Square Enix’s long-running MMORPGFinal Fantasy 14is a love letter to the franchise, packed to the brim with references to iconic characters, locations, and themes. Like allFinal Fantasygames,Final Fantasy 14tells its own separate story that doesn’t require playing through any other titles, although it heavily rewards players who have done so. The latest expansion, 2021’sFinal Fantasy 14: Endwalker,makes many references to 1991’sFinal Fantasy 4 -particularly with the introduction of Golbez.
Despite tying off a 10-year-long story arc with its dramatic conclusion,Endwalkerisn’t the end ofFinal Fantasy 14’s story. A post-Endwalkerstory has been unfolding through major updates, with the recent6.2 Buried Memory updaterevealing the identity of the game’s latest villain. Although he had been spotted occasionally leading up to this point, players could only speculate on the antagonist’s identity until he was finally confirmed to be Golbez, one ofFinal Fantasy 4’s primary antagonists. With so many references toFinal Fantasy 4inEndwalker, it’s no surprise that Golbez is the Warrior of Light’s next challenger.Spoilers forFinal Fantasy 14: EndwalkerandFinal Fantasy 4ahead.
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Final Fantasy 4’s Golbez Has a Tragic Beginning
Despite his textbook evil villain persona, Golbez’s origin is tragic. Born as the half-Lunarian Theodor to parents Kluya and Cecilia, he was determined to learn magic as his father was a gifted mage. His father was attacked by villagers who disagreed with his teachings, and Theodor unsuccessfully attempted to cast Cure to save his dying father. Later, his mother Cecilia died in labor giving birth to Cecil,Final Fantasy 4’s main protagonist. Under the influence of the mind-controlling Lunarian Zemus, Theodor was renamed Golbez and forced to abandon his newborn brother, thus beginning a story of rivalry between the siblings.
Golbez would reluctantly do Zemus' bidding throughoutFinal Fantasy 4, working to gather the crystals of Water, Fire, Earth, and Wind, as well as the four Dark crystals. By bringing all eight to the Tower of Babil (anotherFinal Fantasy 4location referenced inEndwalker), the Giant of Babil could be summoned to destroy all life on Earth and allow the Lunarians of the moon to settle there. Golbez would succeed in summoning the Giant, although he is freed from Zemus' mind control thanks to the party member Fusoya. The freed Golbez realizes he has been fighting his own brother and joins forces with Cecil, turning the tide in the fight against Zemus.
Golbez and his Minions In Final Fantasy 14
During Golbez’s tenure asFinal Fantasy 4’s antagonist, Zemus provided him with four powerful Archfiends: Scarmiglione, Cagnazzo, Barbariccia, and Rubicante. Scarmiglione is encountered as the final boss ofFinal Fantasy 14’sThe Fell Court of Troia dungeon, and Barbariccia is the opponent in the new Storm’s Crown Trial.Final Fantasy 14players can expect to face the remaining Archfiends leading up to a confrontation with Golbez himself.
It’s uncertain what Golbez’s motives are beyond a few cryptic lines about his desire to “win redemption for this star.” As he is a resident ofthe Thirteenth Shard, a realm that has been consumed by darkness, it’s possible that Golbez’s intentions are to somehow bring light back to his realm and restore it. Similar to his role inFinal Fantasy 4, this Golbez may have more noble intentions than immediately apparent. Just as the Warrior of Light had a counterpart inShadowbringers' The First, Golbez may be another reflection of one ofFinal Fantasy 14’s heroes.
Final Fantasy 14is available on PC, PS4, and PS5.
