Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Game Informer Deep Dive Part 3
- AfroCloud
- Dec 29, 2023
- 5 min read
The final part of this Game Informer deep dive on Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
Sephiroth: The One-Winged Angel Returns
Sephiroth, the big bad of the Final Fantasy VII universe, will have a more substantial role in Rebirth. Not only will Rebirth explore the main cast’s backstories, but the game will also be exploring Sephiroth’s story in more depth.
According to Kitase, Remake covered your encounter with Sephiroth. The developers wanted Rebirth to be crystal clear on why the party is pursuing Sephiroth across the globe. While Sephiroth was hardly seen on the world map in the original game. Kitase assures us that Sephiroth will be more present on the world map in Rebirth.
The Nibelheim Flashback
Brian Shea played an extended version of the infamous Nibelheim flashback. In the flashback, Sephiroth is still the heroic figure everyone adores. Cloud acts as the naïve and inexperienced soldier. Acting as their guide through Mt Nibel is Tifa who does not participate in battle.
With Sephiroth around, Tifa is not needed. While Sephiroth is not as overpowered as he was in the original. He is still a mighty force to reckon with. He slices through enemies with Masamune and wrecking havoc on enemies. Shea remarks that,” Sephiroth is a blast.”
Even though, players will only be able to play Sephiroth for a short time. The developers invested a lot of time and care into his gameplay. The investment even involved the battle team giving Sephiroth a synergy attack with Cloud.
Endo stated that they consider how players would control an iconic character like Sephiroth. And how Sephiroth would function in a limited area as Mt Nibel. Endo had to balance the resources and costs with other characters so they could develop Sephiroth as a fighter.
Treading Carefully
The developers had to be careful with their handling of Sephiroth. Sephiroth is now of gaming’s most iconic figures. And he is one of the biggest antagonists in gaming. If not, being the biggest antagonist in gaming.
If there were any substantial changes to Sephiroth. A lot of fans will be hypersensitive to those changes. Hamaguchi felt that it was essential to depict how Sephiroth becomes the person he is now in Rebirth.
While developing the game, Hamaguchi express the even he felt sorry for Sephiroth. Witnessing Sephiroth learn the truth about his origins which leads to him falling into darkness. And the seeing Sephiroth’s expressions and actions during his descend to darkness. I have a feeling that we’re all going to be feeling sorry for Sephiroth when Rebirth hits.
Hamaguchi and developers want us to relate and understand Sephiroth as much as Cloud in Rebirth. After all, they have gone through great lengths to depict Sephiroth’s rise to being a mighty adversary to Cloud and the party. And they feel that this will have a greater impact once we reach the Forgotten Capital. As it will be the endgame for Rebirth.
Reborn to Die?
The article had gone into great detail about the side content and mini game of Rebirth. However, Rebirth will not be all fun and games. The main story will undoubtedly leave a mark on gamers. A painful mark.
With Rebirth bringing the tale of Final Fantasy VII up to the Forgotten Capital. And we will have to come to terms with the story of a certain character. And that character is Aerith. It will be a tall order considering that Rebirth will be a game based on deepening relationships. And Aerith will no doubt bond with the party.
Once Brian Shea asked the team about Aerith’s fate. The jovial mood of the interview immediately dropped. And it was replaced with a somber silence. While the team remained silent how Aerith’s fate would play out in Rebirth. The developers insisted that events of Forgotten Capital will shock players. In fact, it would be so shocking that even veteran FF7 players would be stunned. Yikes!
The Theme of Life and Death
Nomura doubled down on Aerith’s fate by repeating the original theme of Final Fantasy VII. The theme of life and death. Also, Nomura emphasized that once a person dies, they should not return to that title. Similar to original game, Nomura and the team will driving that theme home.
The emotional impact of that scene was overwhelming. And now that the developers have more advanced technology to articulate this scene in a grandeur scope. The emotional impact of that fated scene will be even more impactful. And heartbreaking.
Like Shea, we can only speculate how this scene will play. And be curious how the events of Aerith’s fate will play out. And we no longer have the Whispers who were charged with keeping the timeline intact.
While things could play out differently without the Whispers. However, with the recent Theme Song trailer and Nomura’s statements. The developers seem to have doubled down on Aerith’s fate. So, holding on to the hope that things will be different may be setting us up for more heartache.
Reaction
Sephiroth
Rebirth is going to be an emotional roller coaster. The developers really want us to relate and understand Sephiroth. Since Sephiroth has become a huge iconic figure in Final Fantasy and the gaming world. Unlike the original game, they can’t hide him and bring him out for just pivotal scenes anymore.
It’s reassuring that Hamaguchi, Endo and the developers have taken such care and caution with Sephiroth’s character. And they are not trying to change him anyway. They will be depicting his descent from a great hero to the incredible villain know and love.
My One Concern
There is one thing that I concerns me with Sephiroth. It’s the fact that he will be appearing on the world map more frequently. Now this could be me overthinking things. I hope they are not going to overplay Sephiroth.
Don’t get me wrong. Seeing more of the one-winged angel is cool and all. However, I hope these increased appearances are measured and calculated. Although, I trust that will Hamaguchi and the developers will be handling Sephiroth.
There is a deeper reason why the developers want us to relate and understand Sephiroth. They want us to get to know Sephiroth on a deeper level. So, when we witness his fall from grace once again. It will hit us in the feels much more.
I have seen Sephiroth’s descent into madness so many times now. I always felt sorry for him. However, I have a feeling that the events of Sephiroth will have the greatest impact in Rebirth. But this is all going to make the events of Forgotten Capital even more emotional.
Aerith
The developers have once again doubled down on Aerith’s fate. Meaning she’s still going to die. And it sounds like she will not be returning this time either. Nomura’s statement on the original them of Final Fantasy VII sealed that notion.
I knew deep down that they weren’t going to change such a fundamental scene. Although, the developers did a good job of trying to throw me and others off the trail. Aerith’s death is too fundamental to the theme of Final Fantasy VII. The theme of life and death.
Honestly, I was holding out hope that they wouldn’t go through with it. But another part of me knew that it had to happen. Do I wish this on Aerith? Hell no.
How Will All Played Out?
Aerith’s demise is still coming. And I fear that it’s going to be even more painful than the original. How it will all play in Rebirth is a mystery. I do wonder they will shock us with the events of the Forgotten Capital.
With 2023 drawing to a close, we are only two months away from Rebirth. Despite the somber end to the interview, I am still excited for Rebirth. However, I now carry a sense of greater dread when it comes to Aerith. Thanks to the developer’s teasing how the events of the Forgotten Capital may play out.
But I want to hear from you all. What do think about all this? Did you enjoy the interview up until the somber end? Leave your comments below.
Comments