I perceive if the title of this text has already raised some eyebrows, however please enable me to elucidate. I wish to handle the misperception that Ultimate Fantasy VII incorporates a love triangle.
How Ultimate Fantasy 7 Dealt with Romance
To make clear, I’m not suggesting that there’s no love triangle as a result of one woman is a “higher match.”
I keep that there was by no means a real chance for one more woman to be a romantic contender for Cloud Strife. I firmly consider there’s a singular and canonical romance in Ultimate Fantasy VII. Let’s get into the small print. Honest warning: I’m going to spoil a 25-year-old sport going ahead.
To be blunt, Aerith isn’t a real romantic possibility for Cloud. Which means Tifa is the one love curiosity within the sport. I do know this would possibly upset some followers, however hear me out. The connection between Aerith and Cloud ties again to Zack, not romantic emotions between themselves. Cloud is viewing Aerith by way of muddied reminiscences of Zack, whereas Aerith sees a man who’s appearing similar to her useless boyfriend.
Cloud lacks the angle to know that the emotions and reminiscences he has aren’t his personal. Consequently, he can’t make sense of the unusual feelings he seemingly feels when he’s round or sees Aerith. These are sophisticated feelings, and Cloud doesn’t perceive them in any respect. Tragically, Aerith dies earlier than he’s capable of totally put all of it collectively.
Aerith, nevertheless, appears to be piecing collectively the inconsistencies of their relationship. It’s as if she’s connecting the dots, recognizing the uncanny similarities between Cloud and Zack. These coincidences are too quite a few to disregard. A lot of her emotions in the direction of Cloud, aside from being drawn to him over Zack, are rooted in concern. However don’t simply take my phrase for it; let’s take into account Aerith’s personal phrases.
Throughout Aerith’s Gold Saucer date, she basically says this to Cloud. She goes so far as to confess she doesn’t actually know Cloud in any respect however is intrigued by the thought of assembly the actual him. All of this goes over Cloud’s head, nevertheless it means that Aerith is, on some degree, conscious of the Zack state of affairs.
That is additionally a masterful piece of writing and misdirection. In the event you’re unaware of the Zack twist, which you wouldn’t be in your first playthrough, you would possibly interpret her phrases as an indication that she’s prepared to maneuver on. A part of the explanation why so many individuals see Ultimate Fantasy VII as a love triangle is as a result of, fairly merely, the creators needed you to suppose it was. Many gamers grew connected to Aerith, witnessed this scene, and had been then additional shocked by her loss of life not lengthy after.
Now, let’s look at the identical scene with Tifa because the date. She discusses the problem of being childhood pals and hints at one thing she desires to inform Cloud however struggles to specific. As soon as once more, Cloud is oblivious to her intentions. It’s evident right here that Tifa, on the very least, harbors emotions for Cloud. The setup means that Tifa is the one exterior the triangle, with the canon selection being Aerith and Cloud. Nevertheless, I consider that simply as a lot as Aerith was saying, “I don’t know who you’re,” Tifa was saying, “The place is the actual you?”
Later, it’s Tifa who helps him overcome his grief and rediscover his true reminiscences. When Tifa and Cloud fall into the Lifestream, they each admit to listening to the opposite calling out to them. Furthermore, Cloud’s real reminiscences predominantly function Tifa in some capability. This sequence is maybe my favourite in all of Ultimate Fantasy and presumably my favourite in any online game. I consider it’s evident from this level onward the place Cloud’s true emotions lie. The true Cloud.
The ultimate scene I wish to focus on is the long-lasting second exterior the airship on the finish of disc 2. Cloud and Tifa are left alone as the remainder of the celebration spends probably their final day alive elsewhere. Nevertheless, for Tifa and Cloud, there’s nowhere else to go. So, naturally, they spend the night collectively. In the event you did go on a date with Tifa in Golden Saucer, Cloud tells Tifa there’s one thing he needed to speak to her about. Nevertheless, now he’s the one having hassle discovering the phrases. That is when Tifa tells him, “Phrases aren’t the one approach to inform somebody how you are feeling.”
Now, I consider there may be some room for interpretation concerning what occurs subsequent. Regardless, Cloud and Tifa spend the whole night collectively, and upon waking up, they each select to stay just a bit longer with one another earlier than returning to the airship. It’s an attractive second the place Cloud is lastly ready, I consider, to not solely really feel love but in addition settle for love. I believe that is the second the place they’re each on the identical web page; nothing is unrequited, and nothing is hidden. Even when they’ll’t cease Meteor, they’ve one another at that second. As Tifa says, “This present day won’t ever come once more, so let me have this second.”
And with that, I consider the romantic arc of Ultimate Fantasy VII concludes and not using a love triangle in sight. Are they collectively on the finish of the sport? Not definitively. Introduction Kids means that their relationship could also be advanced. Nevertheless, this isn’t the kind of love story that requires a neat decision. The crux of the arc was Cloud and Tifa reconciling their feelings. Cloud and Tifa are the only love pursuits in Ultimate Fantasy VII.
So, with all that being mentioned, I do consider Aerith is an unimaginable character, and her loss of life is undeniably one of the crucial important moments within the historical past of video video games. I believe she is invaluable to the sport, to the celebration when she’s part of it, and to the planet inside the sport. Nevertheless, I remorse to say that she will not be the point of interest of any love triangle in Ultimate Fantasy VII. As a substitute, let’s hope that someplace within the Lifestream, she discovered Zack as soon as once more.
Ultimate Fantasy VII is on the market on PS4, Xbox One, Change, and PC.
