Aerith dies. Get over it. It’s so well-known that even those who’ve never played the original Final Fantasy 7 before know that one of the most popular female protagonists in gaming know that Aerith’s death is pivotal for the plot to move forward. But, what happens if she doesn’t?
Make no mistake, few moments in gaming are as iconic or have elicited as intense emotional reactions as the demise of Aerith in Final Fantasy VII. Released in 1997, the game has since become a landmark, with its 2020 remake further solidifying its place in the annals of gaming lore.
Now, as we await the release of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, scheduled for PlayStation 5 on February 29, 2024, speculation of a significant twist to this beloved storyline is generating a ton of chatter.
Indonesian gaming website Gamebrott has a new interview with FF7 Rebirth Director Hamaguchi where they ask about Aerith's fate at the Forgotten Capital.
Hamaguchi says regarding "that" scene, he can confirm they have a "big surprise" planned and to please look forward to it… pic.twitter.com/DfZ0vc7lc1
— ☆オードリーAudrey☆ (@aitaikimochi) October 23, 2023
In the original game, reaching the Forgotten Capital is a significant moment that culminates in the cold-blooded killing of Zack’s beloved Aerith by the antagonist, Sephiroth. This twist was a chilling climax, one that ended the first disc of the 1997 game. Given that this story arc is so deeply embedded in the collective psyche of gamers, the promise of a “big surprise” by Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi during the Thailand Game Show 2023, as shared by Audrey on Twitter, is leaving fans both excited and anxious. What exactly could this surprise be? The answer remains a tightly guarded secret, one that Hamaguchi is relishing, evident from his enjoyment of the fan theories that have emerged since.
The 2020 remake of Final Fantasy VII showcased Square Enix’s willingness to tinker with established narratives. While it drew inspiration from the original, it was not shy about introducing new elements, preserving the ’90s ambiguity while offering fresh details to dissect.
The ending of the original game, with Cloud finally overcoming Sephiroth and the mysterious Lifestream enveloping the world, was powerful. The 2020 version paid homage to this while also giving fans new intricacies to ponder. The sequel promises an even richer experience, with “extensive exploration” and a careful balance between preserving cherished features, such as the mini-games at the Gold Saucer amusement park, and introducing new twists.
Hamaguchi’s interviews, particularly with Gamebrott, tease the possibility of a significant departure from Aerith and her death. Tetsuya Nomura, the game’s creative director, fueled the rumors when he revealed the location of the ending – the Forgotten Capital, where the fate of Aerith awaits. By the time players witness Aerith’s end in the original game, a lot of them had already invested hours into her character development, making her loss profoundly impactful. But, he nature of the Remake project suggests potential changes. The whispers, representing fate, were defeated in the first installment, a move that hints at Sephiroth’s awareness of the events of the original.
The hints don’t stop there either. There’s evidence suggesting Aerith’s awareness of the original game’s events, which is another sign of her altered fate. The presence of these hints within the narrative, coupled with Hamaguchi’s deliberate ambiguity, makes for a gripping pre-release narrative.
The prevailing question though is that, should Square Enix tinker with this death?
In the original game, Aerith’s game was ultimately necessary because it was her act of pleading the Lifestream to stop the Meteor that ultimately helped Cloud and the rest of the party end Sephiroth.
Does the same thing apply in FF7 Rebirth if we go by the line of thinking that Sephiroth is aware that casting Meteor won’t work?
In truth, there’s no way of knowing what would happen to the game’s narrative if Aerith survives FF7 Rebirth. But, the sure thing is that there will be backlash. Some moments, like Aerith’s demise, are the kind that should always remain untouched. But, if there’s one thing Creative Business Unit I deserves, it’s the benefit of the doubt. As much as fans of the OG title would “hate” to see the narrative changed so drastically, Aerith’s survival through the third game doesn’t guarantee that she’ll remain alive by the end of the trilogy.
Keep in mind that the remake trilogy will still have to deal with Zack’s survival and potential interference in the timeline. The way that we see it, both Zack and Aerith will meet their demise at the end of the story through some form of sacrifice to help them beat this “different” version of Sephiroth.
Of course, another possibility of Sephiroth messing with Cloud and, instead of him using the Masamune to end the life of the last of the Centra, it will be Cloud. This way, FF7 Rebirth could end where Cloud and Sephiroth stand back to back against the rest of the emotionally charged party. This may be when Zack comes in to try and fix things, helping lead the crew as Cloud finds his judgement impaired and manipulated by Sephiroth.
Ultimately, these are just mere speculation. As we countdown to February 29, 2024, we’re expecting to see more full-blown theories pop up on the internet.
Regardless of the truth though, what’s clear here is that FF7 Rebirth promises to tell a timeless hundred-hour tale that will have fans on the edge of their seats from the start all the way up to the finish.
