FAQ roundup #2

I’ve gotten a ton of questions since Rebirth was released, so let me try to tackle some of them here! Note that there will be some spoilers for Rebirth, so proceed with caution!

In your opinion, what is it about Cloud and Aerith that makes them a perfect fit?

Oh, I love this question! Thank you for asking!

To me, what’s incredible about Cloud and Aeris is both that they outwardly function is such an opposite way, but inside, they share similar core traits. Where Cloud is cool, Aeris is warm. Where Cloud is shy, Aeris is forward. Where Cloud perseverates on the negative, Aeris plods forward through hardship. Cloud shields with action, Aeris cares for with thought. And while Cloud’s expertise is the physical, the forceful, and the meaningful (if silent) gesture, Aeris is focused on the mental, the magical, and the delicate.

Delve a little deeper, though, and Cloud and Aeris’s commonalities greatly overlap. Both were loners as children, feeling different and isolated from their peers. Both struggle with loneliness today, and compensate to mask it – Cloud, by being standoffish, and Aeris, by laughing and joking around. Both are willing to charge headfirst into danger when others are in trouble. Both dedicate their lives to protecting the Planet, as well as one another: Cloud by being a bodyguard, Aeris through spiritual ascendance.

But what really makes them special to me is that they bring out the best in one another, and when the other is struggling or stuck in a rut, the other is there to pull them forward. Aeris expertly dismantles Cloud’s “tough asshole” persona, from the moment she meets him – while simultaneously drawing out his heroic qualities. When Aeris expresses anxiety about herself, Cloud is there to support her as well.

It’s not a question, it’s more of a thank you. I never played FF7 Original, I knew it was a game very loved by many players and that it was considered a classic, the only thing I knew was the story in general and the scene with Aerith… I even confess that I even knew it better Tifa than Aerith. But everything changed with the Remake!! I was completely in love with the game… and I think one of the best things was undoubtedly the relationship between Aerith and Cloud. Anyone who tells me that they played the remake and didn’t clearly see that there is something between the two… is because they didn’t play the same game as me. After playing the remake I was looking for theories and found the famous fan communities Cloti and Clerith. After seeing your page… I confess that I am more than convinced. I didn’t support anyone… but everything I saw on this page and what I saw in the remake leaves me in no doubt and makes me very curious about Rebirth. Your page is very good, I believe there are many hours of research here. Congratulations !

I’m eagerly awaiting to see the content they will bring after playing Rebirth… I only came here to the blog after finishing the game. But I believe that in March you should still put something

My question: We are very close to launch… What do you expect from Rebirth? What do you want to see? Anything you want changed/improved compared to the original? anything you’re scared of? How are your expectations for the game?

That is so kind of you to say – thank you! I’m honored that you’ve read my blog! I wholeheartedly agree – anyone who denies that there was romantic chemistry between Cloud and Aeris in Remake (or the OG) is either lying about playing the game, or lying about what was actually present in the narrative. To be clear, I do think fans can make great arguments for Cloud and Tifa as well, and I don’t intend to diminish those who found that pairing resonated more – just share my own feelings and understanding of the game and other source material. Either way, I highly recommend you play the original game yourself – it’s extraordinary, it holds up, it’s just everything to me!

As for Rebirth, I answered this question too late, but the Clerith content was PEAK.

Throughout the years, we have been spoiled with the amount of merchandise and promotional material featuring Clerith. Contrastingly, I have heard that there has never been any official FF7 merchandise featuring Cloud and Tifa together ever. Is this true, and if so, why do you think that is? Is there something they are trying to tell us?

This question is perhaps a little too big! Yes, I agree there’s a ton of promotional material featuring Cloud and Aeris. In the OG days, it was almost exclusively Cloud/Aeris. There has been promotional material featuring Cloud and Tifa, though – especially around the Advent Children era, when Aeris was largely hidden from public view (I suppose because there was less CGI of her to pull from, since Advent Children only featured her face at the very ending.) There have surely been promos as well with Cloud and Tifa for things like mobile phone games and such. I don’t think promotional stuff is typically meant to be “shippy” as it is show off popular or key characters, though.

As far as merchandise, if this counts, Cloud and Tifa have featured on trading cards (just as Cloud and Aeris have.) I can’t say I’m an expert on merch, either, so that’s really the only thing I can think of off the top of my head.

What do you think about aerith telling cloud that she wants to protect him and the planet I see no one taking this line into consideration

That’s an extraordinary line and sums up her base character motivations. It reminds me of how she was portrayed in Case of Lifestream White in the On the Way to a Smile novel – she wants to continue to protect the Planet, as well as Cloud.

How do I cope with Aerith’s death?
I have been fans of FINAL FANTASY since my teenage years but I only played I-VI (and other GBA titles), and I avoided VII because it was 3D (I just think it is “bloated”).
I knew Remake was announced in 2015 but regrettably I just didn’t feel a thing about VII. When Covid was in rage I didn’t even know Remake was released in 2020. I know there were arts and the characters but it just didn’t end up on me.
So it was just December 2023 when I finally decided to just watch the YouTube movie of the full game, and I FEEL HOLLOWED about things that I missed from my teenage experience. A stream of guilt and regret came crashing down of not trying this title earlier.
And right now I really miss Aerith. She was the brightest element of the original game and the Remake itself, and I feel sad and anxious knowing that her fate is sealed since 1997. She was incredibly kind, caring, and perceptive, and I really just want to protect her smile. And yes, without necessarily undermine other shipping preferences, I really do want to see Aerith reunited with Cloud again, alive, although at this point with Rebirth nearing I’m pretty sure it’s not going to happen.
Thank you for making this blog. I hope Aerith find her peace and love in the lifestream, or somewhere.

See, the thing for me is, her death is what makes Clerith so special to me. I first played Final Fantasy VII as a young girl who thought nothing about romance. But Cloud and Aeris’s special connection plays upon two romance tropes that hit me even then: star-crossed lovers (I’m a sucker for tragedy) and love beyond space, time, and death. Cloud reaching for Aeris’s hand at the end of the OG and expressing his desire to meet her again in the Promised Land is spiritual, transcendent, and romantic.

If Aeris had lived back then, I don’t think she, nor her relationship with Cloud, would have had such a lifelong impact on me.

Of course, we’ll see how Rebirth handles things.

Will you be updating this on your analysis and official information when rebirth comes out? If so I look forward to it! I got spoiled by leaks and I already have so many question lol! But I respect you and your time , so I won’t spoil it for you as well and leave it up to you if you want to provide your analysis/essays for it 🙂

Rebirth is finally out, and I expect I will blab about it all over this blog! I’ll need some time to let the experience percolate in my thoughts, though. 🙂

I admit I was a bit disappointed/surprised/confused (I confess I still don’t know the right word)… however this could just be a problem of mine that I may have misunderstood some things.
And yes !!! I’m talking about Aerith and Cloud’s relationship in this game (Rebirth)
Just to give you some context, I knew a bit about FF7, but the first game I really played was FF7 Remake and I loved it !!! and one of the things I loved was Cloud’s relationship with Aerith… I “fell in love” with Aerith !!! the contrast between the two of them was incredible, there was magic there, the way Aerith broke down Cloud’s barriers and the things Cloud did with Aerith that he didn’t do with anyone else. It was one of the best relationships I’ve seen in video games and believe me!!! I’ve played a lot of games. I and a lot of people, even on your blog, thought that there was something there between them (I still want to believe that). There were even videos on YouTube comparing Cloud’s relationship with Tifa and Aerith… it seemed clear to me that what the story was telling me was that something was going to happen between the two of them.
However, in Rebirth… in the chapter where we arrive in Gongaga I noticed that the dialogues between Aerith and Cloud are a little different from the original (correct me if I’m wrong). In Rebirth it seems clear that she’s still not over Zack, in the original it seemed that she was already willing to forget him and even jokes with Cloud when she asks him if he’s jealous… later in chapter 6, Tifa and Cloud are in the bedroom… Tifa tries to kiss Cloud but is interrupted by the noise at the door, then you see Aerith outside saying something to Tifa… a scene that clearly made me understand that Aerith wants Cloud and Tifa to be together.
I’ve just discovered that if Cloud and Tifa’s affinity is at its highest, Cloud will kiss Tifa at the Gold Saucer meeting, while Aerith will “just” hold his hand romantically and she’ll lean against him… I wonder “Did Square do fanservice here for the people who support Cloti? Didn’t Aerith and Cloud deserve the same ? “
Then I confess that what Aerith says to Cloud about seeing a lot of Zack in him made me think: “Is that why you got so close to me (Cloud)? Was everything you did all this time just because I looked like him? “Was it all a lie? “Did you awaken my love and then tell me this? ” … earlier I said that I was in love with Aerith but after hearing this I felt a little betrayed, but maybe I misinterpreted because then she says that Cloud is the one she wants to be with now… I confess that I felt a little confused at the end.

Then there’s the song “No Promises to Keep” (about love and time where Aerith speaks to Cloud) I don’t even need to say anything… Cloud’s prediction of Caith Sith, where Cloud will lose what’s most important to him… then there’s everything that happens at the end of the game… and I ask myself
“How do Aerith and Cloud really feel about each other? Does Square itself know?”
“Why on earth do they allow Tifa to kiss and not allow Aerith to?”
” And what did you think of the ending ? confusing ?… Aerith seems to be saved and at the same time seems not to be… in the end only Cloud can see her, and he can also see the problem in the sky, unlike his companions
I really want to know what you think about all this!
Is it just me who wanted things to work out between Cloud and Aerith?
Is there really any sense in the things I’ve said here?

I think you’re processing a lot in a big, big game! 🙂 Let me share my two cents about some of the things you brought up.

1. Yes, Cloud and Aeris’s dialogue is somewhat different in Gongaga compared to the OG. Yes, in the Remake continuity, Aeris’s feelings for Zack seem to be stronger than they were in the OG. Just like in the OG, however, Cloud gets jealous over the thought of Aeris dating Zack.
   
   You also bring up their gondola date. This matches the OG. Aeris admits that she was first drawn to Cloud because she was reminded of Zack, but now sees that they are different, and expresses interest in Cloud. As an added bonus, she even clarifies that it’s Cloud who she wants to be with now.
   
   Rebirth actually resolves this plotline with Zack – so I’m not sure if you’ve yet to beat Rebirth, but don’t worry. Just keep playing!
   
2. Promises to Keep is indeed about Aeris’s feelings for Cloud.. and it’s the very theme song of the game. Keep that in mind whenever you feel envious of Tifa’s optional date!

Does rebirth change the overall nature of cloud and Aerith’s relationships? Given that everything is optional.

I do not think anything was fundamentally changed in Cloud and Aeris’s relationship. Their dynamic feels representative of the original game. Remember, the date sequence is optional in the original game as well.

What are your thoughts about Cloud and Tifa kiss in their date? Is it weird to think it was poorly written and kinda unromantic? Like it only seems and feels fan service for me.

I think any critique I have about it will come across as bitter, which isn’t what I intend. But I did also find Cloud being romantically straight-forward to be rather at odds with how he’s been previously portrayed, both with Aeris and Tifa. Personally, it’s why I find Aeris’s date more romantic – it just feels like Cloud Strife, who I’d never imagine as anything but shy and awkward about going so far as to hold hands.

That being said, what’s in the game is in the game. (Frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised personally if it comes out in dev comments that Cloud is mimicking Zack in his scene with Tifa, as right before the kiss, he seems to express some jealousy over Aeris still having feelings for Zack, and has him top of mind.) But as it is, let’s let the Cloti fans enjoy what they got – as a Clerith fan, I’m certainly enjoying what I got, after all! 🙂

After this game, does Clerith still have a reason to exist? Obviously I’m asking this because there’s an optional scene where you can kiss Tifa… and unfortunately you can’t kiss Aerith. Yes, it’s optional… but Square put it in there

I admit I was frustrated…and I feel Square didn’t treat all the fans equally

Of course it does. Let’s just wait and see how game 3 is handled, but personally, I think no matter what Aeris’s fate is revealed to be, she will play a significant role in the final game. To me, the crux of Clerith is love beyond death, so certainly love across timelines is no big stretch.

Question: Shouldn’t the affinity system in FF7 Rebirth be better? I ask this because, if I invest in affinity with Tifa, I can give her a kiss on the Gold Saucer…however, after that, Tifa fades into the background and Aerith is the star in the final stretch of the game…with many moments with Cloud. Does this make any sense? Doesn’t Square’s desire to please all the fan bases mean that the game has situations that don’t make sense?

P.S.- And yes… I admit I was hoping for a kiss between Cloud and Aerith… seeing a resolution of feelings between the two would have been incredible given the memorable moments we saw in the remake/rebirth… it seems we’ll never get that unfortunately… not even in part 3

True, Tifa was sort of given main heroine status in around the middle of the game, whereas Aeris got the final portions. I think it’s not worth focusing on an optional Tifa kiss. Clerith got the finale and theme song, they embrace, hold hands, and seem to express their love for one another no matter what else happens. Had Tifa not gotten a kiss, the game wouldn’t have seemed remotely fair to both camps, because the main story simply was Clerith, and the conclusion was Clerith, too.

As for the affinity system, it does affect a line or two of Cloud’s dialogue in the church. Sure, I would’ve loved to see a kiss there, but I don’t think it was necessary to get the point across, either.

Not sure if this really fits here, but wanted to know if you’ll be posting about your experience playing Rebirth? And perhaps any insight from your perspective for dialogue as you’re familiar with both Japanese and English. I always enjoy reading what you have to say.

That’s so kind – thank you! I’m sure I’ll share a lot of thoughts. You probably won’t be able to shut me up!