The first Final Fantasy to incorporate NPCs as temporary party members, or guests, was as far back as Final Fantasy II. The most notable game after that was Final Fantasy IV, but none of those characters ended up on this list. There is an explanation as to why.
While the twins, Cid, Tellah, and the others were all great cast members, Final Fantasy IV operated differently than most games in the series. That is to say the entire game was built on guest characters as a mechanic. The final party, which could not be changed, wasn’t complete until the last dungeon (which is why it was not included.) But which NPC who joined our party left the strongest impression on us?
10 Final Fantasy VI: The Mog Squad
Final Fantasy VI introduced a series of tower defense like mini games throughout the experience. The first involved Locke banding together with a bunch of Moogles in order to protect Terra.
Later in the game players can recruit a permanent Moogle for their party, but this list still wanted to highlight the hordes of Moogles that aided the player early on. It was an interesting idea to say the least.
9 Final Fantasy VI: General Leo
Another Final Fantasy VI hero to be applauded is General Leo. Having Leo know the difference between right and wrong showed that not everyone in the Empire was as ruthless as the rest. Players only got to fight with him in the loosing battle against Kefka.
Even though Leo dies, that didn’t stop fans from figuring out a way to resurrect him. Leo was Aerith before Aerith.
8 Final Fantasy VII: Sephiroth
This was a real treat as not many games in the series had ever let villains become party members. Granted this was a Sephiroth from a flashback who also acted automatically. Still, it was cool being able to see just how legendary his skills were when he was just a man in SOLDIER.
He doesn’t get to be a party member in this, but getting to see more “normal” backstory of him in Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core was another treat.
7 Final Fantasy Tactics: Zalbaag
Ramza’s brother, Zalbaag, finally got to aid the party in a fight. Like many temporary party members, he soon falls after this.
There were many classes like his Ark Knight in the game, but his move-set was still epic. On a side note, Final Fantasy Tactics has one of the most notable cast of changing characters right next to Final Fantasy IV.
6 Final Fantasy X: Seymour
Seymour is another villain of note who joins the party. His name has never struck much fear in the minds of fans. Seymour just brings to mind the Principal from The Simpsons, one of the least threatening characters ever created.
That said, his magic was more than welcomed at the early beach mission against Sin’s army. Unlike Sephiroth, he could manually be controlled.
5 Final Fantasy IX: Beatrix
Like General Leo, Beatrix was a commander that eventually turned good once she saw what evil Alexandria was cooking up. She’s also the first notable female addition on this list and for good reason: she rocks.
From her mad skills, to her headband eyepatch, Beatrix just oozes cool. Plus she has a satisfying conclusion to her story in that she finds love in Steiner and actually survives.
4 Final Fantasy XII: Larsa
Larsa is sort of a villain, or more like the brother of a villain to be precise. He wants to believe in the Empire, but he gets roped into political schemes he is in support of.
What makes him significant for this list is that he joins the party multiple times and for long sessions as well. Having a party of four really helps.
3 Final Fantasy XII: Reddas
Similar to Larsa, Reddas joins the party for a short time as well. It’s actually toward the back hand of the game and in a particularly hard dungeon. Again, getting aided by one extra party members helps out a lot.
Whether it’s with him or Larsa, it’s a good idea to grind whenever they are in the party. That’s a hot tip for Final Fantasy XII.
2 Final Fantasy XV: Iris
Iris is the sister to Gladiolus. She is basically a stand-in for Tifa from Final Fantasy VII. Her looks and fighting style is similar to hers. As if that didn’t make her great enough, her crush on Noctis is too adorable for words.
Hopefully in the expanded universe that may someday come for Final Fantasy XV, these two will get together. That might be hard given death and all, but one never knows.
1 Final Fantasy XV: Aranea
The most impressive guest character in Final Fantasy, without a doubt, is the Dragoon, Aranea. She’s a strong female character that is way more than her strength as well.
Compared to Noctis and the rest of the bro party, she might even be the coolest character in the game. The Hannibal like mask is a bit much though.