JRPG followers all know the trope of a celebration of youngsters who go away residence to assist their mother and, by the top of the journey, are slaying gods or another deity.
The factor is, many of those mystical creatures appear innocent at first, whether or not they tackle human kind or seem on a smaller scale, much like our occasion members.
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Nevertheless, after we take down their first kind, that is once they reveal their second—and even third—kind, reworking into one thing grotesquely huge or unusually epic and exquisite.
On this checklist, I will spotlight a number of the finest multi-phase JRPG bosses we have confronted in our epic adventures. Some are merely onerous, whereas others are memorable, however all are a deal with to defeat.
Spoilers forward. Warning is suggested.
10
Infini
Breath of Hearth IV
Breath of Hearth IV
- Platform(s)
-
PC, PS1, PS3, PS Vita
- Launched
-
November 28, 2000
- Writer(s)
-
Capcom, SourceNext
- Writer
-
Capcom, SourceNext
- ESRB
-
T For Teen Due To Gentle Violence, Suggestive Themes
- How Lengthy To Beat
-
37 Hours
The primary closing battle in opposition to Fou-Lu in Breath of Hearth IV places Ryu in a one-on-one struggle in opposition to his different half, attempting to show that he has grown all through his journey with people.
Unconvinced, Fou-Lu provides the younger dragon a alternative: be part of him or perish alongside humanity. If the participant refuses to unite, we face Tyrant, Fou-Lu’s strongest kind, resulting in the nice ending.
However I included Breath of Hearth IV due to what occurs if the participant chooses to hitch Fou-Lu. On this case, Ryu is absorbed, and collectively, they turn out to be Infini, the supreme dragon.
The worst (finest) half? We truly management Infini and struggle our personal occasion members in a totally one-sided battle. Regardless of how a lot Nina and the crew battle, there isn’t any method they’ll win, and we’re finally compelled to kill all our buddies. Rattling, I remorse placing this entry in.
9
Wiegraf
Last Fantasy Techniques
Last Fantasy Techniques: The Warfare of the Lions
- Launched
-
Could 10, 2007
- Developer(s)
-
Sq. Enix, Tose
- Writer(s)
-
Sq. Enix
- Multiplayer
-
Native Multiplayer
- ESRB
-
t
- How Lengthy To Beat
-
43 hours
Wiegraf from Last Fantasy Techniques is without doubt one of the most rage-inducing multi-phase bosses of all time as a result of he is liable for probably the most softlocks in JRPG historical past. I do know. I have been there. Silly youthful me. Who places Ramza as a White Mage?
For these unaware, some Last Fantasy Techniques battles have Chain Battles, that means you possibly can solely go away after ending all encounters. Within the case of Riovanes Fortress, there are three battles, with the final one being in opposition to Wiegraf.
For those who solely use one save slot, attain the ultimate battle, and, for no matter motive, you are underpowered to beat both Wiegraf in his human kind or as Belias, I’ve obtained some horrible information. You may’t return and grind. You both play with the playing cards you have been dealt, or begin over.
The issue is that the primary struggle is a one-on-one duel between Ramza and Wiegraf, who abuses Monk’s expertise to hit from afar with excessive harm. Veteran gamers can cheese the struggle and win simply, however newcomers? They both should hope Ramza has an developed offensive Job to beat Wiegraf’s face in or pray they’d a backup save.
8
Nyx Avatar
Persona 3 Reload
Would you like multi-phase fights? How about fourteen phases? That is what number of variations Nyx Avatar has in Persona 3, whether or not within the Transportable model or the Reload remake.
Truthfully, design-wise, the battle in opposition to Nyx is superb and ties in completely with the sport’s narrative. The antagonist takes on all fourteen Arcana, constantly delivering a philosophical line associated to every one.
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However when it comes to gameplay, sadly, Nyx Avatar does not change look because it shifts Arcana, and it is not even that difficult. In the long run, the struggle feels extra dragged out than something. Fortunately, we get to listen to a remix of the Velvet Room theme throughout it.
Contextually, the boss struggle earns its spot on this checklist. Nyx ending with the Demise Arcana is method too symbolic proper earlier than it and the protagonist face their demise.
7
Luca Blight
Suikoden II
- Launched
-
September 29, 1999
- Engine
-
recreation engine
- ESRB
-
M For Mature 17+ Due To Gentle Violence, Suggestive Themes
- How Lengthy To Beat
-
34 Hours
Luca Blight is without doubt one of the most vile villains in JRPG historical past and one of many causes Suikoden II is a masterpiece of the PS1 period—and of contemporary occasions with its re-release.
The insane prince is evil incarnate. He wasn’t formed by tragic life circumstances or a heartbreaking backstory that twisted his coronary heart towards destruction and slaughter. Luca kills as a result of he enjoys it.
It appears to be like like I am subverting the that means of multi-phase bosses as a result of whereas Luca solely has one kind, we struggle him 4 occasions, reflecting how insanely robust and harmful he’s. We battle him 3 times with completely different events earlier than ending with a duel in opposition to our protagonist.
Because the struggle progresses, Lucas will get battered increasingly. Worse of all, he is not even the ultimate boss of Suikoden II. The precise final boss is a no person that nobody remembers, additional cementing how unforgettable Luca Blight is as an antagonist.
6
Jas The Absolute
Fantasian
The primary time I performed Fantasian was on Apple Arcade, and I known as it the Soulslike of turn-based JRPGs. That is as a result of the sport is brutally tough, nevertheless it turns into extra manageable when you be taught the enemy patterns.
That did not cease me from spending nearly 5 hours difficult Jas, the ultimate boss. The antagonist has three closing varieties, and the final one is among the many hardest closing bosses I’ve ever confronted in a JRPG. However that is as a result of I used to be taking part in Fantasian like several turn-based recreation.
The ultimate boss calls for that you just put every little thing you have realized into apply, utilizing all accessible talents. In Fantasian, you possibly can swap occasion members at any time, and the sport encourages you to take action.
Buffs, debuffs, therapeutic, gadgets—every little thing in your arsenal have to be used right here. Regardless of struggling like a complete noob, I take into account Jas among the finest closing bosses in turn-based JRPGs, the type you are feeling proud to have crushed.
5
Louis Guiabern (Destroyer Charadrius)
Metaphor: ReFantazio
I like the ultimate boss fights in Persona. Nevertheless, since most villains reveal themselves on the final minute, the showdown is much less impactful.
Metaphor: ReFantazio does the other. From the start of the sport, we all know who the antagonist is, so after we face Louis in his multi-forms—certainly one of which is as weird as you’d anticipate from a JRPG final boss—it is satisfying.
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The primary part is in opposition to Archdemon Louis, a model of the final as if he have been fused with an archetype. Within the second part, he takes up the entire display and transforms into Destroyer Charadrius, with three masks, every representing an emotion.
After destroying his masks, Louis reveals his closing and hardest kind ever, the Destroyer Charadrius. The boss assaults no less than 5 occasions per flip, inflicts debuffs and destructive standing results, and hits like a truck. He is nonetheless not as onerous as Metaphor: ReFantazio’s secret boss, nevertheless it’s fairly formidable.
4
Xemnas
Kingdom Hearts 2
Motion RPG
Hack and Slash
- Platform(s)
-
PS2, PS3, PS4, PC
- Launched
-
March 28, 2006
- Engine
-
Unreal Engine 4
- ESRB
-
E10+ For Everybody 10+ Due To Gentle Blood, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- How Lengthy To Beat
-
32 Hours
Xemnas is without doubt one of the longest multi-phase boss fights in JRPGs. First, we face him alongside our journey companions, Donald and Goofy, defeating minions and beating him down on his throne.
Within the second part, in his draconic kind, Riku and Sora chase him in an plane whereas attempting to achieve his avatar, protected throughout the gigantic creature.
But it surely’s within the closing part that Kingdom Hearts 2 goes all out. Sora and Riku struggle facet by facet in opposition to Xemnas and his double Jedi sabers. It is a extremely frenetic battle—generally a bit convoluted—however with an plain epic supply.
The scene the place Sora and Riku should deflect hundreds of laser assaults would make Grasp Yoda proud. It is a button spam fest, nevertheless it’s unimaginable nonetheless. Seeing the 2 Keyblade-wielding buddies lastly teaming as much as take down the chief of Group 13 is classy and the proper ending for Kingdom Hearts 2.
3
Sephiroth
Last Fantasy VII
I may have included nearly each Last Fantasy on this checklist, however I went with probably the most iconic one, that includes one of the crucial memorable soundtracks in gaming historical past.
All through Last Fantasy VII, we chase after Sephiroth. Who, in actuality, is not truly him, however Jenova mimicking his look – however probably underneath Sephiroth’s management.
Nevertheless, on the finish of the sport, we lastly face Sephiroth’s true physique, having developed nearly into godhood. Bizarro first and Safer Sephiroth final could be both extraordinarily simple or tough, relying in your occasion and degree.
Essentially the most hanging a part of these battles, undoubtedly, is the soundtrack, One-Winged Angel. It grew to become one of many franchise’s most well-known themes, dwelling past Last Fantasy VII, and even featured in vogue exhibits. Different tracks could be extra epic, however hardly any are as memorable as Sephiroth’s theme.
2
Lavos
Chrono Set off
I do not know what number of occasions my teenage self confronted Lavos, however oh wow, I felt like I would by no means be capable of defeat the ultimate alien and save Chrono Set off‘s future.
That is as a result of this sneaky jerk has three phases, and within the closing one, it hides inside certainly one of its seemingly innocent minions. Whereas I saved repeatedly taking down its humanoid model, it returned indefinitely, and I had no clue what was taking place.
Nonetheless, it is a marvelous struggle. The primary model is simpler, which makes me query how Crono even died to it as soon as. The second is far more menacing however manageable if one abuses Luminaire.
However the closing kind, Lavos Core, appears to be like like a closing villain straight out of Dragon Ball. The soundtrack turns menacing as we journey by completely different eras all through the struggle.
Every time the central monster died and the battle did not finish, deep hopelessness washed over my younger self. That is how I knew Chrono Set off nailed the sport’s closing problem.
1
Bahamut
Last Fantasy XVI
- Launched
-
June 22, 2023
- Developer(s)
-
Sq. Enix
- Writer(s)
-
Sq. Enix
- Engine
-
Proprietary Engine
- ESRB
-
M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Sturdy Language, Violence
- How Lengthy To Beat
-
36 Hours
- X|S Optimized
-
no
- Metascore
-
88
- PS Plus Availability
-
N/A
- Steam Deck Compatibility
-
sure
- OpenCritic Ranking
-
Mighty
- Cross Save
-
sure
- Cross-Platform Play
-
Last Fantasy 16 doesn’t assist cross platform multiplayer
I would gladly pay full worth for Last Fantasy XVI if it solely featured Eikon battles. I do know that, when it comes to gameplay, there are higher ones. However the spectacle right here is so grand that it left an enduring impression on me.
The struggle in opposition to Bahamut has about 5 phases. It is rather a lot. With every transition, the battle escalates, the stakes turn out to be greater, and the narrative unfolds as I edge nearer to the display.
I get that the Phoenix part is a bit dragged, particularly should you’re taking part in on onerous whereas looking for the platinum. However listening to each Away and Bahamut’s Ascension theme in the identical struggle is sweet sufficient for me.
This battle has all of the tropes I like in a narrative. It is obtained sibling energy, fusion, an area battle, a dragon attempting to destroy the world, and, better of all, an precise narrative motive for it to occur. It is not only a gameplay characteristic however a consequence of Last Fantasy XVI’s story.
Once more, when it comes to gameplay, Bahamut’s struggle won’t be one of the best right here. However in execution, visible presentation, and soundtrack—oof, it’ll take a very long time earlier than one other JRPG boss struggle meets my expectations and steals the Dragon King’s crown.
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