Rob, please get Max Dood on for a FF7 theory deep dive. Watching the two of you theorise would be content GOLD. Also, the comment "At last, the promise has been made" from the OG 2015 reveal trailer - is voiced by Gi Nattak's VA.
I think we all felt like Zack during the ending: "What the hell is going on!?" Amazing podcast, guys! It always feels lovely hearing Rob talking about FFVII. Rosie and Amy were just great.
Great video, my own theory is Queens blood is more involved that anyone has referenced. If you think of Aerith as the witch, Jenova as the queen, the rows as timelines and Cloud, Sephiroth and Zack as pawns it's a war between Aerith (Centra) and Jenova across multiple timelines to save/destroy the earth.
Nojima, the writer, has said that there are multiple worlds. However, he says to not think of them as parallel worlds, or multiverses like we see commonly in media. It seems they are more of a spiritual, dream-like realm manifested from hopes and dreams. That’s my guess but we’ll see in part 3.
When Rob was talking about "Lifestream Aerith" he almost said exactly my theory. Which is that the Lifestream Aerith is actually the OG FFVII Aerith (Aeris) that all of us lost and wanted to save back on PS1. Don't know how they'll prove it if it is, but I love the idea that we all wanted to save her, but now on PS5, she's trying to save us.
This was such a beautiful game. The ending was emotionally unfulfilling, but the more I think about it the more I think it’s a brilliant move to put us inside Cloud’s mind. He doesn’t have closure yet, so we don’t either. It’s sad that those folks at IGN didn’t understand it.
Clouds not in denial. There is a world where he saves her and another where he doesn't. The scene where he says Aerith will no longer cry, laugh or get angry was said by him in the cut scene but coincides with the world where he saves her. He also joins Zack in the fight before sephiroth and asks him to save Aerith. I think he saves Aerith where she will join Zack but remains dead in clouds world and the others
This was such an awesome discussion! I hope you do more FFVII content over the next couple of years before Part 3 releases. Rebirth really is an incredible game.
Just beat it this evening and had this video saved for just the occasion. There's a lot of genius in this game that went right over my head. Thanks for the masterclass 🙌
yea, they are definitely saving that for maximum impact in the 3rd one, probably in the Cloud regaining his mind section. in this one they are trying to emphasize more on Cloud's madness IMO.
Cloud is probably in crazy mode when that happened. It didn't show us because Cloud still believes Aerith is still alive. Le's just see what happens when he learns that she's dead and he'll remember the water burial scene.
the only reason I would think the Aerith at the very end ISNT "just" part of something Cloud is seeing, is because we get the reaction from Red to her presence….why would Red react to something that's in Clouds mind? Therefore, I think the Aerith at the end is more the "lifestream reflection" of her etc.
@@zackfair711 I don't think that follows. If the point is to manipulate Cloud, why expose yourself in anyway to Red 13? Why say goodbye after the plane is well off? Is Jenova manipulating Cloud at that point or the audience? Is Jenova aware of the 4th wall? Too much stuff just doesn't add up with that train of thought.
@@TheLongBrook because thebillusion needs to hold that this "Aerith" is somewhat interacting with the other members (even cheering when the Tiny Bronco was fixed but no sound). But again, we can only be certain until part 3.
@@TheLongBrook Because Jenova can appear as anything to anyone. Even though she is appearing as an illusion to Cloud, Red for a moment senses the illusions presence as Aerith...that's my understanding of it anyway. Also whos' to say the 'Goodbye' was spoken from Aerith at that very moment?, she doesn't open her mouth and say it. Perhaps its just closure for the audience to signify she is gone and the party is leaving without her. Anyway all just theories at this point, super exciting.
@@Wi11iamNZ I can appreciate it as a theory and I say this respectfully, I just think it requires far more logical leaps than simply sayings its Lifestream Aerith or other world Aerith. If it is Jenova, beyond all I've said, I don't think its ever been established that Jenova can project itself in this way. In the Lodbrok scene just before this they establish that a physical body is still required to mimic a person. While Cloud has Jenova cells and could potentially see things like that, Nanaki, to my knowledge, does not. I do agree that its all theories of course.
I loved the ending. That last scene with them all sitting by the Tiny Bronco. Its very rare that I feel so many different emotions when completing a game. And I couldn't begin to explain how I felt when the last line was Aerith, saying 'Goodbye'. It ended it so well. It almost felt like she was saying goodbye to us. When you say 'Cya Later' to someone. Its not as impactful. But 'Goodbye', really feels like that's it. 'Goodbye' is the end. It has a completely different tone and feeling to it. Especially as I never really cared for Aerith in the OG. But Remake and Rebirth have really made me like her. She's just such a good character and compliments Cloud so well. The only the FF to make me feel like that at the end though, was FFX. When Yuna says ' Never forget them'. Always gives me Goosebumps.
#podsquad Best bit for me is the start of the Jenova Life Cligner fight when the music transitions from Jenova's theme to Aerith's, gives me chills every time
My favourite detail is when youre in Costa Del Sol, and some random tourist shouts "look, its the wheelie master!" As Cloud smashes through a bunch of tables and chairs
In the final fight upon defeating Sephiroth, depending on Aerith’s EXP, she can be leveled up and it shows on screen. Probably just a game mechanic, but I find it odd that if this is simply a life stream spirit Aerith and not our Aerith, that she would be leveled up. Just a thought.
Aerith thanking Cloud for what he did back there was pretty much confirmation that Cloud indeed saved some form of Aerith by blocking the Masamune. We will see in part 3 the outcome of her survival.
You guys made me think that Cloud is now living in two timelines - one where he saved her and one where he didn’t. The tear in the sky he sees is showing that one of the two timelines is doomed to end…hmmm. Great chat! Can’t wait for part 3 alreadyyyy
Gi Natak's voice is the one you hear in the 2015 E3 traser. Also I love how there way they remaking this game takes all we already know in to concideration. Like you said with Aeriths ending scens. We all know what happens. They could just give us a hi fidelity cutscen of that moment but instead thay made it uncertan. They game us a diffrent feeling about it. Uncertanty! and it will stay with us for years to come until we can play the final chapter and understand it all. When the end creddits rolled I had the feeling "they just dropped the ball" but a few days later I realized what they did and I totaly like the ending now!
There’s no way it’s a jenova aerith. She says goodbye when cloud isn’t around to hear her. Also she acts weird cause the characters always act weird in the cg scenes. No idea if it’s branched world Aerith or ghost tho
It's hard to say, Cloud's only a step away from going full Gollum due to the Black Materia. The biggest evidence that it is really Aerith is because of Nanaki, but it can be argued that he's susceptible to Jenova manipulation due to Hojo experimentation. So we really just get to spit around theories for three or four years until we get some confirmation.
I agree that it is the real Aerith, in the Livestream. Not only Cloud sees her, Nanaki reacts to her but can't see her. To me, I think Cloud is so messed up that he thinks she is still alive. That is why he's not sad, he just thinks she is staying behind at the Lost City. Then things will come crushing down in part 3 as he realizes he never saved her. Not to mention the way she says goodbye as the Tiny Bronco flies away, what purpose would that serve if it were really Jenova?
Remember when Cloud jumped off to save Airith, and he had this out of body experience as he could see and hear but couldn't move or speak. What if that is the Cloud that was unconscious because our Cloud is now out of it and that Cloud is walking in his shoes. At the end, Our Cloud isn't our Cloud it's that one, and what he sees in the Sky is what that Cloud sees who is with Airith, which is why he sees her, but everyone doesn't. He is the Cloud that swaps materia with Airith. He is the Cloud that saves Airith. He is the Cloud that see right through Seth's bull.
24:11. I did exactly this when they said set up your party…but only equipped materia for cloud, Barrett and Tifa thinking it’d be only them fighting. Those last fights were hard. And I had to redo earlier parts where it gives you the opportunity to re-equip people just after Zack and Cloud fight just to equip Aerith with stuff.
The FF7 universe is definitely something I could talk about with other fans for aaaggggeeeeesss. Wrote a review script for @N7Kate channel, had a similar podcast to yours with @Edgegrey (sounds like you're on the same pages as us) - and yep, could still babble on and on.
Just finished the game today. Thank you for spoiler alter. Super excited to listen to this pod for awhile being in the known. My take was Aerith is both alive and dead as both timelines are true, and we will get to play as both Aerith and Zack in part three as Zack’s says why can’t the world merge again, exactly like what just happened in the final hours of the game. Also nice to know the snow boarding will happen with the giant hint in gold saucer 😊
I have a theory about the Gi. I believe the Gi are not aliens, but rather came from a different timeline and each branch of the lifestream represent individual "worlds". And since they came from a different branch, they can't return to this one. Because of this, they created the Black Materia to converge all the branches so that they can return to the consolidated timelines (one of them is theirs).
What a ride. I’m finally catching up with all the podcasts. I have never played FFVII (seen Dave play the OG on the channel) and I am sold. I think it’s going to be my next game after God of War Ragnarok. I barely knew what was going on but the fact that all 3 were having a blast talking about it and the enthusiasm says it all
I don't see many people on any chat I've found on the ending addressing the fact that Cloud goes solo through the wall of wispers on his way to Aerith in the Forgotten Capital. I think this lends more weight to there being a timeline where Cloud has saved Aerith and is why he can still see her and the rest of the party cannot. Maybe even Sephiroth is unaware of this. What do you guys think?
I think It's obvious that they want us to be confused and conflicted with our thoughts just like Cloud. It's clever, and it leaves the next part open for massive changes. It even said right at the end "No Promises Await at Journey's End". I think Legacy Aerith is sticking with us to the very end, through the life stream in some way.
The whole Reno being on vacation part is also because his VA sadly passed away 😞 they apparently will use some AI for the 3rd part in order to not recast him
I love that the devs not only drew from and reference all FF7 spinoffs but reference other FF games too! Cait Sith on the Fat Moogle reminds me of the stacking mechanic in World of Final Fantasy, and there are so many subtle references to FFX too. My favorite chapter is Chapter 4…the two scenes I will never forget is the scene after you beat Roche, and the scene where Cloud says goodbye to the Seventh. Roche is really just the rival trope embodied-he literally has a man-crush on Cloud, and he’s so honorable and affable. I love him! And I got choked up when Cloud is saying goodbye to the Seventh-he truly is a good leader. “Will we see you again sir?” “Count on it.”
I literally meant to watch a couple minutes of this, but ended up staying around for full thing. Some of the theories are good because I have gone down that rabbit hole having just completed the game 3 days ago.
I was initially very upset with the way they handled that last scene but the more i think about... it kind of makes sense, i think they are clearly setting up the stage for the next game where Cloud will have to face all his inner demons, they want the players to experience what truly happened through Clouds own recollection in real time, that's when we will see the classic water burial scene as a flashback, is my guess...
I hope we do get that scene. Just finished last night and I am very disappointed. But the game is a masterpiece in spite of my feelings about the ending
I think cloud is susceptible or has the ability to go between worlds when he is unconscious as when we see him do this throughout it seems to happen when he goes to sleep or aka unconscious to some varying degree. When it shows the part of cloud slipping in and out before awaking in the forest - it shows cloud pulling Aerith UP - even though we technically see them fall. I haven’t seen too many ppl point this out but definitely intriguing when you think of OG and how the scene might have actually happened differently
Wild speculation below: Reunion is the conversion of all timelines. Seth’s goal is to kill off all Aeriths with the one strike, he can immediately end all worlds with Meteor. Seth failed, Cloud saved Aerith in a new timeline, but when the Reunion ends Aerith cannot remain walking the planet. She basically ascended to Godhood. The second goal Seth has is to Unite the pain and suffering in all timelines so he can become more powerful. Everyone in the party is devastated except for Cloud. Does Cloud knows Aerith is safe somewhere else?
My ultimate theory: there are 13 timelines and each time line has a Knight from Knights of the Round summon and the island you get that summon is the point of convergence. Lol
I think Aerith sent Zack to Clouds timeline at the end since he fell into light and awoke in the Church with the flowers alive. We did not see a Stamp bag to indicate what timeline he is now in
If she’s dead then there was absolutely NO point in beating the Whispers and “defying destiny” in Remake. I think Sephiroth wants to convince Cloud he’s hallucinating/going out of his mind to manipulate him, that’s why he said that thing about “Are you sure about what you’re seeing?” And Cloud basically said “Shut up, that’s not gonna work on me this time.” But this time even the party will be in agreement that Cloud is seeing things because they couldn’t see it themselves and his track record is abysmal. It’s kind of a double red herring.
I can't believe this was just an hour. I felt like I only heard them. Talk for 5 minutes. Loved everything they had to say.I could hear four more hours of this
I have a take on the Sephiroth fight. When Aerith shows up, its almost like the arena turns to water and as the fight starts she states "I saw what you did back there Cloud, thank you" I think this fight is happening as hes lowering her into the water. Im also a believer that she will be back in some form. We havent seen her final limit break after all.
that jazz cover of the bike chase theme in Junon's right off the same jazz album as a lot of the covers from Remake's song discs. REALLY good album, recommended for sure.
Another huge discovery that is taking traction is the End Credits, I would love to know what Rob and Rosie think. So.. The huge discussion that is taking place is the fact the every cut scene in the game is rolled on the end Credits. EXCEPT... All the last scenes we experianced through cloud's perspective regarding Aerith at the end are missing. The Devs are saying cloud is not a reliable narrator and so none of this happened/shown end credits..? Oh and Aerith was dead, That was Jenova taking her form at the end, Like Jenova did with the ancients..
But if it's all in Cloud's head than what's with the scene with Red fealing Aerith's presence and the scene of Tifa seeing the two different versions of Cloud holding Aerith on the ground? Ever since the ending I've been going around everywhere listening to all the theory videos and boy it's been a journey, I kinda can't get enough of hearing what people think happened because it's so confusing😅
@@eldandnyis3572 I also thought that about Nanaki sensing Aerith, It was implied that red was experimented on with jenova cells as well. So maybe sensing Jenova/Aerith. Also If you watch closely at cloud just before he looks at the orb, Aerith isn't walking around. Only when cloud looks over. It's all jenova messing with cloud. I've not really thought about tifa. (also fell into the lifestream)
I'm so glad you guys did a spoilercast. I'd been looking forward to hearing all of your thoughts about Rebirth. My only theory (more of a hope really) is that they'll shoot to release the next game in 2027, for the 30th anniversary of the OG.
I laughed so hard at the end of chicken quest they played the gameover song after she cooked them. What are your thoughts that the whole “multiverse” we all think is the outcome is a red herring and everything we have played “Remake and Rebirth” are all just Cloud going through his Mideel event in the lifestream. Meaning he has been in Mideel the whole time.
I hope that Mideel theory isn't true. As much as some people criticize the multiple worlds and what not, this other theory would be such a cop out, it'd ruin the whole trilogy
The Cait Sith solo part was soooo frustrating because I didn't play him at all so he was weak and I didn't know how to play him, but once I realize the enemies weakness, I had to switch my materials to magnify and spam magic to their weakness. Rufus was the worst though
They all level together so cait won't be 'weak' compared to other party members, its just not having a good understanding of how cait works. luckily it wasnt too difficult
I'd love a Final Fantasy game where you find out that each game takes place in the same universe on different planets and some event happens which means certain characters from the games 1-16 have to team up Avengers style to take down this evil before the universe is destroyed. It'd be so cool to have a team of Cloud, Lightning, Clive and others. Also Barrett & Steiner would be brilliant.
One thing everyone seems to be overlooking is when the party is running to Cloud holding Aerith and the glitches with blood and no blood are happening we are seeing that through Tifa's point of view not Cloud's. I'm assuming due to her falling in the life stream. I dont know what it means but it is interesting.
Just came here after finishing it up just now. This is Tetsuya Nomura madness at it’s fullest, and Im saying that as a Kingdom Hearts fan. Don’t know what is happening at all😵💫
Since finding this out i post it everywhere i go but something that gives a ton of credence to the Cloud is suppressing reality. There are two very obvious blank spots in the ending credits where all the cut scenes of the game are being played. Aerith would have been buried in one of these blank spots and Aerith being with the party while the Tiny Bronco is being fixed. This can't be coincidental considering how literally 15 minutes of scenes were played out without a break until suddenly a massive gap where Cloud with Aerith's body in the pool would have been shows up.
Also it says exactly at the end of the game "No promises await at journeys end" which might mean that even though they promised they would save aerith the couldn't keep that promise
Can we even say for sure that the Remake project is gonna actually reach a conclusion?? Is that something we can even say with any degree of certainty?
Calling this game Brilient is puting the word to shame every other time iv used the word theas past 15 years, but i cant think of another word so that has to be it, this game is Brilient ++, my fav game of all time is still og FF7 and this game more so then Remake (wich i thaught whas fantastic) haw perfected what FF7 is. this is as close to perfect a thing can be i feel. 197h on 2 runs, Brilient ++
The biggest impact of ff7 is aeriths death. So if they show it on rebirth, they might have a problem with topping that emotional aspect of the game on the third one. So they are saving it for later. The main theme in the the third installment would be acceptance of cloud's real past, aerith's death and the weight of the responsibility in saving the world from meteor and sephi.
The problem is towards the end game especially hard, character unique ability doesn't important anymore. Any character with Magic Build HP/MP Absorb/Magic Focus/Swiftcast/Genji Gloves is far better damage and hp/mp sustainable. You can still use ability based build but it is not so error tolerance and you must master in parry as well, but it really become dark soul style
Some of the stuff for the f-cking platinum has been insanely difficult for me. Finally completed all the VR stuff... last two challenges drove me insane.
Favourite chapters - 9 & 13 Favourite moment - Aerith becoming one with the mountain Favourite boss fight - Jenova Emergent Hardest boss fight - Red Dragon or Rufus One of my favourite gaming experiences in recent years
I think due to the nature of the final Sephiroth fight there is at least one Aerith still alive. Or alive in tye way Sephiroth is slice, in a ascended sort of way. I think she still continues to play s major role in the third game. Albeit in a more spiritual advisory sense like Advent Children.
See I thought bigger timeline closed when zack went to hojo but zack went to biggs after saving cloud when he visited hojo. As biggs was just chilling as the mako had run dry.
Does everyone remember when Square-Enix announced this Remake project, and how we all said "I can't wait to bawl my eyes out again over Aerith, but *this* time in HD!" Did anyone actually have that emotional reaction? Or... Any? Reaction??
Also when cloud started to sound like sephiroth I tbh thought they might make cloud the villain jn a certain timeline and zack way going to become the hero. Especially when cloud acting like a creep following aerith on the vines. I thought he was going to stab her when he was given the black material. But then decides to just stir at aerith and seph whispering in his ear.
I am moderately afraid that Remake Part3 is not going to be able to close off all the open questions we have left... leaving something would be kinda hard to swallow, just saying
It wasn’t that “emotional” for me because we can assume Aerith’s role definitely isn’t done yet. Cloud was bipolar with Sephiroth, now he is tripolar with Aerith being part of him. Now Cloud has two force ghosts. That lack of “definitive” answer makes me wonder how are they going to Return of the Jedi to this Empire Strikes back.
I thought aerith be dead in the new timeline after zack survives becausw of what cloud did at the end of remake. As I thought clouds timeliness is the new forged path and zacks is the og timeliness that ties in crisis core and ff7.
i really dislike the ending. i was never a big fan of storys with multiple worlds/dimensions, whatever. i enjoyed rebirth till that point, but i was so excited for how they do the famous ending. i was ready to cry, but i felt nothing at all. because as i see it, its just a ending, that should be a brainfuck, something, you can interprete, where you can think about it a lot. but that comes at the cost of the dramatic impact. the moment, "it" happened, i was more busy, figuring out, what the heck even happened, that i was not able to feel something and beeing moved by it. its a ending for the mind, not for the heart. i was ready to cry, but they made me think about it. i already heard of many interpretations regarding that ending, but not one, that seems worth it for me, to sacrifice the dramatic impact of a simple and more clarify ending. so for me they failed at this specific point, and this, because the ending is so important, the whole game was a disappointment for me. dont wanna confront anybode although, its a great game for sure.. but i am just, still weeks after finishing it, upset and sad about it.
Yep, it could have been so much more impactful if they had just done a straight remake. All this multiverse stuff isn't working. Still a great game overall though.
Aerith also says at the Costa del sol to cloud. Can't wait to see future me .
Cloud goes you talking to me and aeroth says no I'm talking to myself!
Rob, please get Max Dood on for a FF7 theory deep dive. Watching the two of you theorise would be content GOLD.
Also, the comment "At last, the promise has been made" from the OG 2015 reveal trailer - is voiced by Gi Nattak's VA.
Wait Jiraya voiced Gi Nattak?!? Radical!
Rob AND Max, Talk about when world's merge. Not sure max would fly to the U.K just to please us mad fans across the pond though.
For the love of God yes
@@MrFox21121rad!
You get a new follower if that will happen. Rob and Max talk about the reunion and worlds merge.
I felt as though, when Sephiroth said 'I underestimated you', that he was clearly talking to Aerith.
Clearly. I haven't watched yet but if it's implied it wasn't directed at Aerith then I'll be very disappointed lol
@@metalsmithnick8714
I commented before watching the whole vid, but glad they all agree on that. He was defo talking to Aerith.
He was. She is around reality like he is now
Aerith is in the lifestream and cloud can see her and she can she him.
I love this convo
I think we all felt like Zack during the ending: "What the hell is going on!?"
Amazing podcast, guys! It always feels lovely hearing Rob talking about FFVII. Rosie and Amy were just great.
Thanks for this guys. I dont many mates who are deep into FF, so I really needed this 👍
Amy was fantastic in this podcast, really enjoyed listening to what she had to say! More of Amy will be welcomed 👏🏼
Great video, my own theory is Queens blood is more involved that anyone has referenced. If you think of Aerith as the witch, Jenova as the queen, the rows as timelines and Cloud, Sephiroth and Zack as pawns it's a war between Aerith (Centra) and Jenova across multiple timelines to save/destroy the earth.
Finally able to listen to this 5 months later after finally beating the game last night. Great episode!
Nojima, the writer, has said that there are multiple worlds. However, he says to not think of them as parallel worlds, or multiverses like we see commonly in media. It seems they are more of a spiritual, dream-like realm manifested from hopes and dreams. That’s my guess but we’ll see in part 3.
When Rob was talking about "Lifestream Aerith" he almost said exactly my theory.
Which is that the Lifestream Aerith is actually the OG FFVII Aerith (Aeris) that all of us lost and wanted to save back on PS1.
Don't know how they'll prove it if it is, but I love the idea that we all wanted to save her, but now on PS5, she's trying to save us.
Whaaaaa
Same here I thought it was lifestream aerith talking through the solider syrum in cloud like how Sephiroth did
Amy is a natural on here, please bring her back
This was such a beautiful game. The ending was emotionally unfulfilling, but the more I think about it the more I think it’s a brilliant move to put us inside Cloud’s mind. He doesn’t have closure yet, so we don’t either. It’s sad that those folks at IGN didn’t understand it.
Clouds not in denial. There is a world where he saves her and another where he doesn't. The scene where he says Aerith will no longer cry, laugh or get angry was said by him in the cut scene but coincides with the world where he saves her. He also joins Zack in the fight before sephiroth and asks him to save Aerith. I think he saves Aerith where she will join Zack but remains dead in clouds world and the others
This was such an awesome discussion! I hope you do more FFVII content over the next couple of years before Part 3 releases.
Rebirth really is an incredible game.
Absolutely phenomenal chat. Thank you for this. You completely echo my thoughts.
Just beat it this evening and had this video saved for just the occasion. There's a lot of genius in this game that went right over my head. Thanks for the masterclass 🙌
Well we have found the new presenter Amy did so well on this episode..
She also sounds a wee bit like Ash in someways so I 100% agree.
Im still surprised we didnt see Cloud letting go of Aerith in the water like in the OG. The burial was one of the best parts
I wouldn’t be surprised if we see that in Part 3
I think this will be in the 3rd part when they explain everything about why cloud can see her imo. Because cloud hasn't "technically" let her go yet.
thats how Cloud will accept Aerith's fate... for him to witness what the other did.
yea, they are definitely saving that for maximum impact in the 3rd one, probably in the Cloud regaining his mind section. in this one they are trying to emphasize more on Cloud's madness IMO.
Cloud is probably in crazy mode when that happened. It didn't show us because Cloud still believes Aerith is still alive. Le's just see what happens when he learns that she's dead and he'll remember the water burial scene.
the only reason I would think the Aerith at the very end ISNT "just" part of something Cloud is seeing, is because we get the reaction from Red to her presence….why would Red react to something that's in Clouds mind? Therefore, I think the Aerith at the end is more the "lifestream reflection" of her etc.
You have to remember, Nanaki is still a numbered experiment of Hojo. He's as susceptible as Cloud and even a scene in the OG supports this.
@@zackfair711 I don't think that follows. If the point is to manipulate Cloud, why expose yourself in anyway to Red 13? Why say goodbye after the plane is well off? Is Jenova manipulating Cloud at that point or the audience? Is Jenova aware of the 4th wall? Too much stuff just doesn't add up with that train of thought.
@@TheLongBrook because thebillusion needs to hold that this "Aerith" is somewhat interacting with the other members (even cheering when the Tiny Bronco was fixed but no sound). But again, we can only be certain until part 3.
@@TheLongBrook Because Jenova can appear as anything to anyone. Even though she is appearing as an illusion to Cloud, Red for a moment senses the illusions presence as Aerith...that's my understanding of it anyway. Also whos' to say the 'Goodbye' was spoken from Aerith at that very moment?, she doesn't open her mouth and say it. Perhaps its just closure for the audience to signify she is gone and the party is leaving without her. Anyway all just theories at this point, super exciting.
@@Wi11iamNZ I can appreciate it as a theory and I say this respectfully, I just think it requires far more logical leaps than simply sayings its Lifestream Aerith or other world Aerith. If it is Jenova, beyond all I've said, I don't think its ever been established that Jenova can project itself in this way. In the Lodbrok scene just before this they establish that a physical body is still required to mimic a person. While Cloud has Jenova cells and could potentially see things like that, Nanaki, to my knowledge, does not. I do agree that its all theories of course.
I loved the ending. That last scene with them all sitting by the Tiny Bronco. Its very rare that I feel so many different emotions when completing a game. And I couldn't begin to explain how I felt when the last line was Aerith, saying 'Goodbye'. It ended it so well. It almost felt like she was saying goodbye to us. When you say 'Cya Later' to someone. Its not as impactful. But 'Goodbye', really feels like that's it. 'Goodbye' is the end. It has a completely different tone and feeling to it. Especially as I never really cared for Aerith in the OG. But Remake and Rebirth have really made me like her. She's just such a good character and compliments Cloud so well. The only the FF to make me feel like that at the end though, was FFX. When Yuna says ' Never forget them'. Always gives me Goosebumps.
#podsquad Best bit for me is the start of the Jenova Life Cligner fight when the music transitions from Jenova's theme to Aerith's, gives me chills every time
❤ hits hard. So tasteful
This trilogy is parts 2, 3, and 4. 1 Happened and this is Sephiroth going back through the timelines to try again
Just finished it last night loved every bit of it
Maximillian Dood mentioned let’s gooooooo
My favourite detail is when youre in Costa Del Sol, and some random tourist shouts "look, its the wheelie master!" As Cloud smashes through a bunch of tables and chairs
The music might be an 11/10. It was so creative and beyond perfect
In the final fight upon defeating Sephiroth, depending on Aerith’s EXP, she can be leveled up and it shows on screen.
Probably just a game mechanic, but I find it odd that if this is simply a life stream spirit Aerith and not our Aerith, that she would be leveled up.
Just a thought.
Aerith thanking Cloud for what he did back there was pretty much confirmation that Cloud indeed saved some form of Aerith by blocking the Masamune. We will see in part 3 the outcome of her survival.
You guys made me think that Cloud is now living in two timelines - one where he saved her and one where he didn’t. The tear in the sky he sees is showing that one of the two timelines is doomed to end…hmmm. Great chat! Can’t wait for part 3 alreadyyyy
Gi Natak's voice is the one you hear in the 2015 E3 traser. Also I love how there way they remaking this game takes all we already know in to concideration. Like you said with Aeriths ending scens. We all know what happens. They could just give us a hi fidelity cutscen of that moment but instead thay made it uncertan. They game us a diffrent feeling about it. Uncertanty! and it will stay with us for years to come until we can play the final chapter and understand it all. When the end creddits rolled I had the feeling "they just dropped the ball" but a few days later I realized what they did and I totaly like the ending now!
There’s no way it’s a jenova aerith. She says goodbye when cloud isn’t around to hear her. Also she acts weird cause the characters always act weird in the cg scenes. No idea if it’s branched world Aerith or ghost tho
That's probably just Sephiroth controlling cloud via black materia. Max's theory is just too wild.
I think it's lifestream aerith ( our aerith)
It's hard to say, Cloud's only a step away from going full Gollum due to the Black Materia. The biggest evidence that it is really Aerith is because of Nanaki, but it can be argued that he's susceptible to Jenova manipulation due to Hojo experimentation. So we really just get to spit around theories for three or four years until we get some confirmation.
@@MullilluM All as Nomura has intended
I agree that it is the real Aerith, in the Livestream. Not only Cloud sees her, Nanaki reacts to her but can't see her. To me, I think Cloud is so messed up that he thinks she is still alive. That is why he's not sad, he just thinks she is staying behind at the Lost City. Then things will come crushing down in part 3 as he realizes he never saved her. Not to mention the way she says goodbye as the Tiny Bronco flies away, what purpose would that serve if it were really Jenova?
Remember when Cloud jumped off to save Airith, and he had this out of body experience as he could see and hear but couldn't move or speak. What if that is the Cloud that was unconscious because our Cloud is now out of it and that Cloud is walking in his shoes. At the end, Our Cloud isn't our Cloud it's that one, and what he sees in the Sky is what that Cloud sees who is with Airith, which is why he sees her, but everyone doesn't. He is the Cloud that swaps materia with Airith. He is the Cloud that saves Airith. He is the Cloud that see right through Seth's bull.
i love this type of podcast, it's just like talking with a group of friends talking about games
24:11. I did exactly this when they said set up your party…but only equipped materia for cloud, Barrett and Tifa thinking it’d be only them fighting. Those last fights were hard. And I had to redo earlier parts where it gives you the opportunity to re-equip people just after Zack and Cloud fight just to equip Aerith with stuff.
The FF7 universe is definitely something I could talk about with other fans for aaaggggeeeeesss.
Wrote a review script for @N7Kate channel, had a similar podcast to yours with @Edgegrey (sounds like you're on the same pages as us) - and yep, could still babble on and on.
Can't wait to get my hands on this game... I've played and beaten most of the main line games since part 1...
Just finished the game today. Thank you for spoiler alter.
Super excited to listen to this pod for awhile being in the known.
My take was Aerith is both alive and dead as both timelines are true, and we will get to play as both Aerith and Zack in part three as Zack’s says why can’t the world merge again, exactly like what just happened in the final hours of the game.
Also nice to know the snow boarding will happen with the giant hint in gold saucer 😊
I have a theory about the Gi.
I believe the Gi are not aliens, but rather came from a different timeline and each branch of the lifestream represent individual "worlds". And since they came from a different branch, they can't return to this one. Because of this, they created the Black Materia to converge all the branches so that they can return to the consolidated timelines (one of them is theirs).
I love your theory, but maybe that makes too much sense for Nomura lol
What a ride. I’m finally catching up with all the podcasts. I have never played FFVII (seen Dave play the OG on the channel) and I am sold. I think it’s going to be my next game after God of War Ragnarok. I barely knew what was going on but the fact that all 3 were having a blast talking about it and the enthusiasm says it all
I don't see many people on any chat I've found on the ending addressing the fact that Cloud goes solo through the wall of wispers on his way to Aerith in the Forgotten Capital. I think this lends more weight to there being a timeline where Cloud has saved Aerith and is why he can still see her and the rest of the party cannot. Maybe even Sephiroth is unaware of this. What do you guys think?
I finished ch14 this week, so glad I can tune in. I loved it so much ahhh
I think It's obvious that they want us to be confused and conflicted with our thoughts just like Cloud. It's clever, and it leaves the next part open for massive changes. It even said right at the end "No Promises Await at Journey's End". I think Legacy Aerith is sticking with us to the very end, through the life stream in some way.
The whole Reno being on vacation part is also because his VA sadly passed away 😞 they apparently will use some AI for the 3rd part in order to not recast him
I love that the devs not only drew from and reference all FF7 spinoffs but reference other FF games too! Cait Sith on the Fat Moogle reminds me of the stacking mechanic in World of Final Fantasy, and there are so many subtle references to FFX too. My favorite chapter is Chapter 4…the two scenes I will never forget is the scene after you beat Roche, and the scene where Cloud says goodbye to the Seventh. Roche is really just the rival trope embodied-he literally has a man-crush on Cloud, and he’s so honorable and affable. I love him! And I got choked up when Cloud is saying goodbye to the Seventh-he truly is a good leader. “Will we see you again sir?” “Count on it.”
Aerith at the end is life stream aerith flowing through the multiverse timelines
I literally meant to watch a couple minutes of this, but ended up staying around for full thing. Some of the theories are good because I have gone down that rabbit hole having just completed the game 3 days ago.
I was initially very upset with the way they handled that last scene but the more i think about... it kind of makes sense, i think they are clearly setting up the stage for the next game where Cloud will have to face all his inner demons, they want the players to experience what truly happened through Clouds own recollection in real time, that's when we will see the classic water burial scene as a flashback, is my guess...
I hope we do get that scene. Just finished last night and I am very disappointed. But the game is a masterpiece in spite of my feelings about the ending
I think cloud is susceptible or has the ability to go between worlds when he is unconscious as when we see him do this throughout it seems to happen when he goes to sleep or aka unconscious to some varying degree. When it shows the part of cloud slipping in and out before awaking in the forest - it shows cloud pulling Aerith UP - even though we technically see them fall. I haven’t seen too many ppl point this out but definitely intriguing when you think of OG and how the scene might have actually happened differently
Wild speculation below:
Reunion is the conversion of all timelines. Seth’s goal is to kill off all Aeriths with the one strike, he can immediately end all worlds with Meteor. Seth failed, Cloud saved Aerith in a new timeline, but when the Reunion ends Aerith cannot remain walking the planet. She basically ascended to Godhood.
The second goal Seth has is to Unite the pain and suffering in all timelines so he can become more powerful. Everyone in the party is devastated except for Cloud. Does Cloud knows Aerith is safe somewhere else?
My ultimate theory: there are 13 timelines and each time line has a Knight from Knights of the Round summon and the island you get that summon is the point of convergence. Lol
Too far-fetched even for Nojima.
This, errmmm... this has to happen now :D
I think Aerith sent Zack to Clouds timeline at the end since he fell into light and awoke in the Church with the flowers alive. We did not see a Stamp bag to indicate what timeline he is now in
If she’s dead then there was absolutely NO point in beating the Whispers and “defying destiny” in Remake. I think Sephiroth wants to convince Cloud he’s hallucinating/going out of his mind to manipulate him, that’s why he said that thing about “Are you sure about what you’re seeing?” And Cloud basically said “Shut up, that’s not gonna work on me this time.” But this time even the party will be in agreement that Cloud is seeing things because they couldn’t see it themselves and his track record is abysmal. It’s kind of a double red herring.
I can't believe this was just an hour. I felt like I only heard them. Talk for 5 minutes. Loved everything they had to say.I could hear four more hours of this
I have a take on the Sephiroth fight. When Aerith shows up, its almost like the arena turns to water and as the fight starts she states "I saw what you did back there Cloud, thank you" I think this fight is happening as hes lowering her into the water.
Im also a believer that she will be back in some form. We havent seen her final limit break after all.
that jazz cover of the bike chase theme in Junon's right off the same jazz album as a lot of the covers from Remake's song discs. REALLY good album, recommended for sure.
Another huge discovery that is taking traction is the End Credits, I would love to know what Rob and Rosie think.
So.. The huge discussion that is taking place is the fact the every cut scene in the game is rolled on the end Credits. EXCEPT...
All the last scenes we experianced through cloud's perspective regarding Aerith at the end are missing.
The Devs are saying cloud is not a reliable narrator and so none of this happened/shown end credits..?
Oh and Aerith was dead, That was Jenova taking her form at the end, Like Jenova did with the ancients..
But if it's all in Cloud's head than what's with the scene with Red fealing Aerith's presence and the scene of Tifa seeing the two different versions of Cloud holding Aerith on the ground? Ever since the ending I've been going around everywhere listening to all the theory videos and boy it's been a journey, I kinda can't get enough of hearing what people think happened because it's so confusing😅
@@eldandnyis3572 I also thought that about Nanaki sensing Aerith, It was implied that red was experimented on with jenova cells as well. So maybe sensing Jenova/Aerith. Also If you watch closely at cloud just before he looks at the orb, Aerith isn't walking around. Only when cloud looks over. It's all jenova messing with cloud. I've not really thought about tifa. (also fell into the lifestream)
I'm so glad you guys did a spoilercast. I'd been looking forward to hearing all of your thoughts about Rebirth. My only theory (more of a hope really) is that they'll shoot to release the next game in 2027, for the 30th anniversary of the OG.
I laughed so hard at the end of chicken quest they played the gameover song after she cooked them. What are your thoughts that the whole “multiverse” we all think is the outcome is a red herring and everything we have played “Remake and Rebirth” are all just Cloud going through his Mideel event in the lifestream. Meaning he has been in Mideel the whole time.
I hope that Mideel theory isn't true. As much as some people criticize the multiple worlds and what not, this other theory would be such a cop out, it'd ruin the whole trilogy
That would be such a cop out. Really hope they don't do that...
The Cait Sith solo part was soooo frustrating because I didn't play him at all so he was weak and I didn't know how to play him, but once I realize the enemies weakness, I had to switch my materials to magnify and spam magic to their weakness.
Rufus was the worst though
They all level together so cait won't be 'weak' compared to other party members, its just not having a good understanding of how cait works. luckily it wasnt too difficult
@@NutInMyCrosshair That makes sense, for sure I didn't know how to play him; but thus why the game decides to change that
@@davadh caits pretty strong when you learn him, which you will in the legendary challenges if you're that far in!
I'd love a Final Fantasy game where you find out that each game takes place in the same universe on different planets and some event happens which means certain characters from the games 1-16 have to team up Avengers style to take down this evil before the universe is destroyed. It'd be so cool to have a team of Cloud, Lightning, Clive and others. Also Barrett & Steiner would be brilliant.
One thing everyone seems to be overlooking is when the party is running to Cloud holding Aerith and the glitches with blood and no blood are happening we are seeing that through Tifa's point of view not Cloud's. I'm assuming due to her falling in the life stream. I dont know what it means but it is interesting.
I think this was done specifically to sow doubt into Tifa. Did Cloud do this, or Sephiroth.
What if Cloud with blood on his hands was the one who did it!? And we were all deceived!?
Just came here after finishing it up just now. This is Tetsuya Nomura madness at it’s fullest, and Im saying that as a Kingdom Hearts fan. Don’t know what is happening at all😵💫
Nomura didn't direct rebirth...
Since finding this out i post it everywhere i go but something that gives a ton of credence to the Cloud is suppressing reality. There are two very obvious blank spots in the ending credits where all the cut scenes of the game are being played.
Aerith would have been buried in one of these blank spots and Aerith being with the party while the Tiny Bronco is being fixed. This can't be coincidental considering how literally 15 minutes of scenes were played out without a break until suddenly a massive gap where Cloud with Aerith's body in the pool would have been shows up.
I been trying to beat all the golden saucer games before I finish the game so I got to catch this later. Can’t wait to see watch later
Also it says exactly at the end of the game "No promises await at journeys end" which might mean that even though they promised they would save aerith the couldn't keep that promise
Can we even say for sure that the Remake project is gonna actually reach a conclusion?? Is that something we can even say with any degree of certainty?
This man said Rufus was the toughest boss. Hell nah it was still Sephiroth. Especially on hard mode
Calling this game Brilient is puting the word to shame every other time iv used the word theas past 15 years, but i cant think of another word so that has to be it, this game is Brilient ++, my fav game of all time is still og FF7 and this game more so then Remake (wich i thaught whas fantastic) haw perfected what FF7 is. this is as close to perfect a thing can be i feel. 197h on 2 runs, Brilient ++
The biggest impact of ff7 is aeriths death. So if they show it on rebirth, they might have a problem with topping that emotional aspect of the game on the third one. So they are saving it for later. The main theme in the the third installment would be acceptance of cloud's real past, aerith's death and the weight of the responsibility in saving the world from meteor and sephi.
The problem is towards the end game especially hard, character unique ability doesn't important anymore.
Any character with Magic Build HP/MP Absorb/Magic Focus/Swiftcast/Genji Gloves is far better damage and hp/mp sustainable.
You can still use ability based build but it is not so error tolerance and you must master in parry as well, but it really become dark soul style
I did the same thing where I took all my material off of Aerith before the final boss fight 😭
same lmao
Some of the stuff for the f-cking platinum has been insanely difficult for me.
Finally completed all the VR stuff... last two challenges drove me insane.
Favourite chapters - 9 & 13
Favourite moment - Aerith becoming one with the mountain
Favourite boss fight - Jenova Emergent
Hardest boss fight - Red Dragon or Rufus
One of my favourite gaming experiences in recent years
I think due to the nature of the final Sephiroth fight there is at least one Aerith still alive. Or alive in tye way Sephiroth is slice, in a ascended sort of way. I think she still continues to play s major role in the third game. Albeit in a more spiritual advisory sense like Advent Children.
See I thought bigger timeline closed when zack went to hojo but zack went to biggs after saving cloud when he visited hojo. As biggs was just chilling as the mako had run dry.
Was so nice to see Amy on the sofa, come see us again soon 🥰
Lifestream world and regular world combines. Just a thought
The wepaons in rebirth are weapons of white whispers. The real wepaons will be in 3 and are sephiroths weapons
this conversation is a very enjoyable listen
A little late here but I did the same exact thing with the last boss as Amy. I prepared everyone except Aerith 😅
Earlier in the game Aerith talks about her future self & says something like "I can't wait for you to meet her."
10:56 messaging secret boss 🤔 you know Gilgamesh?
Does everyone remember when Square-Enix announced this Remake project, and how we all said "I can't wait to bawl my eyes out again over Aerith, but *this* time in HD!" Did anyone actually have that emotional reaction? Or... Any? Reaction??
Well damn. Gotta go play Dragon’s Dogma 2 some more so I can get back to Final Fantasy and finish that. Guess I’ll watch this in a couple of months.
Also when cloud started to sound like sephiroth I tbh thought they might make cloud the villain jn a certain timeline and zack way going to become the hero. Especially when cloud acting like a creep following aerith on the vines. I thought he was going to stab her when he was given the black material. But then decides to just stir at aerith and seph whispering in his ear.
Love this discussion! ❤
my favorite FF7 RE: project lore theorist is Sleepezi, highly recommended
#podsquad I'm probably one of the few people on Earth that hasn't played a Final Fantasy game, but I've got to say I loved this podcast.
my thoughts about the ending....
I'll just wait for part 3 xD
I am moderately afraid that Remake Part3 is not going to be able to close off all the open questions we have left... leaving something would be kinda hard to swallow, just saying
Favourite chapter is 13
Favourite fight is vincent
Toughest boss final boss ( hadnt aerith equipped with anything)
Hoping for part 3 in 2027 🤞
Perhaps in next part Red ask Vincent.
Red: "Do you recall that we burried Aerith? Think before you answer."
Vincent: "... "
Vincent: "I don't recall."
This was actually a far less unhinged and far more logical and tangible evaluation of the ending.
I think the gi and jenova are the same species but jenova is younger. The old gi tried and gave up on the goal of ruling/destroying everything.
It wasn’t that “emotional” for me because we can assume Aerith’s role definitely isn’t done yet. Cloud was bipolar with Sephiroth, now he is tripolar with Aerith being part of him. Now Cloud has two force ghosts. That lack of “definitive” answer makes me wonder how are they going to Return of the Jedi to this Empire Strikes back.
I think the Aerith in the final scene is just her spirit. Otherwise, his poignant farewell as the Tiny Bronco flies away wouldn't make sense.
So I legit think the clouds have swapped places like a multiverse cloud is in the main timeline
I thought aerith be dead in the new timeline after zack survives becausw of what cloud did at the end of remake. As I thought clouds timeliness is the new forged path and zacks is the og timeliness that ties in crisis core and ff7.
What a great conversation. Would love to be down the pub with you lot 😁
i really dislike the ending. i was never a big fan of storys with multiple worlds/dimensions, whatever. i enjoyed rebirth till that point, but i was so excited for how they do the famous ending. i was ready to cry, but i felt nothing at all. because as i see it, its just a ending, that should be a brainfuck, something, you can interprete, where you can think about it a lot. but that comes at the cost of the dramatic impact. the moment, "it" happened, i was more busy, figuring out, what the heck even happened, that i was not able to feel something and beeing moved by it. its a ending for the mind, not for the heart. i was ready to cry, but they made me think about it. i already heard of many interpretations regarding that ending, but not one, that seems worth it for me, to sacrifice the dramatic impact of a simple and more clarify ending. so for me they failed at this specific point, and this, because the ending is so important, the whole game was a disappointment for me.
dont wanna confront anybode although, its a great game for sure.. but i am just, still weeks after finishing it, upset and sad about it.
Exactly. Instead of feeling emotional, you're just left very confused.
Yep, it could have been so much more impactful if they had just done a straight remake. All this multiverse stuff isn't working. Still a great game overall though.