Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth takes a side in the great Tifa and Aerith debate

The event group behind Last Fantasy 7 Rebirth has seemingly taken a facet within the nice Tifa-versus-Aerith debate.

It may appear foolish, however the query of who Cloud ought to smooch has animated the FF7 fandom for many years. On one facet, we have now Tifa Lockhart, Cloud’s childhood buddy with a heat, beneficiant gaze. On the opposite, there’s the flower-seller Aerith Gainsborough, who brings a way of playfulness wherever she goes, and whose powers carry the destiny of the world. Followers refer to every pairing as “Cloti” and “Clerith,” respectively. Though a number of this debate is arguably a matter of opinion, being invested in a single explicit facet can vastly change a participant’s perceptions of the sport. Even one thing small, like every character’s outfit, generally is a level of debate as to which one is “higher.”

Probably the most cheap approach to settle the argument has at all times been “Cloud shouldn’t date both of them.” The man is clearly so zonked out on mako and Sephiroth-related psychological trauma that he in all probability can’t help a romantic associate in a sustained manner. However hey, the place’s the enjoyable in that?

Now, with the discharge of Last Fantasy 7 Rebirth, it appears to me just like the builders have picked an official girlfriend for Cloud. Provided that this debate has raged on for thus lengthy, it appears like a monumental choice — even when some folks might not agree with my evaluation beneath.

[Ed. note: This post contains spoilers for the intimate Gold Saucer date in Chapter 12 and the ending of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.]

Graphic: Julia Lee/gamerjive | Supply photographs: Sq. Enix

I personally consider that the group behind Last Fantasy 7 Rebirth has lastly picked Tifa to be the official romantic curiosity for Cloud. This isn’t to say that Cloud doesn’t have emotions for Aerith, or that there’s no chemistry there, however key artistic choices in Rebirth’s telling of the story simply are inclined to steer the ship towards Cloti this time round.

Right here’s the largest argument for example this: Cloud and Tifa kiss, for crying out loud! Admittedly, not everybody will see this cutscene. In Rebirth, the participant’s choices can alter sure moments within the sport, so some folks would possibly see Cloud happening a date with Aerith as a substitute of Tifa, and people gamers wouldn’t see the kiss in any respect. It’s price noting, nevertheless, that it doesn’t matter what gamers do forward of the date for Aerith, Cloud doesn’t share a romantic kiss together with her — or with any of the opposite characters. That, to me, is a positive signal that the FF7 Rebirth writers see Tifa and Cloud collectively in a unique and particular manner.

Picture: Sq. Enix through gamerjive

What’s extra, a number of different components of the sport spotlight the tender relationship shared between Tifa and Cloud. In Chapter 9, the 2 virtually share a kiss after Tifa wakes up from some form of mako-induced mini-coma, after which they’ve a deep dialog a couple of significantly traumatic childhood expertise that they had undergone collectively. Afterward, in Chapter 13, the group returns to Nibelheim, the place Tifa and Cloud cling to one another as they every confront their very own terrible recollections of their house. There’s a love and a way of connection between them that’s strengthened time and time once more.

It’s not simply that a number of scenes seem to match up Cloud and Tifa romantically, it’s that Cloud and Aerith finally can’t be collectively. Aerith dies within the unique Last Fantasy 7, and now she seemingly dies in Rebirth as nicely. Previous to the discharge of Rebirth, some followers held out hope that this retelling of the story would spare Aerith’s life, and a few went as far as to theorize that Tifa can be the one to die this time round. Nonetheless, we all know now that that’s not the case. Aerith nonetheless meets her bodily demise — even when it appears like she’s by some means current within the lifestream, it’s nonetheless probably not potential for her and Cloud to be collectively.

In case you get the intimate model of Aerith’s date within the sport, she and Cloud will virtually share a kiss. It’s tragic that they don’t, however this choice on the a part of the writers does present some closure. In a way, Aerith has at all times been destined to attract the brief finish of the stick and to fall simply wanting her desires. She sacrifices herself for the great of the Planet, and which means abandoning her dream life with Cloud. From my perspective, these two additionally clearly share a particular relationship; she may need even been the “proper” match for Cloud, however she will’t escape her inevitable destiny.