Hopes for Remake & Rebirth (story/content)

[Jairus]

Was thinking about the play at the Gold Saucer date since I just got their on my current replaythrough of the OG (anyone else started another playthrough of FF7 since last month's trailer came out?) and wondering how they'll implement that in the remake. It would be fun to get more interesting ways to play it out and mess it up and have the chance to give Aerith/Tifa an actual kiss when they're being held by the EDK instead of just a peck on the hand like in the OG.

 

[Cannon_Fodder]

Was thinking about the play at the Gold Saucer date since I just got their on my current replaythrough of the OG (anyone else started another playthrough of FF7 since last month's trailer came out?) and wondering how they'll implement that in the remake. It would be fun to get more interesting ways to play it out and mess it up and have the chance to give Aerith/Tifa an actual kiss when they're being held by the EDK instead of just a peck on the hand like in the OG.

Yup, just finished a replay last night! As for the play, I'm looking forward to the voice acting of the EDK. If they nail that role, I think the whole scene will be a lot funnier. I'm also curious if the cast is still gonna spin off the stage or...?

 

[Makoeyes987]

It'd be rather strange for a summon to be able to be fought before acquiring it's materia in FFVII but then again, it happened in Crisis Core at least three different times, so the precedent is set for it to be able to happen. Summon materia inexplicably activating and attacking those who trespass close to it isn't impossible.

Honestly, between the Compilation expanding Summons beyond just being materia you find laying around, and the dummied explanation of summons being creatures created by the planet from FFVII, it'd kinda make sense for them to expand their role here. If they were guardian creatures during the time of the Cetra as originally intended, that'd fit their role and expansion perfectly.

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

I dig that headcanon. I don't expect summons to have any major role in the plot but some sort of explanation as to what they are and where they come from would be nice. Perhaps, not an explanation per se but at least some dialogue from the party discussing and acknowledging thier existence. It'd be fine to have them described as some sort of mysterious and unknown force without necessarily adding big plot elements around them. Cloud and co. should at least mention the absolute destructive force that is KOTR!

You may find this dialogue buried in the game code interesting then --

Sephiroth:
During the time when the Ancients prospered, there existed beings that were brought up bathed in the light of abundant Mako.
They were pure creatures of natural shape. Several types remain even now.
Some of these beings sealed their life energy within materia, altering their lives forever.

Aerith:
The summon materia...

Sephiroth:
Correct. Such a clever girl.
The creatures who protect this temple have lived long, relics from the age of the Ancients.
They belong to this planet even more than you do.
Heh heh heh...
Keep that in mind.

 

[Ite]

You may find this dialogue buried in the game code interesting then --

Sephiroth:
During the time when the Ancients prospered, there existed beings that were brought up bathed in the light of abundant Mako.
They were pure creatures of natural shape. Several types remain even now.
Some of these beings sealed their life energy within materia, altering their lives forever.

Aerith:
The summon materia...

Sephiroth:
Correct. Such a clever girl.
The creatures who protect this temple have lived long, relics from the age of the Ancients.
They belong to this planet even more than you do.
Heh heh heh...
Keep that in mind.

Fascinating!! Thanks for that trivia. I wonder if they’ll include something like that...

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

What the hell is a 'pure creature of natural shape'? A baby otter? A raindrop? A hydrogen atom?
In what way exactly are summons either pure or natural? KOTR is a 'natural shape'?
I'm not arguing with Sephiroth, it's just... I feel something got lost in translation there.

On a related tangent, I wonder what Zack meant exactly when he told Genesis "Summons aren't supposed to be used like this!" That you shouldn't unleash them on your friends? That you shouldn't use them to cover your own hasty retreat?

Don't we have an article on materia somewhere?

 

[Shademp]

What the hell is a 'pure creature of natural shape'? A baby otter? A raindrop? A hydrogen atom?
In what way exactly are summons either pure or natural? KOTR is a 'natural shape'?
I'm not arguing with Sephiroth, it's just... I feel something got lost in translation there.

This is precisely why I am always hesitant to bring up that unused text in discussions. Sure, it specifies that the summons had some form of existence before they sealed their life energy inside materia which is more confirmation than we had previously. But the whole "pure creature of natural shape" is frustratingly vague and after consulting multiple translators the conclusion seems to be that the Japanese passage simply IS vague.

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

I just gave it a look. Can't remember if you asked me back in the day and I couldn't make heads or tails of it at the time, but looking at it now, it seems clear to me he's saying that these were "innocent monsters" formed by nature.

He's creating a deliberate contrast between them and something else -- either a) the unnatural monsters brought about by Shin-Ra's experiments and mako leaks; or b) perhaps humankind; or c) both. Probably both given his comment about the summons belonging to the planet "more than you do."

 

[Shademp]

Bless you @The Twilight Mexican. I've added your commentary into the article. While I noticed now that the article did have commentary that read...

​

“Pure creatures of natural shape” means that these are beings naturally born from the Planet, so they are not artifical or man-made.​

...your translation and commentary make things more clear.

 

[Ite]

So they are, in effect, like Weapon? But then again, isn’t the whole point that all life comes from the Planet...? #weareallWeapon

 

[Shademp]

One bit I'm hoping that the remake will remember at least as a background detail in the game's ending: Dyne's/Eleanor's pendant.

Dyne​

“Give that pendant to Marlene…​

It was…Eleanor's…​

my wife's…a memento…”​

​

Barret​

“All right…”​

In the original game (and indeed even in the post-OG Compilation material) the pendant is entirely forgotten after the Corel Prison scenario. In the remake I hope it gets addressed later on.

I picture two possible scenarios.

A) Barret gives the pendant to Marlene off-screen at the end of disc 2 and then in the Meteorfall cinematic we see the pendant either on Marlene or in her room when the camera pans to Kalm.​

B) Barret holds on to the pendant throughout the team's trek down into the Northern Crater. He would be keeping it as assurance that he'll survive, and that indeed there will be a planet left to survive in, because he promised to give the pendant to Marlene.​

To some degree the pendant is an uncomfortable element to deal with. It is tainted by having been worn by a mad killer for years. That's why I suggest that the pendant may not necessarily be worn by Marlene. Regardless of the complicated aspects of the pendant I do hope that it is brought back near the game's ending.

 

[leadmyskeptic]

One bit I'm hoping that the remake will remember at least as a background detail in the game's ending: Dyne's/Eleanor's pendant.



In the original game (and indeed even in the post-OG Compilation material) the pendant is entirely forgotten after the Corel Prison scenario. In the remake I hope it gets addressed later on.

I picture two possible scenarios.

A) Barret gives the pendant to Marlene off-screen at the end of disc 2 and then in the Meteorfall cinematic we see the pendant either on Marlene or in her room when the camera pans to Kalm.​

B) Barret holds on to the pendant throughout the team's trek down into the Northern Crater. He would be keeping it as assurance that he'll survive, and that indeed there will be a planet left to survive in, because he promised to give the pendant to Marlene.​

To some degree the pendant is an uncomfortable element to deal with. It is tainted by having been worn by a mad killer for years. That's why I suggest that the pendant may not necessarily be worn by Marlene. Regardless of the complicated aspects of the pendant I do hope that it is brought back near the game's ending.

I agree completely, and you know what this made me think about? I've always considered that one of the factors (amongst many) to why FF7 is so beloved amongst its brethren, is that some of the individual 'party member moments', so to speak, end up being some of the most memorable/emotional moments in the game, completely apart from the 'core' story. At the same time, in most cases, these events aren't given the chance to reach their full potential, in large part because of the way they essentially vanish just as soon as they appear, w/o so much as a reference afterward. The other sequence that jumps to mind immediately alongside the Dyne bit, is Cosmo Canyon's climax, with Red XIII's father, Seto, and the events with the Gi Tribe. Not only could the original trip through the caves and the explanation (hopefully this time w/ some visual flashbacks??) of what the war with the Gi was about/was like be fleshed out, but Seto...after the simultaneously moving and (I find) deeply disturbing reveal that he is in fact alive and sentient, but completely petrified...deserves some kind of follow-through, I think. Even if it's just Red returning alone and speaking to his father, knowing that he can't respond...I dunno, something. Actually, while on the subject, Bugenhagen's ultimate fate being relegated to an 'ultimate weapon' sidequest always felt a little off to me, as well--but I suppose that opens up the whole "should important/interesting stuff be relegated to optional" can of worms. Just, that it was specifically a side moment on the way to getting a hair comb always felt...I dunno, disrespectful to the old man, lol.

 

[Kain424]

I'm alright with that sort of stuff being optional because that's one of the things that helps subsequent replays. I think I only found Zack's story on my second or third playthrough. And it was a shock.

 

[jazzflower92]

So with the reveal out, it looks pretty faithful to the OG but with some added additions like those dark spirits.

 

[Ite]

Jessie gives you a materia for saving her life! A little more immersive than "Ehhh I found it just laying in my way."

So, there is a Two-disc FF7R coming on March 3. Are BOTH Discs Midgar, or is Disc 1 Midgar and Disc 2 more of the story?

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

I don't know how they could have two disks of Midgar, but who knows?

 

[jazzflower92]

Jessie gives you a materia for saving her life! A little more immersive than "Ehhh I found it just laying in my way."

So, there is a Two-disc FF7R coming on March 3. Are BOTH Discs Midgar, or is Disc 1 Midgar and Disc 2 more of the story?

They must be padding it.

 

[Theozilla]

Based on the press release, the entire of the first game/installment takes place in Midgar. So presumably both discs are Midgar too.

 

[jazzflower92]

Based on the press release, the entire of the first game/installment takes place in Midgar. So presumably both discs are Midgar too. View attachment 3426

For those who wish to have spent more time in Midgar, they get their wish.

 

[Ite]

That motorcycle chase with AVALANCHE looks excellent. Pad away, folks! If it's good, it's good. If it's bad, then ya padded too much prolly.

 

[Solordinn]

 

[Makoeyes987]

....Duuuuude...whatthefuck.....?

Am I really seeing this..?

God..

Oh my God, I'm scared.

I am seeing the vellus hairs on Aerith Gainsborough's fucking chin.

This legitimately terrifies me. How the hell does she look this real? She's not real.. She does not exist. She is fiction. WHAT THE FUCK IS SQUARE DOING, HOW COULD THEY MAKE THIS?!?!

This is making Final Fantasy XV look like a warm up....

LOL WTF...

I remember being impressed seeing how Cloud, and Aerith looked in PS2 era graphics back in 2001.

Dear God, look how far we've come, FFVII....

 

[Obsidian Fire]

Those look amazing. I can't wait to see the rest of the playable cast done in that style.

 

[Mayo Master]

... And this, ladies and gents, is why I had retired from modding FF7 when they had announced the remake

 

[Ite]

These promo shots are life. Holy shit