To be specific, these translations are from the Final Fantasy 20th Anniversary Ultimania File 2: Scenario guide. Yes, that is its full and proper title, and, yes, it is quite long.

Anyway, what I’m presenting here for your merry consumption is a translation of the “Source of Power” section of the Ultimania (pg. 8). It offers some rather illuminating insight into interrelated sources of magic
in the FF series.

For me, this page is largely vindication of theories I’ve long held to be true. Please check out the “Spirit Energy and Memories” article in my Final Fantasy VII Plot Analysis FAQ for more on that.

I do hope you enjoy this translation. Stay tuned, as another set of translations is ready to go up, and will be joining this one shortly.
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Final Fantasy Seven’s love triangle debate has been raging for the better part of twelve years now, and caused no end of interfandom tensions. For those of you unfamiliar with the whole debacle, I first congratulate you on your luck in remaining free, and I next explain that it is the debate over which of Tifa or Aerith Cloud Strife loves. Many a year, and countless hypotheses have been spent trying to argue that Cloud and Tifa are not a couple despite all the best evidence, and that Cloud and Aerith have a relationship despite the latter’s unfortunate condition. For some time, the love triangle debate has been in what could aptly be described as its death throes. Today, hopefully, we can perform a mercy killing.

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So, given how long Voices of the Lifestream has been in existence, we’re not sure how many of you haven’t heard of it before, but since we here at Thelifestream.net are into all things Final Fantasy Seven and want to encourage fan projects of all sorts, we figured we’d tell everyone who wasn’t already aware know about this awesome fan orchestrated remix album to the great songs of Final Fantasy Seven, and let you listen to these awesome arrangements at the same time.

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So the final vote for the most memorable moment of the Compilation of FFVII begins now. Which moment has had the most impact amongst the fans of the Compilation? Well…it’s now a final match between these four events. Below you’ll find the ranking results of the previous vote. Now we’ll see which moment is most memorable of all.

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After much voting, and a few delays, the results of our first poll have been tallied and gathered. And some of what users nominated and voted for the most memorable moments of the Compilation are quite surprising.

The moments that made it into the top ten will proceed to the next tier of voting to see which moment is the most memorable of all. Below you’ll find the results of which moments made the cuts, the moments that didn’t, and the personal commentary of members who picked out these events for their memorability. So enjoy, and see what ends up making the cut next time, when only the top four are selected.

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Zack’s final moments on the outskirts of Midgar.

Aerith’s rescue from the Shinra Building.

The final confrontation between Cloud and Sephiroth high above Midgar.

Vincent and Lucrecia’s moment after the climactic ending of Dirge of Cerberus.

Out of all the moments of the Compilation of FFVII… Which moment stood out to you the most?

That’s what TheLifestream.net wants to know, and with that, we’re holding our first contest on which moments of the Compilation of FFVII are the most memorable.

The forum community has nominated twenty-one of the most memorable moments of the series, and we want to know which is the most popular and memorable of all. The first round of voting will be for the top 10. After that, the next voting bracket will be for the top 4. And from there, we will look for which single moment from the Compilation of FFVII has stood out most in the hearts of fans.

So if there’s a moment you want to win, be sure to vote for it here! If you haven’t registered for the forums, be sure to do so, so that you can have your vote counted. We will publish the results of each vote bracket on the front page, so be sure to check back, and above all else, vote and have fun!

Apparently Cloud Strife is continuing his foray into digital modeling and merchandising with the release of his new brand name cologne, “Cloud Strife.” The new cologne was showcased at Tokyo Gameshow 2009 in the Square Enix Merchandise booth. A bottle of the FFVII hero’s scent is going for 6,800 yen. No word for when it’ll be released over seas.

Because nothing says you’re SO CASH, than smelling like an JRPG hero from 1997! Although I am curious as to what this stuff would smell like…Thanks to Tennyo for bringing this.. rare gem of S-E news to our attention. Oh, and don’t worry female fans, the cologne is apparently unisex, so you can get in on Cloud’s sexy aura too. Glad to know Cloud’s still swinging both ways 12 years later.

Source: Destructoid Site

Ahh, the Love Triangle of Final Fantasy VII. It is arguably, the most passionately discussed topic of all of FFVII fandom. Going by the comments on this site, at least.

Today, we post the next article from his FAQ, written by Squall_of_SeeD. In this one, he’ll analyze the hot button topic of Cloud’s feelings and affections for the two heroines of FFVII: Aerith and Tifa. What do the creators and story have to say regarding Cloud’s feelings for the two? Anything? Squall_of_SeeD gives us the answer.

With great pleasure, we host this controversial, yet well written and insightful analysis. Enjoy!

EDIT: As expected, Squall_of_SeeD and I have received lot’s of feedback, both positive and negative, regarding this article. Squall_of_SeeD decided that it was necessary to address several of the additional points and critiques of his analysis that were mentioned, and with that, he has amended several portions of his FAQ regarding his analysis. You can read the newly edited article below.

EDIT2: Squall_of_SeeD is such a slave driver making me update this FAQ again, today, the eve of Halloween. But he’s just a stickler for completion. So again. Take a look at what else has been added XD

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For the next few days, we’ll be posting articles on various topics regarding FFVII, written by Squall_of_SeeD. You may recognize this name. He has authored several other in-depth, and well written FAQs on Final Fantasy and its elements. Whether it’s disproving the speculation of Ultimecia being Rinoa Heartily of the future, comparing the thematic similarities between FFVII and FFIX or explaining the origins of the remnants of Sephiroth, Squall_of_SeeD’s analyses dissect and offer incredible insight in some of the more intricate plot elements of Final Fantasy.

It’s with great pleasure we host the first segment of his FAQ here, that answers some of the frequently asked questions and plot points regarding FFVII and the Compilation. You’ll be able to read the entirety of his FAQ on Gamefaqs where he will host the entire FAQ, which will include this information and much more. So for now, enjoy the first post in this series!
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Amazon.co.jp has recently added several pre-orders for PSP sets that include a product code for FFVII. All the sets are the same, but have different colored PSPs.

- Mystic Silver (3000MS)
- Pearl White (3000PW)
- Piano Black (3000PB)
- Vibrant Blue (3000VB)
- Spirited Green (3000SG)
- Radiant Red (3000RR)
- Bright Yellow (3000BY)

The release date is August 7th, and the sets are priced at 19,800 yen (about 1000 yen more than a PSP on its own).

Source: Mezzo.net

The SE Product Blog has updated with the new creatures that will be featured in the upcoming new set of the FF Master Creatures Collection. Included are Bahamut SHIN from FFVII AC, Zalera from FFXII, Valefor from FFX, Tiamat from FF1, and The Brothers from FFVIII.

However…In a magazine scan promoting the set…another figure is shown blackened out, representing that its a secret chase figure in the set.

Its silhouette, looks familiar… Could it be Terra, riding Magitek armor, from FFVI?

Source: FF7AC Reunion

Last week some of the Square-Enix staff, namely planning director Takashi Arakawa and Yoshinori Kitase (director, writer and producer) were present at a gaming event in Munich, Germany. Below is a translation (thanks to Tetsujin) regarding their writing of the scenario and possibly ideas for a sequel.
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