Final Fantasy 16, the 2023 mainline entry in Square Enix’sinternationally renowned fantasy RPG series, has been met with critical acclaim worldwide. While the game is more action-focused than many of its predecessors and has garnered positive reception for the most part, just like any other game, it’s far from flawless.
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One of the numerous flaws seen in Final Fantasy 16 is that, despite having a moderate amount of enemy variety, some of the series' most well-known recurring enemies are surprisingly missing in action despite their iconic status, even those that would fit into the world of Valisthea quite well.
8Basilisk
Basilisks have been appearing in Final Fantasy games since the series debut, although in addition to not appearing in Final Fantasy 16, they also do not appear in Final Fantasy 5,Final Fantasy 8,Final Fantasy 11, andFinal Fantasy 13. Between the first Final Fantasy andFinal Fantasy 9, Basilisks appear as giant chameleon-like creatures, but starting with Final Fantasy 10, their appearance differs a bit.
InFinal Fantasy 10,Final Fantasy 12, andFinal Fantasy 14, Basilisks appear to be more snake-like creatures, having more similarities to their counterparts in various other media. InFinal Fantasy 15, particularly, Basilisks appear to be more rooster-like, having more similarities to some depictions in mythology.
7Sahagin
The Sahagin are arace of aquatic humanoidsthat debuted in the first Final Fantasy, and since Final Fantasy 16’s world of Valisthea seems to have no other proper races besides humans, it makes sense why they would be left out, even if they have appeared in the majority of past mainline entries.
The Sahagin have most often appeared as humanoid fish people who can walk on land and are more adept in the water, although they appear as turtle humanoids and crocodile humanoids in Final Fantasy 9 and Final Fantasy 15, respectively. In Final Fantasy 14, while most Sahagin are still enemies, a select few seek to change their relationship with the other races of Eorzea.
6Death Claw
Not to be confused with the similarly named Deathclaw enemies from theFalloutseries, these horrifying multi-limbed creatures were first encountered in Final Fantasy 3, where they can split into two when hit by any weapon that isn’t a katana. A single Death Claw was most recently seen in Final Fantasy 15, specifically during the Breath of the Glacian quest.
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While Death Claws typically retain their multi-limbed insect-like designs in most games, their Final Fantasy 8 design gives them a more mammalian appearance, looking more like a mutated bear. This is due to a localization change, as in the original Japanese version, these enemies are called Wild Hooks and are otherwise unrelated.
5Goobbue
Goobbues are large MMO-exclusive plantoid enemies, only appearing in Final Fantasy 11 and Final Fantasy 14, respectively. These mountainous creatures may seem rather harmless at first glance, but they can be a terrifying sight when angered once they reveal their numerous rows of razor-sharp teeth and immense strength.
Goobbues are capable of stunning, immobilizing, and paralyzing players through fear by using the various skills at their disposal, with the latter being simply accomplished through staring at their target. Like many other enemies in Final Fantasy 14, Goobbues are also mountable creatures, so you can use them for traversal if you want to.
4Bandersnatch
Usually, despite having some differences between games, many Final Fantasy enemies stay relatively the same design-wise between games. However, some enemies, such as the Bandersnatch, have vastly different designs in each game they appear in, with few similar elements.
Despite their differences, Bandersnatch are always seen on all fours, harkening back to their original appearance in Final Fantasy 5, where they were simple lion-like creatures with large tusks on their bottom jaw. Their most drastic design changes are in Final Fantasy 9, where they look like strange demonic dogs,Final Fantasy 7: Crisis Core, where they look like mammalian Oni; and Final Fantasy 13, where they’re blue-haired and pale-skinned, nearly indescribable monstrosities.
3Tonberry
First appearing in Final Fantasy 5, an entry described by many fans as the “black sheep” of the mainline series, these robed lizards with lanterns are as adorable as they are terrifying. Despite their non-threatening appearance, Tonberries caninstantly kill party charactersusing their knives, and they’re no pushovers either, as they have a high amount of health.
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Tonberries last appeared inFinal Fantasy 7 Remakeand can once again instantly kill party members with their knife but will be briefly staggered if any party members successfully dodge their attack. These Tonberries can also temporarily stun enemies, freeze them in place, and have an instant kill counterattack against whichever party member has inflicted the most damage.
2Cactuar
Thesesilly sentient plantsfirst appeared in Final Fantasy 6, the most beloved entry in the series during its Super Nintendo era, and have remained one of the most iconic Final Fantasy enemies since. In each game they appear in, Cactuars are tricky enemies that reward you handsomely when defeated and come in various shapes and sizes.
The most recent appearance of the needle-spraying enemies was in the first part of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, but only in Chadley’s Combat Simulator, specifically as enemies the Fat Chocobo can summon in battle. you may also summon a Cactuar if you have obtained the Cactuar Materia and have it equipped.
1Mindflayer
Inspired by theDungeons and Dragonscreature of the same name, Mindflayers have been around since the first Final Fantasy, appearing both as an enemy and a summon throughout the years, most recently appearing in Final Fantasy 15. Mindflayers are also spell casters who can cast various spells to hinder and ultimately defeat their opponents easily.
Like other magic-based enemies, Mindflayers can have some different abilities depending on the game. In the first Final Fantasy, they can paralyze the entire party and can kill each party member instantly, with the latter being a skill they always have in some form.
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