10 Video Games Where Evil Won

It used to be the case that Final Fantasy titles were self-contained, bringing a new setting and cast each time with a definitive plot resolution. Final Fantasy X was the first game to go against this rule with it’s sequel X-2, establishing a new convention of follow-up titles and several years later, Crisis Core followed suit.

Set seven years before VII, you played as Zack Fair, a member of Shinra’s paramilitary force SOLDIER and the Buster Sword’s original wielder. Tasked with finding missing SOLDIER Genesis, his search reveals a wider conspiracy that leads directly into the events of VII.

Anyone who played VII will be aware Zack was Aerith’s first love and upon visiting Gongaga in that game, you discovered its Zack’s hometown after meeting his parents, both of whom remained unaware of his fate.

This is later clarified when Cloud regains his memories, previously confused by Mako poisoning after Shinra experimented on them both. Upon waking up, Zack saves Cloud’s life but is mortally wounded amidst a large confrontation with Shinra troops, telling Cloud to become his living legacy.

By focusing on Zack for this prequel, its another case of a pre-determined ending but with VII Remake coming out next week, it’s certainly worth revisiting.