No series does cool swords better than Final Fantasy
Polygon celebrates Final Fantasy’s iconic weapon designs, with a particular focus on the series’ legendary swords and bladed weapons. While Cloud’s Buster Sword from Final Fantasy VII remains the most recognizable weapon in the franchise—having captivated audiences for nearly 30 years—the article argues that numerous other Final Fantasy weapons deserve greater recognition and appreciation.
The piece highlights the gunblade as one of the series’ standout creations, praising it for its innovative hybrid design that combines gun and sword mechanics. Though the gunblade debuted in Final Fantasy VIII as Squall’s signature weapon (the Leonhart gunblade), the gun functionality doesn’t actually work within that game’s mechanics. Nevertheless, the weapon is celebrated as an exceptionally cool and distinctive piece of kit that exemplifies Square Enix’s creative approach to weapon design.
By exploring beyond just the Buster Sword, the piece showcases the breadth of Final Fantasy’s approach to combat-focused design and character expression through weaponry.