Zack reportedly playable "during a big part" in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Adding more fuel to the speculative fires is the opening of the game's latest trailer. The shocking image of shinra guards loading possibly deceased members of Avalanche into helicopters is a sharp contrast to the conclusion of the FF7 Remake where the group escapes Midgar. Notably, Cloud is absent from this grim tableau, reinforcing theories that FF7 Rebirth might explore a different timeline where Zack lives.

The Rebirth trailer also delves further into the enigma that is Cloud's past, questioning his fractured memory and raising doubts about his presence in Nibelheim five years ago.

In this new timeline, where Zack lives, could Cloud's destiny be entwined with the ominous Jenova Reunion ritual? Is the Cloud we knew from the original not the SOLDIER he believes himself to be? Who exactly have we been playing as in the game so far?

More importantly, the game hints at another potential twist in Tifa's backstory. Some theories suggest that Tifa may not be the same character from Nibelheim. This is speculation fueled by Sephiroth and his cryptic dialogue in the trailer, where he claims to have already killed Tifa. This implies that the Tifa from the FF7 Remake is a replicate or a manifestation of Sephiroth's alien "mother" figure, Jenova.

Another suggestion is that Tifa, not saved by Zangan, was subjected to the same Jenova Project experiments as Cloud and Zack were, altering her existence.

Perhaps the best way to explain the intriguing conjectures is the existence of multiple timelines. With discrepancies and contradictions noted in the depiction of past events in various Final Fantasy games, including the Nibelheim Incident, fans theorize that FF7 Rebirth could feature a complicated multiverse. But, a more philosophical perspective suggests that the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy is simply a reflection of the slippery nature of the truth, shaped by human memories and ancient myths, refusing to be pinned down to a single, definitive narrative.

All of this suggests the colossal sheer scale of FF7 Rebirth, with only a small part teased in the trailer. The sequel is clearly aiming for a new narrative direction filled with nostalgic callbacks, offering a sublime battle system that continues to captivate fans.

Ultimately, despite the theories swirling around, the actual direction that "Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth" will take is still shrouded in mystery. As fans around the world eagerly anticipate its release, one thing is clear: Square Enix has turned the world of Final Fantasy into a narrative labyrinth, a winding path of intrigue, suspense, and infinite possibilities.

Just as Sephiroth wants to defy destiny, FF7 Rebirth will likely surpass and defy expectations when it comes out early next year.