Spoiler warning: This Boss Rush Banter will cover the final chapter of Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth.
After 110 hours, I watched the credits roll for Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. I enjoyed this game immensely and am thrilled and excited for what part three has in store. Interested to see what other fans thought, I perused discussion forums and was admittedly surprised by the outcry of anger and frustration at the ending. So, what are your thoughts on Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth‘s ending?
At a glance, I can perhaps see why Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth‘s ending reframes and subverts expectations around one of the most iconic moments in video game history. I can even understand the betrayal fans may feel about how it played out in this version, and how they see it as a disservice to a beloved character.
Maybe it’s the pessimist in me, but I did not go into the game expecting—or even hoping—that this ending would be different from the original. I did not expect the ending to go for the “shock value” of her death, either, because of how well-known this moment is. If anything, I watched this ending play out with intense curiosity.
In my mind, two things about this ending are abundantly clear, and make me hopeful for how it will be addressed in part three:
- Aerith is gone, but Cloud’s mind is so fractured and broken that he convinced himself that he saved her and she’s still alive. There are several subtle clues throughout the ending: most notably his iconic speech that is muted and includes the same static whenever he alters his memories. In addition, the way the rest of the party reacts during and after this memorable moment makes it clear that Cloud’s reactions are abnormal, to say the least.
- The lake burial scene is completely skipped over and not shown. The only hint of this is the aftermath as the party sits along the shoreline in silence and grief. I strongly suspect that the reason this was skipped is in conjunction with Cloud’s broken memories and altered state of mind. He believes she is alive, and therefore, is choosing to completely block out the memory of laying her body to rest in the lake. This scene is too memorable not to show, and I believe it will be shown in its entirety in part three when Cloud has his memories restored in the Lifestream with the help of Tifa.
Reframing this moment in the story very clearly emphasizes Cloud’s state of mind, and it has the potential to be absolutely brilliant in part three. Showcasing his loss and grief through denial, and ultimate acceptance, is a fantastic approach.
Obviously, if Square Enix doesn’t stick the landing, this will be a huge misfire. But with the way they have so lovingly and painstakingly handled Remake and Rebirth, I believe this moment will be addressed with new emotional weight in part three. Cloud having to relive key moments of his life in the Lifestream, including the loss of Zack and Aerith, will bring his character arc full circle. It will allow players to experience the same crushing loss of this moment with acuity and new context.
I greatly enjoyed this ending, plot twists and all, and cannot wait for how it all comes together in part three. But what were your thoughts? Did you like the ending of Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, or do you think it should have been handled differently? Let us know in the comments or join us on Boss Rush Discord!
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