Faith v. 3.0 (Cloti Club)

[Stiggie]

Alone At Last has a longing tone to it. Also, nothing against the Tumblr translator, but it seems like she’s kinda reading Tifa’s character wrong in English

She says in English it feels like Tifa is throwing herself at Cloud and that she’s pushy and controlling (lol whut)...but in Japanese, she likes Tifa “a bit”. Call me a tired and cynical LTD spectator, but maybe she prefers the other heroine.

She’s also quite negative about the English localization and is reachin’ with her comments, so eh *shrugs*

“This is gonna be so much fun, you’ll see!” = pushy and controlling? My first time to hear it

Agreed, it feels like they are ignoring context, tone, and body language because nothing about how Tifa approaches Cloud comes across as pushy AT ALL to me. The way she says "I let you off the hook before, back at the hall, but not this time" comes across as conversational, even flirty to me, not pushy, but like she's talking to someone she has a natural rapport with. Which is why it's said with a smile instead of threateningly.

In general, what I noticed about the conversations Cloud has with Tifa when compared to other people isn't the "softer tone", but the natural nature of it. He doesn't sound reluctant to talk to her unlike with the others, even Aerith.
With the other characters he either says things because they said something that required a response, or because something needed to be said. With Tifa, it felt like he was talking just for the sake of talking, because that's what people do. He's not trying to cut the conversations short, nor sticking just to what's relevant to the current situation they're in.

I feel like this is sometimes mistakenly seen as him not showing signs of interest in her, because he just comes across as "normal", when in reality, this is basically the biggest sign of affection you could have, a man who isn't comfortable with anyone, is seemingly comfortable around her. That natural flow they have is present in their team work as well, they just act like a natural pair. Some read that as "friendship", I read that as "natural compatibility". They don't come across as two awkward people crushing on each other (although that's definitely present), they come across as a couple that automatically leans on, helps, trusts each other, etc.

 

[Purple]

Yeah, it’s my first time to hear someone say Tifa came off as pushy in that scene in English. That’s why I was quite perplexed. She says translation matters, but the literal translation and the English localization carry the same meaning in context of the scene. It honestly feels like nitpicking at this point between translators.

Alone At Last was a flirty scene in English. When Cloud says “yeah, maybe” he was actually smiling even maybe teasing her.

I know at the end of the day it all boils down to preference or maybe even a bias.

 

[iamhorde]

Have anyone else caught Cloud's nod of agreement to what Aerith said in this part?

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1274828616333815808

I've played this chapter twice and I've never noticed that! Wow!
In the Japanese version, Aerith says "She (Tifa) is his Type". Either way, Cloud nodding to either version is a nod to his feelings for Tifa! Tifa needs to watch this scene!

A follow up comment to that tweet on "thank you, Aerith". It does kinda feel like Aerith is helping Cloud to understand his feelings for Tifa, or at least what Tifa means to him. I'm replaying FF7R now and keeping an open mind, watching both heroines' interaction with Cloud (and also with the perspective that Aerith seems to know more than she lets on).

Most Aerith and Cloud moments are quite lighthearted with some flirting from Aerith, but it's often times in the form of teasing him for his cool demeanor. The questions Aerith asks - like about the flower and the part where Cloud blurts out Tifa's name - prompts Cloud to reflect on who Tifa is to him. Kinda like those times when you're interested in someone but don't want to admit / too oblivious to realize and it takes a question from someone else to make you realize your feelings.

Marle truly is such a cloti shipper lmao. I noticed while linking the video that when she tells Cloud "be nice to Tifa!" and he answers "but I am", she answers "I'm telling you to be attentive, not interested!" Implying that he's acting like about all Tifa's suitors up to that point (so he's interested) - but he does listen to marle and change afterwards with Tifa. I like it cause the FR lays down that Cloud is interested in Tifa. Sorry can't know for the JP or the EN there, but it made me smile so! (it's probably been already said by the way :')).

@Eerie, are you referring to this scene here? In English, Marle asks Cloud if he is really listening.

Fast forward a little... Cloud learns fast.

 

[minami758]

Tifa asks Cloud to take care of the drones, she trusts him to handle them and live up to the SOLIDER skills he's been going on about. If he does, he also gets to live up to the promise and save her when she needs help. If he doesn't, she just saves herself and is just happy he got out too!

Don't wanna get into LTD stuff here but I know some have used the train roll being "optional" as evidence against it. Honestly I don't consider that scene optional at all, considering it took players two weeks after the game released to actually discover there was a second scene, and it was only because someone was curious as to what happens when you let all the timers run down. It's pretty much impossible to get that scene where Cloud jumps by himself unless you deliberately stand there for three minutes, lol.

I also can't wait to see how Cloud and Tifa interact with each other during this time. They're almost on the same page re: their feelings for one another, but they haven't had the talk just yet, so there's just a sliver of doubt. (I've gotta poke fun of my girl here again, because she literally looks into the mind of the guy she likes, finds out that almost all of his thoughts are about her, and she's still like 'Hmmm, I wonder if he likes me like that.') If we already have this much unnecessary touching and sexual tension in Part 1, I cannot even imagine what we're getting here. I feel so bad for the third party member. (It's probably gonna be Barret, poor guy)

I'm so excited for the expansion of this part too. Their interactions are going to be so awkwardly cute.

Yeah, it’s my first time to hear someone say Tifa came off as pushy in that scene in English. That’s why I was quite perplexed. She says translation matters, but the literal translation and the English localization carry the same meaning in context of the scene. It honestly feels like nitpicking at this point between translators.

Alone At Last was a flirty scene in English. When Cloud says “yeah, maybe” he was actually smiling even maybe teasing her.

I know at the end of the day it all boils down to preference or maybe even a bias.

Re: the Tumblr translations. At the end of the day, no one will care about Japanese->English localization except shippers and/or people who understand both languages. To give credit to the Tumblr, I do think there are some cultural nuances that are lost — or changed might be the better term — in the localization. But that's because the cultures are different.

https://100wendybirds.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F621590097650958336
She notes here that the "English version is always more intense, more combative, and directly about the Tifa-vs-Aerith competition." Which honestly isn't an isolated POV. I've seen quite a few people express this view (all of them shippers, of course). I don't really think she's biased one way or another, at least not from what I can tell from her few posts so far. If anything, she seems to like CT a lot now that she's playing in Japanese. And personally? I also wasn't a huge fan of the "Mine!" addition in English, but it doesn't grind my gears too much.

Japanese speakers have noted that Jessie is a lot more forward in her advances in English than in Japanese. I'd say in some ways, it's true all the women are a bit more forward in English. But that's also just because culturally, people are just more forward in America (I say America because that's just where the localizers are based). It's the same with the swearing. There's barely any swearing in the Japanese and an abundance of it in English.

The English localization differs from other language localizations due to the simple fact that they spent so much extra time on it and that English-speaking countries are their biggest market. I wouldn't say it's any better or worse, but just that they catered a lot more to the cultural differences to make it more palatable for English-speakers (and Americans, in particular.)

Obviously the general atmosphere and gist of character personalities and interactions come across, but some of the details might get lost in the mix. That also just comes with the territory of localization — people will pick and choose what to keep and what to change. I think the English localization is fantastic overall — one of SE's best — but it's also not without its flaws.

 

[Yeji738494]

The UST is wild...he moans as she walks toward him (and we see tifa from his POV). And then the close up on her lips at the end was so unnecessary and again, from his POV.
Also, I love that jealous cloud is canon.

 

[Purple]

@minami758 I agree with what you said about the translation/localization stuff. Personally, I’m not also a fan of the “MINE!” liberty they took but at the end of the day, I feel like it didn’t take away to the overall dynamic of things. Some shippers would strongly disagree, but that is to be expected because people will always have a varying opinion on things.

And you are absolutely right it is a cultural thing and the localization will always reflect that. Some fans complained of too much swearing, but that’s just how things are in the West. Not that it’s necessarily a bad thing. I do not think that we’d end up with two drastically different stories despite the cultural difference too.

Again, I just find it perplexing that in Japanese she finds Tifa sweet but in English she thinks she controlling and pushy and is throwing herself at Cloud. But that’s on her, as it’s her blog and all. Anyway, I digress.

 

[JT77fp]

The way Clouds hand lingers on her back when they catch Aerith in the sewers is somehow very endearing to me as well.

Notice at Corneos hideout when they meet up with Leslie again, Tifa does the same, casually resting her hand on Cloud's shoulder? (Sorry if it's been mentioned before). It's not something she did in earlier chapters, but later on when their familiarity and casualness increases.

After saving the world and suffering through so much, I'm glad that our heroes get to settle down and have some peace and quiet.

Are we gonna see THE PICNIC?! I wanna see a F#$&!@ picnic!

The whole scene in French is sweet, and it's funny the youtuber goes "but I think she's already perfect" when Tifa asks what she should wear

See, this is what I was saying earlier. It's a question from a beautiful lady that would leave most men befuddled (yes sexist, I know)! But I liked it because it came across sincerely. She blurted out the idea about dressing up then seemed to get shy and back away, before trying again to convince Cloud. It didn't come across as pushy, rather as being spontaneous and refreshingly unassuming.

 

[Yumelinh]

I’m cautiously optimistic about it

This right here summarizes all my feelings regarding the next installments, honestly.

Are we gonna see THE PICNIC?! I wanna see a F#$&!@ picnic!

I really hope we get to see AC/C Seventh Heaven family by the end of the Remake. I'm still kinda disappointed we didn't get to see Denzel (or at least a reference to him) when the plate fell. Such a wasted opportunity to show my boy

 

[insanehobbit]

I thought the ENG localization was great for the most part, though I do think it played a little too into the hardass, "Not Interested" Cloud persona rather than the awkward boy who desperately wants to be loved but pretends he doesn't care that is much more apparent with JP Cloud's performance. On my first playthrough, I thought Cloud seemed a little indifferent when Tifa asked him out/made him a drink, but playing it again and actually looking at his facial expressions, it's pretty clear he's just teasing/trying to play it cool. They're hard to catch if you're not looking for them, but Cloud is smiling at Tifa in almost every conversation they have in Ch. 3 (and come to think of it, in general, when they're lives aren't in immediate danger.)

The two changes that did bug me were both during the Train Graveyard chapter -- the aforementioned 'Mine!', and Cloud's reaction to Tifa seeing a vision of Marlene. In the JP version, he sounds so worried but in ENG, he almost sounds annoyed.

The entire Chapter was a huge wink-wink nudge-nudge to the neverending shipwar. You start off with both girls clinging to Cloud's arms, and then rescuing one and then the other, both girls taking their turns to respond first. It's like the game is going out of its way to make sure Cloud doesn't show a preference (though I would argue if you really looked at his eye line and where his body lands, his subconscious is already favoring Tifa). I do think it's pretty telling this dynamic completely disappears after this Chapter. It's almost like SE's saying to the LTD aficionados, 'Okay, you got what you wanted, now let's never do this again.'

I thought it was strange that this came after the Sewer Chapter (AKA THE Aerti chapter), though in retrospect, I'm glad the game established them as friends first rather than love rivals.

 

[odekopeko]

leg straddling scene

Nothing of substance here. Just loved how you titled it.

About the tumblr post, I think she's simply analyzing through a shipper's lens. Not that she is one herself, but her arguments seem to be anticipating how another shipper might view the dialogue. To the majority who don't care about shipping, it might not make a world of difference. But if you're arguing the LTD, those small things matter. Am I making sense?

English team localization did a great job overall, but isn't perfect. The "Bodyguard. Mine!" being an example of one of the more unsavory liberties taken. And, of course, to my nitpicking self, Cloud sounded less gentle and more weirded out when he said, "What was that about?" But it was a throwaway line. I don't think the majority will remember it. But as a shipper, I wish they just kept the line the same, as it sounds natural to me for him to say, "Hey...Are you alright?"

But so many things added in the English localization I absolutely loved. Like the swearing, that they're more straightforward and less subtle, and Cloud telling Tifa, "Nailed it. I know. Moving on." That was 100x better than, "I had no other choice!" Also got a kick out of Tifa going, "Oh my God, that makeup! And that dress!"

The entire Chapter was a huge wink-wink nudge-nudge to the neverending shipwar. You start off with both girls clinging to Cloud's arms, and then rescuing one and then the other, both girls taking their turns to respond first. It's like the game is going out of its way to make sure Cloud doesn't show a preference (though I would argue if you really looked at his eye line and where his body lands, his subconscious is already favoring Tifa). I do think it's pretty telling this dynamic completely disappears after this Chapter. It's almost like SE's saying to the LTD aficionados, 'Okay, you got what you wanted, now let's never do this again.'

I'm in the minority here, or maybe the only person, who did think there was a tense moment between Cloud and Tifa during that fall in the Train Graveyard. The part where he asked Aerith if she was okay as she is the one who got up first. I know, I know, I'm probably reading it wrong, but I still think there was tension - not jealousy, but tension - when Tifa silently walked past them, and Cloud's response (or lack of) was telling (to me). His gaze almost always follows her whenever she walks past him, but not that time. Cloud stood still, while Aerith silently watched her back.

The moment didn't linger or last long, but I personally felt it there. Honestly, it would be odd if Aerith didn't pick up that there was something going on between these two here, if she hasn't already.

That's why, later on, even though he really didn't have to, and Aerith was thrown down right next to him, I felt Cloud made a special effort to entirely cover Tifa's body with his, and then asks her if she's okay, with the whole camera focusing on them and her expression. I felt like Cloud was trying to make sure she knows he hasn't forgotten his promise to her.

But, yeah, after this moment in this chapter, after Cloud and Tifa share that moment and she smiles, all the tension disappeared, and I didn't feel it again. Maybe just me, but his actions totally felt like a boyfriend trying to reassure his girlfriend.

 

[Cat on Mars]

Me reading the last pages of this thread:

While I've had my own issues with the OG in that Tifa doesn't get a section of backstory to herself, I also see the Lifestream just as much her backstory as it is Cloud's. It's only because we view the narrative from Cloud's eyes that Tifa doesn't seem to be as fleshed out in certain respects. That said, I do hope Tifa gets more development (during Nibelheim or otherwise) this time around, or that maybe we'll even run into Zangan at some point. I'd love to learn more about her first five years in Midgar or how she even got Zangan to train her in the first place.

If they do this I can die happy, I've been eagerly waiting to see more about Tifa's life in Nibelheim. She was well-liked there, there must be a reason for it (we already saw similar reasons in the slums).

I know some Tifa fans have wished in the past that she'd become the token "strong female character" where she rebuffs Cloud and sets off on her own adventures, and disliked that she became a mother-figure to Denzel and Marlene. But "don't need any man Tifa Lockhart" was always a headcanon/fantasy, in my opinion. And I personally think we're beyond a time where female characters don't get to be badass without being lone wolves. Why can't Tifa be strong and independent while also living and raising children with the man she loves?

I've argued this point several times in several places, strong women need love too, everybody does. Tifa's no different.
Because of course she's beauty, she's grace, she will break your fucking face! But that doesn't mean she won't need a hug and a kiss and knowing he's loved and appreciated for more than her psysique and badassery.

Kitase mentions in an interview that the moment that stood out to him the most at E3 2019 was the overwhelming response to Tifa's first appearance, haha.

I watched it live, it was crazy! The cheers from the crowd drowned the sound system! I cheered at home, too.

If we stop to think about it, Tifa has always been selfless in an unhealthy amount. And in order for her to finally make a decision for herself, she literally needed to be put in a situation where she had to choose between fighting to try to save the world or help the person she loves the most, and for the first time she made a choice for herself. The world would still have the rest of the gang to fight for it, but Cloud only had her.

Yes, it's one of her flaws. She cares too much, she tries to not rock the boat, she wants to see everybody happy. She puts on a cheery facade when she's suffering because she believes that her grief is dangerous. She almost died and Cloud got the blame for her accident because she was a selfish child doing childish things -totally normal and understandable, but Tifa being Tifa I'm sure she felt guilty about the whole ordeal for years.

This never made sense to me, because I always saw the thing that Tifa wanted most to be a family, not because she is a women and all women should want that or something, but because it is the thing she constantly loses over the story. Her mom dies when she is young, her close friends all move away, her father is murdered, her town destroyed, and she builds a new family in sector 7 with Avalanche but she ends up losing most of them too. It's why she can't bring herself to leave Avalanche even when she disagrees with their methods, because she can't stand to lose another family all over again.

I've always thought the same, her character arc is simple: she lost her family and town and in the end she fights for the chance to find another place to live and call home and a family of her own, a somewhat normal family is Tifa's biggest wish since she was robbed of one so early in life. Also, Tifa could be keeping monsters at bay and fighting for hours and then return home and resume cleaning duties and take a bath before dinner.
Too bad Cloud can't cook for shit so she'd have to do it as well.

 

[odekopeko]

By the way, if any of you can confirm, before the Sector 7 plate collapses, if you let the timer run out, does it do anything? Does Cloud still grab onto Tifa's shoulder, and then take her hand in his?

Just want to know if this was optional or not.

 

[minami758]

I'm in the minority here, or maybe the only person, who did think there was a tense moment between Cloud and Tifa during that fall in the Train Graveyard. The part where he asked Aerith if she was okay as she is the one who got up first. I know, I know, I'm probably reading it wrong, but I still think there was tension - not jealousy, but tension - when Tifa silently walked past them, and Cloud's response (or lack of) was telling (to me). His gaze almost always follows her whenever she walks past him, but not that time. Cloud stood still, while Aerith silently watched her back.

The moment didn't linger or last long, but I personally felt it there. Honestly, it would be odd if Aerith didn't pick up that there was something going on between these two here, if she hasn't already.

That's why, later on, even though he really didn't have to, and Aerith was thrown down right next to him, I felt Cloud made a special effort to entirely cover Tifa's body with his, and then asks her if she's okay, with the whole camera focusing on them and her expression. I felt like Cloud was trying to make sure she knows he hasn't forgotten his promise to her.

But, yeah, after this moment in this chapter, after Cloud and Tifa share that moment and she smiles, all the tension disappeared, and I didn't feel it again. Maybe just me, but his actions totally felt like a boyfriend trying to reassure his girlfriend.

Peko you're not the only one who thought this! I had the same reaction. I think it sort of starts in the sewers, when Tifa questions Cloud about Aerith. Just to place my own cards on the table, I don't mind that Tifa shows some hints of jealousy. Jealousy is a real emotion people feel, even if it's not based in reality sometimes. Same with Cloud — the fact that Cloud is jealous of the Item Shop Owner is hilarious and so cute to me because I'm like, "you really think this rando guy has a chance with Tifa when you're around?"

To bring this back to the Train Graveyard scene, I think Cloud's reaction to Tifa's brief annoyance is actually a positive for the ship. Is it a little salty of Tifa? Yes, but she's also got a lot on her mind at the moment so I try not to hold it against her.

The fact that Cloud takes great pains to protect Tifa later on in the Train Graveyard — when he shields her and asks her individually if she's okay, demonstrates that he could feel that tension and wants to reassure her that nothing is going on. It goes along with our earlier observations in this thread — that Cloud is attentive to Tifa's physical and emotional wellbeing. And then like you said, Peko, everything is fine after that.

I watched it live, it was crazy! The cheers from the crowd drowned the sound system! I cheered at home, too.

This is the video where he talks about it:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1272120659754102790

By the way, if any of you can confirm, before the Sector 7 plate collapses, if you let the timer run out, does it do anything? Does Cloud still grab onto Tifa's shoulder, and then take her hand in his?

Just want to know if this was optional or not.

Not optional! If the timer runs down nothing happens, you have to go to Tifa anyway.

 

[Eerie]

I'm in the minority here, or maybe the only person, who did think there was a tense moment between Cloud and Tifa during that fall in the Train Graveyard. The part where he asked Aerith if she was okay as she is the one who got up first. I know, I know, I'm probably reading it wrong, but I still think there was tension - not jealousy, but tension - when Tifa silently walked past them, and Cloud's response (or lack of) was telling (to me). His gaze almost always follows her whenever she walks past him, but not that time. Cloud stood still, while Aerith silently watched her back.

No, you're not the only one, I watched that scene in French first, and it hit me that Tifa was pissed, really pissed that Cloud had seemingly forgotten her. It hit Cloud and he definitely felt remorseful there, because he acted guilty. I wonder if the English doesn't have that tone because I don't see that scene being talked about when to me it's one of the very few scenes that showcases the LTD.

She almost died and Cloud got the blame for her accident because she was a selfish child doing childish things -totally normal and understandable, but Tifa being Tifa I'm sure she felt guilty about the whole ordeal for years.

Tifa didn't remember it though! She absolutely forgot about falling, and even the whole day is hazy in her memories to her - remember she's been in a coma afterwards. Now I wonder if the scar in her back became "she fell 'because' of Cloud"? Probably so.

 

[Cat on Mars]

Tifa didn't remember it though! She absolutely forgot about falling, and even the whole day is hazy in her memories to her - remember she's been in a coma afterwards.

I meant after seeing Cloud's memory. I should have been clearer!

Now

wonder if the scar in her back became "she fell 'because' of Cloud"? Probably so.

That's what I've always believed, yes. He could have hurt her by accident, not on purpose.

 

[Yumelinh]

@minami758 @odekopeko I agree! There was definitely a tension in that scene and it also explains why the game paid so much attention to Tifa smiling and thanking him at the moment he saved her ( the first time I played that part I found that scene placement kinda weird like... why is she smiling like that for no reason? lol), but after replaying it, I could see why it was important in the first place and it was, as you two pointed out, because of the tension between them at the previous moment.

As much as I LOOOVE that they erased the girls' jealousy moments. I think it's still necessary to have some moments of tension like that among the three of them because having them acting as if they don't realize that there is something going on would be kinda weird, imo. This is a very good way of showing awareness without actually have to use any of those outdated tropes.

 

[insanehobbit]

Haha, I guess I might be in the minority here, because my take was Tifa too worried and distracted by the ghosts to be jealous. If you look at where Cloud's looking and where his body is turned, he was addressing Tifa too, Aerith just happened to answer first.

That being said, I think it's a valid reading that Cloud thinks he's in the doghouse and tries to make up it to her later. At the same time, I don't think he's entirely aware of his feelings yet. All his action saves are split-second decisions, so he's not really making a calculated choice to show Tifa some favoritism to balance things out. It's more so that his subconscious cannot allow any harm to come to Tifa (which is directly related to how he blames himself for her fall as a kid).

I could be wrong, but I don't think there's a single moment in the game, where, when faced with the choice to save Tifa or someone else that Cloud chooses the someone else. Poor Barret gets the brunt of this and is constantly left to fend for himself, but it also happens a few times with Aerith. When the train container falls, it's falling in Aerith's direction, but he's covering Tifa regardless. Again in the control room, Tifa is hiding behind Aerith, but when the containers come flying, he pulls her away from her, in the opposite direction to protect her and sorta leaves Aerith hanging. Like, my dude, whose bodyguard are you supposed to be?

I know these "action saves" get downplayed in the discourse, but I do think the way in which Cloud saves Tifa (not to mention the sheer volume) is meaningful. The second Abzu boss fight is great example. We get multiple "action saves" in this fight, but while both Leslie and Barret push Tifa out of harm's way, Cloud grabs her and pulls her to safety, which is arguably a slower and more dangerous method. Even if they are in constant danger, they really do not have to touch that much, but the game chooses to present them like that for a reason.

 

[Eerie]

Nah her tone in French was definitely pissed. I need to find a video of this, but it's a definite pissed!Tifa here to me and will always be.

 

[Cat on Mars]

Even if they are in constant danger, they really do not have to touch that much, but the game chooses to present them like that for a reason.

Hm-hmm, I wonder what reason could be.

Spoiler: It's a mystery.

Alternative option:

 

[Yumelinh]

That being said, I think it's a valid reading that Cloud thinks he's in the doghouse and tries to make up it to her later. At the same time, I don't think he's entirely aware of his feelings yet. All his action saves are split-second decisions, so he's not really making a calculated choice to show Tifa some favoritism to balance things out. It's more so that his subconscious cannot allow any harm to come to Tifa (which is directly related to how he blames himself for her fall as a kid).

Ah, I agree! I don't think Cloud is that much aware or did it intentionally, but Tifa's reaction to him saving her at the scene, the weird emphasis the game gave to it did feel like it was 'speaking' with her first reaction to when Cloud saved Aerith first.

 

[odekopeko]

Haha, I guess I might be in the minority here, because my take was Tifa too worried and distracted by the ghosts to be jealous. If you look at where Cloud's looking and where his body is turned, he was addressing Tifa too, Aerith just happened to answer first.

That being said, I think it's a valid reading that Cloud thinks he's in the doghouse and tries to make up it to her later. At the same time, I don't think he's entirely aware of his feelings yet. All his action saves are split-second decisions, so he's not really making a calculated choice to show Tifa some favoritism to balance things out. It's more so that his subconscious cannot allow any harm to come to Tifa (which is directly related to how he blames himself for her fall as a kid).

Going along with what @Yumelinh said here. Cloud singling her out at that moment, I do feel it was subconscious, but that the camera focusing on this moment means something to us, the viewers, and it's not just thrown in there without reason. I am not, however, saying that he wouldn't shield Aerith from harm. I think he protected both girls in this moment, but he went extra for one, in this one scene in particular, right after that moment before, so I can't help but think it was done with some purpose in mind.

(Channeling Cloud's voice in Tifa's Resolution) It's a "shipper" thing.

 

[Final_Heaven]

My take on it is that they're building up to the Highwind scene with all the touching.

Also because the of voice-acting and graphics, the off-screen sex is going to be less ambiguous.

If you want to believe someone like Cloud is capable of sex with Tifa, you have to show him being comfortable with touching her and being touched by her. That's likely a meta-reason for they don't have Cloud back away from Tifa when she gets close to him.

Also very good decision by Nojima to push the hug even if Cloud's bad at it.

 

[Cat on Mars]

My take on it is that they're building up to the Highwind scene with all the touching.

Do you like my Deadpool gifs?
Good, because I'm going to use them. Like, a lot.

 

[insanehobbit]

Yep, yep. Again, unless they are the most incompetent storytellers in the world, there is no narrative reason for SE to be doing all this if the endgame is for Cloud and Tifa to be platonic roommates.

 

[minami758]

@insanehobbit True! I honestly see both readings as valid; I agree with Peko and Yumelinh's readings of it too. I don't think it's that big of a deal in the long run though, just a cute thing in the moment that gets wrapped up fairly quickly.

Re: the action saves though, oh my god they're so abundant, lol. Even in the final battle, I think it was @RhinoKart who brought it up? Whisper Rubrum goes straight for Tifa when Cloud leaps right in front her, even though Aerith is right there too. I know we're all wearing shipper goggles here, but that was still an interesting moment to highlight to me.

On a small topic change, how do you guys think they're going to approach the Highwind scene this time? I know it's so far into the future, but I'm curious. If they're aiming to keep the T rating I don't think they can go too overt, but I'm thinking an actual kiss on-screen isn't out of the question.