Thanks for watching everyone! I just wanna reiterate that this video was made with love for this IP, and I hope that comes through in this video.

I am completely neutral on the ending at the moment lol. I will patiently await the full ending to see if they can stick it.

300 hours.... saying you liked the game would be an understatement. The VR challenges are no joke.

Bro I was a bit shocked we couldn’t see Cloud laying Aerith to rest and say proper good buy. I do believe they saved this for part 3 to let it hit even harder - if they do I hope they nail it. Cody recorded his words to Aerith. He talked about in an interview ;) One of the best games I played - OG still goat for me. Looking forward to part 3

got a ps5 just for this. agree with most of what you said, but you are 100% right with how they messed up the ending because of how needlessly convoluted it was. instead of having an extremely emotional impact, it instead it leaves the player thinking "huh? wtf just happened?" while fighting the final boss.

Listen I absolutely adore this game, but I shouldn't need to have a full 30 min video, books and charts to understand what the heck was happening in the ending 😭

I have a hard time putting it into words properly, but I feel like the uneasy confused ending almost certainly was intentional. A reflection of sorts of what's going on in Cloudy boi's mind. I have seen talk of Cloud's monolog having been recorded (I don't recall what video it was, but apparently came from translations of ultimania), and if so I expect a highly emotional scene about that as he gets sorted out in part 3. If true, of course.

the part i don't like about the ending is that it doesn't feel like an Aerith moment. Aerith freaking died, in this scene but they make it convoluted and confusing and it watered down how important this scene is. The battle is cool and fanservicy, but can you imagine they ended with Aerith's death and then silence. That would've made the scene soo powerful. What I'm asking now is hopefully the last game shows Cloud accepting her death and it shows vividly how he carried her to the lake, and him and the others mourning for her.

I think Rebirth loaded the bases for part 3 to hit a grand slam. I don't think Aerith's moment was ruined here, but rather it was set up so Cloud is going to have to come to grips with what actually happened in order to be able to move on. Aerith might be his own personal force ghost to keep him momentarily sane, but he's going to be forced to say goodbye later, and made to relive actually seeing her be stabbed, and when he buried her at sea. Parts that have not yet registered in his mind. Similar to how he's going to come to grips with what really happened at Nibbelheim and how he wasn't in SOLDIER. Everything is perfectly set up for part 3 to be one of the most impactful gaming experiences since well, Aerith dying in 97'. I like to imagine that Aerith and Sepiroth sat down for a game of chess prior to the Remake series. From that perspective, it's no wonder that something different was going to happen here. I say here that if we want the OG events, we already have them in OG. Aerith had her iconic moment that has echoed through 25 years of gaming history. This is an opportunity to create a new moment to echo through another 25. And it gives us something to hold onto and chew on for the next three years as we all wait in anticipation. I guess what I'm saying is; are Remake and Rebirth not the two best games you've played in the 2020's? It's clear the devs love these games. Let's give them the benefit of the doubt and trust that they're setting up something grandiose at the conclusion of the unknown journey.

What the hell was Vincent doing while everyone else was fighting? In Remake we cant use Nanaki but he at least shows up in the conflict. Vincent aside from the doorway part is just gone

I understand why some ppl are upset with the ending, fair points about not giving us the closure of Aerith. Personally I really like the direction they took. I understand that they put all they're chips in part 3 to tie this all together. and so far, I trust that they will...I'm nervous, but i trust them. I remember not liking any Harry Potter movie. I watched the movies and did not enjoy any of it. ONLY until I saw the last movie. I did not only like the last movie, but it made me appreciate all of the movies, and now i truly enjoy the hole series. I understood the build up to the final movie. I feel that FF7RE-trilogie might have this effect on some fans. So far, they are doing a great job at making ppl re-experiencing FF7. When the developers said they want to dig deeper into the story of ff7, they meant it! The themes are more heavy in rebirth, it blows my mind. It not just playing me playing the game and being like: "Yep..that's how it happened, so glad to watch this in better graphic". It does soo much more than that. I was so not a huge fan of having Zack & Bigs around at the end of Remake. But Rebirth made me really excited about it. And because of that! I am optimistic. If Rebirth changed my mind about all the Zack stuff, then I'm more optimistic that they will execute the 3rd part well. They took the Aerith burial from us. I'm sure they are aware that , that was a huge gamble. They must have faith and believe in whatever it is that they're cooking. For that! I'm excited and nervous for!

I hate the fact that they even listened to the fans asking to revive aerith. the reason they asked for it was because they were sad when the death happened, but getting sad was the WHOLE POINT. they chose aerith to be the one to die because they wanted the loss of life to be a major part of the game. films and stories wouldn't mean much today if they kept drastically changing the plot because fans were sad their favorite character was killed off. remove the time ghosts, keep the new perspective about clouds mental state, and rebirth still would've been a great game and most importantly have a story that makes sense to the player. instead square chose to confuse everybody for extra clicks.

The Begal world is the only one that matters. We'll see the burial scene in Part 3, it doesn't matter if Aerith is alive in some other worthless world, Begal is the only real world. IMO this ending hit harder and was more real, she's dead. If there's a moment that robbed us of feeling more it's missing the burial scene, I'm going to trust they're saving that for part 3.

To keep it simple, all these timelines will somehow merge and you'll end up with Aerith and Zack reuniting as the saviors of the "other side" and unfortunately staying there as the protectors of the Livestream. This conclusion will serve both fans who wish to either keep them alive but also "dead" at the same time (fitting the events of Advent Children perfectly). I truly believe a lot of inspiration is taken from Kingdom Hearts, such as the concept of "birth by sleep" where you don't really die but rather change form or simply wake up in another reality. What hits me the most is not Aerith's supposed "death", it's actually her lamenting in tears that she won't be able to live a normal life or be happy like everyone else. First her mother falling ill and now her being targeted by Sephiroth. All our girl ever wanted was to be happy and go on adventure and fall in love, why can't she have her happy ending!

I wanted to cry in the ending of the game. Instead, I was left feeling hollow, just like the song and remake. But that’s just how life is and death for that matter.

If Aerith dies there's nothing surprising, if she survives then people will say they see it coming. There's just no winning, but now ? we have no idea what the hell is going on. * in Zack's voice * The more I look into the ending, the more that I think this is the best route for the game to take to surprise both OG & non OG players. I'm going to be as optimistic as Zack and believe they will all be reunited once again and get their happy ending this time. Looking forward to the final part 3

Tbh I think this is a "too much cooks spoil the broth" scenario. Nomura coming to Nojima saying add Zack to the ending. Kitase wanting all to have a good ending... Add this, add that. Shipping wars, adding all characters from expanded ff7 universe...

The trials were emotional, and I thought the capitol would have a bigger moment. And it was big. A big moment of confusion. I am not liking the whispers and the multi-verse as a plot device. I would’ve preferred a shared timeline with Aerith and Sephiroth to see if they could out-play each other.

I am 108 hrs in. I agree with every single point you made. I'm sure most of us found this video out of confusion over the ending. I didn't want Aerith to die this time around but if she was to die, I had hoped for a proper climatic ending with emotions surging through the roof.

Really enjoyed your take and insight on this. I personally loved it, including the ending. But that’s because I have faith for part 3. If they fumble part 3, it may make me upset with this ending. So far they’ve earned my trust so I’ll give it to them.

Thanks for sharing your point of you. I loved the direction of the Re-trilogy from Remake but I have always understood that some parts might be hard to digest. I have my biggest hopes for part3 because, even though I love this re-making of the FF7 story (sequel/requel/multiverse etc), I also would really like a satisfying closure and understanding of the whole depiction by the end. Regarding the burial and the end of Rebirth, my personal opinion is that we will have that shock value once Cloud will be almost totally broken and will have to regain his self again. But I understand where your "dissatisfaction" comes from. Anyway thanks for the awesome video and also thanks for putting so much efforts in all the latest content and answering most of the comments under your videos. Always thought you are and were one of the best content creators in the community and once again I want to say how happy I am that you decided to play Rebirth and bring your point of view into the discussion! Till the next one Soldier! :D

bizarro sephiroth was always named rebirth sephiroth in japanese. just bad localization. have to admit that cloud reciting soldier creed seems cringe intially but for me it made perfect sense since cloud literally inherited and stole zack's memories. great vid tho

They should have ended the game at the northern crater, that way they could have split this up so its more digestible. Have the Aerith scene be the Aerith scene with the added "Cloud seeing Aerith" stuff, then do all the timeline world stuff at the northern crater and end the game with the summoning of meteor, that way you also would have a banger opening of part 3. Would have been much more cohesive that way instead of trying to do two things at once.

I agree with you on the ending, they destroyed it and Aerith's moment and the impact of her death just to keep their multiple worlds story going. I still cried, because Aerith died in the "playable" world, but only after seeing Aerith saying goodbye to the group, staying behind and no one but Cloud could see her. That hit a nerve and after my partner asked what I thought I couldn't hold it anymore.... The ending of rebirth just wasn't as emotional as that of OG and if I hadn't played OG at all, I think I wouldn't have cried in the first place.

Thank you for this video ! I really enjoyed FF7 Rebirth. What an adventure. Regarding Cloud's monologue, it has been confirmed recently by developers it is actually the one that was said in the OG. In a recent interview, Cody Christian mentioned about the heartbreaking moment of recording Cloud's lines towards Aerith. So it was recorded, but it wasn't included in the game, so maybe they are saving it for when Cloud recovers his proper memory in part 3. I also think there is an Aerith alive in another timeline due to the rainbow effect since the deflecting did happen, but when the whole story ends, maybe they'll have to part ways still... anyway we can only speculate till part 3 comes out.

Im 100% sure we will replay the Arieth death scene in part 3 when Clouds mind is fixed, but I agree the game spent so much efforts on building Arieth as a character gamers spend hundred of hours getting along with her, playing out her death scene in part 3 will never have the same impact as doing it in part 2

The two scenes that made me cry in this game, was when Dyne dies, and then when aerith cloud into the portal. That music was incredible and really destroyed me.

Definitely felt robbed at the ending but really excited and hopeful that they will bring it all home in the next game. Rebirth is literally my favorite game of all time right now! 🔥

I like the game being different from the OG to keep it interesting but did feel really empty with the ending. Hoping that the cloud and tifa memory scene culminates with forgotten capital. VA for cloud says it was really emotional to record the aerith scene so hoping it was so well done the devs decided to save it for later.

Nice sharing ! 300 hrs ?! I give up for the platinum challenge due to the mini games and VR challenges is hell. Can't wait for part 3 for a conclusion .....

I think rebirth Cloud is beyond being delusional. Sephiroth has shown him so much, and he has seen so much. I believe he knows something that we dont.

One thing I think about the black whispers letting cloud and only cloud through is at this point Sephiroth still doesn’t have a body and needs the black cloaks to manifest. Given that there are no black cloaks around Sephiroth needs cloud in order to do the deed.

Fingers crossed for the slow walk in part 3. “L2 + R2: Accept the Truth.”

When I first reached the ending I was confused, underwhelmed, and mostly shocked. After 100 hours and so much good characterization I loved the game but wasn’t that crazy about the ending. Now having gotten the platinum and seeing the ending plenty more times along with seeing others reactions and discussions I’ve actually grown to appreciate the ending. The Cloud denial in hindsight seems so much more clear and each time I see it more painful to watch knowing what is coming. That being said, I still don’t love the ending and agree that Aerith (and us the players) were robbed of a big moment. I’m so excited for part 3 and I look forward to more FF7 discussion in the meantime as this is definitely one of the best games I’ve ever played and if they did any one thing right is they left me wanting more.

For me the ending was even more painful than the original. I needed to process the grief via Cloud's pain, but he's denial shattered my mind. So yeah, for me was more powerful than the original.

Ever since I finished Remake, I've felt that the only way they can really conclude a trilogy about 'defying fate' is with multiple possible endings. After all, if you just have one ending then you are basically just trading one fate for another predetermined one. This is the kind of theme that player agency would be super important for.

Dude honestly I have respected you for a LONG time and I’m Happy with how you feel … I’m personally here to see how this plays out and how they can pull this off by part 3 .. honestly im here for the ride and here for peoples theory’s there likes dislikes. This helped me to understand what happened a lot more. Your right not getting the water burial was a shame I kind of got a grasp on the cloud monologue happening but not hearing it. A lot to take in but overall my experience with this game was fantastic. Thank you for this video dude.

Random point about "Reborn Sephiroth" that I wanted to make. The name change wasn't done for no reason, it was another mistranslation of sorts from the original game same as the Midgar Zolom was. The name was "Ribasu" Sephiroth which was interpreted as "Reverse Sephiroth" when it SHOULD have been Rebirth Sephiroth. Because "Reverse" characters had been done before in comic books (Bizzaro Superman was the inverse version of Superman), I guess the translator decided to go with that same comic book naming scheme for "Reverse" Sephiroth and named him Bizzaro Sephiroth. On the topic of the actual ending: It was definitely confusing, and I think it's done because there are multiple factors at play here. I don't really think it needed to be this confusing though like... I dunno. Regardless, I do think there's an Aerith that is out there trying to save Cloud still. I also think that Cloud is in denial and is seeing things that he shouldn't be or is possibly inbetween worlds somehow. I also think Sephiroth might be having a hand in fucking with him. So I'm kinda in the camp that thinks we're seeing all three possibilities happening simultaneously which makes the situation even more confusing than it needed to be. The scenes where Cloud is talking but we don't hear words has been confirmed to be the speech he gives in the original game. Whether or not that is real is... I dunno. Like was the entire situation a fabrication of his mind? I could see a situation where he's frozen but thinks about blocking the blade, isn't able to, but his broken mind just decides that it totally did happen that way. ALTERNATIVELY- The Ultimania refers to the green flashes as "flashbacks" which... I'm hoping is a mistranslation.. but... if it isn't a mistranslation, then I think we might have another explanation here for what we're seeing and also to a few moments in Remake that weren't really explained. If some of the green flashes ARE "flashbacks" as in... Cloud has seen this all happen before, then that would kinda explain why he has a green flash in Remake where he sees Aerith's death and later sheds a tear when meeting back up with Aerith again. I was always kinda curious as to why this happened since it shouldn't be related. He shouldn't know about these events, so why would it matter? If we are somehow reliving the events of the game through Cloud's mind, then that would explain some of the green flashes that don't make sense. When he gets to a particularly traumatic moment in his life, his brain starts giving him headaches and green flashes the same way his broken mind tries to cover up events he currently shouldn't know about either. So, in the same way that his brain won't let him remember Zack's name or where he was for the last 5 years when Tifa asks him, his mind is leaking future events that he's experienced but shouldn't know about yet whenever he encounters a particularly tragic circumstance. What does this mean? Well, I don't think we're necessarily like... reliving the events from the mind of a future Cloud like he's in a coma or something. This game sets up how the lifestream exists and flows basically outside of time. We see in Remake how Zack's final stand is happening simultaneously as Remake's version of AVALANCHE is fleeing Midgar and facing Sephiroth. It kinda seems like the lifestream is cyclical and encompasses all that ever was and will be all within itself, so it makes sense that characters could possibly have weird flashes to moments that they shouldn't be able to see. Nothing in the lifestream has changed from the moment it was created, so, theoretically, the planet should have already known all of this was going to happen. Cloud's entire being always was and always will be inside of the lifestream. It's possible that he's having flashes to a different version of himself that exists outside of time like... he's somehow tapping into the lifestream which has already experienced these events and it's giving him strange flashes of events. I DUNNO, I hope they explain this shit in part 3 and it's satisfying.

What is the outro song that plays 31:02 I know I've heard that somewhere before but I can't remember what it's called.

Great video. The subtle orb pondering meme got me real good. 😂

So on point with the lack of emotional weight and dedicated focus with the ending. 100% People saying "it wouldn't have the same shock as OG anyway" or "it will play out in the next part" don't understand the importance of the experience in a single moment and telling of a story. Conceptually, sure it's interesting, but causing the player to emotionally check out from confusion is a huge L for what was already, and could have again been a masterpiece story. I think I'm going to play the original while sandwiching in cut scenes from rebirth lol

We didn't the event we were looking but i think when they revisit it, it will hit even harder.. I'm gonna give the devs the benefit of the doubt. They've made an excellent two thirds of a trilogy so far in my eyes.

Sephiroth sneaking things in cloud's pocket like a boyfriend would, cloudiroth ship confirmed 😂 I'm holding back judgements until after I've played the last part. I have a feeling we'll see what happened in the finale! My takeaway from this part of the story is how important the time we have with those we love is so important, which falls in line with the OG themes.

I think most people agree with what you said here, but it is what it is and at the end of the day that’s what the writers wanted to do. The games have been some of the most fun I’ve had playing games since I was a kid so I’m cool with whatever they end up doing.

Whether you think the Aerith ghost is a hallucination from Cloud's mind, from Jenova, or Aerith from another timeline, it's clear that his relationship with her is creating a huge rift between him and the other characters. If Cloud "getting better" means he'll have to give up seeing Aerith, then it gives him a reason to reject learning about his true self. Whatever rendition of the lifestream scene they make for the next one, it will probably be much more intense, and may even be completely different in its conclusion.

I've already accepted the fact that this was never going to be a one to one after Remake but what the hell was the point of having the theme of defying Destiny/Fate if they were jusy going to keep things the same woth Aeirth's death. I felt absolutely nothing when this version of Aeirth died despite having so much more sceentime and an amazing performace by the English and Japanese voice actors. If they really wanted to keep the old theme of accepting loss and death then why give the illusion of defying it and going in a bold new direction? Why make us wait 4+ years to make an inferior version of an already amazing story? I've also already accepted the fact that this version of Sephiroth sucks due to his overuse throughout the story and side content, making me not fear his presence but more annoyed by it everytime he shows up. They also turned him and by proxy Jenova into idiots once you realize that them having the ability to multiverse travel means they can just execute there plan (what that is we still don't know.) at anytime but just choose not to. Only thing I'm looking forward to in part 3 is the playable Cid and Vincent, new Music and of course the gameplay. The story can do whatever it wants. I stopped caring a long time ago.

I know what you mean, and normally I am not ok with the whole multiverse shit as if death means nothing, but in this case I am okay with it. I feel like square is cooking something big, and I want Aerith to live, I already grieved for her in OG I dont need to do it again, I need her to have a happy ending with Cloud.

interesting theory. I am still in the camp that I believe that an Aerith lived thanks to cloud blocking the strike, as I don't really buy the fact that what Cloud is seeing is a delusion, let alone one that Aerith herself would endorse as IMO that would be pretty manipulative for her to do. On par with Sephiorth. What I think the whispers can represent is that, with fate/destiny gone the whispers are basically up for grabs and can be used by who has the most 'pull' to influence the events of the world to accommodate their master's will. I think Sephiorth and the Planet wanted Aerith to die for their own reasons but maybe through Aeriths help, Cloud was able to save her (it is even seemingly confirmed in the Ultimania that Cloud DID save Aerith with blocking the strike) and possibly due to a multitude of factors, only he can perceive the world where she is saved and no one else can. I think it also makes sense with showing us, the audience, specifically the scenes of different realities being made by Zack's choices with the subsequent rainbow effect, that blocking the strike created a new world. NOW I do not think that Cloud realizes this is what's happening and I'm sure it will lead to his mental decline in part 3. He will be certain he saved Aerith (and technically he did) but everyone will say he didn't and he won't know why. The developers have said that the 'big reveal' with Cloud this time around will not be so much of a 'unreliable narrator' but a 'unreliable world' so it would make sense this time around that Cloud is not the one who is 'crazy' but the WORLD is crazy and how that leads into this grand Reunion and what it will bring.

I really like your explanation of the white/black Whispers, that actually makes a lot of sense to me. I agree I don't like this ending much, I feel like the impact of Aerith's death was lost as it was confusing in what happened. My take on the glitching when Tifa was looking at Aerith/Cloud, Tifa sees the blood, Cloud doesn't. I'm hoping we will get to see the true event in part 3 when Cloud comes to terms with the fact she died. Cloud's monologue, the burial scene etc.

I'm glad to see you give your honest opinion. There are a lot of creators that won't give much criticism at all because they are afraid to upset the devs into not giving them some attention on future releases (example being max). Rebirth is something where I enjoyed SO much of it. Really put a smile on my face. Other than the occasional broken sidequest, or terribly balanced mini game (like the stupid 3rd yuffie chocobo), and ending, it was quite the experience. I'm okay with story changes like the gi and the black materia (great addition), but using multiverse stuff feels so out of place in a game that had NOTHING to do with multiverse in the first place. Just think about ff10, nothing to do with multiverse, and then they decided to add a change to the ending where a new tidus shows up when the other tidus disappears. Would be so bad.

Its crazy. I finished Remake thinking, "man, this ending is weird. Lets see what they do with this. But i hope whatever they do isnt awful, because that may negatively affect my opinion of Remake even though I loved my time with this game." And now i finished Rebirth with the EXACT same feeling. I love the OG, ive loved Remake and Rebirth, but i was hoping my anxiety for the future of the franchise that ive had since beating Remake would finall come to an end with Rebirth. Whether it turned out to be for better or worse, i would have my answer. Yet, here we are again, where ill now have to wait another 3-4 years to decide if i like the direction they went in or not

Aerith is definitely not helping by confusing the shit out of cloud. Which would imply an evil aerith, I would hate that, or bad writing

The Tifa perspective seems like it's rather showing what Cloud has infront of him and what the actual reality is the scene shows the same shocked face of the other members right after. At the lake though she's the only one there so it's pretty obvious that it is definitely her perspective alone. Otherwise pretty sound arguments though I am not sure which blessing we are talking about I initially though that it's Sephiroths blessing to help him briefly control few dark whispers that grants him passage in his supposed blessing was that ability just to get him to see Aerith die. The black materia is pretty unexplained but I suppose the blessing could also be that. Edit: I really like the criticism coming out though couldn't agree more with it.

Zach is asking just like the player "What the heck is going on!" Haha, Brilliant jab bro!

In the times it should have made you feel, it made you think. I want catharsis, not calculus.

Exactly my thoughts, I love this game but the ending was unnecessarily convoluted. I do believe Aerith is alive in another world but I guess we'll have to wait 3-4 years to know :(

My guess is that Cloud's monologue is the part where you see him talk but can't hear it.

Would be good if part 3 reveals that cloud actually killed Aerith at the alter. Would be an amazing twist and would play well into his broken mind narrative!

I love the remake being different to the original because to me it feels exciting and refreshing, but I also do not want Zack and Aerith to live for the sake of fan service. The whole reason why Aerith died had to do with making people experience the feeling of grief that one of the producers wanted to communicate after the death of his own mother (I forgot which?) but imagine changing all of that for fan service alone? Nah. I am genuinely hoping they both die in part 3 no matter how big of a Zack fan I am, or that at least Aerith does so that we experience the grief of losing her through Zack who never did, and Cloud who is in denial so far

I felt more emotionally invested in that Aerith’s song scene at the Gold Saucer than in her “death”.

Yea i needed a recap. Didnt even notice some things from your perspective because I was delirious trying to get Platinum

Going to like it now and save for later when I complete the game but enjoying your content and want to support!

I just want to express my gratitude because after finishing FF7 Rebirth, I spent almost 2 weeks searching for answers like crazy. I was practically on the verge of becoming a Rebirth ending scholar. Your video really helped simplify things by explaining the multiple timelines. Also glad to have discovered you and The Nightsky Prince during an interview with Briana White. You guys are the best!

Just finished the Temple of the Ancients this morning and will hopefully finish the game by the end of the day. Decided to skip latter sidequests, etc till after I finish as I wanted to progress through the story before I fly back to work tomorrow. Man, that Chapter 13 was looooong, but I really enjoyed that sequence. Guess it's implied that Rocket Town is underneath that cloud north of the Nibel Region? I have a feeling we'll be starting Re-Three from there...

Alright Soldier1stClass I've got a lot to unpack so buckle up. First off I 100% agree with your take on this ending and I think you did a really good job articulating it without totally shitting on it. For me, I feel very similar to how I did at the end of Remake, which was mostly frustrated. In both cases I played a game that was for the most part a faithful recreation of one of my favorite games with some enhancements, added lore, and a lot more depth into places and character (for better or worse in some cases. I didn't really need Chocobo bills full backstory) but then in both games the last chapter just goes full blown off the rails and get leaves you wondering what the fuck you just witnessed. From a narrative prospective it's so frustrating because FF7 original already had one of the most compelling stories that while not convoluted was fairly complex in its own right and tackled some pretty hard hitting issues. Mental illness, identity crises, loss, grief, sacrifice, love and many others all lead by a great ensemble cast and topped off with some iconic antagonist in Shinra and Sephiroth. All of this multi verse crap feels so contrive and unnecessary in a game that already had so much depth. The fact that they slap it all in the last chapter makes it feel like a complete afterthought. You could literally cut it all from the game and lose nothing. When Im sitting here watching new world being created by arbitrary decisions made by a character who should be dead I just check out. When you start introducing elements into a story with no pretext that completely exists outside of the established rules of your universe it makes everything feel super cheap and contrive. Like why do Sephiroth and Aerith have these powers? Where did they get them? Why are the decisions Zack is making so impactful? Why is he special? It feels shoehorned for fan service. I also agree wholeheartedly that as soon as I hear multiverse the stakes are automatically lowered and things like death and consequence become way less impactful. And the fact that Aerith and her death are basically robbed of all emotion when this was supposed to be the CRUX of this story just pisses me off. And quite possibly the most annoying part is that they had a perfectly fine and thematically accurate vehicle to make something like this work. If you told me Aerith and Sephiroth were using the life stream as a way to send their consciences across time and influencing events I could go with that. It makes sense with rules already established in the universe as Sephiroth and Aerith are ancients. Overall the whole ending ruined what was otherwise a very very good game. Im really hoping they find a way to make this all relevant in part 3 and for the love of God don't give into fan service and just stick to the damn plot. Sorry I know that was a lot. Rant over.

I enjoyed your video and I have a lot to expect in part 3.

I saw another video where it was said that the lines we don't hear cloud speak at aerith's death were in fact recorded by the actor, so maybe they are saving that for the final game in a flashback along with walking aerith down to the lake. Call me crazy, but I think we will be able to save aerith (maybe optionally) in the final part of the game. We keep getting told throughout rebirth to save aerith. Maybe it's foreshadowing. I think I also read that the director said that they will have something important in the final game... Something that wasn't in the OG version. I'm thinking that's saving aerith. So many people wanted to save her. Me included. That's why there were so many rumors of possible ways to save her in the original.

Agree with pretty much everything you said, and I say that as someone who was not at all as put off by the end of remake as you were. It seems like they are intentionally trying to make it confusing to drum up intrigue but I think that is misguided - I think they are going to turn more people off by being obtuse than they would be able to engage by having a proper powerful moment in one of the OG's most pivotal and effective scenes. Being confused and/or disappointed is not a good way to end a game, especially when there will be a 3+ year wait for answers. You also make the great point that this takes away Aerith's moment from her - even if they do a good job in the 3rd instalment in terms of Cloud's (and even other party members') loss, them doing it this way makes it feel more just a plot device and not meaningful development of Aerith's character. I'm similarly concerned that the whole multiverse will only ultimately be for its own sake (and to involve Zack as a fan favourite), and I'm actually more concerned about that than I was at the end of remake. Still, at the end of the day, I love so much in these remakes that I'm still glad they are doing them, whether or not they stick the landing with the multiverse stuff.

Awesome video. You did a great job explaining the complicated story. The developers will have to hit the ground running in order to explain everything in the next game.

My brother and I have a theory that once Tifa helps rebuild Cloud's mind in part 3, since we know materia is formed from memories, all of Cloud's true memories about himself and Zack and Aerith's death will fill the clear materia, which will allow Cloud to call Zack and/or Aerith from another world in as a summon lol.

I’m guessing there’s gonna be a massive payoff in the 3rd game for them removing the scenes everyone was expecting. I might just be high on copium though.

Is cloud still in the beagle world at the end? Did he deflect the blade in the beagle world and then Sepiroth pulled into another world? Is that why he sees the crack in sky and the others can’t? Is it because he’s not in his world?

I love how the response to well constructed arguments against the ending boil down to: we have to wait and see. What could they do in part 3 that makes us feel Aerith's loss? ...Nothing. Soldier said it, a flashback won't cut it. It's a second hand account. So I don't know what payoff are you waiting for😂

The shock factor and the music playing in the boss fight in the original was heartbreaking. My brother's girlfriend was ulgy crying because of it

I liked when you mentioned bizzaro sephiroth and zach haha. @14:27 That being said thanks for the explanation, least now i have SOME idea as to what the hecks going on. Still don't feel much tho.

This ending robs many people's first experience with the world and story of FF7 by eliminating one of the most important moments in gaming history. One friend of mine told me how it destroyed him experiencing Aerith's death when he first played it 27 years ago, but now it was my turn to experience it because I never had the priviledge to get a PS1, but I just felt confusion. The emotional punch was gone. It seems like the devs decided to drum up hype and theories, at the expense of millions of new players' first time experiencing this emotional moment. The ending should have left me devastated, like Infinity War part 1 did, and you bet I will be lining up to see how the heroes would overcome their cliffhanger adversity the day the sequel came out. But now, I am just writing this comment after watching a video that finally told me what I have been feeling is normal, after scouring KZfaq to understand what is even going on. After watching 10+ hours of theories, instead of my friend's sense of immense loss as if he just lost a loved one in real life, I just feel confused. And this video made me understand I am not alone.

To me the multiverse will be destroyed early next game since sephiroth said that he plans to make one reality but my theory on the black materia and it connects to Advent Children and the fact that materias and this whole multiverse is to keep people talking between game whether it was good or bad was irrelevant we are all talking about it so to them it fulfilled its purpose.His final line in Advent children was he wouldn't be a memory but now to me his willfully choosing to be a memory so when main sephiroth absorbs all timelines his main plan is retained in the black materia hence he is choosing to be a memory to prevent ending becoming one in the main timeline also think that having the main theme of death and acceptance played twice would have been redundant thematically speaking.I would have preferred it to be faithfull hell yeah but having this scene repeat 2 times since it's safe to assume that the reason why Tifa learned her origin before time is too not distract that scene and focus only on Cloud i bet they are going to also show there Zack Death and Aerith Death and a final farewell of them lifestream versions so im guessing Zack and Aerith are going to be there with Cloud and Tifa this time and that's where the main theme of pain,loss and acceptance kicks in and would put the entire trilogy meta dealing with the five stages of grief denial the arbiters of fate in early chapters of remake but still we were getting a untouched remake of the story.Anger being the changes at the end of story in part1 when promised of a new direction that was mostly the same anyway bargain being the Rebirth demo and goodwill we all felt when playing this game depression at how they handled the end this game and the depression cloud will feel at the lifestream and acceptance life goes on at the end of the day regardless of changes and faithfullness we all had fun playing this 3 lengthy fun experiences and will look with appreciation when we look back at them because at the end of the day this story ends on the same spot has the original 500 years later with Nanaki and children looking at Midgar ruins this was long sorry for grammar errors hope you enjoy this read had fun writing it.

I enjoyed the combat, graphics, sound design, & that’s really it. Hated the mini games. Hated the Zach parts. Hated the multiverse crap

While I would prefer to have Aerith and Zack to reunite with the party in the main timeline and live, the ending of Rebirth felt like the devs wanted to have their cake and eat it with Aerith's death scene. Remake sets up defying fate and death, with Zack living and possibly allowing Aerith live later on, only for Rebirth to kind of walk that back with Aerith and say "nope, fate is inevitable, she'll always die by Sephi's blade 🙃". While part 3 isn't out and isn't coming for a long time, so Aerith could still kind of be alive, but I just wish the devs would be more decisive instead of trying to please everyone, if they wanted Aerith to live or die I wish they would stick with it instead of trying to make both sides of fans happy and in doing so I feel like they've just confused fans more (which is probably/maybe intentional?). What is the point of defeating and defying the whispers over and over only for fate to basically be the same, the OG is already there, so I hope they can fully defy fate and be happy, all of them, including Cloud, Aerith and Zack

Brilliant breakdown of the ending dude, it all makes sense to me at least. I absolutely adore this game as well but I felt so confused during the ending that I just didn't know what to feel about it all, I was just going through the motions. Cramming so much plot details into a single chapter didn't help things either. I do agree that Aerith's death should've been the complete experience/recreation with enough time taken to take it all in instead of rushing it in the service of the next big epic event. Not knowing right away if she's alive ot not (or both) created an emotional disconnect for me. That's why multiverse stories are so very rarely effective. Anyway, great work man, subbed.

I’ve read that there is no multiverse in 7. But why would Biggs and Wedge keep dying if they’re dead already in the LS? Unless this is coming from another characters perspective… I too, felt nothing at the alter scene, but I want Aerith to survive this time. The early fan base petitioned Nomura to save her. Why not? If you want to see her die, play OG. I want a different outcome of shock- call it fanservice- it pays their bills. Still something unexpected has to happen. I’m thinking that Cloud died at the end of CC. This could be his story in the LS. Maybe finding himself is him accepting his death in the finale? Who the hell knows? The Devs have been killing the protagonists in other FFs.

Question...in the OG there was someone trying to have help Cloud come to his senses. So Where Kid Cloud?

I have similar feelings to your's for this game. I loved pretty much all of it and I don't regret a single hour put into it. But the ending left me feeling empty and disappointed. When I was walking up to Aerith on the altar, I was ready to have my heart broken again and I was ready to cry in relief if she gets saved this time. And then I kinda got both and it feels like I got neither, because of this convoluted mess, that reads to me like they didn't want to commit to one outcome and so they cheapend the whole moment with "lol, it's a multiverse twist!" I still have hope part 3 might bring a satisfying conclusion, but it's not a given.

In the same vain as Remake, I have the same feelings for Rebirth. I like.. no, love 90 percent (maybe even 95) it's the remainder of the game in its entirety that have me negative emotions towards it. I agree with everything mentioned in this video.. Let's be honest and not Toxic with each other.

Watched so many videos on the FF7 rebirth ending. Obviously there are so many crazy theories as this ending was purposely meant to be a little mystifying. But the way you break things down is by far the most coherent of any video I've seen. Great job man!

As on OG 97 fan, I totally agree with your statement regarding Arieth ending. If a death is not permanent, it takes away the emotion 🤔

Thanks for your great video. I feared Aerith fate the whole way up the stair, my heart was pounding. Will she die or not ? But after that it gets way too much, too all over the place. I get that multiverses are the thing now but they’re such a cop out. Someone dying doesn’t mean anything because they still exist somewhere. But I still felt it at the end when Aerith said goodbye 😢

Super insightful. I liked this video a lot. I luckily felt all the emotions during aerith's death.

I don't really disagree with a single word of this tbh. I still have to get my thoughts together for any kind of video too, so bravo. The only thing that you didn't touch on that really worked for me was the dream date with Aerith. While I agree with all of your criticisms (and compliments) about what they did at the water altar, I did come to a thought after a few weeks: the goodbye in the Church from Aerith to Cloud where it sounds like OG Compilation Aerith finally getting to say what she left on the ... uh... Lifestream voicemail (?) ... in Advent Children really hit home for me. It was like having 1997 Aerith finally say what she wanted to say. Hell, in the Lifestream White chapters of OTWTAS, she even talks about wanting to see Cloud again but only in the way that he'd known her rather than through some vessel like Kadaj is for Sephiroth. Because of all that -- and I can't believe I'm saying this -- but that goodbye hit me harder than a 1:1 recreation of her death would have. "Whatever happens, don't blame yourself.... So thank you, Cloud -- for everything." Just stab me in the heart, man. All that said, there are executional issues that drag their ideas down in the moment. They speedrun between emotions all throughout the game. Everyone has talked about the Dyne --> Palmer --> Dyne --> Dio --> Chase sequence. Even though I LOVE the Gi tribe stuff, I do feel like they didn't let the moment between Nanaki and Seto breathe enough as Gi Nattak just crashes the party almost immediately (I would've preferred if he interrupted the party as they were on the path out of the area). And, of course, the 10-phase boss battle you point out. It actually reminds me a lot of Advent Children. In hindsight, there are some really great ideas in that movie, but man did it hit me a bit cold when it first released because of executional elements like dialogue.

It's interesting seeing all the different perspectives everyone has on the game and its very open to interpretation ending. Most of your interpretations were vastly different from mine, especially regarding the small details. I personally just want a scenario where Aerith was unharmed by Sephiroth, because: a) it would be an awesome moment for Cloud b) I think Cloud needing to accept the reality of Aerith's death later in part 3, and then learning he actually did protect her creates an awesome redemption arc c) Creating a scenario where Aerith and Zack can reunite in their physical forms, probably shortly before they are sent to the Lifestream and can say their proper goodbyes, will create a very emotional moment

I'll also say this. From a gameplay perspective and not story, it makes me wonder if they want to keep that role of the caster mage like Aerith. Her gameplay style is unique and I'm afraid they are gonna go with you being able to play with Aerith in part 3. Either by another version showing up to keep it going, or Cloud believes she's there, you play as if she's there, but it's revealed at a later point that it wasn't her, but just Tifa or some other character(s) in her place. Both sound awful. Why do I think that? Because they didn't give her, her ultimate limit break or her ultimate weapon in rebirth. Saving it for later? Likely. Either via gameplay or a cutscene.

Agree with everything you said, it really just took away the emotional impact it was meant to have

Thank you for your thorough analysis. Keep up the good work.

I was told that the Japanese name for Bizzaro Sephiroth WAS Sephiroth Rebirth or Reborn. I blame the localization lol

In the end, it was exploitative of the original to call it Remake. FF7 Remake, Rebirth and part 3 (you could even say the whole ff7 compilation except the original) are like official fan fiction overflowing with fan service. Something like the Dragon Ball AF of Final Fantasy VII.

The scenes where Cloud can see Aerith isn't just an imagination. She is really there and is confirmed when Red XIII can sense her. Maybe it is similar to when he can see Sephiroth while the others can't. Maybe having the white materia gives him the ability to see her.

Great work. Enjoyed your perspective. Not a fan of the story changes. Some great work went into this game, but ultimately in my opinion, they fumbled the football. We will have to see what happens next. Speculating will be fun. Glad you’re enjoying the game! Amazing analysis

This is the most seemingly accurate ending explanation I've come across so far, but there is one theory I came away with that you failed to touch on - that there were actually two Clouds existing simultaneously in the "Beagle world" towards the end of the story. When Beagle world Cloud was defeated by Sephiroth in the Temple of the Ancients and fell into the depths, he somehow swapped consciousnesses with the Cloud from the "Husky" world - I'm guessing the Aerith of the Husky world facilitated this with the White Materia. In the meantime, the Cloud from the Husky world who was deep in a Mako poisoned stupor was occupying Beagle world Cloud's body, which is why the rest of the party had to lug him around during that timeframe. Husky world Aerith gave Cloud the White Materia to pass along to Beagle World Aerith, which he did after she sent him to the Beagle world - remember this important detail: Aerith gave Cloud the Clear Materia in exchange for the White Materia. Afterwards, she walked off to the temple to pray and Cloud collapsed to the ground before his consciousness was returned to his original body. One would have to assume that likewise, Husky world Cloud's consciousness would have returned to its rightful body - which was never shown to have been returned to the Husky world. Because of this, I was of the impression that the Cloud we see at the end of the game was actually Husky world Cloud and NOT Beagle world Cloud. This is further suggested by the fact that he was in possession of the Clear Materia which Aerith swapped with him before each Cloud's consciousnesses were returned to their rightful bodies. If Husky world Cloud had indeed been sent back to his world (while in possession of the Clear Materia), how would Beagle world Cloud now be in possession of the Clear Materia? It would also explain why Cloud was back to being so messed up in the head and talking about rifts in the sky - which did exist in the Husky world. It might also explain why he had some version of the Black Materia in his possession - perhaps the one from the Husky world?

Great video, and you sum up exactly my feelings. I see where they are going with Cloud and I don't dislike this exploration of the character (after all, denial is exactly what he did in OG, he created a world where he was a successful SOLDIER and washed away his trauma), but we lost the absolute gobsmack to see Aerith death, so sudden and finite. The monologue and the burial not being there also takes away some gravity. I feel that, if they had let the scene breathe, and maybe take more time on the rest of the party's devastation, this could have worked, but the moment is drowned by the gauntlet of boss rush that ensues. In any case: there is no doubt in my mind that you loved the game, and I understand how the ending was underwhelming

Aerith must die and be dead for any of this to matter. Otherwise, the themes of loss, grief, and acceptance are a complete wash. Sephiroth couldn't accept what had happened to him or who he was or the loss of agency in his life, so he decided to burn the world for its transgressions. Aerith accepted the loss of her mother. She accepted that she was the last of the cetra, and ultimately, she accepted her death for her friends, loved ones and the world because she wanted to save the world instead of burning it out of anger.