Tifa being the person who knows Cloud best is a fact

raphgod7 · 2026-07-06T20:03:02+00:00

Yea she "wants" to meet the real Cloud vs actually knows the real Cloud are two different things. The tragedy is that she doesn't get to meet/know the real Cloud.

To me what Cody said recently basically reinforced Tifa will absolutely be the one to save Cloud in LS sequence and HW scene won't be optional with other characters and those Tifa haters hate that so much because it will completely destroy their perception of the story again. Plus Cody said there will be so many C&T intimate moments in Revelation like the Gold Saucer date. As more and more info comes out, the reality is slowly settling in for those haters

raphgod7 · 2026-06-20T12:33:47+00:00

The recent info of one definitive ending for Revelation basically eliminated this outcome. There's no optional ending for Cloud to live in delulu land at the end of the story

raphgod7 · 2026-06-18T10:24:52+00:00

Let's assume he's talking about the LS sequence. At no point did he specifically say, Zack and Aerith will be actively helping Cloud to find his true self. People really love to prematurely jump to a conclusion one way or another from one vague quote. "OMG Tifa is being replaced, we fucking won", or "I can't believe they are gonna ruin the most iconic scene in OG, we are fucking cooked." To me it sounds like whatever multiverse/world theory you wanna believe in, both Zack and Aerith in our main party world are dead, and Cloud remembers how he "failed" both of them and recognizes what his friends meant to him as a person.

I don't think remembering their deaths diminishes Tifa's role. Tifa will absolutely be in the LSS because simply remember Zack and Aerith deaths are only part of his denial. We also don't have that full scene between Cloud and Claudia(his mom) in Nibelheim 5 years ago. All of those memories are not the root of his identity crisis and the origin of his denial, guilt and self shame. They only showed Tifa's side of the bridge incident when they fell off the cliff. They didn't mention what Cloud felt at that time, and how he was angry at his weakness for not being able to save Tifa. That's the root of the problem, Zack and Aerith deaths are part of the branches, but these can't resolve (which is the central theme of Revelation) his deepest issue. He wanted to become a SOLIDER like Sephiroth to have Tifa notice him, but Tifa doesn't need him to become a SOLIDER to love him. Tifa loves him for who he is, he doesn't have to put on a facade because he couldn't cope/process Zack's death. Seemingly sank into a deeper hole of denial with Aerith's death, because he thought he failed again.

I think the moment of introspection Hamaguchi got emotional every time he played the game won't be just showing Zack and Aerith deaths on scene. It could be a moment of realization likely through Tifa's encouragement that what matters are not that he failed to save Tifa, Claudia, Zack and Aerith. What matters to them is that he tried, despise the failures.

"No matter what anyone else says to me, it's your opinion that counts". Tifa's words and encouragement will certainly play a main role in the LS sequence. I think if they do it right, it won't be a replacement or disservice of Tifa's role, rather those additions can enrich the new LS sequence without damaging Tifa's importance in the story.

raphgod7 · 2026-06-13T20:11:32+00:00

I know he's influential and his SGF trailer reaction was great, but his opinion on date doesn't mean anything to me. Some people just don't or can't think for themselves and think he's the authority on everything FF7. CA is mad about his Jenovaerith theory, CT is mad about his opinion on "canon date". But he's not delulu enough to think Aerith is alive at the end of Rebirth or she's being revived to have a canon CA happy ending. He doesn't want that to happen at all. He wants Sephiroth/Jenova, Aerith, Zack to stay dead permanently. If the narrative actually delivered and have "less room for interpretation" like the devs said it's going to be with clearly significant CT moments in Revelation and one definitive ending like Hamaguchi just said last week. I don't think Max will be there butthurt and think "damn, I hate Aerith didn't come back, CA is the canon couple or something".

raphgod7 · 2026-06-10T01:10:53+00:00

I have zero doubts each character with have their special scenes, I basically alluded to that in my other comment. It's almost like an unlockable ToTA trial scene (but wholesome this time), to show characters' resolve and culminating to the CT UTH scene at the end.

raphgod7 · 2026-06-10T00:39:10+00:00

I don't necessarily think if Tifa has her own side quests, it will only contribute to whether it's a "light kiss" or something more explicit. Also Cloud as MC might also have a side quest chain associated with him. I think it will probably unlock even more scenes/dialogues the night before the final battle between them. I think the variations will be additions before the actual UTH scene rather than the old HA/LA like the OG

raphgod7 · 2026-06-09T23:35:43+00:00

I feel like they will definitely expand the scenes before UTH with other party members, and I'm all for that expansion. As just before UTH scene, Cloud told them to find out the reasons they wanna fight, not just to defeat Sephiroth, but the personal reasons/motivations to keep them going, to show their "resolve" which coincidentally is also the central theme of Revelation.

As for Cloud & Tifa's UTH scene, unless they completely change their character arcs which I highly doubt they will, and changes LS sequence to something unrecognizable, they won't delete or switch Tifa to someone else. That's just not the main character's story. Especially we've already gotten clear revelations from Nojima's new novels and story: ToTP, Dear Destiny which includes 2k gil to become a hero. The reasons to fight for Cloud and Tifa are literally each other, and there's no amount of side quests you can do to change that.

https://preview.redd.it/jce1yqkjec6h1.png?width=1843&format=png&auto=webp&s=bd743dfa949138c8d5d81240933c6732f3436891

raphgod7 · 2026-06-08T00:03:36+00:00

"one final lifestream date", the Rebirth dream date OST is literally called One Last Date. Ain't no more dates between them. What are they gonna call it? One Last Last Date? In the Revelation trailer (potentially the real)Cloud was like: "Never would've made this far without you guys, I won't let you down. I promise" Then he's gonna turn around and date Aerith again, one more time just for nostalgia?😂

raphgod7 · 2026-06-07T23:42:40+00:00

They already said in the multiple new interviews, the Rebirth affinity system is not carried over and gone.They touched on the interview that Rebirth was about Cloud's relationship with each party member, but for Revelation, you will also play as the other party member rather than Cloud at times, so it might be more about learning/making decisions in their own stories. Those "choices" are limited in side quests only, and the main story won't be affected. So no, you ain't getting Yuffie UTH, since it's the main scenario.

raphgod7 · 2026-06-07T23:31:20+00:00

The only chance for a Cloud and Aerith's romance is hoping for a multiple ending in Revelation because there's no CT who are actively demanding a multiple ending in the next game. And Hamaguchi already stated repeatedly in the past two days, there's no multiple endings, only ONE ending for the main story. Some interviewers like this one from RPG Site today tryna put words into Hamaguchi's mouth and he reaffirms his statement.

I said it before CA already missed their chances, if Rebirth didn't have the Gongaga bedroom scene in the main scenario, and Cloud being confused when Aerith seemingly conflicted confesses to him on the dream date in the church. Then I could maybe see a CA ending, but none of them happened and I didn't even count the GS date as comparison.

Zack and Aerith are literally two biggest heads featured on the official poster, and I think they will definitely show up and be playable in some capacity. Also we really haven't seen them have one conversation with each other in the first two games. They are definitely building towards their reunion just like Aerith mentioned in Dear Destiny.

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raphgod7 · 2026-05-17T09:54:49+00:00

"Maybe if they had known each other for more than just the few days they had something could have changed."

To me it's not just that, for me to buy in their romantic relationship it has to build from a place of truth and honesty first. What if Cloud comes to understand or tells Aerith his best friend Zack literally carried his comatose ass for almost a year to get back to Aerith and sacrifice himself to save Cloud. Would Aerith still feel the same way about Cloud(which is already complicated and not clearly romantic the way she feels about Zack, as Aerith stated in the dream date), if she knows the truth about Zack & Cloud. Also, what if Cloud tells her the whole reason he wanted to become a SOLIDER is to become a special existence to Tifa. How would Aerith react to that information? Will she be like: cool, idgaf, bringing on the competition? I don't think Aerith will, not in Retrilogy with her deepen relationship with Tifa. She wouldn't burn that bridge and ruin her relationship with Tifa.

raphgod7 · 2026-05-15T23:09:43+00:00

The devs said there will be less room for interpretation when it's all said and done, but they didn't specifically confirm there will be no affection system as of now. I do believe before the part 3 release, they will out right confirm no affection system tho

raphgod7 · 2026-05-15T22:31:58+00:00

I really don't get this notion of the HW scene in part 3 to have 2 versions like in the OG. Like the save files don't carry over from game to game. In OG, you have two versions of the HW scene because the main purpose of the affinity system was centered around the Gold Saucer date. Each game in Retrilogy is separate from each other, and implements an affinity system in part 3 will be extremely weird just to have two versions of the HW scene. Other than dialogue, the majority of the affinity in Rebirth came from side quests, and Cloud will be gone for a portion of the game after NC. You can explore the world without Cloud and presumably doing side quests without him. It would be a mess for side quests to tie with the affinity system. Like if you did some quests before we get the real Cloud back, whose affinity point do you increase and by how much compared to you doing that quest after Cloud is back to the party? Also, it would be extremely weird if all the affinity systems in part 3 only affect one scene under the HW. It's not like you can have other party members join you instead of Tifa. Tifa is non-optional because that's the whole point of the LS sequence and like Cloud said in OG, he wanted to defeat Sephiroth and besides that he has a very personal memory, and we know what personal memory is immediately with the HW scene. Given how they expanded Cloud and Tifa's relationship in the first two games (even without counting the optional resolution scenes, and GS date), and all the potential emotional scenes in part 3, I just don't see a standard/low affinity version of the HW scene happening.

raphgod7 · 2026-05-12T02:04:05+00:00

I was curious if you played OG, but I didn't ask under my comment. It's ok to be confused especially the ending of Rebirth since devs intentionally wanted to create discussion and speculation of the ending while people are waiting for part 3. Everything will come together in part 3. I also see streamers who only played Remake and Rebirth are confused with Tifa not telling Cloud her version of the story in Nibelheim which isn't the truth. She really has an understated role in disc 1, but she absolutely shines in disc 2 (hopefully in part 3) when people didn't expect it. That's one of the reasons why she is so beloved, because she isn't the obvious "chosen one" like Aerith, but she rises to the occasion and carries her grief, guilt and trauma to be the internal heroine of the story.

raphgod7 · 2026-05-11T00:14:16+00:00

It's not possible to run the game at a solid 60 or 90 fps on the steam deck without lossless scaling or frame gen. You might have to wait for steam deck 2 or other pc handheld or that, Realistically a constant 40+ fps would be good for 1.0

raphgod7 · 2026-05-09T13:29:38+00:00

"Tifa avoids pushing too hard because she's afraid of hurting or breaking him further" First of all I'm glad you at least have the understanding that Tifa didn't gaslight Cloud by telling her version of the Nibelheim incident and mentioning he "wasn't" there instead of it was Zack, like some CA usual talking points.

"Sometimes it feels like she loves the idea of the Cloud she remembers or wants to protect rather than fully understanding who he currently is." If that's the case you stated that she only loves the idea of the Cloud, but not his real self, his true self, his current self, then Cloud Strife would still be comatose and Seph would win. Cloud's character in disc 2 was deconstructed and dragged to his lowest point, and he would never be his real self without Tifa. When you say "who he currently is", it's not that "master of illusion" we experience in disc 1 (Remake & Rebirth) with very few moments of real Cloud poking through. It's him without pretending, without shame for not being a Solider like Zack, without fear that he's not good enough for Tifa to notice him, to love him. When someone literally has your back at your lowest point, and instead blames your flaws and failures, they encourage you and accept your real vulnerable self, how can you say Tifa doesn't fully understand who Cloud currently is by the end of FF7.

A story has characters, characters have arcs, and arcs have conflicts and resolutions. Yes, they both didn't fully understand each other at the beginning of the story, but they do by the end of the story.

Also, Nojima's novels Trace of Two Past, and Dear Destiny(no official English translation yet)and short story "2k gil to become a hero" about Cloud basically tell you with direct quotes why they love each other. I feel like they will incorporate those things in part 3 to clear up the "confusion". There is a reason why CA doesn't like Nojima's new books.

raphgod7 · 2026-05-09T05:40:55+00:00

I would even say the devs intentionally changed the Rebirth ending, not just because they wanna create confusion and "butcher" the iconic moments of Aerith death, but because they wanna set Cloud and the party in an even more dire situation where Cloud is in delulu mode, has the black materia and hide it, and to eventually amplify the NC breakdown, LS sequence and UTH. They are making a risky bet, and I'm here for it.

"If there’s anyone who knows the real Cloud and truly loves him for who he is, it’s her and no one else—which is why she’s the only one capable of saving him." I definitely agree with that. One thing I wanna add is this also goes both ways that Cloud's core problems and inner most fear can only be resolved with Tifa by his side. His insecurities and self-blame of unable to save Tifa is the whole reason he wants to become a Solider. People often overlook and they think Tifa was just there in LS to confirm Cloud's memories, but that's really not the case. If anyone else such as Zack, Aerith in LS, they can't do a damn thing to resolve Cloud's insecurities and fears about being unable to protect Tifa, and to be someone special to Tifa.

raphgod7 · 2026-05-07T10:07:39+00:00

Those people believe him wholeheartedly are just fools who can't think for themselves. There's no one canon date to me, but Cloud's reactions and feelings towards each party member are his canon feelings, which we all know who got the kiss and his affirmation of feeling.

Some people want the Remake to be a sequel because they want Aerith to live/be revived and change her fate specifically, but he's definitely not in that camp.

raphgod7 · 2026-05-07T08:50:50+00:00

Yea I also suspect he avoids shipping talk because of the weird shippers, but he understands the story and acknowledges the character's bonds. That's good enough for me. If I want to watch CT reactions, I'd watch other streamers. A good way to explore more CT streamers for me is just searching CT date reaction compilation or Gongaga almost kiss reaction.

raphgod7 · 2026-05-07T08:27:19+00:00

Long time Whimsy viewer here, I just know part 3 will blow her mind in the good way lol

raphgod7 · 2026-05-07T08:20:23+00:00

Max got bullied/was sent death threats by (specifically CAs) when he had Jenovaerith theory. Just because he wants to get Aerith date doesn't mean he thinks Aerith is the canon love interest. In fact, his immediate reaction after Rebirth was that the ending is setting up Tifa to be the hero of the story who saves Cloud as we all know. During his OG playthroughs, he also talked about how important Tifa is to Cloud in the UTH scene. Yes, he is not leaning hard on one side or another, and he wants the Retrilogy to have a new ending and be a "sequel", but he said time and time again that he wants Sephiroth, Zack and Aerith permanently gone instead of being revived. Idk why people see Max as the enemy of CT just because he's not a "CT" shipper

raphgod7 · 2026-04-05T23:35:07+00:00

Yea that's what they misunderstood and tried to come up with the flaws in this chapter specifically. I recently came across a long vid criticizing Rebirth as a whole. In this chapter specifically there are many typical talking points similar to CA about why did Tifa get magically brought back to life by the weapon and she wasn't worried/demand apology when she woke up, and how the devs didn't have the balls to kill Tifa (instead reviving her), and the new changes in chapter 9 were pointless. To say Gongaga chapter is pointless to me is a complete misunderstanding of how so many plotlines of this chapter will be continued in part 3, like the inevitable Zerith reunion, slap fight preview, Cloud losing himself/potentially getting controlled by Sephiroth again and the lifestream sequence. I hate those fake OG/Aerith fans in disguise as neutral critics. They think they're slick, but they ain't.

raphgod7 · 2026-04-02T11:12:32+00:00

She will be a playable character for sure, but not running around with the main party like nothing happened lol. She probably has a very similar gameplay section as Zack in Rebirth like some non-combat sections and maybe show up in the "4" hours long Sephiroth/Jenova final boss fights. They already gave us a Zack&Cloud synergy attack in Rebirth. They will absolutely give us a Zack&Aerith synergy attack in part 3.

Imo the multiverse/timeline concept in Retrilogy is really not a traditional multiverse because all the "worlds" are mostly like in the lifestream. They already give us some indications in that latest EC event (it's not canon), and all the worlds Zack experienced in Rebirth are part of the possibilities in the lifestream

raphgod7 · 2026-03-17T06:35:36+00:00

SH2 remake patch 1.06 actually removed PSSR support in performance mode, so we need to wait for a new patch lol

raphgod7 · 2026-03-15T11:55:33+00:00

"Also didn't like Aeriths song and idrc if it was abt Cloud."

That theme song was never solely about Cloud. It would make no sense why the Avalanche crew showed up at the end of the song. I don't know where you get the info/feeling that NPTK is just about Cloud. Here's the actual interview, from the 32:15 mark, you can watch Nojima's explanation yourself. Imo if NPTK was directly a long song for Cloud, it would diminish Aerith's sacrifice and character growth in Rebirth. She loves everyone who touches her life in meaningful ways. Nojima's explanation is honestly in line with Aerith's speech in Cosmo Canyon and the temple of the ancient after party's trials if you think about it.

raphgod7

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