Summary
Final Fantasyis one of the most legendary video game series of all time. Square hit the ground running with the first entry, adopting a Japanese take on the traditionalD&D-inspired role-playing formula that was all the rage back then. The success of the firstFinal Fantasygame prompted the company to devote a ton of its resources to this franchise — a decision that paid off splendidly. Many elements helped this series captivate the masses and becomeone of the most popular JRPG franchises of all time, thanks to both gameplay and narrative.
Along with the firstFinal Fantasy, the third and fifth mainline entries focused more on gameplay than story. However, that didn’t stop every title in the series from displaying a bit of humor now and then to keep things light-hearted and refreshing. With iconic Woolseyisms and hilarious nicknames spread across the series, many funnyFinal Fantasyquotes have stuck with players long after they’ve completed these epic journeys.
Final Fantasy 2’s focus on a story-driven experience was a huge step forward for the series, but the poor leveling system harbored a ton of negativity that led to Square playing it safe for their next entry and turningFinal Fantasy 3into a gameplay-first experience. Thankfully, the need for an epic narrative persisted in this developer’s mind.Final Fantasy 4has become memorable in the minds of many courtesy of a story that is epic, funny, tragic, and everything in between.
Cecil’s transformation from a Dark Knight to a Paladinis aided by numerous allies, including Tellah. He’s protective of his daughter and doesn’t like the fact that she ran away with a bard named Edward. While trying to locate her, Tellah sees Anna lying mortally wounded, with Edward close by. He flies into a rage and attacks the bard, yelling several insults at him. It’s meant to be an emotional moment, yet fans couldn’t help but snicker when Tellah uttered a phrase that would go down in the annals ofFinal Fantasyhistory because of how goofy it was.
Kefka is one of the most belovedFinal Fantasyvillains of all time, despite his unhinged nature. The clown embodies a chaotic energy that he brings to life with his heinous antics. His infectious charm lulls players into a false sense of security before he shows just how violent he can become at a moment’s notice. The brutal manner in which he killed General Leo and threw the entire world into disarray is a great example.
Before showing off his destructive tendencies, there are times when Kefka’s plans are foiled. Such a moment comes when Edgar gives refuge to Locke and Terra in Figaro Castle, only for Kefka to arrive at his doorstep. After the king of Figaro Castle orders the castle to submerge, he, Terra, and Locke escape Kefka’s clutches. This leads the clown to utter one of the most iconic Woolseyisms of all time, turning Ted Woolsey into a localization legend formostFinal Fantasyfans.
Cloud’scharacter development inFinal Fantasy 7is fascinating. Despite seeming rather brash and aloof in the early stages of the game, it’s not until later on that the truth behind his misshapen identity is revealed. It turns out that Cloud was never a part of SOLDIER, and joined the infantry after failing to make his dreams a reality. After Mako poisoning addled his brain, he inadvertently took on Zack’s memories as his own. It’s a major reveal that breaks Cloud’s brain, and it takes some time for the protagonist to adjust.
Despite his life being a lie for the longest time, Cloud slowly adjusts to his past and becomes comfortable in his skin. It helps that he has a strong support group aiding him, trusting his leadership as they make their way to the North Crater for a final confrontation against Sephiroth. When the party asks him to motivate them, he tells them to “mosey” in a hilarious yet endearing exchange that shows how far Cloud has come. He’s gone from an emotionless would-be SOLDIER with a fractured memory to a scarred yet hopeful leader who treasures the bonds he made through his adventure. This line embodies the spirit ofFinal Fantasy 7and why it’s hailed as one of the greatest JRPGs of all time.
The dynamic between Seifer and the heroes is far from a friendly rivalry. This is clear from the very moment Squall is scarred during what should have been a non-lethal sparring match. Seifer and his gang of cronies insult Squall & Co. all the time, with one of the funnier insults being directed toward Zell. Chicken-Wuss is so ridiculously immature, yet Seifer’s insistence on labeling Zell with this nickname gets under the brawler’s skin.
Even after Seifer becomes Edea’s puppet and is forced to follow her orders, it doesn’t stop him from hounding Zell with this nickname every single time they meet. This makes it all the more satisfying for players to beat this cocky gunblade-wielding twerp into the ground time and time again, even if they can’t help but snicker every timeSeifer insults Zell with this immature nickname.
Theinclusion of voice acting inFinal Fantasy 10did wonders for the game’s presentation, helping players immerse themselves in one of the greatest stories ever told in the series. It helps that the voice performances are of excellent quality, which is surprising given how the English voice acting in most Japanese games at the time was pretty hit-or-miss. However,Final Fantasy 10has its moments when the voice acting can unintentionally make some moments funnier than they should be.
Such an instance comes when the player interacts with a Hypello who owns a Shoopuf that can help players advance in their pilgrimage. This Hypello’s overblown accent comes out of nowhere and turns a throwaway line into one of the funniest and most iconic quotes inFinal Fantasy.
