Most classic fantasy stories use the Chosen One legend to give greater weight to the actions of a particular character. Of course, the majority of instances see the main character be this aforementioned Chosen One, but there are times when other characters end up playing this role instead. Regardless, the Chosen One is one of the most popular tropes in fantasy stories, and this applies to the realm of video games as well. Suffice it to say, one particular franchise that has used this narrative tool time and time again is Final Fantasy.
This illustrious JRPG series is one of the most popular Japanese role-playing franchises of all time, featuring a wealth of unique characters, stories, monsters, items, equipment, and everything else along the same lines. While the settings and characters of each numbered Final Fantasy entry change with each successive title, the narrative beats can be fairly similar at times. This is the case with the Chosen One archetype as well, and here are some of the best examples of the same that are scattered across the series.
8 The Warrior(s) Of Light — Final Fantasy
The Warrior of Light is the first-ever use of the Chosen One trope in Final Fantasy. While it's easy to rank this at the very bottom of the list, there's no denying that the straightforward attempt at a narrative by Final Fantasy did allow the game to expand on everything from its job system to monster variety.
The series has truncated the four chosen heroes to just one Warrior of Light, seen prominently in the Dissidia series. He's not exactly the most engaging character around, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.
7 Cecil Harvey — Final Fantasy 4
Cecil Harvey is the protagonist of a Final Fantasy game that is a favorite in the eyes of many fans. While Final Fantasy 2 was the first attempt at a story, the lackluster gameplay led to many people dropping this experience before the narrative could really gain any steam.
On the other hand, Final Fantasy 4 uses its characters to adhere to the established job system of the games while also integrating a fairly engaging narrative into the mix as well. Cecil's transformation from a Dark Knight into a Paladin is extremely memorable and adheres to the tale in the Mysidian Legend where he's mentioned as the Chosen One who would wield the Mythgraven Blade to rid the world of evil.
6 The l'Cie — Final Fantasy 13
Final Fantasy 13 may not be the greatest game around, but this title did a good job of giving a spin on the concept of a Chosen One. This title features l'Cie, chosen ones of the fal'Cie who are destined to either accomplish their divine goal and be encased in crystal for eternity or fail in this quest and be turned into Cie'th.
So, it goes without saying that being a Chosen One in this universe isn't exactly something worth bragging about. It's clear that these divine powers are twisted, and Final Fantasy 13 sees players take on god itself to destroy this cursed system.
5 Benjamin/Sash — Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest
Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest was an attempt by Square to tap into the western market with a pretty simple and by-the-numbers RPG. The end result was a fairly unimaginative title that was simply way too dumbed down for its own good.
The protagonist, Benjamin, is touted as the Chosen One...until the Dark King reveals that this story was just made up by him to fool the world. Thankfully, the player has the last laugh when they manage to take this antagonist down anyway!
4 Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca (Ashe) — Final Fantasy 12
Final Fantasy 12 tells a mature story about war and the immense casualties caused by it. One of the main party members in this game is Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca, more commonly known as Ashe.
Initially, Ashe is chosen by the Occuria — the most powerful beings in all of Ivalice — to save Dalmasca and set the entire world on the right path. However, it's revealed that this act requires the destruction of the entire Arcadian Empire, which is something that Ashe rejects despite her hatred of the empire that is slowly destroying her kingdom.
3 The Player Character — Final Fantasy 14
Final Fantasy 14 is one of the best MMORPGs around right now, with its impressive comeback being pushed into greatness with several excellent expansion packs. The story starts out with Hydaelyn choosing the player character as their personal champion.
However, Shadowbringers revealed that the player is actually created from a shard of an Ascian, the villains in the game. They were never really special since any other Ascian shard could be used to form a "champion"!
2 Noctis Lucis Caelum — Final Fantasy 15
Final Fantasy 15 went through a turbulent development cycle, and it shows in the game. However, despite the title's problems, the characters and narrative are pretty memorable, with Noctis' fate at the end being quite saddening indeed.
Since Noctis is the Chosen King of Light, he has to save the world by sacrificing his own life and stopping the darkness from spreading all over the world. After defeating Ardyn once and for all, Noctis accepts his fate and saves the world from its doomed state.
1 Tidus — Final Fantasy 10
Final Fantasy 10 is considered by many to be one of the best games in the series. It features a complex and engaging narrative that is further bolstered by a strong cast of characters, with a divisive protagonist like Tidus also getting a great moment in the story.
It turns out that Tidus is actually a Dream of the Fayth who was manifested to save Spira from the wrath of Sin. He's a Chosen One who was only willed into the world for this goal and goes back into the Farplane after sharing a tender moment with Yuna.