Stock Phrase spoken by characters in almost every
Role Playing Game. Generally done just before, well, the
Final Boss. Often used to not-so-subtly prod you into knowing that you've reached the
Point Of No Return and can no longer save. Sometimes this is just a message the game tells you,
Breaking The Fourth Wall, while other times the characters will stand around and discuss it amongst themselves.
Sometimes this can be done as a way of trying to hide the
Disc One Final Dungeon. Done well, it can add to the surprise when you find out it wasn't the final battle after all. Done badly, it ends up being a clumsy way of
lampshading the fact.
Examples:
- In Final Fantasy VII, the infamous line "Let's mosey!" is spoken just before heading down to the bottom of the Northern Crater.
- Subverted in Bahamut Lagoon - Hornet tells you the final battle is about to begin in chapter 18, but it doesn't actually happen until chapter 23.
- In the Kingdom Hearts games, a mysterious message will appear just before you enter the final door and give you a choice to turn back.
- Most Wild ARMs games have a message before reaching a major boss that asks "Are you sure you want to open this door?" Used particularly in the first game in the Disc One Final Dungeon.
- The Megaman Battle Network games do this a lot. "Final Routine, set!"
- Used in Blue's story in Saga Frontier - before you go to Hell, you are told that you can never leave, and that if you try to teleport out, you'll be "cast into the void."
- Used before the final battle in Mario And Luigi Bowsers Inside Story, if the dark blue auto lighting flames and bright purple hurricane doesn't already make you realise:
Starlow: This must be the final battle! I can feel the dark power emanating like crazy!
[Stuff about being able to count on Mario and Luigi]
- Bowser says it too a few minutes later:
Bowser: Seriously, perfect backdrop for an awesome final battle!
- In Final Fantasy VIII, before entering Ultimecia's chamber Squall pauses to make sure he and his team are ready. If all of the abilities that were locked upon entering the Very Definitely Final Dungeon haven't been unsealed, he observes as much and wonders whether or not they'll be able to win like that.
- Parodied in Yu-Gi-Oh! The Abridged Series:
Seto Kaiba: This is the final battle! American cartoons vs Japanese cartoons in final showdown!
Bandit Keith: Hey! You can't say that! This belongs to America! Only Americans can...
Seto Kaiba: Shut the f**k up!
- Main villain from House of the Death 2 did this right before the battle with final boss.
- In Star Fox: Assault, just before going after the Aparoid Queen's final form, Fox calls out "This is it! The final battle!"
- Used verbatim in the Flash game Ultimate Crab Battle.
