down the line. Yet, he chooses to keep their bond secret and ultimately decides to perish along with Kefka’s Tower at the end of Final Fantasy 6, in hopes of reuniting with his friend in the afterlife, thus finding peace at last.

3. Noctis Lucis Caelum

Loses His Family And Beloved Before Sacrificing Himself To Save The World

In the annals of Final Fantasy, Noctis stands out as a particularly sorrowful hero. He witnesses the loss of his father and kingdom while being far away, unable to intervene. To add to his misery, the villain coldly takes away the life of the one he deeply cherishes, leaving him powerless to protect those dear to him.

In time, after nurturing within the Crystal for years, I, Noctis, understood my destiny. After a heart-wrenching goodbye during our last campfire moments, my comrades and I embarked on a journey to the ruins of Insomnia, determined to put an end to Ardyn’s reign forever. In this final battle, I gave everything I had, body and soul, to eradicate the menace of the Starscourge for good.

2. Locke Cole

His Chivalrous Nature Stems From A Horrid Trauma He Experienced In The Past

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but empathize with Locke, who despite his carefree demeanor, carries a heavy burden of past tragedies. His unwavering desire to rescue women in peril is deeply rooted in the heartache of not being able to shield the woman he loved from harm. The tragic incident where Rachel fell off a bridge during their time together left her with lost memories, and this loss continues to haunt Locke.

In another version, a sorrowful Locke departed from the town, unaware that Rachel was later slain during an Empire attack on her settlement. Remarkably, just before her demise, Rachel managed to recall her memories and called out to him. A local resident preserved her corpse, yet by then Locke had already moved on. All he could do was summon the power of the Phoenix magicite briefly to resurrect Rachel, allowing her to provide him with the resolution he sought before she peacefully departed for the afterlife.

1. Dyne

Barret’s Maddened Friend Has Faced His Fair Share Of Tragedies And Can’t Even Reunite With His Daughter

Among the captivating personalities in the series, the heart-wrenching backstory of Barret, who replaced his injured hand with a gun, also impacted Dyne. After Shinra destroyed his family and home, Dyne descended into madness, eventually finding solace near Corel Prison.

The encounter between him and Barret was anything but cheerful; Barret struggled to watch his friend endure pain. Even discovering that Marlene was still alive, Dyne had deteriorated too much and ultimately met a sad end at the hands of Barret in Final Fantasy 7. This somber finale for this character underscores how devastating Shinra’s influence could be.

2025-07-26 10:34