For those who’ve experienced the iconic Final Fantasy VII, one pressing thought lingers as you navigate through the myriad mini-games and approach the climactic conclusion in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: will the tragic death occur again?
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth deeply connects with its historical roots, engaging in a dialogue with its legacy. For those unfamiliar with the pivotal death, one character explicitly recounts the events leading up to this moment just before the game reaches its closing chapters. The developers of Rebirth are acutely aware of player sentiments, particularly since many of them grew up as ardent fans of FF7.
But what about the character at the center of this looming tragedy, the one who has captured our full attention?
Understanding and Acceptance
Warning: Major spoilers for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth ahead.
Throughout Final Fantasy VII Remake, the initial installment in Square Enix’s ambitious remake trilogy, it becomes increasingly apparent that Aerith is aware of her fated demise. This sense of foreknowledge is intensified in Rebirth, particularly during and following the events at the Temple of the Ancients.
In a surreal moment, Cloud and Aerith find themselves in a parallel world where inevitability looms over everyone, and acceptance is found amidst despair. They share a “date” —an actual romantic outing if you experienced the intimate moment at the Gold Saucer—culminating in Cloud expressing a desire for future outings with Aerith. However, she receives this enthusiasm with sadness and ultimately sends him back to their original timeline, indicating her foreknowledge of the tragic events to come.
This acceptance brings an unusual sense of agency regarding her own fate. While Cloud yearns to exert control to rewrite the narrative, Aerith appears to have come to terms with her destiny, concentrating instead on influencing what follows—which may explain the appearance of “ghost Aerith.”
As one of the most cherished characters in gaming, Aerith’s death stands out as one of the most impactful moments in entertainment history. In becoming such an iconic figure, her journey has been somewhat overshadowed. By embracing her fate, even when many players cannot, Square Enix has entrusted Aerith’s story back into her own narrative after all.
Yet, one must ponder—what is the price of this empowerment? The depiction of Aerith’s death in Rebirth is swift and somewhat bewildering. Just as tears well, the scene transitions. In the moments that follow, Cloud raises hopes of Aerith’s survival, leaving the audience in a state of confusion until they reflect upon it during the end credits. Consequently, the profound emotional impact of Aerith’s demise is absent in Rebirth.
It’s plausible that the concluding chapter of this trilogy will explore this theme further. After all, long-time fans of FF7 will remember whose visage remains in the memory of the game’s final moments.
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