SPOILERS LTD Remake — It's like New Coke except ... no, it's exactly like New Coke

[Rin]

Guy really upped his dom vibes since OG.

LMAOOO stop

 

[Stiggie]

He wasn't able to do that with Tifa though, which is interesting. I think that shows that Sephiroth still needed something from Aerith, so he relinquished some control. But he knows that Tifa is really in his way, so he pushed him at Gongaga.

Edit: Oh and there was that huge amount of Mako at Gongaga which was already messing with his head.

Here is the thing, with Aerith he knew that was Aerith, with Tifa he didn't think that was Tifa, he thought it was Jenova.

 

[starcape91]

Right now I'm planning on doing a second playthrough from scratch. I did all of the odd jobs except for the Shinra Manager Gold Saucer stuff, but I didn't do some of the other things, like all of the intel and Protorelic stuff. I'll do my obsessive completionist playthrough now where I do everything I can before moving on with the story, and then after that I'm gonna do Hard via Chapter Select. I think when I do get to story bits I'm going to make notes of every little thing I find interesting.


Then I hope to replay Remake and Intermission and go into the game for a fourth time with both my boyfriend and one of my best friends who want to see me play the game (they watched me play Remake and Intermission and are intrigued by the story)

 

[AncientGrimoire]

One thing I’ve been dwelling on is, regarding the surprise to a lot of us when they announced the Crisis Core remaster and chose to use the subtitle “Reunion” for it.

Up till that point I think nearly everyone familiar with the story was fully expecting Reunion to be the title for Part 3. So it was odd when it was instead used for Crisis Core.

Especially given that the remaster, and Crisis Core as it stands, thematically doesn’t really deal with the whole concept or idea of a reunion, and certainly not in the way it’s explored repeatedly throughout the rest of the Compilation.

So given the way certain story beats play out in Rebirth, and Zack’s last line in the game, it’s changed the context of their choice of Reunion for Crisis Core for me.

What if it’s one big long tease for the eventual “reunion” between Zack and Aerith. Teased literally at the end of Remake, where Zack and Aerith cross paths, in Intermission where we see Zack trying to reunite with Aerith at the church.

Teased in Crisis Core remastered’s subtitle.

Teased literally non stop throughout Rebirth.

Following the yellow flowers. Zack always winding up back in Aerith’s church.

I mean COME ON.

They wouldn’t have done all this right from the very beginning of the Remake project if they weren’t planning for a very big moment in Part 3, their reunion.

It’s got to be one of the longest Chekhov’s Guns I’ve seen.

There’s no way I can see them having laid down this much groundwork, set up this much foreshadowing, thrown in so much symbolism (the yellow flowers at this point feel way more an association with Aerith and Zack than they do Aerith and Cloud, I’m sorry) for them NOT to make a big deal of Aerith and Zack finally finding each other.

 

[Rin]

Right now I'm planning on doing a second playthrough from scratch. I did all of the odd jobs except for the Shinra Manager Gold Saucer stuff, but I didn't do some of the other things, like all of the intel and Protorelic stuff. I'll do my obsessive completionist playthrough now where I do everything I can before moving on with the story, and then after that I'm gonna do Hard via Chapter Select. I think when I do get to story bits I'm going to make notes of every little thing I find interesting.


Then I hope to replay Remake and Intermission and go into the game for a fourth time with both my boyfriend and one of my best friends who want to see me play the game (they watched me play Remake and Intermission and are intrigued by the story)

The protorelic for Cosmo canyon is really nice bc it's avalanche stuff. I wish it wasn't hidden behind an optional world building thing, but... whatever lol it is worth doing though.

 

[starcape91]

One thing I’ve been dwelling on is, regarding the surprise to a lot of us when they announced the Crisis Core remaster and chose to use the subtitle “Reunion” for it.

Up till that point I think nearly everyone familiar with the story was fully expecting Reunion to be the title for Part 3. So it was odd when it was instead used for Crisis Core.

Especially given that the remaster, and Crisis Core as it stands, thematically doesn’t really deal with the whole concept or idea of a reunion, and certainly not in the way it’s explored repeatedly throughout the rest of the Compilation.

So given the way certain story beats play out in Rebirth, and Zack’s last line in the game, it’s changed the context of their choice of Reunion for Crisis Core for me.

What if it’s one big long tease for the eventual “reunion” between Zack and Aerith. Teased literally at the end of Remake, where Zack and Aerith cross paths, in Intermission where we see Zack trying to reunite with Aerith at the church.

Teased in Crisis Core remastered’s subtitle.

Teased literally non stop throughout Rebirth.

Following the yellow flowers. Zack always winding up back in Aerith’s church.

I mean COME ON.

They wouldn’t have done all this right from the very beginning of the Remake project if they weren’t planning for a very big moment in Part 3, their reunion.

It’s got to be one of the longest Chekhov’s Guns I’ve seen.

There’s no way I can see them having laid down this much groundwork, set up this much foreshadowing, thrown in so much symbolism (the yellow flowers at this point feel way more an association with Aerith and Zack than they do Aerith and Cloud, I’m sorry) for them NOT to make a big deal of Aerith and Zack finally finding each other.

I agree with you. The name Reunion would work on multiple levels. You've got the big ones like: reunion of JENOVA happening at the Northern Crater, the reunion of Zack and Aerith, the reunion of Tifa and Cloud, the reunion of Cloud and his identity. It could also be applied to smaller less obvious things like Yuffie and Sonon (dude might not be dead), Barret and Marlene, and even Leslie and his fiancé who will most likely be reunited in Wutai. I only mention Leslie because his quests in Remake and Rebirth (especially Remake) foreshadow the reunion between Tifa and Cloud.

 

[AncientGrimoire]

A thing to add (sorry for double posting) but Nomura and Nojima made Kingdom Hearts fans wait years for the reunion of the Sea Salt and Wayfinder Trios in Kingdom Hearts 3.

In every game leading up to Kingdom Hearts 3, they teased the absolute hell out of these trios finally having their reunions together.

They did a lot then similar to what they’ve been doing in the Remake trilogy regarding setting up the reunion of Aerith and Zack, like I previously mentioned. I don’t know why I didn’t really see the similarities and parallels to their approaches here until now.

I’m not usually confident about theorising or speculating about these things, but if there is anything I’ll absolutely throw my hat into the ring for is that they have been deliberately making these choices for a big payoff in Part 3 concerning Aerith and Zack’s story.

 

[starcape91]

Also I could totally see Nomura figuring out that people would figure out Part 3 would be Reunion, so he calls Crisis Core remaster Reunion to fake us out, thinking "okay, now Part 3 can't be called Reunion" and then it's called Reunion anyway. Oh I love him.

 

[Empyrea]

Also I could totally see Nomura figuring out that people would figure out Part 3 would be Reunion, so he calls Crisis Core remaster Reunion to fake us out, thinking "okay, now Part 3 can't be called Reunion" and then it's called Reunion anyway. Oh I love him.

That....sounds like something Nomura would do, yeah.

 

[AncientGrimoire]

People are quick to criticise Nomura way too much, especially for things he isn’t even responsible for.

And while there are definitely things that are valid to criticise (much like I myself did in my post about the ending, but that wasn’t ALL Nomura), and much as it is with every creator or piece of media or work of art (it’s all subjective) oh my god I could not imagine video games without Nomura

How boring they’d be without all the wonderful weirdness he’s brought

He’s one of the few you could strongly argue as being an auteur for video games

I’ll always defend this man still getting to make games, I know for one thing I’ll never be bored

 

[starcape91]

For sure. I love him. I'm not a Kingdom Hearts fan, so I can't speak to those things, but dude created a lot of my other favorite things and has supposedly kept Retrilogy on the rails and talked Kitase out of killing most of the main party in the OG.

Similarly I love Nojima, and I wasn't sure how possible that would be after a certain FFX novella, and yet I absolutely love Traces of Two Pasts and Cloud's new story.

 

[AncientGrimoire]

For sure. I love him. I'm not a Kingdom Hearts fan, so I can't speak to those things, but dude created a lot of my other favorite things and has supposedly kept Retrilogy on the rails and talked Kitase out of killing most of the main party in the OG.

Similarly I love Nojima, and I wasn't sure how possible that would be after a certain FFX novella, and yet I absolutely love Traces of Two Pasts and Cloud's new story.

We do not speak of that FFX novella

 

[Eerie]

The devs have already stated that they will not use reunion since it's been used for CCR, sorry to disappoint you all!

 

[LunarTarotGirl]

So. It could be because it isn't clear enough but I don't think many people realize the memories the Whispers took from Aerith are from the future. And I think it's because it's not exactly clear in game. But basically that's why Remake Aerith seems so supportive and knowing of CT. And I also wrote on my blog Remake Aerith doesn't seem to pursue Cloud just tease him. At the time Remake came out I believed this would be how they addressed the LT through Aerith's knowledge.

And they kinda still are doing that bc again Cloud is oblivious and the one realizing things and stepping back is Aerith even here. Though she starts out NOT knowing what will happen between CT nor her fate nor anything she should know from the future. It could be to address her conflicted feelings for Cloud and Zack. Hence she seems like OG Aerith but I'm pretty sure OG Aerith is the one sleeping in Zack's world so I consider her different.

Which makes me wonder why specifically did they give her future memories in the first place? And why take them away.

It's probably for setting up some Lifestream White stuff
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As for Aerith's character writing other than me being CA so I guess of course I'm bias.
I also don't see her like I would a real person. So I don't get upset at her behavior, nor Jessies either etc. I just follow the story and try to figure things out. In real life I should have issues w her character because of situations I've been in.

Edit: For example if we talk about relatable characters I'm more personality wise like Tifa. I have shared I found Cloud's behavior in ACC relatable too. And I can relate to Aerith in terms of conflicted thoughts emotions etc in my life. I love all these characters. And I love Aerith and find her zest for life beautiful.
I can also say I can see why ppl get annoyed at A bc I am an introvert w very extrovert friends and I have been "betrayed" by friends (tho I don't think that is part of this story for real. But I can see how others see it that way based on their own experiences) in my life etc. While not feeling that way myself.
And having lost ppl I can see why ppl would want Aerith to live and be happy and get mad she doesnt get a full life etc.....while I am still thinking she should for the plot to work. Etc.

I can see many sides here. But this is not real life and I think projection of my feelings from real life on any character would be a disservice to the story honestly. A lot of these things I treat like the anime I watch. Exaggerated expressions so they can tell their story a certain way. How I feel about things or how it "looks" doesn't mean it's author intent.

I can see why people who get attached to the characters here would start to view them as real people and become upset by their actions. Like I get how certain things Aerith does would make them uncomfortable. But it would be a lie to say even HD that these characters or situations are supposed to be seen in a realistic light if that makes sense.

These scenes are there to tell a story. A story of where alien The Thing 1984 possessing a guy and talking red wolf cats, and cat robots with sentience are a thing. We need to definitely distance ourselves and our emotions a bit and suspend some disbelief before we get too deep in and miss the story.

And that's what I thing is the problem with all the bad takes I see about FF7. People are wayyy to deep in.

Edit for clarity on what I meant

 

[c.lupara]

Aerith called out to Cloud when he was raising his sword to kill Elena, and it took Tifa physically wrapping her arms around him to stop him. This is Elena, who has been a foe the entire game, and even then he's not fully snapped out of it because he just uses the excuse that there's "no time" and shoves Tifa's hands away.

Aerith is able to snap him out of it while he's chasing her for the black materia because she is his friend. Hurting Aerith would be much worse for Cloud than hurting Elena. And this is AFTER Aerith gave him the black materia and Cloud brought it to Sephiroth. Sephiroth doesn't need to control Cloud as much at this point because he already got the materia and has exercised his will over Cloud.

You gave me inspiration for another idea that popped into my mind.

I think we can all agree with the representation which, as well as the story, shows us that the love between CT is also made up of physical contact while the feeling that binds CA is something more spiritual. I think Elena's scene encapsulates this intrinsic difference between the two types of relationships quite well.


A small note on the ending: given that I don't think I saw badly, but when CT are sitting, Cloud has a flash in which he sees the scene again before Aerirh appears next to him; here is that scene you see again has a particular direction. I have a vague feeling that the culprit this time won't be Sephiroth's sword but rather Cloud. Now if in part 3 this feeling of mine were to prove true even if only in part, it would be a great move since it would trigger in a very heavy way all those feelings of guilt that we then see in ACC.

 

[Maidenofwar]

Cloud doing it would make certain Aerith haters way too happy so I hope they don't go that route. It was horrible the way some used Cloud beating Aerith in the ToTA and also how things are being used against Tifa now.

More on Aerith's character I don't mind when characters are somewhat selfish, because I find that human and relatable, to use super powers to play chess or puppet master as some have said elsewhere just so she could figure out feelings and determine in the end they weren't even real would be different though. She's supposed to be opposite of Sephiroth not use her powers to use others like he does.

 

[Sacky]

He wasn't able to do that with Tifa though, which is interesting. I think that shows that Sephiroth still needed something from Aerith, so he relinquished some control. But he knows that Tifa is really in his way, so he pushed him at Gongaga.

Edit: Oh and there was that huge amount of Mako at Gongaga which was already messing with his head.

Sephiroth does use whispers to block Tifa from trying again probably another powerful back hug xd. But I honestly just see this scene as something cute for Aerith giving Cloud a flashback from his first time meeting her seeing the whispers and to give the players nostalgia.I don't see it as any narrative thing.

 

[Sacky]

Cloud doing it would make certain Aerith haters way too happy so I hope they don't go that route. It was horrible the way some used Cloud beating Aerith in the ToTA and also how things are being used against Tifa now.

More on Aerith's character I don't mind when characters are somewhat selfish, because I find that human and relatable, to use super powers to play chess or puppet master as some have said elsewhere just so she could figure out feelings and determine in the end they weren't even real would be different though. She's supposed to be opposite of Sephiroth not use her powers to use others like he does.

I think that theory has the reason her using the powers is to stop sephiroth ultimately. But she
had a weakness moment meeting Cloud again and wanting closure. Overall though she is trying to stop sephiroth and gives him the materia to give to the past Aerith

 

[Stiggie]

One thing I’ve been dwelling on is, regarding the surprise to a lot of us when they announced the Crisis Core remaster and chose to use the subtitle “Reunion” for it.

Up till that point I think nearly everyone familiar with the story was fully expecting Reunion to be the title for Part 3. So it was odd when it was instead used for Crisis Core.

Especially given that the remaster, and Crisis Core as it stands, thematically doesn’t really deal with the whole concept or idea of a reunion, and certainly not in the way it’s explored repeatedly throughout the rest of the Compilation.

So given the way certain story beats play out in Rebirth, and Zack’s last line in the game, it’s changed the context of their choice of Reunion for Crisis Core for me.

What if it’s one big long tease for the eventual “reunion” between Zack and Aerith. Teased literally at the end of Remake, where Zack and Aerith cross paths, in Intermission where we see Zack trying to reunite with Aerith at the church.

Teased in Crisis Core remastered’s subtitle.

Teased literally non stop throughout Rebirth.

Following the yellow flowers. Zack always winding up back in Aerith’s church.

I mean COME ON.

They wouldn’t have done all this right from the very beginning of the Remake project if they weren’t planning for a very big moment in Part 3, their reunion.

It’s got to be one of the longest Chekhov’s Guns I’ve seen.

There’s no way I can see them having laid down this much groundwork, set up this much foreshadowing, thrown in so much symbolism (the yellow flowers at this point feel way more an association with Aerith and Zack than they do Aerith and Cloud, I’m sorry) for them NOT to make a big deal of Aerith and Zack finally finding each other.

Since Zack says "what says the can't be united" in the ending I assume part three will be "reunited" or something? Like reunion but different?
Anyway, finally got through the ending, thank the lord. That has to be the worst ending to a video game I have ever seen.

 

[Rin]

I loved flawed characters so Aerith being flawed has never bothered me, personally. I also think the fandom is just a bit too harsh overall, although I understand why her actions may trigger some people. But ultimately, as I told a friend of mine, if Tifa isn't bothered than neither am I.

If part of the storyline were to genuinely be about Aerith hurting Tifa with these actions (as it was depicted in the OG) then I would feel more strongly about it all. As it is currently, other than one singular confused "huh?" Tifa doesn't bat an eyelash at CA, so I don't either. The one who IS actively being hurt by this plot is Zack but it's not like Aerith is doing it in front of his face, so it's not something that should reflect poorly on her character in my opinion.

 

[liuliuliu]

He wasn't able to do that with Tifa though, which is interesting. I think that shows that Sephiroth still needed something from Aerith, so he relinquished some control. But he knows that Tifa is really in his way, so he pushed him at Gongaga.

Edit: Oh and there was that huge amount of Mako at Gongaga which was already messing with his head.

That’s true. I’m surprised I didn’t see any CA use this as an example…

 

[AncientGrimoire]

Ok look, at the end of the day, I love these characters, and they are that very special kind where, if I’m being completely honest, I want them all to get the happiness and beautiful endings that they deserve, whether it makes sense or not or storytelling conventions be damned. Well, maybe not too much and I doubt it’ll go so far off the rails I’ll never find myself not loving FFVII’s universe and its characters.

But to bring back my previous mention of Tolkien and his storytelling, I was completely at the mercy of his story. It didn’t matter one bit whether I wanted everyone to have a happy ending or not. Tolkien was a storyteller at the height of his powers, and he delivered a denouement to each and every single one of his numerous cast of characters in a way that not only benefited, and made sense to and for that character, but as always with him, it even gave you a little bit more information about the story at large, and the world itself.

Most stories could only ever hope to deliver not only satisfying character conclusions like that, but one that enhances and enriches the conclusion of the overall story.

I would love for Part 3 to be able to deliver on this.

The catharsis I felt for example with Frodo’s ending was something I’ve only ever experienced twice. When reading the book, and seeing it play out on screen. I can only hope I get a similar response to the character resolutions in Part 3.

Because when you strip everything else away from Final Fantasy VII, it’s lore, it’s mythos, it’s themes, both fantastical and grounded in the everyday that we could relate to in 1997 and even more so now, what you have left is its gorgeous, weird, broken, traumatised, loving, beautiful, hopeful, inspirational cast of characters that on paper together shouldn’t make sense but by golly do they just work when you see them all come together.

Rebirth, more than the original ever did, is just fully affirming that this is a found family. The genius of what Rebirth is able to accomplish is its clear identification of all the various threads that bind these people together. Never has a family like this, nor a cast of Final Fantasy party members made more sense than VII’s.

Everything, from why Tifa and Aerith would be able to forge such a sisterhood, why Cloud and Nanaki are kindred spirits, a mirror of the other, why Barret would feel protective towards, fatherly even, to Cloud, to Tifa and to Aerith and to Nanaki. Why Yuffie would desire so strongly to join up with Cloud’s team, and why their brother and sister dynamic makes so much more sense when you consider the dynamic she had with Sonon, that was ripped from her in Intermission. Why, despite their differences she and Barret would be able to form a healthy respect and understanding of the other.

Why Aerith and Nanaki are so each other’s safe place. Why they would all choose to follow Cloud, and believe in him as their leader, even when on many occasions he gives them room for doubt.

There are honestly soo many layers to the cast of FFVII, and I haven’t even touched on the links that unify Cait Sith, Cid, and Vincent to this merry band of misfits.

You’ll have already seen from my previous posts that as far as Final Fantasy VII is concerned, my heart belongs to its characters. Rebirth is a shining example of why these characters are so beloved. And it’s why when certain moments neglect them, forget them, or do them wrong in a story sense, it stands out.

But I ultimately have faith in the developers that they are wise enough to know how cherished this cast is, how important it is to deliver on their arcs and their stories. I respect their understanding, and their ambitions to also weave them all into this ever growing tapestry of destiny and fate that is unwieldy and arguably burdensome, but as long as they remember to keep coming back to the characters, their emotions and their feelings, and what their own desires and dreams are, there is nothing to suggest they can’t deliver on a resounding and satisfying finale.

That said, selfishly, I do just want them all to be happy.

These are characters that have been in my life, and many, many other fans, for over 20 years. I would love for them, more than anything, to get the endings they deserve.

 

[shady]

Ok look, at the end of the day, I love these characters, and they are that very special kind where, if I’m being completely honest, I want them all to get the happiness and beautiful endings that they deserve, whether it makes sense or not or storytelling conventions be damned. Well, maybe not too much and I doubt it’ll go so far off the rails I’ll never find myself not loving FFVII’s universe and its characters.

But to bring back my previous mention of Tolkien and his storytelling, I was completely at the mercy of his story. It didn’t matter one bit whether I wanted everyone to have a happy ending or not. Tolkien was a storyteller at the height of his powers, and he delivered a denouement to each and every single one of his numerous cast of characters in a way that not only benefited, and made sense to and for that character, but as always with him, it even gave you a little bit more information about the story at large, and the world itself.

Most stories could only ever hope to deliver not only satisfying character conclusions like that, but one that enhances and enriches the conclusion of the overall story.

I would love for Part 3 to be able to deliver on this.

The catharsis I felt for example with Frodo’s ending was something I’ve only ever experienced twice. When reading the book, and seeing it play out on screen. I can only hope I get a similar response to the character resolutions in Part 3.

Because when you strip everything else away from Final Fantasy VII, it’s lore, it’s mythos, it’s themes, both fantastical and grounded in the everyday that we could relate to in 1997 and even more so now, what you have left is its gorgeous, weird, broken, traumatised, loving, beautiful, hopeful, inspirational cast of characters that on paper together shouldn’t make sense but by golly do they just work when you see them all come together.

Rebirth, more than the original ever did, is just fully affirming that this is a found family. The genius of what Rebirth is able to accomplish is its clear identification of all the various threads that bind these people together. Never has a family like this, nor a cast of Final Fantasy party members made more sense than VII’s.

Everything, from why Tifa and Aerith would be able to forge such a sisterhood, why Cloud and Nanaki are kindred spirits, a mirror of the other, why Barret would feel protective towards, fatherly even, to Cloud, to Tifa and to Aerith and to Nanaki. Why Yuffie would desire so strongly to join up with Cloud’s team, and why their brother and sister dynamic makes so much more sense when you consider the dynamic she had with Sonon, that was ripped from her in Intermission. Why, despite their differences she and Barret would be able to form a healthy respect and understanding of the other.

Why Aerith and Nanaki are so each other’s safe place. Why they would all choose to follow Cloud, and believe in him as their leader, even when on many occasions he gives them room for doubt.

There are honestly soo many layers to the cast of FFVII, and I haven’t even touched on the links that unify Cait Sith, Cid, and Vincent to this merry band of misfits.

You’ll have already seen from my previous posts that as far as Final Fantasy VII is concerned, my heart belongs to its characters. Rebirth is a shining example of why these characters are so beloved. And it’s why when certain moments neglect them, forget them, or do them wrong in a story sense, it stands out.

But I ultimately have faith in the developers that they are wise enough to know how cherished this cast is, how important it is to deliver on their arcs and their stories. I respect their understanding, and their ambitions to also weave them all into this ever growing tapestry of destiny and fate that is unwieldy and arguably burdensome, but as long as they remember to keep coming back to the characters, their emotions and their feelings, and what their own desires and dreams are, there is nothing to suggest they can’t deliver on a resounding and satisfying finale.

That said, selfishly, I do just want them all to be happy.

These are characters that have been in my life, and many, many other fans, for over 20 years. I would love for them, more than anything, to get the endings they deserve.

Love this and have to agree, as much as I don't want characters are story to be driven by some LTD agenda, I do want to see the characters happy and fulfilled. This is partially also why I want them to address and maybe retcon some things in P3 from the wider compilation, which includes AC. Hell give me an epilogue post AC where people are happy please, would like to see that.

All this being said, i've enjoyed your posts here, so what's your take on where things inevitably end up by the end of P3. The "everyone being happy" is something the developers have even hinted at, and you'd have to figure that by the end of P3 the only way to actually make everyone happy is CT and ZA in terms of the LTD right? Because at this point they've come too far by the end of Rebirth that CA would basically crap on large chunks of the story and buildup they've told in Remake and Rebirth, as well as crap on quite a few of the main cast

 

[AncientGrimoire]

All this being said, i've enjoyed your posts here, so what's your take on where things inevitably end up by the end of P3. The "everyone being happy" is something the developers have even hinted at, and you'd have to figure that by the end of P3 the only way to actually make everyone happy is CT and ZA in terms of the LTD right? Because at this point they've come too far by the end of Rebirth that CA would basically crap on large chunks of the story and buildup they've told in Remake and Rebirth, as well as crap on quite a few of the main cast

Ultimately my take on where things are going to end up by the end of Part 3 is primarily based on two things.

What and more importantly where the developers themselves have stated as being the natural endpoint for the trilogy, give or take a few different beats here or there.

And secondly what Remake and Rebirth have within their texts to support what the developers have said.

This really all comes down to the many times it’s been stated that Advent Children is the endpoint, that the trilogy will “link” up to it, and while there will be changes here and there, the story won’t be going out of its way so that things don’t sort of naturally fit into the world state of Advent Children.

Now this can mean a lot of different things at the end of the day.

Fundamentally I take this to mean that, the ending will establish the survival of our main cast (Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Nanaki, Yuffie, Cait Sith, Vincent, Cid) and the deaths of those whose presence in Advent Children was in the form of “Lifestream spirits” for want of a better term (in this case, Zack and Aerith).

I’m not going to go into all the other endgame world state points but mostly stick to where I personally expect things to end up.

Cloud and Tifa choosing to stick together (OtWtaS, “You’ve always had me”, “But I know what that means now”)

Barret (this one of my big HOPES there will be more) choosing to stick around longer with Cloud and Tifa at the newly opened Seventh Heaven in Edge, so he can spend time with Marlene, and accept that his very actions of helping to save the planet should negate his need to still feel like he has to atone for the mistakes of his past (especially as OtWtaS establishes he seeks alternative energy sources and settles on oil)

Nanaki returning home to Cosmo Canyon, reuniting with Deneh, taking on the mantle of Watcher of the Vale, but also (fantic hat firmly on) still travels the world and checks in on the rest of the gang. He’ll eventually be a proud daddo to some pups/kitties so I’d like his story of raising the two bear cubs from OtWtaS to still be a thing.

Yuffie is more tricky, as I honestly don’t know yet what they’ll do with Wutai in Part 3.

Same goes for Cait Sith, as I reckon they’ll be doing something different with Reeve, but I fully expect the World Regenesis Organisation to still be a thing.

Vincent will still brood probably in the Crystal Cave, unless they also choose to do things differently with his backstory with Lucrecia in Part 3 (like maybe not have her say she’s sorry every other sentence?! fingers crossed )

And Cid is in a similar position to Yuffie, as all of his major moments are being saved for Part 3 and I expect their to be tweaks and changes (ultimately of the good kind)

I’ve already in another post shared my theory if you like about the reunion of Zack and Aerith that has been building since Remake, and I fully expect Part 3 to go all in on Zack and Aerith.

Crisis Core Reunion’s very existence, and Zack still being around in the story for Part 3, is the easiest confirmation for me that the developers have planned something regarding Zack and Aerith.

I hope it’s a happy and satisfying one for the both of them.

Advent Children was very brief on any significant moments between the two, but I burst into tears the first time I saw the ending, where Cloud looks up and sees Aerith with the two children in the background, before leaving with Zack, not before saying to Cloud that everything is alright.

Again, they deliberately made the decision to have Advent Children re screened in cinemas.

And that moment with Aerith and Zack quite literally walking off into the sunset together is the final moment, before we return to Cloud’s perspective where he looks to Tifa and the rest of the team and he says that he’ll be ok, because he isn’t alone anymore.

Another looong post, my apologies, but yeah, in essence this is sort of where I expect we’ll end up.

The final destination anyway.

The journey of us getting there I expect to have it’s differences, but I ideally would like the happier resolutions to all the characters and their stories be moved from Advent Children to the ending of Part 3.

If Part 3 really is to be the final part of the compilation, and not just the trilogy, then they need to have that positive resolution, one where we have a clear understanding and appreciation for where the characters have ended up.

Just my two cents anyway

 

[Hix]

I mean, let's not dance around the heart of the matter: CA is an assassination on the characters, plot and ultimately vision of the creators of Final Fantasy VII.

Shipping is absolutely harmless, don't get me wrong, but this ship itself is particularly egregious because it destroys so many things about the characters that so many people hold dear.

It takes Cloud and turns him into a thankless, gormless grunt who switches affections on a dime and is all too quick (like literally within a week) to succumb to his base desires and twist the knife on his best friend who died that he may live. Following Aerith's death, Cloud - the Cleriths say - refuses to move on (only Aerith is encouraged to do that, and only once) but gives up on life at the grand old age of 21, acting a dick to his family and waiting to die.

Aerith becomes a bit of a floozy who is aware of her friend Tifa's long standing affections for Cloud yet doesn't care enough about her or them to let that stop her. Her enduring romantic feelings for Zack, for whom she never got resolution and continues to wait for, are either ignored or shown to be of temporary importance such that either Cloud and Zack are interchangable as the situation requires. After her death, she becomes one of the most wicked people in fiction, actively coming between Cloud and his family, fueling his depression and encouraging him to join her in death.

Tifa transforms into a nothing character, having no role, no impact, no future. Just as with Cloud, their shared history, promise and affections - the catalyst for FF7 - are erased and count ultimately for nothing. Her character arc ends with her being alone, frustrated and without purpose or direction. Tifa is the biggest casualty of CA in my opinion, because her entire narrative arc - for better or worse - is about supporting, healing and being the other half of Cloud. She's the love interest and removing that, you remove her.

My bro Zack? Man he's just such a pain, wouldn't it be so great if he'd just stay away? In any case, CA turns Zack into the most miserable good guy ever - a real textbook example of nice guys finishing last. He's going to get cucked by his best friend then die and, for some reason, Aerith let's him exist in the Lifestream so he can watch himself get cucked for all eternity. He'll do many good things, but he'll never be rewarded for it.

Other characters are collateral damage in it all. Denzel, hasn't the kid suffered enough, gets to watch his adopted father teach him valuable lessons like "life isn't worth living anymore" and "I prefer the dead person to the people who stick by me in life". Barret, who actively encourages Cloud to hook up with Tifa (including in his Rebirth GS date) may as well talk to a wall, one can only imagine how many arguments would come out of the selfishness of it all.

It's all depressing, but if that's all it is then fair enough. But it's not. This is not what any fan of the franchise, anyone who claims to love the characters, should desire.