FF Walkthrough

Big Bridge

The Big Bridge connects two landmasses in World 2 and sits under Exdeath's control. Crossing it means fighting through his forces while one of gaming's most famous boss themes plays. You're in for a treat. ## Bridge Overview After escaping Castle Exdeath, the Big Bridge is your only path forward. It's a long, straight crossing with random encounters and a boss battle halfway through. No treasure chests here; just fights. The enemies are manageable but constant. Little Chariots come in groups and use physical attacks. Neons absorb magic of their corresponding color; check their sprite color before casting. Flying Killers hit hard but die fast to magic. Keep your HP up between fights. The encounter rate is high, and wearing down your resources before Gilgamesh is bad. ## The Music Halfway across the bridge, Gilgamesh appears for your second encounter. And the music changes. "Battle on the Big Bridge" starts playing. This track is a fan favorite. It's been remixed in multiple Final Fantasy games and appears in fighting games, mobile games, and orchestral concerts. If you've played any FF game with Gilgamesh, you've probably heard a version of it. Here's the original context. ## Gilgamesh (Round 2) This fight is tougher than Castle Exdeath. Gilgamesh has more HP and better attacks. He also uses the classic Gilgamesh technique of dramatically powering up mid-fight.
Gilgamesh
HP: 8888

Your rival returns with better gear and new techniques. Midway through, he morphs into a stronger form and hits much harder.

Strategy

  • Phase 1 is straightforward; damage him until he transforms
  • After transformation, his Attack jumps dramatically; keep Protect up
  • Slow him with Time Magic to reduce the number of turns he gets
  • He'll flee at low HP; just survive until then

Rewards: 0 EXP, 0 Gil (he escapes again)

Gilgamesh talks constantly during the fight. He's overconfident, boastful, and somehow charming despite being an enemy. His dialogue is part of why he's a fan favorite. Pay attention to what he says; it's entertaining. When his HP gets low, he complains about the unfair odds and retreats. Again. This guy never stays down. You'll see him at least one more time. ## After the Fight Once Gilgamesh runs, you can continue across the bridge. The second half has more random encounters but no boss. Push through to the other side. Reaching the far side triggers a cutscene. Exdeath's barrier is visible in the distance. The party needs to find a way through it. The barrier towers are the key; destroying their generators weakens the shield. ## What Comes Next The bridge crossing establishes several things: Exdeath's territory is heavily guarded, Gilgamesh is persistent, and the road ahead is dangerous. From here, you'll move toward the barrier towers and eventually the Forest of Moore. If you haven't already, take time to appreciate that boss music. It's a highlight of the entire series. Some players let the fight drag on just to hear more of it. ## Notes on Gilgamesh He appears in almost every Final Fantasy after this one. Sometimes as a boss, sometimes as a summon, sometimes as a superboss. The Big Bridge is his origin; every future appearance references this encounter in some way. His gimmick across the series is collecting legendary weapons, but they're usually fake or cursed. He's eternally searching for a real Excalibur after being tricked with an "Excalipoor" somewhere along the line. Watch for that joke in later games. The next chapter covers the Barrier Tower, where Atomos awaits. ## Treasure Chests No treasure chests on the Big Bridge. The entire crossing is a gauntlet of combat encounters. Make sure you're stocked up on healing items before starting the crossing.