‘Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’ Ending Explained: Key Points and Analysis

If you found yourself puzzled by the conclusion of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, rest assured, you’re in good company.

Fans have expressed a wide array of opinions regarding the finale of Rebirth. Even those of us who appreciated it carry a sense of ambivalence. One undeniable fact is that Rebirth serves as the second installment in a trilogy of games. Numerous questions linger, and we will need to wait for the final game, expected in 2028, to find answers.

Final Fantasy VII intentionally avoids providing a neat resolution, allowing for extensive speculation and personal interpretation. The game’s director has confirmed this was a deliberate choice, designed to maintain audience engagement as they develop the concluding installment.

Now, let’s delve into what we believe transpired.

Aerith’s fate, the decline of Cloud’s mental stability, and mored

One of the most pressing inquiries leading up to Final Fantasy VII Rebirth was whether Aerith would meet the same tragic end as in the original, namely, if Sephiroth would take her life during her prayer at the Temple of the Ancients.

The emotional buildup to this pivotal moment fostered a profound connection with the game. I found myself shouting “CLOUD!!!” as Sephiroth descended with his sword. Initially, it appeared that Cloud had indeed altered fate and saved her.

The question of Aerith’s fate stems from the presence of “whispers,”introduced in Final Fantasy VII Remake, which seemed to have been overcome. Their defeat led both critics and players to speculate that Rebirth would diverge more significantly from the original than it actually does.

Although Cloud appears to rescue Aerith, glitches ensue, revealing blood—a reminder that the Final Fantasy VII remake saga is deeply intertwined with its origins. The iconic nature of Aerith’s death in gaming history might be too significant to simply erase.

In the meantime, alternate realities seem to be at play. This explains why Zack—who perished before the events of Final Fantasy VII—is alive and present during this timeline.

To put it succinctly: Aerith does indeed meet her demise. However, there’s a twist—her essence persists, potentially due to dimensional anomalies or her consciousness existing within the lifestream, allowing Cloud to perceive her.

However, Cloud’s mental condition is deteriorating; he appears to be gradually unraveling due to a combination of mako poisoning and Sephiroth’s interference. It’s open to interpretation whether Cloud is merely hallucinating Aerith, but since Red can sense her presence, it suggests that the “Aerith specter”is likely tangible. Nevertheless, Cloud seems to misunderstand that the others are unable to see Aerith as he does.

Consequently, even within the initial act, the concluding chapter of the Final Fantasy remake series is poised to profoundly affect me, whenever it may be released.

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