Final Fantasycan be an extremely silly series. The JRPG giant is rife with fuzzy friends and gravity-defying feats so ridiculous that they make Shonenanimeblush. As lighthearted as these moments are, though, the franchise can also be incredibly dark.
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One area whereFinal Fantasyshowcases its fascination with dark themes is through its inclusion ofdark abilities. Many of these abilities are shocking in both their scope and imagery, conjuring visuals from gamers' worst nightmares. More affecting are the effects. To match the sinister sights, these abilities inflict the worst ailments one can imagine, be it on players or enemies. They’re enough to astonish even the most jaded fans. On the upside, this means they have a permanent place inFinal Fantasyhistory through pure notoriety.
6Soul Burst
Stranger of Paradisestrives to be the darkestFinal Fantasytitle.Though it usually devolves into self-parody, it sure knows how to finish a fight. At the conclusion of each clash, Jack Garland can activateSoul Burst. He engulfs himself in a red aura and unleashes a specialized attack that turns targets to crystal. He then adds their power to his own. This technique sounds like standard blue mage stuff, but it features a dark twist.
What makes this mechanic stand out is its sheer ferocity. The aforementioned crystal attack is more of a frenzy. Jack often breaks out his fists, sometimes even sporting a sick smile. He enjoys beating his enemies to a pulp, and he loves it all the more when his quarry crystallizes. It means he can shatter them into a million pieces of blood and rock. These executions are equal parts shocking and entertaining.Rarely areFFheroes so bloodthirsty, which is why Soul Burst is unique toStranger of Paradise.
5Meteor
SeveralFinal Fantasyentries involve threats from space, but this ability condenses that threat to a single spell. As the name suggests,Meteorsummons an attack from space. That attack can be either a single meteorite or several bodies in a storm of debris. Nevertheless, the resulting damage is usually extremely high, and that’s not all the move has going for it.
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Meteor has tremendous weight, which comes down to two factors. The first is its extraterrestrial origin. The vast unknown of space has always been unsettling, so an attack from there naturally elicits fear. Second, a fewFinal Fantasytitles incorporate the spell into the plot. For instance,Final Fantasy 7sees Sephiroth seek to harness the attack totake revenge on the world for killing his alien mother. Such narrative significance and inherent mystery imbue Meteor with cataclysmic stakes.
4Zombie
One would think that a character must die tobecome a zombie, butFinal Fantasyrefutes that theory with this twisted technique.Zombiefunctions as a status in these games. That concept in itself gives pause for thought. There’s something darkly humorous about normal heroes fighting alongside zombified allies, complete with pale skin and rotting flesh. Those implications are ultimately more unsettling than the gameplay.
In battle, Zombie is little more than an inconvenience; it reverses the effects of healing magic and items. The Cure spell, for instance, actually hurts zombies. On the upside, players can restore their characters to normal with certain substances, such as Remedies. Though Zombie is easily cured if players have the appropriate healing item, the danger it poses to whoever it affects is pretty unsettling.
3Darkside
Most magic costs MP, but this move draws on one’s very lifeblood.Darksidedeals a deadly blow to an enemy but does so at the cost of the caster’s health. This carries a huge risk. Sure, it cripples the foe, but it also renders a character extremely vulnerable to retaliation. As such, Darkside is for those players who want to risk it all.
Alternatively, it could be for those who are really spiteful. Some people may want to defeat their opponents even at a fatal cost to themselves. As a result, they become theFinal Fantasyequivalent of kamikaze pilots. That comparison is ominous in any context. It puts both combatants in a precarious position, wherethe odds of ending the battle cleanly are virtually nonexistent.
2Doom
Here’s a cheap move if ever there was one. A common tactic for Ahriman monsters,Doomplaces a timer above the target’s head. When that timer runs out, the character dies. It’s hard not to feel tense when the clock is literally ticking toward the inevitable. That inevitability makes the situation more hopeless.
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The worst part about Doom is that, in mostFinal Fantasygames,players can’t do anything about it. If left unchecked, all the player can do is make the most of the time they have left. This adds an infectious suspense to each battle; it forces players to put everything on the line. The question is whether they can defeat their opponents before they keel over themselves.
1Death
As foreboding and frustrating as Doom is, players at least have some time before kicking the bucket.Deathgrants no such courtesy, which should be obvious from the name alone. If the attack connects,it results in the instant demise of a party member. That fatality is enough to make fans' muscles tighten whenever enemies activate it. The visuals only amplify that sensation.
Oftentimes, Death almost works as a Summon. Casters don’t just shoot a magical blast or spell. Instead, they call forththe Grim Reaperhimself to smite the target. The skeletal entity rises from the ground and slashes with his scythe. It’s a creepy image in any context and is arguably one of the best representations of Death in video game history.
