Best Final Fantasy Quotes of All Time

The first main line Final Fantasy game to include voiced dialogue was Final Fantasy 10 in 2001 for the PS2. The franchise started on the NES in Japan in 1987, so voice acting was achieved within just over a decade. But only because voice acting was now more common in Final Fantasy games, which didn't detract from the scripts that came before; after all, a well-written line, whether voiced or seen through text, can be powerful.

Square Enix has had some great writers on staff over the past few decades, so it's hard to narrow down the best of the best in Final Fantasy franchise. From spinoffs to mainline games, these are the dramatic, funny and powerful lines that stand out the most. These quotes will be ranked based on how cool they sound, comedy value, or how relevant they are to real life.

There will be some spoilers.

10

“Cloathed in gloom and shrouded in shadow, we await the fateful day when the warriors of light arise.”

Jack Garland (Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin)

Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is a prequel that precedes the first game, starring Jack and his fellow warriors. Throughout the course of the game, the characters slowly learn that they are not the intended Light Warriors and are instead caught in a loop. This quote is said at the end of the game when Jack decides that he will become the darkness to usher in a new era of light. It's a fitting quote because this is basically the beginning of the series, so it's important to the franchise. Moreover, this was a surprising revelation as it was not fully known Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin was a prequel. That's why this quote can hit so many fans to make it memorable.

9

“Don't listen to Ondore's lies!”

Vaan (Final Fantasy 12)

Vaan is the main character in Final Fantasy 12a villain who dreams of one day becoming a sky pirate. In an early area of ​​the game, players have to walk around as a distraction to get the citizens' attention. Vaan is tasked with pretending to be Captain Basch, a warrior who fell in battle fraudulently. This quote is just one thing that players can shout along with, “I am Captain Basch fon Ronsenburg of Dalmasca!.”

It's a fun mini-game and in-game scene, as players actively have a role in what they say. Because it's repetitive, the lines are easier to memorize, which is what gives them power. Repetitive lines don't automatically win awards, but the way Vaan delivers these quotes is also another reason they rank so highly.

8

“Anything.”

Squall Leonhart

Squall is from Final Fantasy 8 as the lead, and he's as nonchalant as characters get. His catchphrase in the game is “Whatever”, so much so that several times characters predict that he will say it. It becomes a running joke, but at least Squall changes as a character. He learns to be a leader and accept love and friendship in his life instead of being an early example of a child who says “whatever” to whatever life throws his way.

Although “whatever” became something of a meme, the phrase makes sense to Squall, as he mostly uses it as a defense mechanism rather than just a catchphrase or to be edgy.

7

“It went well, I know, thanks … moving on.”

Cloud Strife (Remake of Final Fantasy 7)

This quote from Final Fantasy 7 Remake is from the main character Cloud, and it's another example of something fun. In one part of the game, players must dress up as a woman to attract a crime boss, Don Corneo.

In the dungeon of Don Corneo's mansion, Tifa, the woman Cloud tried to save, realizes that the woman in front of her eyes is really her childhood friend. Before she can say anything, Cloud confidently says this quote, which is funny considering Cloud is also an antisocial character like Squall in the beginning. Who knew he was so proud of his female guise?

6

“Had they eaten their own kind of bean broth, she would still be alive!”

Argath Thadalfus (Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles)

Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles is a reissue of a classic Final Fantasy spinoff with an updated translation and a completely toned down story. This quote, said by Argath, is just one of many examples of how poetic the simplest statements can be. During a battle, after witnessing the death of Delita's sister, Argath tells Ramza that it is not his fault that she is dead. That's because Tietra and Delita were trying to rise above their upbringing, which involved eating what is assumed to be bean soup. It's a remarkably cold statement, but again, beautifully well delivered.

5

“The Reaper is always one step behind me…”

Shadow (Final Fantasy 6)

Shadow is a temporary party member in Final Fantasy 6 which first connects during Sabin's solo mission at the start of the game. When Sabin recruits him, Shadow casually says this line, and he's full of cryptic and cool quotes like this. The best thing about Shadow, which is difficult to convey through lyrics, is that he delivers his best lines to his theme song, which is just a cool whistle and guitar combo.

Along with just being a great quote, this single line also encapsulates Shadow's identity perfectly, showing that he expected to die but didn't fear it. Among the many characters in Final Fantasy 6Shadow is definitely among the best, for as quiet and brooding as he is.

4

“Guard your emotions first and then your caller.”

Auron (Final Fantasy 10)

Auron is from Final Fantasy 10and like Shadow, he only beeps when he has something wise or biting to say. A good example is in Macalania Woods when one of the party's rival Summoners, Dona, disappears. Her cow-headed guardian, Barthello, is in a panic, but even as the two parties argue, Auron sees through the fight and gives Barthello sound advice that players can take to heart. Essentially, this quote tells players that nothing can be done when someone is panicking.

3

“To hell with looks, it's what's inside that counts.”

Zidane Tribal (Final Fantasy 9)

Zidane is the main character in Final Fantasy 9a cold-blooded villain with a heart of gold, although he also likes to pull pranks. The beauty of Zidane is how he instantly liked Vivi, who is constantly going through a bit of an identity crisis.

A good example scene is right after the theater ship crashes in the forest, and the two have a heart to heart. Vivi doesn't know what he is, where he came from, or if he looks weird, but that's why Zidane says this line. Although Vivi is certainly looking away, his actions are what matter. If Vivi uses her black magic for good to help people, then Vivi will be a hero.

Vivi's “How do you prove you exist…?” is also a good quote that ties into the above.

2

“My honor, my dreams… They are yours now.”

Zack Fair (Crisis Core)

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 is a prequel to the original game, and Zack, a much minor character in said game, is the protagonist of this spinoff. The story showcases Zack's rise in Shinra's SOLDIER program, and how his beloved organization ultimately betrays him and his friends. This leads to Zack escaping with a younger version of Cloud, and in the end, Zack fights hundreds of soldiers and gives his life to save Cloud. In his last breath, he says this line about relaying his dreams to Cloud, along with his sword. It is a gut-wrenching and powerful scene to say the least.

Throughout Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7is the passing of dreams a theme. Zack has dreams, just like Cloud, and other heroes Zack interacts with along the way. So when Zack says this line to Cloud in his dying breath, it's almost like walking around. It also makes more sense behind what Cloud does in Final Fantasy 7 and why he has the Buster Sword, even though he has amnesia for most of the adventure.

1

“You Spoony Bard!”

Tellah (Final Fantasy 4)

Finally, the most famous line of Final Fantasy must go to a temporary party member, Tellah, from Final Fantasy 4. Tellah joins the party to find her daughter, Anna, and once they reach the throne room, where she supposedly escaped with Prince Edward, they find her dead and Edward cowering. This is when Tellah delivers this line and several others, praising Edward for Tellah being so upset that this coward was allowed to live and his daughter had to die. Edward is a Bard class in the game, which Tellah doesn't respect much. Also, “spoon” is basically another way for Tellah to call him stupid, or as an insult to his class like being poetic in a time of war doesn't save anyone.

For such a sad scene, this line stands in disgrace, almost as a strange outlier. Why say something so stupid in this dramatic scene instead of using a word that is more cutting and easier to understand? Be that as it may, “You Spoony Bard!” has taken on a life of its own and appeared in others Final Fantasy game almost like a fourth wall breaking quote to flash at the audience, and it's great when developers can be playful. Players can say this line to anyone as a test of their Final Fantasy knowledge.