Final Fantasy: 15 Most Brutal Boss Battles

12. Zeromus (FFIV)

Final Fantasy IV isn't a particularly tough entry in the series so long as the player follows the traditional JRPG dictum of grinding excessively in anticipation of an impending boss. It's a failsafe tactic that guarantees success for every mega-foe all the way up to the eventual (unusual) voyage to the Moon.

Then Zeromus crops up at the very end of the game, looking as though he's just stepped straight out of a H.R. Giger painting, a pure manifestation of the fallen Zemus' hatred. And boy, is he full of it.

Ironically, North American players patronised with the 'Final Fantasy II Easytype' were given an even stronger flavour of Zeromus' fury. Now equipped with the 'Count' spell (in other words, Doom), it guarantees Zeromus victory unless the player can destroy him before the timer elapses. And the fiend uses it when nearly defeated, for added frustration. What a cad.

Cactaur Needles O' Pain: 50

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.