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

[Yoru]

No, people just want to think of Aerith that way is all. If you think that negatively of Aerith it's because you want to, simple as.

Aerith doesn't force you to do anything, you're the one that did the side quests.

For all the Cloud is so seriously uncomfortable with Aerith talk, he sure does think fondly of her in the end.

Maybe I am ? I'm not saying all of this to start a war or hating on her. I'm really sorry if I've been disrespectful. I'll be honest, I didn't like Aerith when I played the game in 1997. Was sad when she leave us obviously. It's when Advent Children released that I've somewhat quit my hater glasses. When I played Crisis Core, I started to really like her character arc, found her funny, touching yadiyada. I loved her in Remake. This new "revision" was really great and I LOVE their trio (Cloud Aerith Tifa)

It's just that when coming to Rebirth, something felt wrong. And again, I'm just talking about the ultimate date thing. It felt forced to me. The game imposed me something that I didn't want I think ? It's something I didn't felt during the rest of it. Not the end of the world, but it just felt a little bit out of character (in this story). Maybe I'm wrong ? That's why I asked this question. Maybe I'm in the minority.

 

[CldS7]

But let's take a step back. Quite often I see people on the outside ask a simple question that gets somewhat overlooked by veterans of the franchise, ironically - "Why does Aerith like Cloud?" - what's really being asked here is, "why in a hypothetical situation would either of them actually have romantic feelings for each other?"

all this 100%. This is what I was basically trying to say

 

[Stiggie]

You know none of this is facts at all, and the narrative does in fact make sense if you get Aerith as Rosa. It doesn't feel "wrong" if you do, the rest of the game feels natural.

More so if you don't get Tifa in Chapter 8 also.

For the record you're not being neutral if you try to undermine the nice moments Cloud and Aerith have, like language of flowers quest throwback, Wall Market memories, Cloud holding his hand open to take in Sector 5, or tightening his grasp in Kalm, and others either. Not every physical or skinship moment they have is a Zack insert.

The story should make sense in every possible playthrough, not just one specific one.

 

[thetriplerhyme]

• Aerith proceeds to randomly write a song
• Aerith proceeds to write and sing romantic song 'for Cloud'

I'm still in puzzle to think it was for Cloud but lets say it really is.. I guess its a sad song cuz she cries in the end.

My take on Aerith's over all ( aside from ending literally that's just creep me out ) is her 'way' of extending hand to Cloud to get over his trauma and opens up a little more because that's how she is taught by Ifalna and Zack.

Aerith, for her part, would be shown to be a bad faith actor to both Cloud and Tifa knowing their mutual affection yet pursuing him regardless

- i dont wanna think of her as 'desparate one' but *least on that last date at least she's able to be grounded. She apologize / excuse me after hugging him. I guess she realizes it not exactly the same and there's a different kind of 'like and liking' and she now knows where she and Clouds stand ( NAKAMA - in JP )

 

[Maidenofwar]

It makes sense in most of them.

 

[c.lupara]

You know none of this is facts at all, and the narrative does in fact make sense if you get Aerith as Rosa. It doesn't feel "wrong" if you do, the rest of the game feels natural.

More so if you don't get Tifa in Chapter 8 also.

For the record you're not being neutral if you try to undermine the nice moments Cloud and Aerith have, like language of flowers quest throwback, Wall Market memories, Cloud holding his hand open to take in Sector 5, or tightening his grasp in Kalm, and others either. Not every physical or skinship moment they have is a Zack insert.

You could be right only IF loveless show (btw I didn't like It at all) was not preparatory to the date on the gondola; in my opinion these two events should have been separated and in this case what you say could work.

 

[CldS7]

I'm still in puzzle to think it was for Cloud but lets say it really is.. I guess its a sad song cuz she cries in the end.

My take on Aerith's over all ( aside from ending literally that's just creep me out ) is her 'way' of extending hand to Cloud to get over his trauma and opens up a little more because that's how she is taught by Ifalna and Zack.




- i dont wanna think of her as 'desparate one' but *least on that last date at least she's able to be grounded. She apologize / excuse me after hugging him. I guess she realizes it not exactly the same and there's a different kind of 'like and liking' and she now knows where she and Clouds stand ( NAKAMA - in JP )

I dont understand the song at all

cause she clearly begins to write it after Tifa tells Aerith that Zack is dead. So ok if the song is about Cloud but the song is never brought up again or highlighted as being an actual key moment in the story between them so it's just meaningless. She 'writes and singes' him a love ballad that is literally forgotten instantly. So whats the point

 

[thetriplerhyme]

You could be right only IF loveless show (btw I didn't like It at all) was not preparatory to the date on the gondola; in my opinion these two events should have been separated and in this case what you say could work.

- yeah loveless is put on Gold Saucer just before skywheel for a reason. Even their skywheel is also awkward you can still see Cloud refuses to sit by her side. GS dates are meant to be romantic and I guess Cloud's not getting it on Aerith. We all know who and what he wants to that 'date'

I dont understand the song at all

- i'm not very good with song interpretation sooo we're the same - to be fair i heard that this 'part' is just added as last minute when Nomura saw "the greatest showman" movie where all of the main plots and details are added. soo it could mean anything or not.. ( just me though )

 

[Maidenofwar]

No Promises to Keep plays in later chapters including and during the ending and credits.

Cloud takes her hand two times later in the game too, three if counting Cloud and Aerith skywheel.

 

[Stiggie]

Aerith is not being disrespectful of Tifa, and its not strange for Cloud to care.

It definitely is, It still baffles me that people try to act as if Aeriths trying to hit in cloud is ok. This is limited to if she's seriously trying to seduce Cloud ofcourse but if she is that's wormtongue levels of disgusting, that would make me dislike her more than cait sith.

Also it does work in reverse, if Aerith is being disrespectful to Tifa, then Tifa would be doing the same (I don't believe either)

This is the biggest false equivelancy I've ever seen.

 

[Sacky]

Maybe I am ? I'm not saying all of this to start a war or hating on her. I'm really sorry if I've been disrespectful. I'll be honest, I didn't like Aerith when I played the game in 1997. Was sad when she leave us obviously. It's when Advent Children released that I've somewhat quit my hater glasses. When I played Crisis Core, I started to really like her character arc, found her funny, touching yadiyada. I loved her in Remake. This new "revision" was really great and I LOVE their trio (Cloud Aerith Tifa)

It's just that when coming to Rebirth, something felt wrong. And again, I'm just talking about the ultimate date thing. It felt forced to me. The game imposed me something that I didn't want I think ? It's something I didn't felt during the rest of it. Not the end of the world, but it just felt a little bit out of character (in this story). Maybe I'm wrong ? That's why I asked this question. Maybe I'm in the minority.

It's strange cause it's not the same Aerith as the one we have been playing with. In the green visions they show that Aerith was awake the whole time while Cloud was unconscious. It's most likely lifestream Aerith fulfilling her dreams which the song was about and also giving him the white materia to give to our Aerith. I think it's the future Aerith that's already dead

 

[Yoru]

The answer is Zack. No, not just at the beginning, but in the middle and at the end too. Aerith cannot get over him, she still loves him, pines for him and waits for him. But yet here there is an all-too-similar guy that so happens to arrive into her life in exactly the same manner with the same eyes and the same sword. She relates to him in the way she would relate to Zack, feeding him the same energy that Zack would have bounced back, only to hit a brick wall in Cloud's inability to reciprocate.

Totally agree. Thing is a lot of people just took the romance at face value and they're just waiting for the Aerith/Cloud kiss in part 3 (yes for real)

Also it does work in reverse, if Aerith is being disrespectful to Tifa, then Tifa would be doing the same (I don't believe either)

Thing is I would totally agree in a world pre-Rebirth. But we're not in one anymore. I spent 120 hours with characters who talk to each other. Aerith and Tifa talk about Zack. They talk about Cloud. Again. Maybe I'm wrong ? But it felt pretty clear to me that the girls know what they're searching for. Tifa loves Cloud. Aerith loved Zack. She's lonely, yes, but at the same time jealous of Tifa and Cloud. She knows. So yeah, I hate the "homewrecker" allegations. It's rude. Just felt she was selfish (and since she knows what's coming for her... she totally can !) and ruined a bit my journey with her. But yes, 100% personal opinion and feelings. I'm not the truth. Just wanted to know what other think of it

 

[CldS7]

No Promises to Keep plays in later chapters including and during the endings and credits.

the song plays but it literally has no relevance to anything actually going on in the story

and pls dont say the end credits....

Aerith literally stood on stage sung a song 'for him' and its never mentioned again. How the hell is that not fucking bizarre

 

[CldS7]

- yeah loveless is put on Gold Saucer just before skywheel for a reason. Even their skywheel is also awkward you can still see Cloud refuses to sit by her side. GS dates are meant to be romantic and I guess Cloud's not getting it on Aerith. We all know who and what he wants to that 'date'



- i'm not very good with song interpretation sooo we're the same - to be fair i heard that this 'part' is just added as last minute when Nomura saw "the greatest showman" movie where all of the main plots and details are added. soo it could mean anything or not.. ( just me though )

at the end of the day I feel like they just wanted a song in the game cause of Hollow in the first one

but the justification and reasoning for having the song was just dumb as hell

should have just kept it like Hollow was at the end of remake

 

[thetriplerhyme]

No Promises to Keep plays in later chapters including and during the ending and credits.

Cloud takes her hand two times later in the game too, three if counting Cloud and Aerith skywheel.

- It a song added in reference to a movie and a special singer specially sang it of course their going to highlight it on credits. ( it doesnt affect the story just crediting ) btw FYI its a carbon copy of that 'scene' from The greatest showman so its necessary to higlight it on credits.

yeah he did hand holder her ( for what reason) to support her as good friend. He's been doing than and lot of skinship with Tifa ever since Remake and how many they did in Rebirth ( i honestly lost count - if there's so much to be emphasize this hand holding ) even in rebirth added the hug and kiss.

 

[Maidenofwar]

Don't look at me, the same could be said about Gongaga which is also never brought up again. Unless GS but that's also never brought up again.

I disagree though. The references are there.

No Promises to Keep is the theme song of the game, of course it's important to an extent.

 

[c.lupara]

No Promises to Keep plays in later chapters including and during the ending and credits.

NPTK is a contradiction if we connect it to the ending; they have no promises to keep between them but in the end Cloud "promises" to defeat Sephiroth xD

 

[CldS7]

Don't look at me, the same could be said about Gongaga which is also never brought up again. Unless GS but that's also never brought up again.

I disagree though. The references are there.

No Promises to Keep is the theme song of the game, of course it's important to an extent.

what are you on about how is Gongaga never brought up again

"your words won't reach him"

thats literally the last 2 chapters of this game

 

[Stiggie]

Yeah, in general the layout of the gs date was a mess imo. Would have been better for tifa to sing a song tbh. Loveless fits aerith better imo so give both girls a mandatory segment rather than aerith 4/6 loveless plays and then a song that's weird as hell in even the best of aerith playthroughs.

Also, isn't "promises to keep, we won't ever need" the most passive aggressive bitch line ever? Honestly kinda made me hate aerith

 

[CldS7]

Yeah, in general the layout of the gs date was a mess imo. Would have been better for tifa to sing a song tbh. Loveless fits aerith better imo so give both girls a mandatory segment rather than aerith 4/6 loveless plays and then a song that's weird as hell in even the best of aerith playthroughs.

just stop including songs tbh

 

[Maidenofwar]

The near kiss is never brought up again unless you get HA Tifa is what I meant.

 

[CldS7]

ever since Red Dead 2 every game has to include songs now ffs

 

[thetriplerhyme]

The near kiss is never brought up again unless you get HA Tifa is what I meant.

- oh then its same with your hand holding in GS unless you get HA you wont get it. At least Cloti gets a hug eitherway and a confirmation from Cloud " not one bit"

But I think all dates again happened in the story just players's choice on whom to see on your playthrough.

=====
talking about Gongaga Aerith admits on "still liking Zack", Cloud screams of Tifa after hurting her and he still gets to stay in the room alone while the rest is outside.

 

[LunarTarotGirl]

I think what more people should take into consideration here is Aerith's monologue outlines exactly what she feels. She does fall for Cloud eventually. But she is torn about it because he reminds her of Zack. She wants to move on but is it really moving on? She isn't sure and she feels guilt because she thinks it's cruel to forget about Zack and be happy without him.

Also I really don't think it's insidious in any universe to be 22 and have feelings for someone or be torn about it. Regardless of the situation humans have complicated emotions. That is people's personal feelings which is fine but personal feelings should also be put aside if we want to analyze something.

Aerith's behavior can be explained by her philosophy on life. Cherish every moment like it's your last. Her hanging out with Cloud is her trying to make memories and pushing the philosophy she has of cherishing every moment.

And we see what happens when she gets an accidental fall and almost kiss moment she pulls away just as much as Cloud does. I'm sure the devs put that in on purpose.

Also the elephant in the room. It was a love triangle, by definition both girls have feelings for the guy. That's how love triangles work. It's a fictional story that used a love triangle and it's definitely not the first nor last that includes a childhood friend and someone the dude just met falling for him. Kimagure Orange Road was also pretty famous back then. It's not meant to be treated as seriously as it was. Aerith and Tifa have feelings for Cloud because the story was set up that way. It was set up that way to reveal the mystery of Cloud's identity through characters outside him.

Also this was the 90's. I don't think they ever really fleshed out much of anything in OG much less character feelings in anything deeper than a few cutscenes and even then people didn't think it was clear. I can also point out they never established what it was about Cloud that made Tifa fall for him either. Or Jessie even. But we accepted she does it until the compilation (tho you saw how people reacted to that) and ReTrilogy and TOTP dived in deeper.

This part of Retrilogy is showing that Aerith is torn about her feelings and expanding on her monologue but she is grateful to Cloud because as we can see thanks to him she got out of the cage of Sector 5 and got to see the world, we see Cloud's kindness here and why people actually like him. We see why multiple girls would fall for him. He is a good guy, he helps people, he is caring etc. We don't need to be told. I think the intent of ReTrilogy has been to reinforce what was already in OG and make everything clearer and they're doing a good job.

 

[CldS7]

I mean I won't complain if there is a Tifa song in the 3rd game given her voice actress can literally actually sing but pls pls pls at least tie it into the actual narrative in a way that isn't just like "song set piece time!!!"... now we will never mention it again !!!