The Ultimate Ranking of Final Fantasy Villains: Unveiling the Most Sinister Characters

Highlights

Final Fantasy 16 maintains the series' captivating storytelling and memorable heroes and villains, with one of the best narratives and a cast of incredible antagonists.

Villains such as Kefka, Sephiroth, and Emet Selch truly stand out as exceptional antagonists, presenting formidable challenges and enriching the depth of the game's narrative.

However, in the case of FF16's Ultima, while it successfully incorporates the franchise's established conventions and lore, it falls slightly short when compared to the iconic villains from other Final Fantasy classics.

Throughout its 35-year history, the Final Fantasy series has consistently been known for its exceptional storytelling in video games. From the first game's unraveling of a never-ending time loop to epic battles against deities, the struggles that propel the game's protagonists forward are just as captivating as the games themselves. While many of the series' games are associated with their iconic heroes, it can be argued that the true stars of the Final Fantasy franchise are its villains. After all, it is their actions that set in motion the heroes' mission to save the world.

Despite the changes introduced in Final Fantasy 16 to modernize the franchise, the game thankfully retains the signature engrossing narrative and a remarkable ensemble of heroes and villains. In fact, Final Fantasy 16 boasts one of the greatest storylines in the series' history, accompanied by an extraordinary cast of antagonists who serve as both foils to the protagonist, Clive, and personify the franchise's longstanding battles against godlike entities. While characters like Barnabas Tharmr and Ultima are undeniably exceptional, they are merely the latest additions to a long lineage of remarkable villains.

S Tier

Kefka, the antagonist of Final Fantasy 6, stands out as one of the very few villains who actually succeed in defeating the heroes. His ultimate objective of resurrecting magic is not only achieved, but he goes even further by obliterating the entire world and ascending to the status of a god. With his embodiment of chaos, Kefka poses a formidable threat to the exceptional cast of heroes in Final Fantasy 6.

Similarly daunting and enigmatic like Darth Vader, Sephiroth from Final Fantasy 7 exudes an intimidating and undeniably cool persona. He is instantly recognizable as the face of evil in the franchise, captivating the curiosity of fans who yearn to delve deeper into his character. With a tragic background and existence as a genetically-engineered deity, Sephiroth's villainous schemes gain some degree of justification.

Emet Selch from Final Fantasy 14's Creative Business Unit 3 is renowned for their exceptional storytelling and plotting skills, showcased in Final Fantasy 14 and 16. Emet Selch stands out as one of the franchise's greatest villains, surprising players by evoking agreement and showcasing deeply-rooted motives uncommon for typical villains.

In Final Fantasy 15, Ardyn emerges as a captivating and highly entertaining villain, despite the game's mixed reception. His tragic backstory and motivations add depth to his manipulative and heartless demeanor, making him a character that elicits sympathy.

A Tier

Golbez, the primary antagonist in Final Fantasy 4, poses a constant threat throughout the game as players confront his plot to acquire the crystals as a means of reaching the moon. The revelation that he is the protagonist's brother adds an extra layer to the intrigue.

Ultimecia, featured in Final Fantasy 8, stands among the various villains in the series who aim to control time and ascend to godhood. However, she distinguishes herself by successfully distorting reality in her relentless pursuit of unimaginable power. Her remarkable sense of fashion further adds to her character.

B Tier

Exdeath from Final Fantasy 5 is not only known for his stunning concept art by Yoshitaka Amano but also for being an exceptionally compelling villain. Despite being overshadowed by other mainline Final Fantasy games, Exdeath's character deserves a closer examination. He is a malevolent tree with a consciousness, driven by the desire to revert the entire universe back to nonexistence. Furthermore, Exdeath holds the distinction of being the first antagonist in the series to directly kill a prominent member of the main party.

Vayne (Final Fantasy 12) is a standout villain within the Final Fantasy game, blessed with an exceptional ensemble of supporting characters. Driven by an insatiable desire for power, he commits the unthinkable act of murdering his own father and proceeds to construct a Death Star-like entity to attain his ultimate goal.

Cloud of Darkness (Final Fantasy 3/Final Fantasy 11) earns a distinct place among the villains of the series by being the only main antagonist to grace two separate games. What sets it apart is not only its captivating design but also its enduring presence throughout the franchise's history.

Ultima, the main antagonist of Final Fantasy 16, derives his name from the most potent magical spell in the game, indicating how the writers intended players to perceive him. Despite possessing immense power, Ultima's self-centeredness and lack of emotional connections inhibit him from overcoming Mythos, his adversary.

Kuja, a character in Final Fantasy 9, can be regarded as Zidane's brother in a genetic sense, excluding the vital element of a soul. His treacherous plan to annihilate all life on Gaia by fusing it with the departed souls of the planet Terra stands as one of the most malicious schemes in the franchise's history.

C Tier

Garland from Final Fantasy deserves some credit for creating the infinite time loop that gives birth to the Warriors of Light in the original game. However, aside from this, he lacks depth and fails to captivate the audience.

In Final Fantasy 2, the Emperor serves mainly as a foil to Firion and his friends, with little character development. Nevertheless, he goes to extreme lengths, even descending into Hell, to pursue his ambitions.

Final Fantasy 16 is available now for PS5.