SPOILERS Predictions for Part 2? (*Open Spoilers for Part 1*)

[LNK]

It's bright out, yes, but it's not the same diffuse white of the Lifestream in AC/C. It's a strong backlight, like when Reno bursts in in 7R's main story.

It's not the exact same white out as ac, but in both instances, you can't see anything through the doorway. When Reno goes through, you can see stuff.

Zack imagining a Cloud and these other people in the lifestream is a larger deviation to how we understand dead people in the lifestream and the story of FF7 than a parallel plot running alongisde that may never directly interact with the main plot that has ALREADY had a serious deviation from the primary FF7 plot.

Not in my opinion. Then again, imo, ch 18 didn't really deviate from the ff7 story. To others, that drastically changed it

But it IS a pretty bad hypothesis. It fails to address the information as given with barely a shrug in return

I forgot to reply to this. If my hypothesis is a bad one based on my evidence, than so was the AU Zack hypothesis based on a chip bag.

 

[Roundhouse]

Even the people who hate the idea of changes have to admit that the idea of Zack and Cloud taking on Sephiroth together in a final boss battle would be awesome as heck. Even better if they can use this:

 

[ForceStealer]

Even the people who hate the idea of changes have to admit that the idea of Zack and Cloud taking on Sephiroth together in a final boss battle would be awesome as heck.

 

[Roundhouse]

Why, Force? Why?!

 

[ForceStealer]

I mean in something like Dissidia or Kingdom Hearts? Sure! Even in VIIR's Combat Simulator, sign me up!

But as a part of VII's actual story? Pass. It cheapens Cloud's arc and smacks of, well, Dissidia or Kingdom Hearts

 

[Roundhouse]

We've already had Dementors, Biggs and Zack alive, and Deepground weirdos show up...I say go all the way, commit to the wildness.

 

[ForceStealer]

Or.... we could salvage a good remake

 

[Roundhouse]

It's too late, Force-san. It's too late.

 

[ultima786]

I find your lack of faith disturbing

 

[LNK]

I mean in something like Dissidia or Kingdom Hearts? Sure! Even in VIIR's Combat Simulator, sign me up!

But as a part of VII's actual story? Pass. It cheapens Cloud's arc and smacks of, well, Dissidia or Kingdom Hearts

If my theory of Zack being in the lifestream is correct, would you be against seeing him and Aerith fighting with us against Sephiroth? Maybe just apart of the ending cutscenes.

 

[Makoeyes987]

I understand reticence in such a fantastic side-to-side team up, but at this point, I honestly don't see how it's not being set up with Cloud and Zack, in some form or fashion.

And if it's not being set up for that, what the hell is Zack there for?

From just weighing the possibilities, intentions, thematics, and alternatives, you have Zack being given a divergent second-chance in an adaptive remake that celebrates FFVII's 20 year history.

The writers state their intention of following the narrative arc of the OG while keeping FFVII fundamentally feeling like FFVII.

They intend to follow it's overall story.

An alternate timeline has been forked thanks to Zack being able to survive past his point of defeat.

Zack's uncovered something that's clearly off and more than likely serve as the launch point of something like a quest of his own.

I don't know how that doesn't lead to the same end point, which is Sephiroth. Who conveniently has been revealed to have a second alternate that appeared to confront Cloud at the end of Part 1 and alert him to the ultimate end of the planet in the far future, and vocalize his intention to forestall death by whatever means to continue his ambition.

Something's obviously being set up for a final confrontation that goes beyond what we know. No, it shouldn't overshadow the main plot, nor should it undo the core narrative themes. A final battle however is far more flexible as the final gameplay mechanic and capstone to an action RPG story. A new final confrontation can easily fit after the original final battle, and before the one-on-one against Sephiroth. There's far more space for it than something like, undoing the whole narrative entirely by doing something bizarre mid-game. If it's slipped on like a warp-around plot, it most neatly converges at the end of the story where these two things can finally intersect at the Edge of Creation. Just like we first got a glimpse of it in Part 1, it'd make sense to have it tied up at the very end. Zack may not literally be there for the final fight, but I can imagine it happening simultaneously, at the very least.

But something is going to happen. Zack's not just there for absolutely no reason or pay off.

 

[ForceStealer]

I'm certain it is. Which is why I'm hoping it simmers on the back burner for as long as possible so I get as much enjoyable story as I can

 

[KindOfBlue]

Enjoyable story meaning…the story we already know we like? I think it’s pretty early to write off the idea of Zack’s involvement when we still know next to nothing about it lol

 

[Makoeyes987]

To be fair, it's not so much a general "Zack's involvement" in the Remake that's being written off.

It's, "Zack's involvement as a direct participant in the final, FINAL battle" of the Remake.

That's a more specific context that I think someone can have an up-or-down vote on whether it's something they'd like. I don't think it's necessarily bad in the context, but if someone's against Zack being active that much in a physical sense, in a critical moment... I can see that being just a thing they could do without.

 

[Roundhouse]

Mako....I am very proud of you right now. You have seen the light!

 

[Makoeyes987]

This has literally been my same opinion for over a year ago lol

 

[Roundhouse]

I always got the impression you were resistant to any big changes to the story, so being open to Zack and Cloud teaming up to fight Roth is a pleasant surprise!

 

[Makoeyes987]

I'm against big changes to the core FFVII story. I'm not against all changes.

There's a big difference between this:



Happening before this:



And without this:



I would not tolerate the first image anywhere in the Remake EXCEPT as a bookend to the final entry of the Remake that resolves the new plot line they introduced in part 1 because such a thing would derail FFVII literally anywhere BUT the end.

Omitting the last picture simply topples FFVII. It's pivotal, so yeah.

I'm okay with some changes. I'm flexible, provided FFVII stays 90% FFVII and doesn't lose itself. I can accept a wild final battle that allows a spiritual/temporary/etc meeting with Zack to topple a threat in a memorable way. But don't pull that silly shit when the core plot is unfolding.

 

[Ite]

Mako, I am so pre-emptively sad for you. At least for me, Remake’s bandaid was fully ripped off in Part 1. Their bullshit can’t touch me now, but the heartbreak still lies ahead for you.

 

[Odysseus]

It's already clear the plot isn't immediately going to be different. Going by TOTP, everything up to them boarding the ship is at least similar (seems to be a luxury liner rather than a cargo ship). Cloud is still going to tell his story to everyone, Tifa will still react to the inconsistencies. That's set up for where the original game goes. Disregarding that entirely would just plain be shitty writing, which is why I believe that, however Zack appears, it will not be until after Cloud's identity crisis happens. hell, Sephiroth going beyond the visions of Nibelheim and showing a STILL ALIVE Zack to really cement Cloud as a fake could be an interesting way to incorporate that into the original plot.

We keep viewing Zack as an unintended consequence of Remake 1's ending battle, but he could very much be part of the plan.

 

[Makoeyes987]

Mako, I am so pre-emptively sad for you. At least for me, Remake’s bandaid was fully ripped off in Part 1. Their bullshit can’t touch me now, but the heartbreak still lies ahead for you.

LOL what do you mean by that?

You really think they're fixing to have Zack and Cloud just buddy up Opera Omnia style while the man doesn't even know who he is?

It's already clear the plot isn't immediately going to be different. Going by TOTP, everything up to them boarding the ship is at least similar (seems to be a luxury liner rather than a cargo ship).

This. Literally everything we've heard from the writers and seen so far from the novella taking place after Part 1 shows us the game is now on the rails of the OG. I'm not expecting something so utterly divergent or unrecognizable. Nothing's showing me that's happening.

 

[LNK]

You really think they're fixing to have Zack and Cloud just buddy up Opera Omnia style while the man doesn't even know who he is?

Based on what happened in part 1, I'll bet there are A LOT of people that think your example might happen

 

[Ite]

Here’s what I don’t think will happen: we’ll be seeing other FF characters appear in Remake. I don’t think Sora or Lightning are going to show up. That’s about the only bit of restraint I trust them to have.

 

[Makoeyes987]

Based on what happened in part 1, I'll bet there are A LOT of people that think your example might happen

They may think so, but I don't think they're right.

Although to be fair, most people are not aware of all the interviews the writers have given, nor have they read fan translations of the Japanese exclusive novella that shows a part of the Remake story that's happened after part 1.

So I imagine a lot of people will be surprised when Part 2 doesn't go off the script they expect. And that'll be a surprise by not being surprising.

Here’s what I don’t think will happen: we’ll be seeing other FF characters appear in Remake. I don’t think Sora or Lightning are going to show up. That’s about the only bit of restraint I trust them to have.

Lol well I expect (and hope) the writers to exceed your expectations here.

 

[Odysseus]

We desperately need Part two lol. These theories are getting nuts.