One of the best elements of a lot of RPGs is how effectively they can demonstrate power. Final Fantasy fans have long enjoyed some of the most over-the-top, cinematic attacks in video games. However, other franchises have also consistently delivered these spectacular spectacles.
These attacks range from being overwhelmingly powerful magical spells, to being summon-based attacks that bring forth otherworldly beings to deal death to your opponents. The one unifying quality about all these attacks is that they aren't afraid to go a little overboard. These attacks were all clearly designed by people who have the go big or go home mentality.
9 Kiryu Poundmate Summon, Yakuza: Like A Dragon
For those unfamiliar, Yakuza: Like A Dragon has its own spin on the over-the-top Final Fantasy summon. One of the most powerful summons in the game tags in the Dragon of Dojima himself: Kazuma Kiryu.
Now, maybe Kiryu-Chan's punch isn't as devastating as a comet crashing down onto an opponent's head, but if you are familiar with the Yakuza protagonist then you know that it isn't far off. But worry not, this attack's devastation isn't based on context alone, Kiryu's spirit manifests itself as a giant dragon that ravages his opponents as well. Pure devastation!
8 Mothership, Chrono Cross
One of the stranger attacks in Chrono Cross seems to utilize a bit of intergalactic warfare. No, we aren't kidding. Characters with a pure black elemental alignment have the ability to summon a flying saucer and go full Independence Day on their opponents by way of a giant laser from space.
Why? How? Also, why? We have no idea. Chrono Cross can be a puzzling game. However, what we do know is that this is one doozy of an attack that is as devastating as it looks.
7 D-Breath, Dragon Quarter
On the surface level, Ryu's D-Breath in Dragon Quarter sorta just looks like a Kamekameha. And hey, a Kamehameha looks pretty powerful, but maybe that isn't quite enough to rival the likes of some of the more over-the-top things you will see in a Final Fantasy game. However, pair that attack with watching your enemy's health bar just melt away, and you will begin to see D-Breath in a whole new light.
Not only does this attack look powerful, it is powerful. Ryu only has a certain amount of these in him, so you need to desperately ration them. However, once you let it rip, it will make bosses look like insects. This is a game that makes you feel powerful, and Ryu's D-Breath is the pinnacle of that.
6 Megidolaon, Persona 5
If you are looking at the above image, squinting and trying to figure out what you are looking at, that is because Persona 5's Megidolaon is a giant explosion that consumes everything in an enormous, blinding blast wave. It is easily one of the most powerful spells in the Shin Megami Tensei series. And looking at it, it's just a nuclear blast, isn't it?
Like, that's clearly what is going on here, right? Maybe it is a smaller nuclear blast, but even so, perhaps you can fight sentient snowmen without having to nuke them? It is a little thing called self-restraint, people.
5 Meteor, Final Fantasy 4
Oh yeah, just summon down meteors to the planet's surface. What could possibly go wrong? Look, we get that the stakes are high, here. But no matter what the stakes may be, you really don't need to risk sending the entire planet into an ice age in order to defeat your opponent.
I mean, what is the big baddie even going to do? If raining down meteors on the earth something that makes you much better than a typical villain? At that point, let ex-death win. The cost is too damn high!
4 Great Beast War, Disgaea 5
The Disgaea series has some pretty far-out attacks. However, very few of them stand up to the majesty of the Great Beast War attack. What could be more devastating than summoning a giant kaiju to destroy an entire city (and your enemy in the process) such as with Flon's Flonzilla attack?
Well, how about summoning two bigger kaiju! Yes, the Disgaea games dip into the kaiju well liberally. The casualties here must be tremendous, but at least that is on-brand for the Disgaea cast for the most part.
3 Blasting Zone, Final Fantasy 8
Squall's Blasting Zone attack in Final Fantasy 8 has him create a giant spectral sword and bring it down on the enemy. That doesn't sound so bad, right? Well, "giant" may be underselling it, this spectral sword appears to be about half as long as the planet itself.
Squall, what is even the point of this? The enemy is six feet away from you. You don't need that kind of range! Are you trying to rack up collateral damage at this point? You have anger problems, dude.
2 Hell, Suikoden
Wait. Hold on. Excuse me. Did you just create a black hole? Like, on a planet filled with people, did you summon forth an endlessly dense bit of anti-matter? Because Suikoden's Soul Eater's "Hell" attack very much looks to just be a black hole. And while we aren't exactly reknowned scienticians, we are pretty sure that those things are kinda dangerous.
You are fighting adorable little squirrels wearing capes, sir. You do not need to risk the existence of every living being in order to dispatch a group of cosplaying rodents. Get ahold of yourself.
1 Prophecy, Skies of Arcadia
You know what, on second thought, we are cool with meteors raining down, and dragons lighting the place up. After seeing the "Prophecy" attack from Skies of Arcadia we want to go back to those halcyon days. Because make no mistake about it, this attack is genocide.
Maybe you think we are exaggerating? Well, you clearly haven't done your research. Skies of Arcadia's Prophecy attack drives an entire planetary body into the side of the earth. No one is surviving that. Not a single living creature. What happened to being a bunch of fun-loving sky pirates, Vyse? How did it ever come to this?