The Ultimania shone some light on the devs views on relationship mechanics, in particular Nojima's, and it was quite surprising how distasteful they found them. Indeed, had they not existed in the part of OG that Rebirth focuses on, it has been suggested they more than likely wouldn't have been included even here at all.
In a way, it makes sense. Keeping the narrative tight and the story controlled, while balancing on the tightrope of faithfulness to the source material and keeping things fresh, somewhat demands that there be as little diverging paths as possible. The devs way around this - put the Gold Saucer dates, and romance mechanics in general, in the game, but make them somewhat removed from the overall story.
They still matter of course. As we discussed before, the Gold Saucer dates can still teach us how Cloud would react in each situation, where he to be in it, with each individual. In every case, it solidifies each individual's personal relationship with him and fits somewhat organically with the established order within the franchise.
Barret gives him advice in a kind of fatherly way, Aerith tries and fails to conceptualise her feelings for him within the wider context of her feelings for Zack, Yuffie and Red too share in a way that feels like you've grown so close to them (remarkably so in Yuffie's case, given the short time together) and Tifa and Cloud express their mutual romantic feelings for each other.
That's not for nothing, whether it happens in your particular playthrough of the game, whether you want to view it as canon, or even if it's outright stated to be mere fanservice. In fact, if it is fanservice then all the more glaring are the contrasts because there was scant impetus not to create these scenarios equally even if different. If it's all just fanservice, there's no reason for Cloud not to kiss Aerith unless the devs drew the line at having characters do things they would not do.
Nevertheless, the mere fact that the affection mechanics were so distasteful that they were only included by virtue of them existing in OG is proof, as if it was needed, that they will not be in part 3. Further, if the stated aim of rigid adherence to the source continues as it has, they simply can't be.
Cloud's entire journey is as much about finding himself as finding Sephiroth. Indeed, the player's journey is this. At the beginning Cloud is not himself and can be pushed one way or another, but by the end he has discovered who he really is. Tifa goes into his subconscious to heal his broken mind, only to discover that the real Cloud loves her and always has. There is no relationship mechanics here because regardless of what the player thinks of Tifa, Cloud loves Tifa. They then, for real this time, express their mutual romantic feelings for each other under the Highwind.
There's no options and no fan service. There's no need for any more drama either, the emotional build ups that have been stored away can finally be cashed in and start paying off, such as the aforementioned awakening to Cloud's real self and feelings, or the long awaited reunion between Zack and Aerith. These things are kept for the end when they'll have the most impact and we can finally look back on the Trilogy as a complete and beautiful story, crafted with love by the devs. I can't wait.
