The Final Fantasy series is chock-full of diverse and engaging stories that house an array of unique characters. Throughout a character's journey, they will be shaped and molded by the world around them, a process that will sometimes alter their overall motivations.

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The beginning of a game will usually force the player to undertake a perilous journey wrought with dangerous challenges. Some of its characters begin their journey with a particular mindset, but the climax of a game will often see them adopting another. Many Final Fantasy characters have engaging character arcs, but some are better than others.

8 Ultros - Final Fantasy 6

Ultros is an eccentric purple octopus whose sole purpose in life is to cause trouble. Final Fantasy 6 sees him attacking the party on four separate occasions for no reason other than causing them some brief hassle, making him one of the game's most memorable villains. He is a grotesque presence with a vulgar lexicon, but he becomes a much more likable character toward the end of the game's first half.

During the party's third battle with Ultros, Relm will appear and ask the frightening squid if she could sketch his portrait. Ultros, baffled by this request, responds by poking fun at the young girl, but Terra refuses to let his comments slide. She is appalled by Ultros' treatment of Relm and demands the beast let her sketch him. Conflicted, Ultros informs Relm that he "REALLY" wants her to sketch his picture, revealing that beneath his harsh exterior lies an empathetic personality. Though sketching the creature was all a ruse for the party to defeat him, this trickery forced Ultros to display a more endearing and likable side. He has done some truly terrible things, but this moment somewhat redeems him for his past actions.

7 Basch - Final Fantasy 12

Basch in FF12

Believed to have betrayed the nation of Ivalice by assassinating its king, Basch is seen as a traitor by all those who know of him. Though he was pronounced dead, Vaan discovers he is being held captive and tortured by the Empire. He proceeds to scold the traitorous knight upon meeting him, only to learn that Basch played no part in the death of the King and that his identical twin brother was the sole perpetrator.

He escapes the clutches of the Empire and joins Vaan in the hope of rectifying his past mistakes. Aligning himself with the Resistance, he aims the challenge the Empire's rule while also hoping to save his brother from its grasp. The story of Basch follows a betrayed man who slowly learns to forgive his persecutors.

6 Cloud - Final Fantasy 7

Final Fantasy 7 Cloud

Cloud spends the majority of Final Fantasy 7 introducing himself as a SOLDIER first class, the highest obtainable rank in Shinra's military. His combat abilities echo this impressive title, but it was never his designated description.

Sephiroth reveals that Cloud was never a member of SOLDIER, a revelation that drives the confused protagonist partially insane. Thanks to the help of his childhood friend, Tifa, Cloud can retrace his steps and discover his true purpose. With his memories restored, he and his companions set off to halt Sephiroth's plans.

5 Shadow - Final Fantasy 6

Dragon's Neck Coliseum in Final Fantasy 6

Shadow is a rogue assassin who opts to join the party whenever he sees fit. He is apprehensive at first, but he is driven by his past failures to do right by humankind. Prior to his life as a mercenary for hire, he went by the name "Clyde" and spent the best part of his days as a train robber alongside his friend, Baram.

Forced to abandon Baram while fleeing the authorities, Clyde attempted to distance himself from his criminal lifestyle. Many peaceful years went by, but his past caught up with him, forcing him to abandon his new family to ensure their safety. While journeying alongside Terra, Shadow encounters his daughter, Relm, and refuses to abandon her as he did Baram. His journey sees him gaining the strength to protect those he loves, an impressive power that leads him to save the world.

4 Ardyn - Final Fantasy 15

Ardyn in Final Fantasy 15

Ardyn is first introduced to the party as an Imperial Chancellor of Niflheim. He is an intimidating presence during his initial encounters, but he never poses too great of a threat to Noctis and his friends. It is only during the late game that his origins are disclosed, revealing his goals to be far more sinister than once thought.

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Once destined to inherit the throne, Ardyn was cast away from his kingdom by his people in favor of his brother Somnus. Prior to the events of Final Fantasy 15, he was a healer who could absorb the Starscourge from those infected by it. He was a nobleman with strong morals, but he grew to despise the kingdom that cast him away and chose to harness the Starscourge as a means of enacting his revenge.

3 Tidus

Final Fantasy 10 Iconic Tidus

Tidus begins his story as an image-obsessed sports star who feels little love for anything other than Blitzball. After being transported to a distant land, he is forced to reevaluate his goals in the hope of finding a way back home.

He begins to understand why his father never came home the further adventures across Spira. Like Jecht, Tidus accepts that the life he once lived is nothing but a distant memory and instead opts to assist his new friends on their quest to defeat Sin. He eventually sacrifices himself to protect Spira, an action the Tidus at the beginning of the game would never have performed.

2 Prompto

Prompto from his Final Fantasy XV DLC

Out of the four main characters of Final Fantasy 15, Prompto is arguably the most endearing thanks to his charismatic nature. Once an insecure child who Noctis regarded as "heavy," he chose to alter his physical appearance, becoming more confident in the process.

It is revealed during the Episode Prompto DLC that he is nothing more than a clone manufactured by Niflheim Empire. The discovery of his origins leads him to question his purpose in life and whether he is suited to serve as Noctis' bodyguard. The climax of the DLC sees him coming to terms with his existence and deciding that his origins do not define him.

1 Yuna

final fantasy 10 yuna face

Yuna is a young summoner who has dedicated her entire life to praying in the hope of defeating Sin. She is a product of the world she lives in, often being guided to her destiny by other people and never getting the chance to decide for herself.

She is rarely given the chance to showcase her own emotions, but her journey in Final Fantasy 10 sees her discovering a new sense of confidence. She eventually renounces the teachings of Yevon and decides to defeat Sin in her own way, thus becoming an ungovernable character.

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