Myths and Misconceptions: Does Player Choice End at the Lifestream?

Final Fantasy VII is, at its heart, an RPG – a role-playing game where the player is invited to play the part of Cloud, the protagonist. The player’s influence on who Cloud, however, is limited only to picking certain dialogue choices in various circumstances ranging from the serious to the silly. Nothing the player picks will affect the larger plot of the game, but it does determine a specific subplot: Cloud’s potential romantic feelings for Aeris, for Tifa (or both, or even neither.)

In the dreaded “love triangle debate,” this mechanic has been met with all kinds of outlandish claims, ranging from the factually incorrect to the flat-out whacky. Is the game’s affection mechanic meaningful, and how does it inform us on Cloud’s feelings?

So, how do affection points work?

Throughout most of disc 1, the player can manipulate the “affection points” of four characters: Aeris, Tifa, Yuffie, and Barret by either selecting corresponding dialogue on behalf of Cloud, or including particular characters in their party at certain points.

For instance, when little Marlene tells Cloud that she thinks Aeris has a crush on him, Cloud has two options. If he selects “I don’t know,” you will lose three points with Aeris while gaining three points with Tifa. Conversely, if he selects “I hope so,” you will gain three points with Aeris and lose three with Tifa.

Sometimes, just selecting characters to be in your party at key plot points will increase your affection score. For example, in the Corel Prison, the one who you select to join you alongside Barret to confront Dyne will gain points. If Cloud selects Aeris, she will get a whopping ten additional affection points.

What does the affection point system affect?

Toward the end of disc 1, the “winner” of the affection point minigame will take Cloud on a date in the Gold Saucer. In the case of a tie, the winner is prioritized as follows:

Aeris > Tifa > Yuffie > Barret

Additionally, this order of likelihood is amplified by the characters’ starting point values. Rather than begin at 0, Aeris begins at 50 points. Tifa begins at 30, and Yuffie will join with 10 – Barret is the only character Cloud will have to woo from the very bottom up. Ultimately, this means that Aeris is the most likely date partner for Cloud.

The affection point system will affect just one other scene in the game: a conversation Cloud and Tifa have under the Highwind toward the end of the game. If Cloud has achieved a final score total of 50 points or more with Tifa, their conversation is coded with romance, with Tifa uttering a fandom-famous line, “Words aren’t the only way to tell someone how you feel.” But if Cloud’s score is under 50 points, their conversation is “apathetic and short.”

“After stopping Hojo from going amuck, the conversation with Tifa before they rush into the Northern Crater diverges into two conditions, according to Tifa’s affection rating with Cloud. When it gets low, the conversation in the scene that they spend the night will be apathetic and ends short. Next morning in the cockpit, Tifa says “Were you listening?” and stamps on tiptoe. On the other hand, when degree gets higher, the conversation of the scene that they spend the night will have strong emotions. Next morning in the cockpit, Tifa will say “Were you watching?” and feels terribly shy.” 

–Ultimania Omega (page 198)

This is the crux of the issue among fans: the player’s in-game choices affect the affection points of Cloud’s companions (specifically his two main romantic interests), and thus the romantic outcome of two key scenes. This is rather clearly suggestive of one base principle: the player can determine who Cloud loves, or at least, the extent of his romantic interest in Aeris or Tifa.

Is player choice real, or a facet of “fake-Cloud”?

The concept of player choice, specifically in regards to Cloud’s love life, does not seem to sit well with certain Cloud x Tifa fans, who insist that the love triangle is a “red herring” designed to throw the player off the real story revealed in the game’s second act, and thus the date mechanic is inherently just theatrics, and “real Cloud” – that is, the Cloud who has come to terms with his past – can only choose Tifa.

That the player’s choices in the first act of the game have a meta and even ominous quality might actually be kind of cool – if only there was any evidence whatsoever to support it. Let’s look at a few of the common misconceptions and myths surrounding player choice and the love triangle in Final Fantasy VII.

Myth: “Real Cloud” Chooses Tifa

Let’s tackle the big one first.

Throughout disc 1, Cloud has a false understanding of who he is. Cloud’s identity crisis is based on three things. The first is external: Cloud has been injected with JENOVA cells, which caused hallucinations, delusions, and warped memory. The second is internal: Cloud has mental health issues stemming from his feelings of failure and inadequacy, causing him to have a desperate hero complex. The third is his vehicle from zero to hero: his friend Zack, who, unlike Cloud, really was a SOLDIER.

Through a combination of his own hero fantasies, the image of Zack, and JENOVA’s alien meddling, throughout the first act of the game Cloud falsely believes that he was first class SOLDIER. In actuality, he failed to make SOLDIER, and was only a lowly infantryman.

First, it should be noted that disc 1 Cloud isn’t “fake,” despite the popular fandom term. Cloud is not emulating Zack’s personality (indeed, the cool-and-awkward Cloud could not be more different from the warm-and-friendly Zack.) Cloud is acting out his own unique hero fantasies: he’s being the smarmy, overconfident asshole of his childish fantasies. That is, he’s being a version of Cloud that did make SOLDIER.

In disc 2, Cloud falls into the Lifestream, replays some core memories, and realizes the truth about his past. From hereon, Cloud is humbled, and perhaps in another way portrays real confidence, but he’s already had quite a bit of character development: it only took the Midgar portion of the game for his icy exterior to melt and for him to show genuine care and support for others. Cloud’s personality therefore does not drastically change before and after the Lifestream event. Prior to the Lifestream, he is not incapable of human connection or feeling, and the bonds he builds – with Aeris, Tifa, Barret, or otherwise – are certainly not counterfeits.

To circle back to Tifa, saying “real Cloud chooses Tifa” doesn’t seem to take the actual game into serious account. As already mentioned, there are two versions of the Highwind scene – a potentially romantic evening with Tifa. One is romantic, the other is not. If the game intended to build a narrative that Cloud’s “real self” will end up with Tifa, there should not be two versions of the Highwind scene.

Furthermore, we know for a fact that Cloud and Tifa are not considered canon by the developers even after Aerith’s death – with Nomura flat-out saying he prefers to keep things up to fan interpretation.

This argument that “real Cloud chooses Tifa” seems to often go hand in hand with one particular line: a moment in the beginning of disc 2 when Cloud tells Tifa “No matter what anyone else says to me, it’s your opinion that counts.” This claim, of course, misses the point of the scene completely.

Cloud: …Tifa? Is Sephiroth right?

Tifa: Cloud…

Cloud: Why are you so scared? Don’t worry about me. I’m all right. No matter how confused I am, I’ll never believe a word that Sephiroth says. It’s true that sometimes I can’t figure out who I am.
There’s a lot of things muddled up in my memories. But, Tifa…… But you said, ‘Long time no see, Cloud’ right? Those words will always support me. I am the one you grew up with. I’m Cloud of Nibelheim. No matter how much I lose faith in myself, that is the truth. That’s why you shouldn’t be so scared. No matter what anyone else says to me, it’s your opinion¹ that counts…

Tifa: No, that’s not true, Cloud……

Cloud: What’s not? Aren’t I the same Cloud you grew up with?

Tifa: That’s not what I mean… I don’t know how to say it… Cloud, I need some time… Just give me a little time…

1. In the original PlayStation translation, this word is “attitude.” Cloud’s line in Japanese is だからTIFA…そんなにおびえないでくれ. 誰のどんな言葉よりもTIFAのその態度に俺は…… / “That’s why you don’t need to be so frightened, Tifa. Whatever anyone says, it’s your (stance on the issue) that I (value).”

Here, Cloud is directly responding to Sephiroth’s claims that Cloud is only an artificial creation. He is telling Tifa he believes in himself because Tifa has assured him that he is her friend from Nibelheim. Of course, during these scenes, Tifa is notably lying to Cloud, and begging him to ignore certain truths that Sephiroth is revealing – namely, that Cloud was not the SOLDIER who came to Nibelheim 5 years ago despite Tifa’s previous corroboration with the tale.

Needless to say, this conversation is not romantic and has no bearing on the love triangle. It is not indicative of “true Cloud’s” romantic feelings. Tifa is finally confronted with the fact that that she has withheld the truth about Nibelheim from him, which is used as evidence against Cloud’s sense of true self, and thus causes his psychological breakdown. Additionally, this scene happens before Cloud’s foray into the Lifestream, which contradicts the point that Cloud is only his “true self” halfway into disc 2 onward.

Myth: The Player Can No Longer Select Dialogue Choices for Cloud After the Lifestream Event

This is demonstrably false. Cloud continues to have options to select certain dialogue choices up through the end of the game.

From incidental decisions – like commanding your party to go right or left in the final dungeon..

To the rather personal – like whether to be supportive, or a jerk, to Tifa.

Tifa: Hey, Cloud… Would you tell me ‘It’s all right’?

Cloud:
1. Say it cool
2.Say it normal
3. Don’t say it

(if “Don’t say it”)

Cloud: ….I just can’t say it that easy.

Tifa: I’m sorry… I guess you’re right.

Quite simply: yes, dialogue choice continues to exist after the Lifestream.

Myth: The Affection Mechanic Ends After Disc 1

Even if the player can choose lines of dialogue for Cloud, certainly they don’t affect the game’s romance scores, right? Wrong.

The affection points garnered by the player do not “freeze” after the Gold Saucer date event. It’s true that there will be no more opportunities to gain or lose affection points within the main plot, but side content is still fair game.

Most specifically, Cloud’s dialogue when recruiting optional-character Yuffie affects her score, and so does completing her side quest in Wutai. This may be done in disc 2 or even 3, though of course, at that point it will be too late to affect any scene outcomes.

Myth: The player choosing Cloud’s dialogue represents JENOVA

This one is so outlandish, it hardly seems worth addressing. As an extension of “the Gold Saucer date is a red herring” and the demonization of the player’s choices affection the game’s romantic narrative, the claim suggests that the player making choices for Cloud is akin to JENOVA controlling him. That is, an external alien persuading him one way or the other contrary to his true self and true feelings.

Neat if true. (It’s not.) Who would’ve thought that an alien being set on devouring the Planet doesn’t care about Cloud Strife’s love life?

First, as mentioned above, Cloud continues to have dialogue options for the player to choose well after he finds his “true self” in the Lifestream.

Second, if the choice mechanic in Final Fantasy VII was intended to be so meta, it’s curious that never once, in over a quarter century, have the developers suggested that this could be the case. Never, in any interview, in any Ultimania, nor any other official content has it ever once been stated that the love triangle is a “red herring” or that player choice in disc 1 represents Cloud’s lack of psychological agency.

On the contrary, we have quotes from the developers suggesting the opposite. Nomura once said that he specifically designed a system that embraced player choice specifically so the player would not feel stuck with the girl they wouldn’t like. He wanted to “incorporate a mechanic that reflects the player’s feelings” while rejecting a straight-forward path where only one girl was an option.

MYTH: Cloud’s feelings are invariable (The player cannot change how Cloud feels, only how the other characters feel)

This misconception goes along the lines of, the player can select dialogue options, but even if they cause the other characters to like him more or less, Cloud’s own feelings are unchangeable – the player cannot alter how Cloud truly feels. (Which, naturally, goes together with claims that how Cloud “truly feels” is that he loves Tifa.)

Is there any evidence that the input we give Cloud changes how he feels? After all, during the Gold Saucer date event, it’s not Cloud who asks out one his companions – rather, the companion who likes him most will approach him. Thus, can we conclude that Cloud’s feelings aren’t a matter of debate?

Of course not.

First, it should be assumed that in matters of multiple dialogue choices, often which conflict in apparent intent, we are indeed building our own narrative about how Cloud thinks and feels.

Putting romance aside, the player can design their own insight into Cloud’s mind. For instance, when the party first visits the town of Kalm, several villagers articulate their support for Shinra and their appreciation of mako as an energy source. The player, as Cloud, has the option to decide if Cloud feels that Shinra is a net positive, or emphatically disagree.

When it comes to choices that clearly affect romance, Cloud’s feelings can wildly differ in option A or option B.

Then, there are options that quite literally dictate Cloud’s feelings as stage directions. For instance, in Gongaga when Aeris reminisces about Zack, the player has the option to direct Cloud to express jealousy.

Finally, Cloud’s own, non-selectable dialogue changes based on his affection score. For instance, let’s compare the low affection Highwind scene with the high affection Highwind scene. (Remember, this is Cloud’s supposed “true self.”)

High Affection	Low Affection
Cloud What are you going to do, Tifa? Tifa Did you forget? I’m… all alone. I don’t have anywhere to go. Cloud and Tifa leave the airship and stand below in the twilight. Tifa Everyone’s gone… Cloud Yeah, we don’t have anywhere or anyone to go home to. Tifa You’re right… But… I’m sure someday… they’ll come back, don’t you think? Cloud Hmm… I wonder…? Everyone has an irreplaceable something they’re holding on to… But this time, our opponent… Tifa Hmm… But that’s all right, even if no one comes back. As long as I’m with you… As long as you’re by my side… I won’t give up even if I’m scared. Cloud ………Tifa…… Tifa No matter how close we are… We were far apart… before this. But when we were in the Lifestream surrounded by all those screams of anguish, I thought I heard your voice… …sniff… you probably don’t remember this… But deep in my heart I heard you calling my name… Or at least I thought I did…	Cloud What are you going to do, Tifa? Tifa Did you forget? I’m… all alone. I don’t have anywhere to go. Cloud and Tifa leave the airship and stand below in the twilight. Tifa Everyone’s gone… Cloud Yeah, we don’t have anywhere or anyone to go home to. Tifa You’re right… But… I’m sure someday… they’ll come back, don’t you think? Cloud Hmm… I wonder…? Everyone has an irreplaceable something they’re holding on to… But this time, our opponent… Tifa Hmm… But that’s all right, even if no one comes back. As long as I’m with you… As long as you’re by my side… I won’t give up even if I’m scared. Cloud ………Tifa…… Tifa No matter how close we are… We were far apart… before this. But when we were in the Lifestream surrounded by all those screams of anguish, I thought I heard your voice… …sniff… you probably don’t remember this… But deep in my heart I heard you calling my name… Or at least I thought I did…
[IF TIFA’S AFFECTION IS 50+] Cloud Yeah… At that time I heard you calling me. You were calling me back from the stream of consciousness in the Lifestream. After all, I promised. That if anything were to ever happen to you, I would come to help. Tifa Cloud…? Do you think the stars can hear us? Do you think they see how hard we’re fighting for them? Cloud I dunno… But… Whether they are or not, we still have to do what we can. And believe in ourselves… Someday we’ll find the answer. Right, Tifa? That’s what I learned from you when I was in the Lifestream. Tifa Yeah…… that’s right… Cloud Hey Tifa…… I…… There are a lot of things I wanted to talk to you about. But now that we’re together like this, I don’t know what I really wanted to say… I guess nothing’s changed at all… Kind of makes you want to laugh… Tifa Cloud… Words aren’t the only thing that tell people what you’re thinking… Cloud ………… [Cloud and Tifa spend the night on the ground beneath the airship, Tifa leaning against Cloud.] Cloud …………It’s almost dawn… Tifa H, huh…? Cloud Sorry. Did I wake you…? It’s almost dawn, Tifa. Tifa Umm… G, good morning… Cloud. Give me a little longer… Just a little bit longer… [She leans back against him.] This day will never come again… So let me have this moment… Cloud Yeah… okay. This is probably the last time we’ll have together……	[IF TIFA’S AFFECTION IS UNDER 50] Cloud I see…… I think I’ve heard about it, too. At that time, it was Tifa’s voice…… Tifa Cloud…? Do you think the stars can hear us? Do you think they see how hard we’re fighting for them? Cloud I dunno… But… Whether they are or not, we still have to do what we can. And believe in ourselves… I’ll find the answer someday. As long as I keep trying. Tifa Yeah…… that’s right… Cloud We’ve got a big battle tomorrow, we’d better get some sleep… Tifa Umm. Yes, I guess you’re right…… [Cloud and Tifa spend the night on the ground beneath the airship, Tifa leaning against Cloud.] Cloud …………It’s almost dawn… Tifa H, huh…? Cloud Morning, Tifa. It’s almost dawn… Tifa Mmm…… Good morning, Cloud. Give me a little longer… Just a little big longer… [She leans back against him.] This day will never come again… So let me have this moment… Cloud …………

Note that Cloud’s dialogue has differed regardless of Tifa, whose dialogue is the same except when she’s responding to his variable lines. In the high affection version, Cloud is considerate, sentimental, and apparently romantic with Tifa. In the low affection version, he’s curt, talks in “I” statements instead of “we” statements, and ends the night even if Tifa seems to want to continue talking. He also says nothing when she asks to have a little longer with him in the morning.

Clearly, it’s indeed the case that Cloud’s feelings have changed based on whether or not the player earned more or less than 50 affection points with Tifa.

Bearing on Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

With this year’s release of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, we made it to the Remake-Trilogy’s iteration of the Gold Saucer date – and all its implications.

Like the original game, Cloud’s dialogue choices as well as how he uses companion characters in battle will affect the outcome of who visits him for a night out at the Gold Saucer. Like the original game, Cloud’s dialogue options in any given conversation can drastically differ in apparent intent. And like in the original game, Cloud’s feelings also seem to differ as a result of which option the player chooses.

“Just forget I said anything.”

Cloud:
1. “Don’t gimme that bullshit.”
2. “I’ll lend an ear.”
3. “Wasn’t listening.”

In every possible Gold Saucer date scenario, there are two possible conclusions: “Standard” and “Intimate.” Cloud’s date will always be the companion with whom he has scored the highest points, but sometimes the “highest points” in question is still dismal. Depending on how high the affection point total with his closest companion is, Cloud’s actions and dialogue toward the end of the date will change.

In the date with Aerith, she will snuggle next to him in the Standard date, and Cloud sits still with her. In the Intimate date, Cloud will take her hand and entwine his fingers in her own in the classic Japanese romance trope of the “koibito tsunagi” – the lover’s handhold. In the date with Tifa, he will hug her in the Standard conclusion. In an intimate conclusion, he will kiss her. The pattern is true in the non-romantic dates as well, with Cloud being more open, friendly, and engaged at the end of his more platonic dates.

It’s therefore clear that Cloud’s feelings indeed vary by the choices we, the player, made in the game, and the affection mechanic is embraced as a narrative device in precisely the same way it was in the original game.

Of course, it’s worth saying..

If there is a case of the player not being able to affect Cloud’s romantic feelings, Rebirth delivers – just perhaps not in the way that Cloti fans were hoping.

In the game’s final chapter, Cloud will always go on a date with Aerith, he will always hold her hand (and again with interlocking fingers), and will always embrace her in the church after telling her he wants a “next time.” It seems with Aerith, at least, his feelings truly aren’t a matter of player choice.

Note that there is one moment in this final scene that is variable. After Cloud suggests a “next time” to Aerith, she gently presses him on what he means. Cloud will either say a warm “Yeah, next time” while looking at her and smiling, or he will awkwardly look away and say “I mean, why not.”

However, this doesn’t actually have anything to do with how many affection points one has with Aerith. It’s related to whether or not Aerith has been Cloud’s date partner at the Gold Saucer – either in Chapter 8, Chapter 12, or both. If Cloud has dated Aerith at Gold Saucer at least once, he gives the emphatic reply (even if his score with Aerith is low), if he has not, it’s an awkward reply (even if his score with Aerith is high.) Presumably, by dating her once, Cloud has more courage to follow through with asking her out again.

Shockingly, one can even have Cloud kiss Tifa by playing out the Intimate version of her chapter 12 date, and, provided they dated Aerith in Chapter 8, watch Cloud enthusiastically ask Aerith out for another date in Chapter 14.

Player choice, huh?