Final Fantasy is one of the most popular and beloved franchises in gaming, and for good reason — its compelling gameplay and fully realized stories make for unforgettable gaming experiences. While the series has introduced plenty of amazing characters over its run to date, some of the most interesting entries have been in the game’s romantic pairings, many of which could go toe-to-toe with the best video game romances of all time.
It’s tough to narrow these pairings down to a top ten, but we’ve chosen some of the best romances in Final Fantasy history, presented in ascending order.
10 Delita and Ovelia
Final Fantasy Tactics is a criminally underrated entry in the series, and part of its appeal lies in the pairing of Delita and Ovelia, whose relationship goes through significant highs and lows, to say the least.
We won’t spoil the game’s ending, suffice it to say that this pairing does not have a happy ending. Whether Delita ever truly loved Ovelia or only used her to become king is up for debate, but what’s not debatable is the compelling nature of this unlikely pairing.
9 Zidane and Garnet
Most successful relationships don’t start with subterfuge, but don’t tell that to Zidane and Princess Garnet. These two begin their fling after Zidane is tasked with stealing Garnet away from the palace, who just so happens to want to leave.
Like many other couples in the game, Garnet is a prim and proper royal who needs to let loose, while Zidane is a lovable rogue who needs to grow up a little. The pair help bring out the best in each other, and as they go through the game’s many hardships they grow closer together. Their relationship most resembles a real life couple, making them a compelling duo.
8 Vincent and Lucrecia
True star-crossed lovers, Vincent Valentine and Lucrecia Crescent are both thrown into tragedy throughout Final Fantasy VII. Vincent is a member of the Turks, part of the Shinra Electric Power Company, when he meets Lucrecia, a young scientist. Lucrecia rejects Vincent’s advances in favour of the evil scientist Hojo.
Vincent eventually sacrifices himself for Lucrecia, and is brought back to life as a zombie. Lucrecia, on the other hand, is partly responsible for the creation of Sephiroth, the game’s main villain, and goes into hiding. Things don’t turn out well for either character, but their brief connection is one of the most interesting in the series.
7 Cecil and Rosa
Childhood friends turned lovers is a pretty tried and true tale, but the undeniable connection between Cecil and Rosa elevates a tired cliché into something much more engaging. The game tries to introduce a love triangle between Rosa, Cecil, and Cecil’s best friend Kain, but we all know who Rosa’s heart belongs to.
As Cecil goes from being a Dark Knight to becoming a Paladin over the course of the game, Rosa is always by his side, and they eventually get married, making this one of the most successful Final Fantasy romances.
6 Snow and Serah
Snow and Serah aren’t the most interesting characters on their own, but their whirlwind romance and devotion to each other alone earns them a spot on this list.
Snow spends the majority of Final Fantasy XIII journeying to save Serah from being crystallized for eternity. Their relationship spans time and alternate dimensions, and it’s sweet to see just how far Snow will go to reunite with the love of his life.
5 Zack and Aerith
Though Final Fantasy VII hints at a relationship between Aerith and Cloud, she’s much better paired with Zack, and their relationship is one of the central factors of the Crisis Core prequel.
Not all Final Fantasy romances are as passionate as the one between Zack and Aerith, though the time they have together is short — from the moment Zack crashes through Aerith’s church in the beginning of the game, they’re inseparable. Ultimately their relationship ends in tragedy, as Zack realizes he’s being kept as a prisoner in Nibelheim, but Aerith continues to write letters to him. If that’s not love, we don’t know what is.
4 Cloud and Tifa
While most of Final Fantasy VII plays Cloud against both Tifa and Aerith in a love triangle, it's clear who the game’s protagonist belongs with. Cloud and Tifa have a complicated relationship, having been close through childhood until they are separated as Cloud joins the SOLDIER fighting force (in a manner of speaking) and Tifa pursues her training in martial arts.
They’re reunited when Tifa convinces Cloud to join a mercenary force to defeat the game’s big bad, Shinra. Over the course of the game, they grow closer, culminating in a scene on the highwind that was meant to establish their romantic connection.
3 Locke and Celes
One of the more mature love stories that Final Fantasy has ever told, Locke begins Final Fantasy VI pining after his lost love, determined to bring her back. However, life has other plans, and he falls for the turncoat general Celes, who herself has struggled as a member of the Gestahlian Empire.
Eschewing the fairytale story of many Final Fantasy romances for something messier and more real, Locke and Celes are one of the series’ most interesting couples — and though it’s not officially confirmed that the two end up together, the game drops a couple of hints along the way.
2 Squall and Rinoa
You’ve got to love an odd couple, and the prickly Squall is a perfect match for the much more positive Rinoa, who is the one that can get Squall to come out from inside his shell.
Final Fantasy VIII has one of the most out-there plots of any Final Fantasy game, but its often far-fetched story is grounded by the game’s excellent romances, none more so than the relationship between Squall and Rinoa. The climax of their relationship comes on the airship Ragnarok, where they declare their love for each other. Cheesy? A little. Fulfilling? Definitely.
1 Tidus and Yuna
Did you really expect anyone else? Despite some awkward writing and unintentionally hilarious moments, Tidus and Yuna’s love story is the most fully realized of the whole series, and these two have chemistry that’s undeniable. There’s humour, drama, and ultimately tragedy as the two are separated forever — or at least, in some cases.
They share some of the best moments in the game together, such as the famous scene as they bathe together in a lake. As Tidus matures and Yuna comes to terms with her duty on her quest to defeat Sin, the two grow closer together, making for a complex but ultimately satisfying love story.