A bit bored at work this morning, so I figured I'd rank my favorite final bosses, and why I feel that way. Feel free to disagree!
1- Kefka: Perfection. The buildup, the music, the art design, Paradise Lost themes, it was all perfect. Perfect. Yes he was easy, but most FF final battles are. Mixing his iconic laughter with Dancing Mad was awesome, and his wordless dissolve into oblivion seemed appropriate given his desire to build a monument to nothingness.
2- Ardyn: I loved the simplicity of it. No clichéd multiple Angel/Demon hybrid forms. Just prince vs usurper fighting through the ruined streets and skies of Insomnia anime style to an amazing fucking piece of music. His constant shit-talking and laughter made me wanna shut his mouth permanently. If you get caught in his AoE attack, he kicks you in the gut while you're down. He's ass and I want him destroyed. Not incredibly difficult, but certainly more challenging than Kefka.
3- Zeromus: Probably one of the only truly incredibly challenging final bosses. The buildup with all your friends appearing to lend you their prayers was incredibly powerful. His fight backdrop was amazing, and his horribly twisted, alien-like design sold his status as hatred personified. Great music as well.
4- Orphan: Yes, FFXIII was a convoluted mess. Yes, his motives made absolutely zero sense. But looking strictly at his boss fight, it was amazing. Orphan's first stage was one of the most interesting FF boss designs I've ever seen, and emphasized Orphan's status as being abandoned by his creator. Plus, like Zeromus, he was pretty damn difficult.
5- Braska's Final Aeon: As someone who grew up under severe physical abuse, the idea of Tidus fighting his father and trying to talk him down during the battle really resonated with me. Jecht's design was absolutely terrifying, and the idea that he had no control over his actions made me again think of my own father and how succumbing to alcohol changed him.
I'd love to hear from everyone else
