Final Fantasy has a history of rewarding players for exploring, especially in early installments of the franchise. Players who aren't afraid to take their time to explore the world each game offers will find several challenges and bonuses tucked away. They might be powerful summons or equipment, or rare and useful items. Sometimes, the bonus dungeons or secret areas only offer additional lore and optional boss fights.

RELATED: Demon Slayer: 10 Final Fantasy Characters That Could Be Hashira

Since many of these areas are found through individual exploration, some are completely missable or can't be accessed past a certain point in the story. Sadly, the trend to include hidden areas has declined over the years, but there's still plenty of bonus content to be found in Final Fantasy games throughout the years.

10 The Soul Of Rebirth Bonus Dungeon Adds To The Story (Final Fantasy II)

Final Fantasy II

Soul of Rebirth is a bonus dungeon added to the PSP remake of Final Fantasy II as part of Final Fantasy's 20th Anniversary celebration. This dungeon must be accessed after the completion of the main game and follows three previous party members (Minwu, Josef, and Ricard) along with the addition of Scott, Gordon's older brother. The bonus story adds more to the plot and follows the party on a journey through Hell to defeat one of the Emperor's incarnations. There's not much here in terms of bonus items for the main game, but there's plenty for the Soul of Rebirth party to farm. The additional story is also a nice touch.

9 The Centra Ruins Offers Optional Guardian Forces & Powerful Spells (Final Fantasy VIII)

Tonberry King Final Fantasy VIII FF8 FFVIII

The Centra are an ancient race in Final Fantasy VIII that existed thousands of years ago. They were an advanced, nomadic civilization that held magic and sorceresses in high regard, but their society was destroyed by the Lunar Cry 80 to 100 years before the events of Final Fantasy VIII. Players who happen to stumble across the optional dungeon located at the Centra Ruins can gain Odin and the Tonberry King as Guardian Forces (GFs) and find some hidden draw points with high-level spells such as Aero and Drain. If the player's party is level 30 on average, they can also draw the spell Full-Life from the Tonberry King. Moreover, obtaining Odin is a prerequisite to unlock the GF Gilgamesh.

8 The Dragons' Den Contains Ultimate Weapons & Challenges (Final Fantasy VI)

Final Fantasy VI logo

This bonus dungeon was added to the Gameboy Advance and Steam versions of Final Fantasy VI. Players attempting the Dragons' Den should be prepared for the long haul since this dungeon features beefed-up versions of the eight legendary dragons that players defeated earlier in the game. Furthermore, the dungeon requires three parties to traverse successfully. In fact, three parties are necessary to unlock the dungeon's strongest challenge, the Kaiser Dragon. Defeating the Kaiser Dragon gives the Diabolos magicite. However, by this point in the game, players probably don't need Diabolos as they're most likely strong enough without it.

7 The Ancient Forest Includes High-Level Items & Materia (Final Fantasy VII)

cloud and sephiroth from final fantasy vii final fantasy 7

As a hidden location, the Ancient Forest can only be reached via green, black, or gold Chocobo... unless players have defeated Ultimate Weapon, in which case it can be accessed on foot. Enemies here have high evasion, so make sure your party has weapons equipped with 255% accuracy.

RELATED: Naruto: 5 Final Fantasy Villains He'd Defeat (& 5 He'd Lose To)

Additionally, players also have to solve puzzles to access the forest's treasures. Players who successfully navigate the forest will obtain strong equipment such as the Spring Gun Clip for Red XIII and powerful materia such as Slash-All.

6 The Phoenix Tower Gives Players The Powerful Phoenix Summon (Final Fantasy V)

final fantasy v logo

The Phoenix summon makes its debut in Final Fantasy V, as it wasn't available before this entry in the series. In Final Fantasy V, Phoenix deals Fire damage to all enemies and also gives the bonus of reviving any knocked-out party members to full health and MP. It's not necessarily game-breaking, but a good summon nonetheless, so clearing the Phoenix Tower is worth the trouble. Players can only reach it in the merged world and need a black Chocobo to access it.

5 The Deep Sea Research Center Poses A Satisfying Challenge With Great Rewards (Final Fantasy VIII)

Final Fantasy VIII Bahamut

This location can be found as early as disc 2, but it can't be accessed until the party gets the Ragnarok. It's an island that contained a research facility that was looking to develop another draw system, but the power they found presumably frightened the researchers, resulting in them abandoning the project and locking up the facility. This hidden dungeon is loaded with strong monsters, but it also contains Bahamut, an optional GF with great abilities such as Str+60%. But more importantly, players can find one of the strongest enemies of the game on the bottom floor of the facility: Ultima Weapon. Players will need to engage and defeat Ultima Weapon if they want the strongest GF in the game, Eden.

4 The Dreamscape Features Character Growth For Cyan Garamonde (Final Fantasy VI)

Cyan Garamonde from Final Fantasy VI

If players choose to listen to the rumors about people having trouble sleeping at Doma Castle, they'll run into the Dream Stooges trying to attack Cyan in his sleep. When the party follows them inside Cyan's dream, players find a troubled psyche full of alternate renditions of earlier challenges, such as the Phantom Train.

RELATED: Persona 5: 10 Must Have Persona For New Game Plus

If the party manages to make it through Cyan's dream, not only will Cyan awaken with less emotional baggage, but he'll also have access to the powerful weapon Masamune. Players will also be able to find the Alexander magicite available in the Doma Castle throne room.

3 The Shinra Mansion Contains Lots Of Lore & An Additional Party Member (Final Fantasy VII)

Vincent Valentine from Dirge of Cerberus and Final Fantasy VII

This area certainly isn't hidden or a secret since the main storyline of Final Fantasy VII takes Cloud here during a memory where he's chasing Sephiroth. However, it can be considered a bonus dungeon since players have the option to access it for bonus rewards once the party enters Nibelheim. To get everything the mansion offers, players need to figure out the combination for the safe on the second floor. If they defeat the Lost Numbers boss that spawns after opening the safe, they'll get access to the basement floor where Vincent can be recruited as a party member. There's also plenty of additional story tidbits to be found by exploring the mansion thoroughly.

2 The Cavern Of The Stolen Fayth Houses A Strong Summon (Final Fantasy X)

Yojimbo FFX FF10 Final Fantasy X

This is an optional dungeon that includes lots of loot, but the main event is the opportunity to recruit Yojimbo as one of Yuna's aeons. Whether or not players think Yojimbo is worth unlocking doesn't change the fact that he's one of the strongest aeons in the game. The catch with Yojimbo, however, is that players need to pay him. If players are wealthy enough to afford his services, Yojimbo may use his ultimate attack, Zanmato, which can instantly kill both fiends and bosses.

1 Completing Treasure Maps Might Provide Access To Hidden Dungeons (Final Fantasy XIV)

final fantasy xiv

The Aquapolis, the Lost Canals of Uznair, the Hidden Canals of Uznair, the Shifting Altars of Uznair, the Dungeons of Lyhe Ghiah, and the Shifting Oubliettes of Lyhe Ghiah are the bonus treasure dungeons that can be unlocked in Final Fantasy XIV. Each dungeon relates to a particular expansion pack for Final Fantasy XIV, so rewards vary depending on which dungeon is cleared. Moreover, completing a map doesn't guarantee a portal for the dungeon will appear as they're randomly generated. End game items for glamour and crafting can be found in these dungeons and some of them fetch a high price on the marketboard. Maps are a fun way to kill time with the potential for great rewards.

NEXT: 10 Of The Strongest Characters In The History Of Final Fantasy