Will Final Fantasy VII Rebirth End With Aerith’s Death? Unraveling the Fate of a Beloved Character
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Yes, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is widely expected to end with the iconic and heartbreaking death of Aerith at the Forgotten Capital. While the Remake project has taken liberties with the narrative, and even introduced elements of alternate timelines and shifting destinies, key developers have strongly suggested that this pivotal moment will serve as the emotional climax and stopping point for the second installment. This doesn’t necessarily mean it will happen exactly as fans remember it, but the essence of Aerith’s sacrifice seems destined to occur.
Rebirth’s Narrative Trajectory and The “Greatest Fate”
The developers at Square Enix have been walking a tightrope, respecting the original game while daring to subvert expectations. Director Tetsuya Nomura has specifically stated that Rebirth will conclude after “the greatest fate” transpires at the Forgotten Capital. This is a clear allusion to Aerith’s death, a moment etched into gaming history.
However, the Remake series has also hinted at the possibility of altering fate. The whispers, manifestations of the Planet’s will attempting to maintain the original timeline, suggest a conflict between destiny and free will. This could mean that while Aerith’s death will still occur, its context, the events leading up to it, and the immediate aftermath might differ significantly from the 1997 game. It’s likely the ending will be an emotional roller coaster for fans and a heart-wrenching farewell to a beloved character.
Expect Subversion but Don’t Expect Escape
Though the plot deviates from the original, the devs have made it obvious that they know fans want to see this iconic and sorrowful moment. To throw a wrench in the story and have someone else befall “the greatest fate” may anger some fans. This indicates that Aerith’s death is going to be what ends Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Yet, the narrative has provided a great deal of clues and teases of a different destiny and potentially another character could perish in her place. Ultimately, it is to be seen if players will escape Aerith’s doom or be able to experience something different than the original.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Aerith’s Fate in FF7 Rebirth
Here are some of the most common questions surrounding Aerith’s character in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth:
1. Will Aerith live in FF7 Rebirth?
Based on developer comments, it’s highly unlikely that Aerith will survive until the end of Rebirth. The narrative teases the possibility of changing fate, yet all signs point towards her death at the Forgotten Capital. It is still a possibility that Aerith can defy fate and survive in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
2. Can you prevent Aerith from dying in FF7 Rebirth?
In the original game, there was no legitimate way to prevent Aerith’s death. While Rebirth may introduce new gameplay mechanics or story choices, it’s still unclear if there will be a path to genuinely save her without resorting to glitches or external modifications (if such things exist for this version).
3. Why couldn’t they revive Aerith in the original FF7?
Aerith’s death was a permanent narrative event. In the game’s lore, items like Phoenix Downs only cure “Knocked Out” status, not actual death. Aerith was very much dead, thus no simple revival item could bring her back.
4. What happens after Aerith dies in the original FF7?
After Aerith’s death, Cloud lays her body to rest in the lake within the Forgotten Capital. The party mourns her loss and vows to avenge her death by defeating Sephiroth. This marked the end of disc 1 in the original game, and serves as a great cliff hanger for a sequel.
5. Did Cloud cry when Aerith died?
The game depicts Cloud as being deeply affected by Aerith’s death. While not explicitly shown in a cutscene, his dialogue and actions heavily imply that he is grieving and crying, even if he tries to suppress his emotions.
6. Did Aerith know when Zack died?
The game leaves this ambiguous. While Aerith was sensitive to the Lifestream, the flow of souls, there’s no definitive evidence to prove she knew the exact circumstances of Zack’s death. She may have sensed the death of someone close to Elmyra.
7. Could Aerith live in the Remake series?
The narrative of the Remake series explores the theme of defying fate, leaving the door open for the possibility of alternate outcomes. However, whether this means Aerith can truly be saved remains to be seen.
8. Does Cloud love Tifa or Aerith?
Cloud’s romantic relationships are complex and open to interpretation. He has a strong connection with both Tifa and Aerith. Some believe that Cloud finds love with both Aerith and Tifa, creating a love triangle with these characters. Some believe his connection with Aerith is due to her remembering Zack, leading him to love Tifa in the end.
9. Did Cloud love Aerith because of Zack?
Aerith was drawn to Cloud because of his resemblance to Zack. As Cloud develops his own identity and heals from his trauma, his connection with Aerith evolves beyond simply being a substitute for Zack. It is the players that are left to interpret Cloud’s feelings for Aerith.
10. How far in the story will FF7 Rebirth go?
Nomura confirmed Rebirth will end at the Forgotten Capital, covering the events up to the end of the original Final Fantasy VII’s second disc (or equivalent point in the PC version).
11. What was Yuffie’s reaction to Aerith’s death?
Yuffie’s reaction is one of deep sorrow. In the original game, she breaks down in tears in Cloud’s arms, showing the profound impact Aerith’s death had on the entire party.
12. What did Sephiroth do to Aerith?
Sephiroth, controlled by Jenova cells, appears and impales Aerith through the torso while she is praying at an altar in the Forgotten Capital. This act is a pivotal moment in the story and a demonstration of Sephiroth’s ruthlessness.
13. Is it possible to revive Aerith in the original FF7?
There is no legitimate in-game method to revive Aerith in the original Final Fantasy VII. While cheat devices could add her to the party, she would be glitched and unusable.
14. Is humanity wiped out at the end of FF7?
The ending of Final Fantasy VII is ambiguous. While the immediate threat of Meteor is averted, the long-term fate of humanity and the Planet is left open to interpretation. It’s implied humanity may have become one with the Lifestream.
15. Why did Cloud forget Zack?
Cloud suffered from severe mental trauma after the events in Nibelheim and Zack’s death. This trauma, combined with Shinra experimentation, resulted in him suppressing his own memories and adopting aspects of Zack’s personality.
Learning From Games: Exploring Themes of Loss and Destiny
Video games, especially narrative-driven experiences like Final Fantasy VII, offer opportunities to explore profound themes such as loss, grief, and the nature of destiny. Understanding how these themes are presented and processed by players is a fascinating area of study. You can delve deeper into this topic by exploring the resources and research available at the Games Learning Society, where you can find out more on GamesLearningSociety.org.
Conclusion: Prepare for a Heartbreaking Finale
While Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is bound to offer many surprises and narrative twists, it seems increasingly likely that the game will conclude with the tragic death of Aerith. Whether this death occurs in the same way as the original or with new and unforeseen circumstances remains to be seen. Regardless, players should prepare themselves for an emotionally charged ending that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact.
The developers have been upfront that this moment is going to happen, and the fanbase has already expressed their excitement to see how it will unfold in the new game.