Final Fantasy 7is one of those games that I can remember vividly from my childhood. The game always stuck with me because it was one of the first games I remember feeling devastated after playing. It was one of those games that left me feeling empty, wondering what I was supposed to do now that it was over, andFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthsparked that feeling in me again.
I absolutely adore Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s writing because it places an even greater emphasis on the characters and their connections. A major issue with the portrayal of love in media is that we overlook platonic love. Everyone thinks love has to be romantic, but love goes so much deeper than that. The truth is that no matter who you are, you need other people in your life. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth does such a good job of showing the importance of those relationships.
The Game’s Best Relationship
Aerith and Tifa’s relationship truly stood out to me throughout the game. There were so many times I found myself laughing and reminiscing about conversations I had had with my best friend that sounded way too close to what they were up to at the moment. This is probably my favorite part of the entire game, the friendship between these two women. Even though they may both be vying for Cloud, they never stop supporting each other and loving each other. Tifa and Aerith are exactly what two best friends should be.
There are a ton of funny moments that make the two stand out. For instance, when they were talking about boys on the Shinra-8 cruise ship, I couldn’t help but think about the conversation I had just had with my best friend. Even amid such a difficult time in their lives, they can take a step back and just be themselves with one another. They truly get to be a version of themselves together you don’t see anywhere else in the game.
Tifa And Aerith Are The Heart And Soul Of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
The pair elevate the narrative into something more nuanced.
While the two have a lot of fun, some beautiful moments between them truly show their connection and love for each other. When Aerith went to speak to Zack’s parents, I can only imagine how heartbroken she was. Loving someone that you can’t have is one of the hardest things, and it is even harder when you don’t know how to move on. After Cloud walks away, you can see Tifa coming up and comforting Aerith, something that she truly needs at that moment. She needed someone to be there for her, even if Tifa didn’t understand exactly how she felt.
In the end, when the gang is sitting there looking at where Aerith died, everyone slowly gets up and walks away. While you can feel how broken everyone is, Tifa is shattered. She sits there the longest, staring beyond the water. Once Cloud tells her to come on, she gets up, but the look on her face says it all. It may not have been easy for any of them, but Tifa lost the one person she loved like a sister. Their connection rings true at that moment; she feels lost without her best friend.
Just Some Bros
While the group’s men may not have bonds as deep as Aerith and Tifa, they still have those connections. In many ways, they are all very similar to one another, all of them being afraid to show their emotions. Yet, they are all so different, making them truly stand out as an interesting mixture. you’re able to see their bonds grow and strengthen throughout the game, especially if you get to see Cloud’s Gold Saucer date with Barret or Red XIII.
He’s the older brother and mentor that Cloud has always needed.
Barret and Cloud very much seem like two brothers who mirror one another and balance each other out. Barret tells Cloud during their Gold Saucer date that if you love someone, you need to just go for it, showing that he is the opposite of Cloud in that regard. However, he also mentions that the two are very similar in that they don’t share feelings easily. He’s the older brother and mentor that Cloud has always needed when, in the original game, he was just there as comic relief most of the time.
Red and Cloud share a similar Gold Saucer date, showing their trust and connection with one another. Red tells Cloud that he can’t remember much about his time in Midgard, but he knows that they need to keep Aerith safe. While he may not remember much, he remembers that his connection with Aerith is important and that he wants to keep her safe at all costs. He also knows that he can trust Cloud with that burden.
A Dysfunctionally Perfect Family
Overall, a bartender, mercenary, florist, research experiment, ninja, and Avalanche leader may seem like they don’t have a lot in common, but they truly are the perfect family — even if they are a tad dysfunctional. From the moment the group is thrown together, they create lasting bonds that grow exponentially throughout the game. The group even bonds with Yuffie, the kid Materia Hunter hired as an assassin, making her the little sister the group needed.
While fate may have brought them together, they became a family through their own efforts. There are so many moments in the game that are truly wholesome and showcase how much the six main characters love and support one another. Some aren’t good at showing that love, others are excellent at it, but what’s important is they all do it. The writers of the game truly went above and beyond when it comes to these relationships.
If Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth has taught me anything, it’s that we should celebrate our human connections. Our emotions, fears, desires, and love make us human, and we need to appreciate that. We need to simply love those we have in our lives, whether that’s romantic, familial, or companionate love.
Video Games “Give People The Will To Live”, Says Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Director
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Director believes that video games, along with other media, are needed for humankind as it gives people “the will to live”.
