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

[Midgar_Blues]

To add, it took me a while to warm up to Aerith in the remake. At times she came across as too pushy and childish. She almost reminded me of an annoying little sister your parents forced you to take along when you were out with your friends. She won me over in the final few chapters, though, and when she was probing Cloud about having any SOLDIER buddies my heart broke for her. Zack did only just recently die, and as a Cetra she would have been aware of it. She was left with unanswered questions and no replies to her letters. Okay, is it obvious I full steam ahead ship Zerith? I'll shut up now before I'm booted for straying off topic.

 

[Maidenofwar]

They had already spent time together and Cloud had already explained that he didn't know the slums that well (only training grounds, battle fields, barracks) and they had already had some banter/discussion about getting lost, etc before they got to Aerith's house so it's not that odd or out of line that there would be more teasing about getting lost, etc at the house, as they have built up some rapport by then, to an extent, they have been getting to know each other. Also if as a Cetra Aerith is aware of things that could mean she already does know Cloud. Since later on the way out of the house Cloud does ask Elmyra how to get to Sector 7, i.e he didn't know, and he was lost. She was right, and as he had already said to her earlier on the way to Sector 5, no he didn't know the slums as well as her. They have some more discussion about things Cloud doesn't know later after they've reunited too, as their relationship continues to grow.

 

[Midgar_Blues]

It wasn't just that he didn't know the slums, it was that she reported to know what he'd do if he got lost, as though she knew him for years.

 

[Maidenofwar]

Which in this game is possible because of Aerith's increased omniscient powers either through ability to read and allow others to read things, knowledge of past, present, or future events, possibility of different timelines and the awareness of such matters in general. If Aerith can also be aware of what's going on with Zack due to Cetra powers, she can be with Cloud too especially since her powers are increased here. There's even the theory this Aerith is the Aerith we see looking into the Mako at the end of FFVIIo. Either way she knows things.

The part of the game in question was done with great care and parts within it compliment each other. The parts upon first entering Aerith's house trigger Cloud's dream about his mother and the older girlfriend, etc, scene. External materials say in this game Aerith remains pure despite what she's been through and that the staff for the game did everything about Aerith with great care in mind.

 

[Graymouse]

To add, it took me a while to warm up to Aerith in the remake. At times she came across as too pushy and childish. She almost reminded me of an annoying little sister your parents forced you to take along when you were out with your friends. She won me over in the final few chapters, though, and when she was probing Cloud about having any SOLDIER buddies my heart broke for her. Zack did only just recently die, and as a Cetra she would have been aware of it. She was left with unanswered questions and no replies to her letters. Okay, is it obvious I full steam ahead ship Zerith? I'll shut up now before I'm booted for straying off topic.

I also found Aerith at the beginning of the game very annoying and way too bubbly. She was extremely pushy and pried into Cloud personal business especially when they just met. Most people in general don't ask heavy hitting questions only after just meeting someone. You have to warm up the person before asking very personal questions to someone.

However, by Chapter 17 I have also changed my mind, when Aerith turned on her adult personality, It was like a switch that was turned on. I really started to come around and begun to really like her. I think this is when Cloud and Company rescued her. She had a very serious tone to her sense of duty and I loved that. Aeirth knows when to goof around and when to be serious.

Honestly, I wish that Aerith would teach Tifa a lesson or two, in not taking everything so serious all the time.

ETA:

Some people like an in your face type of relationship like Aeriths,

Some people like a slow burn build up type of relationship like Tifa's

 

[Yumelinh]

Yeah, I think we are way to far down the rabbit hole for SE to care either way at this point.

Would you guys preferred SE to definitively say that Cloud ended up with one of two of the girls, or that he just remained a loner throughout the rest of his days because the events took a major toll on his body and mind? Kinda anti-climactic if you ask me though? Both ways could be plausible.

I mean, I already feel like the post-OG Comp entries plus Utlimanias, do already pretty definitively say that (even if it could have arguably been more explicit).
But if you mean make it even more explicit in the Remake, sure that would be fine with me.

Pretty much what @Theozilla said here. To me, Comp/Ultimanias already answered this question when it comes to OG.

But Remake can make things more clear this time since they have the technology to do so. OG had a lot of graphical limitations, so now they can actually show us, instead of just telling us what the answer to that question is.

If that is the case, than this whole thread is silly.

But it is! Not really if you think Remake does open the door to different possibilities. Even tho the devs did say the Compilation is canon for the Remake and they will not be deviating from OG (while actually doing so lol), there's still a chance they can do things differently this time.

 

[Midgar_Blues]

Which in this game is possible because of Aerith's increased omniscient powers either through ability to read and allow others to read things, knowledge of past, present, or future events, possibility of different timelines and the awareness of such matters in general. If Aerith can also be aware of what's going on with Zack due to Cetra powers, she can be with Cloud too especially since her powers are increased here. There's even the theory this Aerith is the Aerith we see looking into the Mako at the end of FFVIIo. Either way she knows things.

The part of the game in question was done with great care and parts within it compliment each other. The parts upon first entering Aerith's house trigger Cloud's dream about his mother and the older girlfriend, etc, scene. External materials say in this game Aerith remains pure despite what she's been through and that the staff for the game did everything about Aerith with great care in mind.

Yeah there's that whole theory that Aerith in the remake is Aerith post OG, but I'm not sure how I feel about that. I guess we'll find out in part 2. As for Cetra understanding the personalities of people before they've met them, I wasn't aware that was an ability, but hey, you never know. It's possible. With the unknown journey continuing about anything is possible atm.

I also found Aerith at the beginning of the game very annoying and way too bubbly. She was extremely pushy and pried into Cloud personal business especially when they just met. Most people in general don't ask heavy hitting questions only after just meeting someone. You have to warm up the person before asking very personal questions to someone.

However, by Chapter 17 I have also changed my mind, when Aerith turned on her adult personality, It was like a switch that was turned on. I really started to come around and begun to really like her. I think this is when Cloud and Company rescued her. She had a very serious tone to her sense of duty and I loved that. Aeirth knows when to goof around and when to be serious.

Honestly, I wish that Aerith would teach Tifa a lesson or two, in not taking everything so serious all the time.

Yep, by time we hit Shinra HQ and rescued her, I was on board the Aerith train. I like that she and Tifa are so different though, but are still able to get close. Still, if I didn't already know how old they were, I'd think Tifa was around 28 and Aerith 16.

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

Tifa's had to grow up hard and fast. Aerith is probably the most protected person in the slums.

 

[Graymouse]

Yeah there's that whole theory that Aerith in the remake is Aerith post OG, but I'm not sure how I feel about that. I guess we'll find out in part 2. As for Cetra understanding the personalities of people before they've met them, I wasn't aware that was an ability, but hey, you never know. It's possible. With the unknown journey continuing about anything is possible atm.


Yep, by time we hit Shinra HQ and rescued her, I was on board the Aerith train. I like that she and Tifa are so different though, but are still able to get close. Still, if I didn't already know how old they were, I'd think Tifa was around 28 and Aerith 16.

So that would make Cloud around 16, at this moment. So, yeah it works out!

 

[Cat on Mars]

So that would make Cloud around 16, at this moment. So, yeah it works out!

Does this mean you're jumped ship?
I kid, I kid.

 

[Yumelinh]

awn, I loved Remake Aerith from the spot <3. I never disliked OG Aerith in the first place, but personally I think her Remake counterpart is her best characterization up until now (Her CC characterization being her second-best IMO).

I think she uses her bubbly personality to hide her pain and the weight of "knowing too much!" for being the last Cetra, and it shows this time around hence why she's so changed by the ending of the game aka there's no way to hide or run away from it anymore.

 

[Graymouse]

Does this mean you're jumped ship?
I kid, I kid.

Never!

That was a complete coincidence actually.

awn, I loved Remake Aerith from the spot <3. I never disliked OG Aerith in the first place, but personally I think her Remake counterpart is her best characterization up until now (Her CC characterization being her second-best IMO).

I think she uses her bubbly personality to hide her pain and the weight of "knowing too much!" for being the last Cetra, and it shows this time around hence why she's so changed by the ending of the game aka there's no way to hide or run away from it anymore.

I will agree to that for sure. I never really thought of it that way. Nice!

There is a lot of pain hidden in her character and pressure going on with Aerith, that is for damn sure. I think by the end of the game Aerith understands and feels the gravity of the situation and the amount of pressure that is placed on her because of being the last living Cetra.

 

[Master Bates]

I already liked Aerith's flirtatiousness and sass in the OG. She was a great foil to Tifa and vice versa. But it was when she finally decided she was done from running away from her destiny and obligations and put on a 'serious business' face while still being the bubbly and optimistic girl that she is, for the sake of everything and everyone, that she made me love her, especially considering how much she was running away from it all. That turn in her character arc is her solidifying moment to me and it's just impossible to hate her. And then she was gone. Just like that.

The Remake even makes her character more endearing. Assuming she'll meet the same end, I'm sure the hurt will still remain (for me, at least).

 

[Yumelinh]

Never!

I will agree to that for sure. I never really thought of it that way. Nice!

There is a lot of pain hidden in her character and pressure going on with Aerith, that is for damn sure. I think by the end of the game Aerith understands and feels the gravity of the situation and the amount of pressure that is placed on her because of being the last living Cetra.

I agree! The train graveyard segment is probably when this part of her pain is brought up to the light, but especially the Sector 7 plate and the whole ShiraHQ part is where things related to her becomes more clear.

I already liked Aerith's flirtatiousness and sass in the OG. She was a great foil to Tifa and vice versa. But it was when she finally decided she was done from running away from her destiny and obligations and put on a 'serious business' face while still being the bubbly and optimistic girl that she is, for the sake of everything and everyone, that she made me love her, especially considering how much she was running away from it all. That turn in her character arc is her solidifying moment to me and it's just impossible to hate her. And then she was gone. Just like that.

The Remake even makes her character more endearing. Assuming she'll meet the same end, I'm sure the hurt will still remain (for me, at least).

Yes! This!! It's painful because you can feel and understand why she is running away from a destiny she never chose for herself. This time, it will be much more painful for me, for sure, to the point that I almost want the Remake to change it, however, I think that her sacrifice, even if not intentional, is what cemented her character in everyone's memories and is a big part of why people remember FFVII to this day (and this comes from someone who absolutes hate how some characters are killed in fiction for shocking value, but Aerith's death was so important and well tied to the plot that I can't bring myself to complain, at all. )

 

[Eerie]

I think by the end of Remake, you clearly feel that Aerith is the oldest girl though. And I can't place Tifa so old either haha. Tifa may be careful, but she acts like her age too sometimes. It's funny, both girls show either immaturity or maturity depending on context.

 

[Yumelinh]

I think by the end of Remake, you clearly feel that Aerith is the oldest girl though. And I can't place Tifa so old either haha. Tifa may be careful, but she acts like her age too sometimes. It's funny, both girls show either immaturity or maturity depending on context.

Yup! Even Barret can act like a kid sometimes, but that's the 'human' nature of these characters that I like as well. Everyone can be "mature" or "childish" depending on the situation, regardless of age.

 

[LNK]

I already liked Aerith's flirtatiousness and sass in the OG. She was a great foil to Tifa and vice versa. But it was when she finally decided she was done from running away from her destiny and obligations and put on a 'serious business' face while still being the bubbly and optimistic girl that she is, for the sake of everything and everyone, that she made me love her, especially considering how much she was running away from it all. That turn in her character arc is her solidifying moment to me and it's just impossible to hate her. And then she was gone. Just like that.

The Remake even makes her character more endearing. Assuming she'll meet the same end, I'm sure the hurt will still remain (for me, at least).

If I can tear up from Jessie and Biggs dying, I'm sure Aerith will be even worse haha

 

[Graymouse]

If I can tear up from Jessie and Biggs dying, I'm sure Aerith will be even worse haha

That Iconic scene is going to hurt. Also, I am very interested in how the other party members are going to react. Hopefully when the scene comes in the remake, I hope that all members of the group will be present, not just the ones that you have in your party at the time. I think it would have more of an impact that way.

 

[LNK]

That Iconic scene is going to hurt. Also, I am very interested in how the other party members are going to react. Hopefully when the scene comes in the remake, I hope that all members of the group will be present, not just the ones that you have in your party at the time. I think it would have more of an impact that way.

Yeah, agree. If Barret's reaction to Avalanche dying is any indication, I'm sure it'll be along those lines for the group

 

[Prism]

Personally...There’s something to be liked about people who are comfortable with you right away, so Aeris’ bubbly introduction was good in my book. Her serious side comes out later, which is really nice.

And yeah. All the increased characterizations has made all the deaths a lot more tragic. Aeris’ will hurt, but her apparent comfort with her fate will make it not as bad as it otherwise would be.

 

[Graymouse]

Just speculating, do you think it will be Cloud who does it this time? That Sephiroth managed to manipulate him into actually doing it?

Oh, that would destroy Cloud's entire existence. It would most definitely cause some issues between the group as well.

(not sure if SE would go this route but if they are looking for shock value like back in '97 that would do it)

 

[Prism]

Oh yeah, I’ve heard that being speculated about! I personally think they won’t for a couple of reasons:

• Sephiroth killing her is what really drives the party’s personal motivation to track him down. Getting rid of that would kind of remove a portion of Sephiroth’s villain edge. Then again, they’ve flipped my expectations on things like that before (revealing Sephy’s dead at the beginning of the game, for example)
• The writing around Aeris’ death in the original seems to not be for shock value alone, but with dealing with unexpected loss
• Square’s ethics department seems very cognizant of optics, and might not let Cloud beat up Aerith at all.

They might tone down the original scene of Cloud beating her altogether for that final reason. If I had to make predictions, I think he’ll swing at her and go manic a bit, but not actually land hits on her.

 

[Theozilla]

It wasn't just that he didn't know the slums, it was that she reported to know what he'd do if he got lost, as though she knew him for years.

Part of that is likely to with Aerith acting informally with everyone (and maybe her Cetra powers allowing her "know" more about people from physical contact), the former aspect is just an inherent part of Aerith as a character.

 

[Purple]

Almost a thousand replies. Woah. Been out of the loop about the LTD for a while but have been following it since the early 2000s

Anyway, with the way the remake is handling things, maybe just maybe they’ll finally put a lid on it? But that’s just me being too optimistic. Just want to share what convinced me that SE *might* settle it once and for all

1. Cloud lying about the flower and Aerith seeing the flower at 7th heaven and smiling

2. Ending shot of Aerith and Zack. And how Aerith doesn’t seem to be over Zack? I don’t know but that’s the vibe I got from my playthrough. And with what they did with Zack in the ending who knows where they’ll take it

Tho this LTD will rage on for years whether or not SE spells out the obvious in this remake lol

 

[Maidenofwar]

Zerith never quite did it for me nor Zack, I had favorites before him, but I got a different vibe from this game, and was intrigued by what was shown so far. To be fair I quite like him in Dissidia Opera Omnia as well ?

Clerith see and take the flower exchange between Cloud and Aerith as pro Clerith for the record, Aerith had already mentioned a date with her was on the cards, the you're getting paid right now, huh, huh, ohhh exchange had taken place by then, Cloud already had some awareness of what was on the table, and was keeping his options open, not shutting Aerith down as a choice. That was what I took from it anyway. Cloud also knows his payment is more time with Aerith later when he tells Oates he's on the clock when he asks him if he can help out ?