The Final Fantasy series is chock-full of some truly wondrous moments. Each entry follows a relatively similar premise in terms of goals and motivations, but only a select few have been able to provide the catharsis necessary to enhance a protagonist's overall journey.
Most characters in Final Fantasy will achieve catharsis by reaching the end of their stories. For some, it is gained by vanquishing a great evil, while for others, it can be obtained by discovering something important about themselves or the world around them. Final Fantasy is bursting with cathartic moments, but some instances provide more of a release than others.
5 Yuna Reviving Tidus – Final Fantasy 10-2
Final Fantasy 10 ended with Tidus sacrificing himself to defeat Yu Yevon. Yuna vowed not to let his memory fade during the final moments of the game, but the sequel, Final Fantasy 10-2, saw her adopting a new purpose. After obtaining a sphere depicting someone who looks like Tidus, Yuna began searching Spira for evidence of her lover's survival. Sadly, she learned the man from the sphere was not Tidus, but this revelation didn't stop her from continuing her quest to reunite with him.
If the player does everything right during their playthrough, Tidus will return during the final moments of the game. Yuna spent the vast majority of Final Fantasy 10-2 searching for Tidus, only to learn that he no longer exists. Thankfully, the Fayth allowed him to return to the world, making Yuna's efforts worthwhile.
4 Gabranth's Death – Final Fantasy 12
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The opening of Final Fantasy 12 paints Basch as a villain, but only upon meeting him later does the player learn he was merely a victim of Archadia's deception. Basch's identical twin brother, Noah, used his appearance to impersonate his brother during the Battle of Nalbina Fortress. Thanks to their shared likeness, Noah was able to convince the world that Basch was a traitor to Dalmasca who murdered King Raminas. This soiled Basch's name, but he vowed to clean it by confronting his brother.
After the battle, Noah took the name "Gabranth" and became a Judge for the Archadian Empire. His primary objective was to serve and protect Lord Larsa, Emperor Gramis's son. He prioritized this task above all else but was eventually forced to betray Archadia because of it. Vayne, Larsa's older brother, posed a great danger to Larsa, so Gabranth challenged him. He sacrificed himself to injure Vayne, giving Basch the chance to finally defeat him. He died in Basch's arms, not as an enemy, but as a brother.
3 Sephiroth's Defeat – Final Fantasy 7
Final Fantasy 7 follows the life of Cloud Strife, a reclusive mercenary with ties to Sephiroth, the greatest threat to humanity. He starts off his story as a sword for hire, but his experiences in Midgar mold him into a much more compelling character. Upon learning of Sephiroth's survival, Cloud sets off on a journey to ensure the elusive SOLDIER never regains his full power.
Sephiroth has returned to take revenge on the planet, so Cloud and his unlikely comrades need to devise a way to defeat him. His goal is to summon a giant meteor and destroy Gaia, but Cloud refuses to let this happen. He spends the majority of the narrative chasing Sephiroth down, and though he loses several friends along the way, he is determined to stop him. The final moments of Final Fantasy 7 see Cloud defeating Sephiroth in combat, thus restoring peace to the world.
2 Noctis & Lunafreya's Final Moments – Final Fantasy 15
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Final Fantasy 15 tells the story of a young prince named Noctis who loses everything. The Niflheim Empire has invaded and taken control of Insomnia, Noctis's home. To reclaim what is his, he sets off to Altissia where he hopes to obtain help in his quest, but sadly, he doesn't get it. During his visit, the Niflheim Empire attacks and destroys most of Alitissia. To make matters worse, Lunafreya, Noctis's betrothed, is murdered by Ardyn, one of Niflheim's Supreme Chancellors.
Noctis is left heartbroken by the death of his fiancée, but that doesn't stop him from seeking revenge. In the hope of obtaining the necessary power to defeat Ardyn, he asks the gods for their help. They eventually grant him his request, but it comes with a heavy price. To ensure Ardyn remains dead, Noctis sacrifices himself to follow him into the afterlife. The Kings of Luciis assist him in the battle, but Noctis fades away once his victory is achieved. The final moments of the game see the now-aged prince perched on his father's throne with Lunafreya by his side. Though their lives were cut short, they now have an eternity to spend together.
1 Tidus Confronting Jecht – Final Fantasy 10
Final Fantasy 10 documents the somber story of a young Blitzball star named Tidus who found himself trapped in an unfamiliar world. Tidus lived a peaceful life before the events of the game, but everything changed when Sin, an otherworldly monster, attacked and destroyed his home. Like his father, Jecht, Tidus was transported to Spira by Sin and was forced to explore the land in search of a way home.
Tidus always had a strained relationship with his father. He believed Jecht didn't care about him, and thus grew to resent him. It was only upon learning of what happened to Jecht that he slowly realized how much he loved him. Jecht became Sin after arriving in Spira and has since been wreaking havoc all across the land. To stop him from continuing this pursuit, Tidus joins Yuna on her pilgrimage to defeat him. He eventually meets his father during the climax of the game before being forced to fight him. Though he regularly reminds Jecht of how much he hates him, Tidus's actions suggest otherwise. After the battle, Tidus cradles Jecht before he fades away. It's a heartbreaking moment, but it offers a great conclusion to their story.