~ Warning: This post contains SPOILERS for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. ~The 1997 masterpiece that isFinal Fantasy 7has stood the test of time as an iconic video game boasting a unique and complex narrative with a host of charismatic characters. Despite flaunting a Gold Saucer full of amusements, plenty of camp humor, and a rip-roaring time touring Gaia in Tiny Bronco, the sequel inSquare Enix’sremake project,Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, also gives theDark Soulsseries a run for its money when it comes to challenging boss battles.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth: 10 Best Locations, Ranked
The open world of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth has several charismatic locations and colorful regions to explore outside of Midgar.
The dashing, silver-haired antagonist, Sephiroth, returns in Rebirth for round two, after the god-like experiment delivered an arduous battle within the crossroads in 2020’sRemake. However, the one-winged angel isn’t the only menacing foe that promises a good time and many deaths on the battlefield. Here are 10 of the hardest boss battles in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, ranked.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
The speed demon returns with a vengeance
Junon Seaport Facilities, Section H - Chapter 4
1063 EXP, 50 Party EXP, 10 AP, 723 Gil, Elixir
Roche is a returning character from Remake, and he’s brought his flamboyant hair, irritating wisecracks, and his souped-up motorcycle back for a second inning. Having previously challenged Cloud to a race down the Midgar highways - a chase that inspired the Gold Saucer mini-game G-Bike - Roche once again runs rings around the spiky-haired protagonist.
This boss has two showdowns with Cloud, but we’re talking about the Chapter 4 battle taking place in the Junon Seaport Facilities. Between the rider’s lightning and voltage assaults, as well as his special Crash and Burn attack, Roche is quite rightly a speed demon and deserves a mention on this list.
9Scarlet / Crimson Mare Mk. II
She would make the perfect Power Rangers villain
Gongaga Reactor - Chapter 9
2250 EXP, 50 Party EXP, 10 AP, 1500 Gil
This harrowing battle with the ruthless Scarlet takes place in the abandoned reactor in Zack Fair’s home region of Gongaga. Equipped with her Lord Z-styled zord, the Crimson Mare Mk. II, Scarlet not only mimics the laugh of Jessie fromPokemon, but she’s also a mean fighting machine against Cloud’s party.
Boating the machine’s lethal X-ecution attack dealing hefty cross-slashing damage and three sets of arms - Saber Hands, Mako Cannons, and Gauntlets - the cackling head of Shinra’s Weapons Development is not to be taken lightly, especially when Rail Laser and Impact Eruption are deployed. The Crimson Mare has a heavier assault arsenal compared to Roche’s, giving Scarlet a higher ranking.
8Midgardsormr
The trailer beast comes to life
Grasslands - Chapter 2
163 EXP, 50 Party EXP, 10 AP, 650 Gil
Existing as one of the more intricately designed creatures in Rebirth, the stunning Midgardsormr serpent dwells in the swamplands and won’t let Cloud and his party pass until some venom has been spilled - the creature is also a towering enemy you wouldn’t want to come across in the dark.
Since the battle takes place in water, it becomes quite challenging to avoid the creature’s Toxic Waters and Scorching Breath, and summoning Shiva to assist with crucial ice attacks is vital for survival. This foe stands more lethal than Scarlet’s Crimson Mare, despite appearing quite early on in the game, but it was a harrowing test to get the blood flowing.
An emotional solo battle for Barret
Scrapyard Prison Cell - Chapter 8
1800 EXP, 50 Party EXP, 10 AP, 1200 Gil
Barret’s past was brought to the forefront after the Gold Saucer attack, which prompted this turbulent and poignant fight between old friends. Sporting a similar gun arm to Barret’s, it’s two trigger-happy men against each other, as Dyne the executioner is hellbent on following a path of vengeance after losing everything.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth: Every Summon, Ranked
If you’re wondering which Summons are best in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, look no further!
Using the scrapyard environment to your advantage is paramount for cover because Dyne’s Paralyzing Shot is a doozy, not to mention Repentance that can blast away your hiding spot. The enemy’s attacks from scrap body parts, including Heedless Swing and Executioner, also contribute to a tough fight and these severe blows are more unforgiving than Midgardsormr’s toxicity - not to mention the risk of tetanus.
6Jenova Emergent
Taking a leaf out of FromSoftware’s book
Shinra-8 - Chapter 5
900 EXP, 50 Party EXP, 10 AP, 900 Gil
One of the more surprising boss battles in this list belongs to the Jenova Emergent encountered on the cruise liner sailing to Costa del Sol. After the robed men showed up and began making mutants out of passengers, Cloud and company faced an abhorrent boss designed to be a fragment of a top-secret Shinra experiment fused with these mutants.
Serving as a delightful descent into the ambiance ofElden Ring(right down to the attack names and music), the Jenova Emergent deploys a close-range attack in Pestilential Reckoning that’s a severe blow if Cloud and his party are too near. This monster is a step up from Dyne in terms of difficulty, considering the mutant’s high HP, but it’s also one of the more visually stunning battles in the game.
5Elena & Rude
The Turks make a punishing duo
Musclehead Colosseum, Gold Saucer - Chapter 12
Lightning/Wind
1260 EXP, 100 Party EXP, 20 AP, 2100 Gil, Mega-Potion
One of your last tasks in the Gold Saucer is to enter the Musclehead Colosseum under owner Dio’s wishes to battle Don Corneo. After defeating the revolting crime lord, the party has a rude (literally) interruption from the Turks - Elena and Rude - and the showdown is half comedy, half massacre.
Navigating the pair’s speed and backup attacks when one isbeing pressured, including Rude’s Area of Effect ability, Triple Shockwave, and Elena’s Petite Powerhouse, is challenging, not to mention the duo’sSynergy attack. The Don Corneo minions will seem like a breeze after facing this twosome, and a massive wake-up call besting the Jenova Emergent.
4Galian Beast
Who dares disturb my slumber?
Nibel Region - Chapter 11
3238 EXP, 50 Party EXP, 10 AP, 1850 Gil
Vincent Valentineis a much-loved vampiric party member from the original game and a late arrival in Rebirth. After emerging from his resting place insideShinra Manorin Nibelheim, the gothic gunslinger contests Cloud and his party by transforming into the character’s monstrous hidden form, the Galian Beast.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth: Age, Height & Abilities Of Party Members
There’s a mixed bag of mercenaries, rebels, and hybrids included in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s party.
Vincent’s gigantic variant will please any classic horror movie fan, and in the style of Universal Classic Monsters, the Galian Beast has a Savage Beast attack that cannot be dodged. Competing for the most dramatic fight on this list, alongside the Jenova Emergent, this boss battle is emphasized greatly through the gothic horror themes and is deserving of fourth place for its hardship.
An unlikely boss to cause so many deaths
Gold Saucer - Chapter 12
1950 EXP, 50 Party EXP, 10 AP, 1950 Gil
After defeating Elena and Rude during the Gold Saucer battle, Cloud then has to face Shinra head, Rufus, alone. Attacking with a long shotgun and fabulous, billowing white coat, Rufus is an adamant opponent to best, with a move set and attack pattern that will surely knock the best player out a few times.
If you manage to escape the Shinra president’s Homing Bullets attack, you’ll be rewarded with an even harder battle when Rufus’ pet Darkstar comes out to play. After the dark dog arrives, you’ll have your work cut out to sever the link between owner and pet, and this entire fight is one of the hardest grinds in the game, and a much lengthier and tiresome battle than the Galian beast.
2Gilgamesh
A punishing trial within a beautiful Japanese aesthetic
Gilgamesh Island - Chapter 12
Fire/Poison
Gilgamesh Materia, Genji armaments
Don’t let this eccentric warrior’s jovial demeanor fool you into thinking he’s an easy fall. The gigantic samurai is no doubt aesthetically pleasing, but a brief introduction to the enemy doesn’t prepare you for this painstaking Chapter 12 encounter.
Wielding a variety of arms with unbridled dexterity, Gilgamesh is by far one of the hardest bosses in the game and has no problem taking out your party of three rather quickly. The enemy’s Genji Shield automatically adds various buffs to make him rather invincible, and therefore, wipes the floor with Rufus on this list.
If you need a helping hand in felling this big boy, check out our guideHow to Unlock & Beat Gilgamesh.
1Sephiroth Reborn
It’s only fair that the one-winged angel is the final fight
Forgotten Capital - Chapter 14
50 Party EXP
Rebirth players have largely reported that they died the most while fighting Sephiroth Reborn, making the silver-haired foe and his three forms the hardest battle in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. The six-phase gauntlet takes place in the Forgotten Capital, and it’s more a question of stamina than strength to keep momentum going. However, buffs play a huge part too.
The source of the arbiters of fate and a now unfathomable being that can transcend space and time, Sephiroth Reborn is very much an enemy of considerable might through Heartless Angel, his trusty Masamune, and finally, his killer The End is Nigh attack.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth: 10 Best Mini-Games, Ranked
Sephiroth is growing impatient with the amount of mini-games distracting us in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Here are some of the best ones.
