I'm currently streaming FF7 Remake and I'll be streaming Rebirth DAY 1 on this channel and my Twitch (www.twitch.tv/rexsterling). My full FF7 playthrough is here: ruclips.net/p/PLHSx4EjM5qxRkVJ28-kuljgf2XW1dGHIJ
When I beat the original FF7, it took me 3 hours just to finish the boss fight. I hadn't no guides. And it would be about 2 years before the Internet would be an option where I lived.
@@RexSterlingLive I can't believe you were protected from that spoil since all those years and also that none on your chat even spoiled you either. Impressive.
I cry every time I hear it. My wife walked down the aisle to the original theme song, and she initially asked if she could walk to Aerith's theme. I said hell to the no. Aerith's theme hits so hard.
Just like in real life. When I lost my grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, pets... all those times, it never heals. You just have to press on. This is one of the only games (along with Ico) that made me feel this way.
Aerith’s death in Final Fantasy VII is arguably the most famous death in the history of video games. It was so shocking and out of nowhere. I’ll be interested to see if they follow through with it in FFVII: Rebirth.
The devs said recently that the Remake Saga ultimately wind around to Advent Children. Take from that what you will but I'm taking that to mean the core story will remain intact. Who knows though...
Such BS lol.. The devs have literally said that the remake is set in an alternate timeline, literally at the end of the first part they mess with time.. People need to stop spouting such BS@@blackroomrob4205
They will kill her at the end so it marinate for the 4 years till the last game comes out. But she will come back in the last game. Fates will pull a barret in shinra office ploy where they tell her she supposed to be alive because she’s from Zack timeline.
Same...by the looks of it they will go a different direction with the story but this was one of the most iconic death scenes ever, and it'd be a shame if they didn't honor it in rebirth
Whilst this hit hard for all of us, it hit much harder for Shigeru Miyamoto at the time as he lost his mother at the time making this game and that's what they all wanted put into the game. No matter how many times you replay this it always hits you..and god does it ever really make you hate sephiroth more than you ever could before.
@@RexSterlingLive I know the feeling man..... I've played on my laptop and even though I know the scene was coming, and when it did.... I almost stopped playing the game for a week.... The reason why many OG gamers in my generation picked Sephiroth as THE GREATEST VG VILLAIN was because of this.....
@@TheNateaudioI've talked to SO many people they leveled her like crazy, only to lose her like this....I actually didn't use her a whole lot back then.
Yuffie's reaction is so sad. She maybe a ninja thief but she's still just a little girl, Aeris was the only one on the team she respected. And seeing her die hurt her so bad. In Advent Children while everyone wears one ribbon as a tribute to Aeris, Yuffie wears 3 of them. Showing how much she honored Aeris.
I never played with Red XIII in my party back in the day. Seeing him give that little howl at the end just gut punched me. He howled to celebrate her honor and her bravery…and also in pain and grief at losing her; just like his father, Seto… I had never seen that in the 20+ years I’ve been playing this and I’m not ok.
I remember being a kid, and forgetting you can pause. I was fumbling the attack menus, tears streaming down my face, and wondering how could I possibly go on. I didn’t even want to save after.
It's more than 25 years now, and I still remember going through this the first time. I was numb. I had no concept of what was going on. I was crying when I was fighting the boss. Tifa and Barret went down in the fight, and the only reason Cloud lived was because of the accessory that absorbed water damage. This was my first "real" experience with death. I had extended family members that had died, people my parents knew, but this is the experience that truly taught me what it was like to have someone close to me die. It allowed me to give empathy where I didn't have a full understanding before. I know in reality it's a scripted story with polygons, but even on subsequent playthroughs, I'd always do everything I could with her. And if a video game's story can get it through the thick skull of a teenager that you should enjoy the moments you have with the people you love because you never know when you won't have any more, that's an amazing thing that even as an atheist I'd have to describe as miraculous.
The worst part is if Tifa is in your party. She walks to the body, and straightens Aerith's hair, before leaving. It's too much. This moment back in '97 makes any of Naughty Dog's manipulative crap, look like a birthday present.
Yeah man. When I was about 11 or 12. I had to pause it when the battle screen came up. Had to gather myself. I'm pretty sure I cried. Most emotional I've ever been over a video game. ,to this day.30 years frickn later.
This reaction is raw and genuine. So much that you couldn't even read the dialogue. Your reaction to this entire series has been great and I've been loving catching up on the streams you post on RUclips as I can't watch them live. I was up last night watching this section and the northern crater. As someone who could probably recite this game by heart after 20+ years watching blind play-throughs is the next best thing to experience those emotions through others again.
I remember after this happened I was a mess in the coming fight. I treated that battle as the most important revenge battle I would ever have and put all my rage into beating Jenova while crying my eyes out.
This is the most well known character perma death in video gaming. Very cool to see someone genuinely react to this who wasn't spoiled before playing it.
Each Party Member has their own unique "send off" after the fight. I never did this with Yuffie in my Party. Watching her break down and cry like that makes you realize she's only a 14 year old girl, too.
I remember seeing this as a kid. I was about 10 years old when I played this the first time, and it was the talk of the class in school. It's beyond amazing, and it hurts still....
Yea experiencing this as kid in 1997....man i was ballin at the tv and from this moment sold on the FF franchise and JRPGs going fwd...one of the most impactful games I ever played. This was one of the first game I really connected with the party and character...this was magic back then
I was like 11 years old when I played this game for the first time and this moment destroyed my life for like days after bro fr. Still hits just as hard today. People who only played the new one got no idea what they’re getting into bro
I've played through a few times and seen most of the character's reactions, and Yuffie's always seemed to hit the hardest. I could almost hear her slowly breaking down.
As painful as it is one detail I loved about this game was all the party members having different reactions to her passing. It adds such a level of depth seeing everyone run off crying or trying to comfort cloud. My body isn’t ready for how this will play out in the remake.
Bro thats the first time I ever just broke down and cried playing a video game. I looked over and my little brother was crying we looked at each other and just didnt say anything to each other. Just brutal man.
Back in 97, this was the first time I cried from a video game. I was in love with it, of course, but this was the moment I knew I was playing something extraordinary and special.
It’s amazing. I’m streaming through the remake now on this channel. We played the part where you meet Aerith in the church and spend the whole day with her. Man it doesn’t get old
Oh yeah, that "flashback" in the church. Comes at you like a gutpunch. Even after all those years. I hope we can change destiny again in Rebirth. Just like the Doctor said when he danced: "Just this once, everybody lives!" (Doctor Who reference from an episode that won an Emmy) @@RexSterlingLive
Rebirth's finale will be the forgotten capitol. They'd be crazy not to make that moment and important thing and hopefully a moment where they again change destiny.
Just found your channel after this video was recommended and immediately subscribed. Automatically loved your vibe. Can't wait to watch you finish this game and complete the rest of the series.
That means so much to me! I’m hitting the final chapter tomorrow and then Yuffie DLC and then Rebirth. I’m looking forward to seeing you at one of the streams hopefully!!
An example of the genius that went into this game: shortly before this scene is the scene where Cait Sith “dies” at the temple, then suddenly comes back in a spare robot body, and the other characters are basically like “OK great, let’s move on”. Director Yoshinori Kitase purposely added that scene right before Aerith’s death to mess with players’ heads. It’s a reference to the movie/TV/comic trope of character deaths meaning nothing because they always seem to come back to life. So when Aerith dies, players think “she’ll come back, right?” yet there’s NO way to get her back.
Hands down the most impactful moment in all of gaming industry. An entire generation crumbled when we encountered this moment. It will never be forgotten and there will never be another moment in gaming this impactful. Still to this day, almost 30 years later, when you hear that song as it goes into the fight, brings tears to our eyes.
You know i played this game like 3 or 4 separate times and never had Yuffie in the party for this scene i never knew that Yuffie would cry like that and hug Cloud like she did that hit different.😢
15 year old me playing this for the first time had to pause the game once the fight started just to take it all in... Aeriths death plus the game being different and having a good story and gameplay made this one of the greatest moments in video game history. This game hit every emotion that's why it's still rated one of the best. 40 year me replaying remake now getting ready for rebirth ❤
@@RexSterlingLive it happens after you fall in love with her and you’re desperately trying to find and protect her. It gives you so much heartache when it happens and gives you the drive to move forward.
Man Aerith death is so well done that it can still bring me to tears years later. Square set up this death to perfectly. They mad sure you would love this character, heck she has the highest starting point for the date scene. They did this via gameplay aswell, Aerith is the best healer in the game (also something most rpg fans will stick in thier partys cause you always need the healer) but when she is gone, nothing is there to replace her. Even in the party select screen (phs) her space is left empty, a reminder. As discussed in the video also the music during the boss fight also hits hard.
Glad people can still experience this in today’s age with social media and spoilers. Glad I was 16 and played every day after school alone in my bedroom. Even the strategy guide was nice enough to not spoil it.
No game has ever topped this moment. Maybe 'cause I was 10 in 1997, but played through it with my Brother and a family friend. I remember watching this before I want to school. Three of us in tears, trying to stop and go catch the bus! Final Fantasies brought be into a world of gaming so many people miss out on. Online is fun, achievements are great, but being PART of the story, it's special. Squaresoft knew what they were doing. FF2(4J), FF3 (6J) and FF7, hard to top.
I got this spoiled in 1997 because my friend played the game while i was flicking through an unofficial walkthrough guide he bought. But, it still hits hard every single time i see it.
One of many reasons why this is my fave game of all time. Make you fall in love with a character and kill them off halfway in. Genius and heartbreaking ❤
I’ve replayed this game a dozen times. Cried every time. Watching this video. Cried again. This moment fucking hits because the feeling is so earned. My heart breaks every damn time. And them playing her theme during that boss fight, you are so mad, so angry. It’s like you’re actually there. So fucking well done man. Never has been topped for me. Don’t think it ever will. 😢
about 'cloud beating the shit out of aerith', he was actually pounding the floor after the temple of the ancients collapse. the pixels can make it look like that, though.
No I think he was attacking her... He pushes her and you hear the smacking sounds. Of course, it's Lego graphics and from far away but he keeps talking about how he can't handle losing control if he's near Aerith again afterward. Your third temple of the ancients party mate has to basically push him away from her and knock him out.
@@shannon1242 think i was wrong / you're right. always thought he was really pounding the ground but the dialogue does really seem to say otherwise, especially with the third party member knocking out cloud to stop what's occurring.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure he's beating her up. Because when he has that flashback in his head prior to this - she appears in the Forest she tells him "It's okay and that she forgives him for what happened at the Temple of the Ancients" He was totally beating on her because of the Black Materia.
I was a kid when I experienced this scene. It literally changed my life. There’s no game that comes even close to the heartbreak that this game has and it’s with blocky 90s graphics
Oh man I remember experiencing this when I was like 10 years old when the game came out. After a week of struggling with the temple of the ancients for the first time and asking around my friend group on the playground I finally managed to get through the temple and found the lunar harp in bone village. I couldn't wait to see Aeris again but... I didn't know what would follow. Like up to that point in gaming I hadn't experienced "loss" and FF7 was the second RPG I had ever played up to that point and yeah I broke down crying. Now when I replay the game I absolutely destroy Jenova with a crazy buff party. Good video man.
That reaction you had is the same reaction I had when I got my hands on it in 1998. Not only was she a lovable character, but she was the best support character ever.
I’m terrified for Aerith in Rebirth. The voice acting in the remake series has brought these characters to life. This part is going to hurt so much more.
Your genuine reaction was everything I needed. I’ve always said I don’t need much from the new games except emotional turmoil much like the original gave me as a child. Thank you for this!
I was 16 when this came out. Almost 30 years ago and I still remember exactly how I felt playing through this. It was a game the defined a generation. Good times.
I remember very vividly the day i reached this part and damn, i cryed SO MUCH that i spent no joke 10 minutes more than i should in the boss fight just because i couldn't believe, it just hurt so bad
As I said in chat love then, "that's the most famous video game moment of all time" and it's sooo perfectly done. BUT it's not even the best scene or plot twist in this game. That's the sickest part.
15 year old me playing FF7 in my bedroom late at night, hitting this scene... I remember just sitting and staring at the screen. Character deaths in the FF games weren't completely unheard of, but not like this (cue Matrix meme), not for someone so big in the story.
Reactions to old games like this are hard to take as genuine...considering how iconic and popular this reveal has been over the years, pretending this is the first time seeing or hearing about it is too unlikely to be believable.
I suspected a party death, but later in the game (last 25%). Never on disc 1 and not like that. Between Cloud punching her in the face and then not being able to read the writing of the ancients without her, I was 100% sure she would come back into the party and we'd deal with tragedy later. Keep in mind, I've avoided anything to do with FF7 for 27 years. I didn't know who Aerith was prior to the remake being announced and even then I didn't care because I didn't play the game. I'm sure at some point in my life I heard "Sephiroth kills Aerith" but it would have meant the same thing to me as hearing a language I don't speak. The reaction was genuine.
To me the worst part after all the cutscenes and all You had to go to the second disk cuz this ended right at the end of the first disc. How do you move forward from what you just witnessed and invested your time in. It was a heart breaking moment. Just to end the first disc like this was a masterpiece.
Back in the days when I was a teen, this scene got me crying so much that I paused the fight for like 30 minutes... then I cried again during the whole fight. And when they asked to insert the next disc, I was like "nope, not now, I need to grieve"... Took me almost a full week before I decided to go back to FFVII. What a masterpiece of a game. Edited to add : By the way, everytime I rewatch that scene my eyes burn too.
In the opening of the stream, chat asked me for predictions and I predicted that a party member was going to die. I felt like the writing team was teasing it a bit. But I expected it to happen in the final 20% of the game or so. Not disc one. Not like that. I was floored.
@@nathanswan3886 I made that comment because only 5 minutes before this scene, there is a bunch of writing in the city of the ancients that you can interact with but Cloud can’t understand what it says - only an ancient can read it. So I was positive we’d get Aerith in the party, go back there, and she’d be able to read it for us. That was what I was discussing with chat before this clip starts.
9:35 As someone said in the box chat, it reminds Phantasy Star IV, the end of the millenium (Mega Drive)... I felt the same thing some years before FF7 in that game. Later, i experienced that same feeling again with Aerith... And they said videogames were simple and for kids.
Yep this is a very genuine reaction, definitely similar to how I was when I saw this scene the first time, over 20 years later it still hits the same way, iconic to say the least
I was 17 and I cried, Now 44 and goosebumps still arise with the first ping of the materias bounce. FF7 was the last game with characters you cared about.
I never played with Red XIII in my party back in the day. Seeing him give that little howl at the end just gut punched me. He howled to celebrate her honor and her bravery…and also in pain and grief at losing her; just like his father, Seto… I had never seen that in the 20+ years I’ve been playing this and I’m not ok.
Man, I've played this game through about 30 times in as many years, and it never crossed my mind that the last time Cloud actually saw Aerith (other than in his dream) he was assaulting her outside the Temple of the Ancients. That makes it hit in a completely new way. Great observation.
That's another reason I was confident she was re-joining the party. I feel like the entire set-up of that scene was intentionally misleading. I felt pretty relaxed and confident we'd need her to head next door and read the writing from the ancients. When I saw Sephiroth I was so confused and then I realized at the last second what was about to happen
The sector 7 collapse was brutal too. They really got me in the remake with that even more. Especially since they made Jesse about the way I always envisioned her.
Got this game in 97 on a sunday afternoon. I stayed up all night playing and this happened about 5 am, I walked through class that day in shock. I felt like someone I knew died... what a masterpiece of storytelling. Probably the most iconic death in video game history.
Played this game many times back in the day. I have 1/6 Tifa, Cloud & Sepheroth models I painted. And an over 6’ Sepheroth sword all in LOS as I type. Yep, I’m that big a dork.
My first playthrough back in 97 i thought i had done something wrong so started the game all over again trying to get a different outcome only to realise it wasn't to be. This game, this scene, changed my life. Enjoy the rest of your playthroughs
Always funny to see Cloud standing in water when dropping Aerith, and just a second after, Aerith sinking to the sea bottom at the exact spot where Cloud was having a foothold..
Your reaction is gold, it made me remind when I played it the first time, after this I felt so sad that I didn't want to keep playing. And worst of it, there were ppl spreading rumors that you could bring her back reviving her and I was looking for all the possible ways to do that. You're damn right, they make it worse by leaving the music playing.
i remember being 10 years old and bawling at the end of disk 1 didnt pause the jenova fight and fighting through it. i love this story but damn did i get messed up
![I played Final Fantasy VII for the FIRST TIME completely blind... [Part 1] (FF7 Reactions)](/img/1.gif)
I'm currently streaming FF7 Remake and I'll be streaming Rebirth DAY 1 on this channel and my Twitch (www.twitch.tv/rexsterling).
My full FF7 playthrough is here: ruclips.net/p/PLHSx4EjM5qxRkVJ28-kuljgf2XW1dGHIJ
I've only just discovered your channel today, but I like your vibe man. I'll try and tune in to the finale stream to show support :)
@@Shinryuken15 same here
When I was a small kid my aunt played this and she was crying in this scene, I hope they don't do this again in the future.
When I beat the original FF7, it took me 3 hours just to finish the boss fight. I hadn't no guides. And it would be about 2 years before the Internet would be an option where I lived.
26 years later & this scene still makes me cry like a baby. First fictional character I had a crush on and this was absolutely devastating.
It's always special to see a new fan witness/experience the gaming history most iconic scene ever.
I hate it but I respect it more for how masterfully it was executed.
@@RexSterlingLive I can't believe you were protected from that spoil since all those years and also that none on your chat even spoiled you either. Impressive.
Unfortunately it was spoiled for me
You think it’s rough the first time, but every time I hear that music, it’s like a punch to the gut. You never get over it.
Someone sent me a link to a very lovely version of Aerith's Theme... I made it about 8 seconds man. Crazy how impactful that scene was.
Nop. You never recover from it. Never. 27 years and it still hurts.
I cry every time I hear it. My wife walked down the aisle to the original theme song, and she initially asked if she could walk to Aerith's theme. I said hell to the no. Aerith's theme hits so hard.
Yea that's never going to happen. We are forever scarred til the day we die.
Just like in real life. When I lost my grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, pets... all those times, it never heals. You just have to press on. This is one of the only games (along with Ico) that made me feel this way.
Aerith’s death in Final Fantasy VII is arguably the most famous death in the history of video games. It was so shocking and out of nowhere. I’ll be interested to see if they follow through with it in FFVII: Rebirth.
The devs said recently that the Remake Saga ultimately wind around to Advent Children. Take from that what you will but I'm taking that to mean the core story will remain intact. Who knows though...
Such BS lol.. The devs have literally said that the remake is set in an alternate timeline, literally at the end of the first part they mess with time.. People need to stop spouting such BS@@blackroomrob4205
I think it will happen but the title of the game; Rebirth. She will be reborn into Zack’s timeline .
They will kill her at the end so it marinate for the 4 years till the last game comes out. But she will come back in the last game. Fates will pull a barret in shinra office ploy where they tell her she supposed to be alive because she’s from Zack timeline.
Same...by the looks of it they will go a different direction with the story but this was one of the most iconic death scenes ever, and it'd be a shame if they didn't honor it in rebirth
"Great we found her, let's get her back into the party!"
Square: "About that..."
Also, I have never seen Yuffie's reaction, and that was way more heartbreaking than Tifa, imo.
I wasn’t ready 😭
@@RexSterlingLive And we're not ready for this likely being in Rebirth in some form.
@@RexSterlingLive we all weren't
"Na-ah"
A grown-ass man gets hit this hard. I was a kid. A Child. This was SO HARD. I appreciate this.
It's crazy because days later thinking about it still sucks lol
Whilst this hit hard for all of us, it hit much harder for Shigeru Miyamoto at the time as he lost his mother at the time making this game and that's what they all wanted put into the game. No matter how many times you replay this it always hits you..and god does it ever really make you hate sephiroth more than you ever could before.
@@RexSterlingLive12 year old me was in trauma.
@@RexSterlingLive I know the feeling man..... I've played on my laptop and even though I know the scene was coming, and when it did.... I almost stopped playing the game for a week....
The reason why many OG gamers in my generation picked Sephiroth as THE GREATEST VG VILLAIN was because of this.....
@@RexSterlingLive after this you should watch the EXTENDED VERSION OF ADVENT CHILDREN
"Let's get her back in the party"
😭😭😭
Honestly this was a stroke of brilliance as far as making you truly feel the loss. My first playthrough I leveled the hell out of her 😭
@@TheNateaudioI've talked to SO many people they leveled her like crazy, only to lose her like this....I actually didn't use her a whole lot back then.
You did remove all her materia and weapon and armor? Right, right?
@@brucechmiel7964 😭
Yeah, I heard that and thought “OOF”
Yuffie's reaction is so sad. She maybe a ninja thief but she's still just a little girl, Aeris was the only one on the team she respected. And seeing her die hurt her so bad. In Advent Children while everyone wears one ribbon as a tribute to Aeris, Yuffie wears 3 of them. Showing how much she honored Aeris.
I never played with Red XIII in my party back in the day. Seeing him give that little howl at the end just gut punched me. He howled to celebrate her honor and her bravery…and also in pain and grief at losing her; just like his father, Seto… I had never seen that in the 20+ years I’ve been playing this and I’m not ok.
This scene never failed to make me cry dude, Cloud hugging her and crying
I remember being a kid, and forgetting you can pause. I was fumbling the attack menus, tears streaming down my face, and wondering how could I possibly go on. I didn’t even want to save after.
I feel this. I loved her character so much... I can't believe they took her from us in disc 1. Savage
I remember the same feeling just fighting tears trying to see the menu commands.
I felt that as an adult
@@esbeezy89I literally remember thinking what's the point of going on, Aerith is dead and nothing matters
@@RexSterlingLive She is my absolute favorite character of all time. It's a pain I still feel fresh all these years later
It's more than 25 years now, and I still remember going through this the first time. I was numb. I had no concept of what was going on. I was crying when I was fighting the boss. Tifa and Barret went down in the fight, and the only reason Cloud lived was because of the accessory that absorbed water damage. This was my first "real" experience with death. I had extended family members that had died, people my parents knew, but this is the experience that truly taught me what it was like to have someone close to me die. It allowed me to give empathy where I didn't have a full understanding before. I know in reality it's a scripted story with polygons, but even on subsequent playthroughs, I'd always do everything I could with her. And if a video game's story can get it through the thick skull of a teenager that you should enjoy the moments you have with the people you love because you never know when you won't have any more, that's an amazing thing that even as an atheist I'd have to describe as miraculous.
Wow, this was powerful. Ffvii is so top tier. It changed us so much.
“You’re killin’ my soul right now” exactly says how we all felt 🥹
Welcome to my childhood trauma. I can't believe you didn't get spoiled tho, this is for sure one of the most famous scenes in gaming history.
Honestly I feel so lucky to have never seen a single frame of that scene. I couldn't believe it.
You're one of us now, Rex. Rest in Peace, Aerith. She'll always be there for us. Especially in our darkest hour.
😭
Never had yuffie in this section, never knew that she hugged cloud after it all goes down. Special game man
In the 90's we thought that we were hardcore, but this moment broke us down😢. I'm glad to see it still translates today 😅
This and mufasa’s death. Gets me every damn time 😢
So glad i saw this live. What a scene. Its timeless and will forever be one of the most memorable scenes in gaming.
The worst part is if Tifa is in your party.
She walks to the body, and straightens Aerith's hair, before leaving. It's too much.
This moment back in '97 makes any of Naughty Dog's manipulative crap, look like a birthday present.
lol that always got me too :(
Yeah I was lucky to catch the Tifa reaction on RUclips. Man, when that music kicks in I still hurt.
True story
Yeah man. When I was about 11 or 12. I had to pause it when the battle screen came up. Had to gather myself. I'm pretty sure I cried. Most emotional I've ever been over a video game. ,to this day.30 years frickn later.
This reaction is raw and genuine. So much that you couldn't even read the dialogue. Your reaction to this entire series has been great and I've been loving catching up on the streams you post on RUclips as I can't watch them live. I was up last night watching this section and the northern crater. As someone who could probably recite this game by heart after 20+ years watching blind play-throughs is the next best thing to experience those emotions through others again.
This is always a rough scene. It's like losing a friend!
I remember after this happened I was a mess in the coming fight. I treated that battle as the most important revenge battle I would ever have and put all my rage into beating Jenova while crying my eyes out.
Almost 27 years later and it still hits me like it was the first time, every time I watch it. 11 year old me was absolutely traumatized. 😭
This is the most well known character perma death in video gaming. Very cool to see someone genuinely react to this who wasn't spoiled before playing it.
Each Party Member has their own unique "send off" after the fight. I never did this with Yuffie in my Party. Watching her break down and cry like that makes you realize she's only a 14 year old girl, too.
16. She's 16 in this game, and 18 in Advent Children.
@@KittyKatt_Luna80s Thanks for the clarification. I've thought she was 14 this whole time, lol. 16 isn't much better, but a little, lol.
@@TheKyfe You're welcome.
I remember seeing this as a kid. I was about 10 years old when I played this the first time, and it was the talk of the class in school. It's beyond amazing, and it hurts still....
Yea experiencing this as kid in 1997....man i was ballin at the tv and from this moment sold on the FF franchise and JRPGs going fwd...one of the most impactful games I ever played. This was one of the first game I really connected with the party and character...this was magic back then
Totally agree!
I was like 11 years old when I played this game for the first time and this moment destroyed my life for like days after bro fr. Still hits just as hard today. People who only played the new one got no idea what they’re getting into bro
Never saw Yuffie's reaction. Amazing the emotion they conveyed with no words and boxy graphics.
I agree. I love the attention to detail in this game.
I've played through a few times and seen most of the character's reactions, and Yuffie's always seemed to hit the hardest. I could almost hear her slowly breaking down.
Yuffie always sold a image of a strong woman and seeing she trembling while crying give me chills
As painful as it is one detail I loved about this game was all the party members having different reactions to her passing. It adds such a level of depth seeing everyone run off crying or trying to comfort cloud.
My body isn’t ready for how this will play out in the remake.
Bro thats the first time I ever just broke down and cried playing a video game. I looked over and my little brother was crying we looked at each other and just didnt say anything to each other. Just brutal man.
Back in 97, this was the first time I cried from a video game. I was in love with it, of course, but this was the moment I knew I was playing something extraordinary and special.
It’s amazing. I’m streaming through the remake now on this channel. We played the part where you meet Aerith in the church and spend the whole day with her. Man it doesn’t get old
Oh yeah, that "flashback" in the church. Comes at you like a gutpunch. Even after all those years. I hope we can change destiny again in Rebirth. Just like the Doctor said when he danced: "Just this once, everybody lives!" (Doctor Who reference from an episode that won an Emmy) @@RexSterlingLive
That’s probably the most defining moment of FFVII I wonder how one can even think about not including this in a remake
Rebirth's finale will be the forgotten capitol. They'd be crazy not to make that moment and important thing and hopefully a moment where they again change destiny.
The loss is sudden, just like real life.
Then there's me, who grinded their levels up to the 60+ on the rock island with those roly poly dogs, only for this to happen.
Was a freshman in high school in 1997 playing this and cried over this part at the first play through.
Just found your channel after this video was recommended and immediately subscribed. Automatically loved your vibe. Can't wait to watch you finish this game and complete the rest of the series.
That means so much to me! I’m hitting the final chapter tomorrow and then Yuffie DLC and then Rebirth. I’m looking forward to seeing you at one of the streams hopefully!!
@@RexSterlingLive I'll definitely be there. Already hit the button to be notified for the finale stream.
An example of the genius that went into this game: shortly before this scene is the scene where Cait Sith “dies” at the temple, then suddenly comes back in a spare robot body, and the other characters are basically like “OK great, let’s move on”. Director Yoshinori Kitase purposely added that scene right before Aerith’s death to mess with players’ heads. It’s a reference to the movie/TV/comic trope of character deaths meaning nothing because they always seem to come back to life. So when Aerith dies, players think “she’ll come back, right?” yet there’s NO way to get her back.
So much attention to detail. Love this game
Welcome to my 1999 lmao. Aerith's death is maybe the most iconic death in video game history.
I played this game like 10 times growing up, why am I sobbing after watching someone witness it for the first time? Such a great game…
Hands down the most impactful moment in all of gaming industry. An entire generation crumbled when we encountered this moment. It will never be forgotten and there will never be another moment in gaming this impactful. Still to this day, almost 30 years later, when you hear that song as it goes into the fight, brings tears to our eyes.
And this is why we don't spoil things regardless of how old or how famous they may be
You know i played this game like 3 or 4 separate times and never had Yuffie in the party for this scene i never knew that Yuffie would cry like that and hug Cloud like she did that hit different.😢
Man... a lot of comments about this. Yeah.. I was surprised by it too.
15 year old me playing this for the first time had to pause the game once the fight started just to take it all in... Aeriths death plus the game being different and having a good story and gameplay made this one of the greatest moments in video game history. This game hit every emotion that's why it's still rated one of the best. 40 year me replaying remake now getting ready for rebirth ❤
You’re an adult. Imagine my 7 year old little ass processing this shit in 1997.
I can’t even imagine. This scene was absolutely brutal. It felt unfair. But I never was angry at the writers because they executed it so well.
@@RexSterlingLive it happens after you fall in love with her and you’re desperately trying to find and protect her. It gives you so much heartache when it happens and gives you the drive to move forward.
Man Aerith death is so well done that it can still bring me to tears years later.
Square set up this death to perfectly.
They mad sure you would love this character, heck she has the highest starting point for the date scene.
They did this via gameplay aswell, Aerith is the best healer in the game (also something most rpg fans will stick in thier partys cause you always need the healer) but when she is gone, nothing is there to replace her.
Even in the party select screen (phs) her space is left empty, a reminder.
As discussed in the video also the music during the boss fight also hits hard.
Love your reaction man. It hit us all just as rough. As a kid, it was a tough one.
Now watch Advent children.
Yeah, it hits hard.
Glad people can still experience this in today’s age with social media and spoilers. Glad I was 16 and played every day after school alone in my bedroom. Even the strategy guide was nice enough to not spoil it.
Your Reaction to Aerith Death was the same one I had when I witness it at 10 yrs old
No game has ever topped this moment. Maybe 'cause I was 10 in 1997, but played through it with my Brother and a family friend. I remember watching this before I want to school. Three of us in tears, trying to stop and go catch the bus! Final Fantasies brought be into a world of gaming so many people miss out on. Online is fun, achievements are great, but being PART of the story, it's special. Squaresoft knew what they were doing. FF2(4J), FF3 (6J) and FF7, hard to top.
After so many years, Im still getting goosebumps watching this play out again.
I got this spoiled in 1997 because my friend played the game while i was flicking through an unofficial walkthrough guide he bought. But, it still hits hard every single time i see it.
This scene still chokes me up as badly as the first time. So many years later, and it still feels like a punch in the heart. 😭😭😭💔💔💔
This is why Sephiroth calls cloud........ A Puppet.....
One of many reasons why this is my fave game of all time. Make you fall in love with a character and kill them off halfway in. Genius and heartbreaking ❤
Oh man, never had I played a game as a teen that hit that hard. It’s the death by impalement heard around the world.
I’ve replayed this game a dozen times. Cried every time. Watching this video. Cried again. This moment fucking hits because the feeling is so earned. My heart breaks every damn time. And them playing her theme during that boss fight, you are so mad, so angry. It’s like you’re actually there. So fucking well done man. Never has been topped for me. Don’t think it ever will. 😢
about 'cloud beating the shit out of aerith', he was actually pounding the floor after the temple of the ancients collapse. the pixels can make it look like that, though.
I will definitely look more into this. Thanks!
No I think he was attacking her... He pushes her and you hear the smacking sounds. Of course, it's Lego graphics and from far away but he keeps talking about how he can't handle losing control if he's near Aerith again afterward. Your third temple of the ancients party mate has to basically push him away from her and knock him out.
@@shannon1242 think i was wrong / you're right. always thought he was really pounding the ground but the dialogue does really seem to say otherwise, especially with the third party member knocking out cloud to stop what's occurring.
@@Chimerick he is beating up Aerith at temple of the ancients
Yeah, I'm pretty sure he's beating her up. Because when he has that flashback in his head prior to this - she appears in the Forest she tells him "It's okay and that she forgives him for what happened at the Temple of the Ancients"
He was totally beating on her because of the Black Materia.
I was a kid when I experienced this scene. It literally changed my life. There’s no game that comes even close to the heartbreak that this game has and it’s with blocky 90s graphics
Love the "Get the fuck outta here" at 7:45!
This thing created a trauma on me that i has passed only after i had played the remake
i'll never forget when i was 14 years old and this happened for the first time. complete shock, and then the music hits, and jenova.
Wow, I have never seen Yuffie's reaction to Aerith's death.. that's incredibly sad :(
Oh man I remember experiencing this when I was like 10 years old when the game came out. After a week of struggling with the temple of the ancients for the first time and asking around my friend group on the playground I finally managed to get through the temple and found the lunar harp in bone village. I couldn't wait to see Aeris again but... I didn't know what would follow. Like up to that point in gaming I hadn't experienced "loss" and FF7 was the second RPG I had ever played up to that point and yeah I broke down crying. Now when I replay the game I absolutely destroy Jenova with a crazy buff party. Good video man.
That reaction you had is the same reaction I had when I got my hands on it in 1998. Not only was she a lovable character, but she was the best support character ever.
I’m terrified for Aerith in Rebirth. The voice acting in the remake series has brought these characters to life. This part is going to hurt so much more.
Your genuine reaction was everything I needed.
I’ve always said I don’t need much from the new games except emotional turmoil much like the original gave me as a child.
Thank you for this!
I was 16 when this came out. Almost 30 years ago and I still remember exactly how I felt playing through this. It was a game the defined a generation. Good times.
I remember very vividly the day i reached this part and damn, i cryed SO MUCH that i spent no joke 10 minutes more than i should in the boss fight just because i couldn't believe, it just hurt so bad
The Nibelhiem incident in the Rebirth demo also made me cry. Done so very well
As I said in chat love then, "that's the most famous video game moment of all time" and it's sooo perfectly done.
BUT it's not even the best scene or plot twist in this game. That's the sickest part.
That is 100% correct 😏
it is the best and most iconic scene
15 year old me playing FF7 in my bedroom late at night, hitting this scene... I remember just sitting and staring at the screen. Character deaths in the FF games weren't completely unheard of, but not like this (cue Matrix meme), not for someone so big in the story.
Reactions to old games like this are hard to take as genuine...considering how iconic and popular this reveal has been over the years, pretending this is the first time seeing or hearing about it is too unlikely to be believable.
I suspected a party death, but later in the game (last 25%). Never on disc 1 and not like that. Between Cloud punching her in the face and then not being able to read the writing of the ancients without her, I was 100% sure she would come back into the party and we'd deal with tragedy later. Keep in mind, I've avoided anything to do with FF7 for 27 years. I didn't know who Aerith was prior to the remake being announced and even then I didn't care because I didn't play the game. I'm sure at some point in my life I heard "Sephiroth kills Aerith" but it would have meant the same thing to me as hearing a language I don't speak. The reaction was genuine.
2:17 is when the tears start
To me the worst part after all the cutscenes and all You had to go to the second disk cuz this ended right at the end of the first disc. How do you move forward from what you just witnessed and invested your time in. It was a heart breaking moment. Just to end the first disc like this was a masterpiece.
I agree completely. The entire thing was executed perfectly.
"Aerith will no longer talk, no longer laugh, cry...or get angry..."
gez man, this breaks me everytime...
Back in the days when I was a teen, this scene got me crying so much that I paused the fight for like 30 minutes... then I cried again during the whole fight. And when they asked to insert the next disc, I was like "nope, not now, I need to grieve"... Took me almost a full week before I decided to go back to FFVII. What a masterpiece of a game.
Edited to add : By the way, everytime I rewatch that scene my eyes burn too.
This guy not knowing this is suspect. Everyone knew it. Even non gamers
In the opening of the stream, chat asked me for predictions and I predicted that a party member was going to die. I felt like the writing team was teasing it a bit. But I expected it to happen in the final 20% of the game or so. Not disc one. Not like that. I was floored.
Can't believe there aren't lots of comments like this. "Let's get her back in the party" - I'm not buying it
@@nathanswan3886 I made that comment because only 5 minutes before this scene, there is a bunch of writing in the city of the ancients that you can interact with but Cloud can’t understand what it says - only an ancient can read it. So I was positive we’d get Aerith in the party, go back there, and she’d be able to read it for us. That was what I was discussing with chat before this clip starts.
I bet they'll change that seen in the remake to "surprise" people
Supposedly one of the most affecting parts of the game occurs right at the very beginning. Like first 2 chapters.
We are in for it.
9:35 As someone said in the box chat, it reminds Phantasy Star IV, the end of the millenium (Mega Drive)... I felt the same thing some years before FF7 in that game. Later, i experienced that same feeling again with Aerith... And they said videogames were simple and for kids.
Yep this is a very genuine reaction, definitely similar to how I was when I saw this scene the first time, over 20 years later it still hits the same way, iconic to say the least
I was 17 and I cried, Now 44 and goosebumps still arise with the first ping of the materias bounce. FF7 was the last game with characters you cared about.
I never played with Red XIII in my party back in the day. Seeing him give that little howl at the end just gut punched me. He howled to celebrate her honor and her bravery…and also in pain and grief at losing her; just like his father, Seto… I had never seen that in the 20+ years I’ve been playing this and I’m not ok.
Man, I've played this game through about 30 times in as many years, and it never crossed my mind that the last time Cloud actually saw Aerith (other than in his dream) he was assaulting her outside the Temple of the Ancients. That makes it hit in a completely new way. Great observation.
That's another reason I was confident she was re-joining the party. I feel like the entire set-up of that scene was intentionally misleading. I felt pretty relaxed and confident we'd need her to head next door and read the writing from the ancients. When I saw Sephiroth I was so confused and then I realized at the last second what was about to happen
Whenever I want a good cry I rewatch this....
The sector 7 collapse was brutal too. They really got me in the remake with that even more. Especially since they made Jesse about the way I always envisioned her.
I remember playing this when I was 15. Still makes me sad all these years later.
Got this game in 97 on a sunday afternoon. I stayed up all night playing and this happened about 5 am, I walked through class that day in shock. I felt like someone I knew died... what a masterpiece of storytelling. Probably the most iconic death in video game history.
I bet this was the first time you saw grown male gamers cry like little girls with this scene.
Played this game many times back in the day. I have 1/6 Tifa, Cloud & Sepheroth models I painted. And an over 6’ Sepheroth sword all in LOS as I type. Yep, I’m that big a dork.
My first playthrough back in 97 i thought i had done something wrong so started the game all over again trying to get a different outcome only to realise it wasn't to be. This game, this scene, changed my life. Enjoy the rest of your playthroughs
thank you so much :)
Always funny to see Cloud standing in water when dropping Aerith, and just a second after, Aerith sinking to the sea bottom at the exact spot where Cloud was having a foothold..
Your reaction is gold, it made me remind when I played it the first time, after this I felt so sad that I didn't want to keep playing. And worst of it, there were ppl spreading rumors that you could bring her back reviving her and I was looking for all the possible ways to do that. You're damn right, they make it worse by leaving the music playing.
i remember being 10 years old and bawling at the end of disk 1 didnt pause the jenova fight and fighting through it. i love this story but damn did i get messed up
Still makes me tear up watching new players see this iconic moment in gaming history.,
I still have my original disc, and since it was on the disc, her name will always be aeris, not aerith to me.
And the absolute gut punch as you fight the boss to her theme
This scene back in the 90s made me suffer for over 2 decades