The Saddest Side Quests In Final Fantasy Games

For every epic clash with a god-like being, the Final Fantasy series has always excelled in its quiet moments. Beyond the main story, a rich tapestry of side quests invites players to explore the hidden lives and histories of the world. These optional adventures, often overlooked by those rushing to save the day, frequently contain some of the most powerful storytelling in the entire franchise.

While some side quests offer powerful rewards, the most memorable ones provide something more valuable: a connection to the world and its people. They strip away the grand stakes of a hero’s journey and instead focus on personal tragedies, unfulfilled dreams, and the lingering echoes of loss.

Gau’s Father

Final Fantasy 6

Finding Gau’s father is a truly poignant experience. After years of separation and Gau’s feral upbringing on the Veldt, the reunion is not what one would hope for. His father, driven mad by grief and believing his son to be a demon, rejects Gau outright.

The heartbreaking scene underscores the permanent scars left by Gau’s past, making it a powerful moment of unfulfilled longing and the tragic consequences of misunderstanding. While Gau is quite the comedic character for much of his screentime, this moment is particularly melancholic,

Anima

Final Fantasy 10

Obtaining Yuna’s ultimate Aeon, Anima, is deeply tied to Seymour’s fraught past. The quest reveals that Seymour’s mother willingly transformed herself into a Fayth to become an Aeon for her son, hoping to help him fight Sin.

The raw desperation and maternal sacrifice are incredibly powerful. Wielding Anima as a summon is a constant reminder of the profound, sorrowful love that drove Seymour’s mother to her tragic fate, making it a truly heartbreaking aspect of Spira’s history.

The ARR Alchemist Questline

Final Fantasy 14

The first Alchemist questline in FF14 is a powerful and emotional story centred on the guild alchemist Severian and his relentless quest to resurrect his deceased lover, W’nahja, who died during the Calamity.

His efforts ultimately succeed, but their reunion is tragically brief. Severian’s journey forces him to confront the painful reality that some losses cannot be undone and that true solace lies not in bringing back the dead, but in cherishing their memory. It’s a beautifully told tale of grief and acceptance, and is unfortunately hidden behind a part of the game that so many players never engage with: crafting.

Quan’s Dwelling

Final Fantasy 9

Visiting Quan’s Dwelling is a deeply melancholic journey that explores both Vivi and Quina’s pasts. In the quiet solitude of the cave, both characters experience a haunting hallucination of Quan, their shared guardian. For Vivi, it is a sad reminder of the brief time he had with someone who cared for him before being left alone.

For Quina, it represents a moment of introspection, as they reflect on their own journey and relationship with Quan. This shared, ghostly memory underscores the profound loneliness of both characters and makes the dwelling a powerful site of shared sadness and nostalgia.

The Diabolos Hunt

Final Fantasy 12

The hunt for Diabolos in FF12 is heartbreaking due to the backstory of the mark itself. Diabolos is revealed to be a fiery Gargoyle that preys on children, and many have fallen victim to it in the past. While the fight isn’t that difficult, it’s a satisfying one to conquer, considering the implications.

It’s only when you go to retrieve your reward do you realise that your client is, in fact, the tormented soul of one of Diabolos’ many victims. This is another bittersweet one – you brought some peace, but got exposed to such grief in the process.

Soul Of Rebirth

Final Fantasy 2

This post-game quest allows players to play as the characters who perished during the main story: Minwu, Scott, Josef, and Ricard. Fighting through the realm of Soul of Rebirth with these fallen heroes is a bittersweet experience, offering a final chance to utilise their skills.

It serves as a powerful tribute to their sacrifices, allowing a brief, emotional reunion before they fade once more. It’s a fitting end to a story filled with tragedy, and purely bittersweet.

Trading Places 2

Final Fantasy 16

This seemingly innocuous quest chain takes a dark turn quickly, forcing Clive to confront the grim realities of Bearers’ lives. What starts as a simple task of helping a struggling family escalates, revealing more of the systemic abuse and tragic fates that await unlucky enough to be born with magic.

The quest then escalates into a full-blown disaster that ends with an extremely heartbreaking outcome for your questgiver. This is one to avoid on New Game+ runs.

Sorrow Of Werlyt

Final Fantasy 14

This raid-focused storyline delves into the tragic history of the Weapons – powerful machines designed to combat the Primals. It focuses on Gaius van Baelsar’s past and the heartbreaking fate of those he encountered during his days as the Black Wolf, people who were used as living components for these weapons.

The moral ambiguities and the immense suffering inflicted in the name of defence create a profoundly sad narrative, exploring themes of sacrifice, humanity, and the cost of war. The battles are cool, but the cutscenes were my highlights.