Summary
With the 2023 Tokyo Game Show fast approaching at the end of this month, many fans are likely hoping that the event will see some new information revealed regarding a concrete release date forFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the long-awaited second entry in the plannedFinal Fantasy 7 Remaketrilogy. The firstFinal Fantasy 7 Remaketitle was an incredible re-imagining of the 1997 original’s Midgar section, complete with an improved real-time/turn-based combat hybrid and some completely unexpected changes to the plot that now have serious ramifications for the rest of the games. Considering whereFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthlines up with the events ofFF7, its ending arguably shoulders the weight of the entire trilogy.
Final Fantasy 7 Remakeintroduces the Whispers, beings born of the planet whenever a powerful force attempts to alter the course of destiny. Several times throughout the story ofRemake, theWhispers appear as the “arbiters of fate"and gather to prevent Cloud and his companions from deviating off their predetermined path. Their defeat inFinal Fantasy 7 Remakeresults in several fundamental changes to the plot ofFinal Fantasy 7, including Zack Fair surviving and Sephiroth revealing that his goal is to defy destiny, having tricked Cloud and his companions into defeating them to create a new timeline. WhereRebirthcould go is now anyone’s guess.
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Events That Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Will Cover in its Runtime
While it doesn’t cover the entire first disc ofFinal Fantasy 7,Remakegreatly expands a large portion of the first disc’s content byelongatingthe original Midgar sectioninto its own fully realized adventure. By the timeFinal Fantasy 7 Remakeends, the heroes are taking their first steps onto soil outside the city, and everything that fans thought they could expect regarding where the story goes from here is essentially out the window. Sure, Cloud and his companions are now set on the path to Costa del Sol and beyond, but how they get there and the events they experience along the way could present a massive departure from the originalFinal Fantasy7’s first and second discs.
In terms of the ramifications of the Whispers and Sephiroth’s desire to change destiny, this new wrinkle to the narrative could inflict massive changes on some of the events thatRebirthwill cover. Thereveal of Sephiroth’s origin, meeting Bugenhagen and discovering the fate of the planet, and even the death of Aerith are all major plot points that, theoretically, should be covered inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth. This, of course, begs the question of how any potential changes to these events will set up the conclusion to the trilogy.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Carries the Emotional Crux of the Whole Narrative
Simply put, most of the emotional weight and character development that occurs inthe originalFinal Fantasy 7is all resting on the shoulders ofFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth. The revelations that come to light regarding certain characters and the tragic loss of one of their companions help to give Cloud and his fellow heroes a greater incentive to stop Sephiroth than just simply saving the planet. Players don’t just want to stop Sephiroth to prevent the destruction of Gaia, they want to get revenge for his taking of an innocent life, adding gravitas to what’s otherwise a traditional RPG story trope.
HowRebirthchooses to either address or change the key plot points expected to take place in its runtime will ultimately impact its ending, which will of course set up the final chapter in the planned trilogy and see the heroes off to the Northern Crater. For the game to still carry the same emotional resonance that the original still holds,Rebirthwill need to perform a delicate balancing act between nostalgia and innovation. That said,ifFinal Fantasy 7 Remakeis any indication, the game is in extremely capable hands.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthwill be released on PlayStation 5 in early 2024.
MORE:How Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Can Improve on Remake’s Biggest Criticism
