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

[Ryushikaze]

As to why Aerith would call it a "date" in front of Tifa...I'm kind of at a loss. Pre-release, I thought it might be a way for Aerith to try to push Cloud and Tifa together, but it doesn't really feel like that's the dynamic in Rebirth (though you can argue that she's also doing this on the Water Tower in Nibelheim). And her actions on the Clock Tower itself are clearly not those of a someone who is trying to "steal" Tifa's man, so to speak, she's actually looking out for her there...so why on earth would the devs have Aerith do this here in front of Tifa?

The conclusion I have come to after analyzing all the evidence is that Aerith literally does not understand the word date in the same context as everyone else. She thinks it means "A fun outing with someone you like" and does not get that it has attached weight and meaning.

 

[Stiggie]

I really think that Aerith calling a date the discover of the clock tower in Kalm was really a warning for Cloud and had him to keep a certain distance with her for quite some time after this, in fear she'd do it again tbh. Seeing that look on his face was kinda hilarious though xD But yeah it's like he makes sure to keep a certain distance, asking her to not take their "date" at CdS as a romantic one since it's just a job to him, etc.

Cloud, at his core, wants Tifa's approbation and he certainly doesn't want to get caught in that situation again, IMHO. He suspects they talk a lot to each other (see the boat) but Tifa is clearly the goal to him. For Aerith though, dates aren't that serious I feel so yeah.

As for Aerith, I thought of that mini arc with her integrating really the group and being able to read their joke with the 2K gils: she fails at the entrey of the mythril mines, then Barret cracks it at Cloud and she's able to crack it at Barret. I was like "ohhh that's why" while replaying, although it put Cloud in a difficult position once again ^^'

This reminded me of my newest entry on my list of dumbest things I hear in the LTD debate:
"Clerith is Canon because Aerith had more dates".

I just can't even.
Something I haven't really heard people mention yet.


The name of this main scenario, "where she belongs".
Do we think this refers to "with the living" or "with Cloud"?
The term "where she belongs" bring up memories of quotes we've heard about Tifa and Cloud being "where they belong" as well as quotes concerning the promised land.

"Inside, I felt one thing for sure: Cloud and Tifa would be together. Everybody would be back home where they belonged."

~Nojima, Reunion Files, page 70

The place where he awakens, That is Cloud’s Promised Land.

As he sleeps, Cloud hears two voices. The voices of two people very dear to him, who are no longer with him. Playfully and kindly, they give him a message: he doesn’t belong here yet.

When he awakes, there was his friends. There were the children, freed from their fatal illness. Tifa and Marlene, and Denzel asking for Cloud to heal his Geostigma— his family were waiting. Engulfed in celebration, he realizes where he is meant to live. He realizes that he was able to forgive himself.

And when he turns around, ‘she’ is starting to leave. Together with the friend who had given Cloud his life. Cloud no longer has to suffer in loneliness… And so they too go back to where they belong. Back to the current of life flowing around the planet.”

– 10th anniversary ultimania Page 131, Revised Edition



This might be coincidence, homage, or direct reference, what do we think?

 

[GamerSkull]

This reminded me of my newest entry on my list of dumbest things I hear in the LTD debate:
"Clerith is Canon because Aerith had more dates".

I just can't even.
Something I haven't really heard people mention yet.

View attachment 15389
The name of this main scenario, "where she belongs".
Do we think this refers to "with the living" or "with Cloud"?
The term "where she belongs" bring up memories of quotes we've heard about Tifa and Cloud being "where they belong" as well as quotes concerning the promised land.

~Nojima, Reunion Files, page 70


– 10th anniversary ultimania Page 131, Revised Edition



This might be coincidence, homage, or direct reference, what do we think?

Cloud is Tifa’s Promised Land.

But honestly, it might actually mean both.

The conclusion I have come to after analyzing all the evidence is that Aerith literally does not understand the word date in the same context as everyone else. She thinks it means "A fun outing with someone you like" and does not get that it has attached weight and meaning.

Yeah, she also refers to her and Tifa running around Costa del Sol as a date.

 

[nars305]

They also teased us so hard because the next time they have alone time (if I remember correctly) is in Gongaga after Tifa recovers. And it’s crazy how close Cloud is to realizing what’s actually going on in him at that point in the story.

It just made me realize that Tifa was so comfortable getting close to him that they nearly unavoidably kissed and that was just her remembering what Cloud did for her when they were kids. What’s it going to be like when she pieces Cloud back together, realizes that he was there for her in Nibelheim, and that he’s also been in love with her all this time?

Anyways, that conversation in Gongaga was huge, and he nearly spills his guts there. I think we even hear a hint of the real Cloud there too. I’m so excited for the Lifestream sequence.



LOL. It’s crazy being on the older end of most people on social media and then I come here and I’m pretty average, even younger, comparatively. Just turned 27 last Wednesday. Thank you guys for making me not feel old .

This reminded me of my newest entry on my list of dumbest things I hear in the LTD debate:
"Clerith is Canon because Aerith had more dates".

I just can't even.
Something I haven't really heard people mention yet.

View attachment 15389
The name of this main scenario, "where she belongs".
Do we think this refers to "with the living" or "with Cloud"?
The term "where she belongs" bring up memories of quotes we've heard about Tifa and Cloud being "where they belong" as well as quotes concerning the promised land.

~Nojima, Reunion Files, page 70


– 10th anniversary ultimania Page 131, Revised Edition



This might be coincidence, homage, or direct reference, what do we think?

In this moment I thought to myself it’s interesting that the weapon doesn’t give her back until Cloud approaches. I chalked it up to me just reading into it too much but also…could it have been intentional? We’re in a cut scene, and then it brings us out to take a few steps and go right back into a cut scene.

Sometimes I like to just rely on my snap interpretation which was, the weapon was giving her to Cloud specifically.

 

[Hellenic]

For Aerith though, dates aren't that serious I feel so yeah.

She pretty much calls every outing a "date", even those she has with Tifa, so yeah, i don't think people should take that word at face value with her.

 

[Stiggie]

Sometimes I like to just rely on my snap interpretation which was, the weapon was giving her to Cloud specifically.

I'd like that to be true, but if it were then Barret catching her instead of Cloud would be an off design choice imo.

She pretty much calls every outing a "date", even those she has with Tifa, so yeah, i don't think people should take that word at face value with her.

Yeah, do we have a list or random ass things she calls a date? The outing with Tifa is referred to as such, but I think there are more that are equally absurd (like asking him a single sentence about Tifa in Kalm).

 

[Eerie]

Do we think this refers to "with the living" or "with Cloud"?

I need to see the French translation of this one though I remember it was similar I think. Personally I feel that it's a chapter that shows us her heart; Nibelheim, where she grew up, and part of her bond with Cloud, that precious memory that kept escaping her so yeah, since we complete that only when Cloud comes near, I'd say Cloud, pretty much - and that means amongst the living too. Just like at the end of ACC, Cloud belong amongst the living, but by his family's side too.

 

[GamerSkull]

If I recall correctly, in Remake, she says “I’m paying you right now” while she and Cloud are essentially side questing. And if the payment was a date, then literally even going around doing things to help people is a date for her.

By that same logic, Aerith would probably consider Cloud and Tifa running around collecting money for filters a date.

 

[nars305]

I'd like that to be true, but if it were then Barret catching her instead of Cloud would be an off design choice imo.

Very true. Like I said I really felt like I was reading into it too much.

 

[luminous03]

What the hell? most of the members are adult with families or gf/bf, it feels like i am surrounded by uncles and aunties. Mind you i just reach 19 years in march and became a fan of ff7 in 2016 after watching the film AC( even without understanding anything). I recently join this forum and it already feels like a family so thank you all.

I'll be 22 yo in 2027 just like aerith haha ( i hope i don't die )

 

[Stiggie]

What the hell? most of the members are adult with families or gf/bf, it feels like i am surrounded by uncles and aunties. Mind you i just reach 19 years in march and became a fan of ff7 in 2016 after watching the film AC( even without understanding anything). I recently join this forum and it already feels like a family so thank you all.

I'll be 22 yo in 2027 just like aerith haha ( i hope i don't die )

Trust me, you will feel like surprisingly little changes about you after you're 19 for the next 20 or so years. (if you take care of yourself at least). I don't feel particularly older than I did back then at least. You'll mostly just look back and think "fuck, why did I used to think 35 year olds were adults, let alone old".

 

[GamerSkull]

Trust me, you will feel like surprisingly little change about you after you're 19 for the next 20 or so years. (if you take care of yourself at least). I don't feel particularly older than I did back then at least.

I still feel like an 18 year old. Mentally.

That’s actually the weird thing about getting old. You feel like you’re making the most progress as a child… but then you just feel the same for decades.

Also, if you’re like me… you start hating your birthdays because of the reminder.

I used to love my birthdays when I was little,

 

[luminous03]

Seeing you guys talking about adulthood makes me feel at ease, because for me it seems scary, tho i believe everyone will face this sense. But at the same time it seems exciting and i would love to experience the different stage of life. But the thing is, time always fly so gotta enjoy every moment

Again thank you 4 everything

 

[LNK]

Stop because I’m already Cid’s age lmao.

To be fair I’d play the last game if it came out when I was 50. I mean I’ve been into anime and video games my entire life, I love how Rebirth holds the hand of my inner child.

As someone who just turned 40, and is finishing up a half leg tattoo of my favorite studio ghibli characters, I'll probably play final fantasy games till I no longer have the capability to do so.

 

[nars305]

As someone who just turned 40, and is finishing up a half leg tattoo of my favorite studio ghibli characters, I'll probably play final fantasy games till I no longer have the capability to do so.

Omg my second and last tattoo I want to be Ghibli. Torn between what I want but kind of digging a Heron for his “last” movie. Congrats on finishing that up.

I think we are just the new type of adults. So I’m pretty sure we are all normal and valid. Not that I felt bad about all my likes that are pretty much the same as when I was a kid lmao. Anyway no one should feel old!

 

[GamerSkull]

I still have plenty of FF games to still play. I still need to go back and play 1-5 and I haven’t given the MMO ones a shot yet.

So I see myself still playing for many years to come.

 

[shady]

This reminded me of my newest entry on my list of dumbest things I hear in the LTD debate:
"Clerith is Canon because Aerith had more dates".

I just can't even.
Something I haven't really heard people mention yet.

View attachment 15389
The name of this main scenario, "where she belongs".
Do we think this refers to "with the living" or "with Cloud"?
The term "where she belongs" bring up memories of quotes we've heard about Tifa and Cloud being "where they belong" as well as quotes concerning the promised land.

~Nojima, Reunion Files, page 70


– 10th anniversary ultimania Page 131, Revised Edition



This might be coincidence, homage, or direct reference, what do we think?

Also, I mean you can say it's gameplay related but the weapon does nothing to release Tifa until Cloud himself approaches it. I'm willing to bet it means she belongs by Cloud's side.

 

[Gym Leader Devil]

I had a whole conversation with Clicky just the other day about getting old and how it relates to our view of various characters. At this age I look at Cloud and see a poor, shy, inferiority complex riddled kid.. It took me by surprise when I realized I'd added that last word at some point, and upon inspection found it fir a ton of characters. I imagine it's normal... also I don't care if it's normal so there's that

 

[GamerSkull]

Final Fantasy and Existentialism.

A wonderful pair.

Edit: 1000th post.

 

[nars305]

I had a whole conversation with Clicky just the other day about getting old and how it relates to our view of various characters. At this age I look at Cloud and see a poor, shy, inferiority complex riddled kid.. It took me by surprise when I realized I'd added that last word at some point, and upon inspection found it fir a ton of characters. I imagine it's normal... also I don't care if it's normal so there's that

This is much nicer than me calling poor Cloud a traumatized dork. A noble dork nonetheless.

We love Cloud don’t we folks. Bless his heart.

 

[Gym Leader Devil]

Well, he is a dork and he is traumatized Its why i love the poor sap, he takes enough shit to his fan to kill most people three times over and comes out the other side a strong, effective dork. And on topic, how did he manage that again? He did it for Tifa.

 

[nars305]

Well, he is a dork and he is traumatized Its why i love the poor sap, he takes enough shit to his fan to kill most people three times over and comes out the other side a strong, effective dork. And on topic, how did he manage that again? He did it for Tifa.

I can’t wait to see in the next game. I feel like it’s going to be heavy, and here’s to hoping nothing is left to imaginination between Tifa and Cloud!

 

[Ginkgo]

@insanehobbit I feel like I pretty much agree with everything I've read from you regarding the developers' intentions behind certain decisions. Not to harp on the "nakama" line, but I'm curious to know what you think is the purpose of having that dialogue change depending on whether you got Aerith's GS date. Both are a single line from Cloud, neither confirming he has romantic feelings for Aerith, but at the very least he enjoys spending time with her. Nothing bold or groundbreaking, but pretty milquetoast. I'm at a loss as to why they even included this to begin with. Especially during our last moments with Aerith. I don't think "replayablilty" is a factor here because it is such an insignificant line of dialogue, you'd think they'd add more to it if that were the case. And when I say "insignificant", I mean in the context of the scene. Not the LTD discourse. I guess this is open to anyone reading this, I'm curious to hear what you guys think.

 

[LunarTarotGirl]

Hmm as an Aerith fan I feel the need to point out something often not understood or overlooked by the fandom. Aerith grew up in a LAB then a bigger cage basically. Her life in Sector 5 was extremely controlled she couldn't go far because she was under surveillance. She didn't have true friends as a kid, she was an outcast. And until she met Zack and maybe Tseng no one to call confidant or friend. This greatly affects how she interacts with people and even the language she uses.

Aerith sees ANY time with someone special as a date because all she wants is to spend more time with precious people. So such little things as taking a walk together are incredibly precious to her. Because as a person in captivity (which was exactly what she is) without friends that's something huge for her.

She is not seeing it from the perspective of someone less sheltered would see it which is why she uses it so casually.

Also if you pay attention in Costa Del Sol : In Japanese Cloud doesn't say "I wish you wouldn't". He says he's bad at dates and she basically says she knows he doesn't need to tell her twice. She is not seeing it as this ulta special romantic outing she sees it as an opportunity to just spend time together in any form. She even is surprised he took the mission in the first place because she wasn't expecting anything. And to her the walk is enough but Cloud accepting this and the comments from the designers made her start questioning her feelings and that's what happened throughout that sidequest. She started wondering if there was more to it and the complexity of her feelings as well as trying to figure out Cloud. And he is of course oblivious, not even realizing the implications of the mission. But eventually she settled on she was just happy to be there with him it doesn't have to be ultra special. He doesn't have to be the ideal date or anything. She is happy just spending that time no matter the context.

Which summarizes Aerith's world view. She cherishes even the littlelest moments without expectations she just wants to spend that time together. In any form. Those are the "dates". And this is why she speaks of them so casually. She speaks of life like a series of adventures and little dates. Trying to cherish each moment.

It's kinda interesting how it's kinda easy to forget how lonely and chained she was and the results of that probably because of her personality. Even OG I don't think ever really touched on it except a few short scenes.

 

[cgnVirtue]

This is much nicer than me calling poor Cloud a traumatized dork. A noble dork nonetheless.

We love Cloud don’t we folks. Bless his heart.

I love Cloud a lot, actually. It’s so refreshing to see a protagonist like him, especially in the gaming landscape we have now. Perhaps even in media right now. The whole cast is really grounded and human, but Cloud specifically has so many layers going on with him and it makes him so interesting.

A lot of people probably feel the same way, but I relate a lot to Cloud. For better or worse lol. I think that’s part of the reason why I want to see him triumph so badly, and why I like him and Tifa as a pairing. Not to get too personal, but as someone who has similar issues as Cloud, seeing Tifa care about him and support him so unconditionally warms my heart. I guess I’m a bit biased though, because Tifa reminds me of my wife lmao.