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One minor thing that you didn't mention but that I find very interesting about the DMW system from Crisis Core is how it relates to one of the taglines of the game, which is "Men cry not for themselves, but for their comrades". I really liked how much emphasis they put on Zack's relationships with other people in that game

Crisis Core does an excellent job at endearing you to Zack. It makes you attached and you legitimately fight hard to save the character, even though we all knew he was going to eat those bullets. But dammit, if you don't feel like you can change it in the moment.

we definitely need more zack. and as seen in the new screenshots the sword references him slightly, so i can't wait for the next game to go to gongaga so i can see some more info on him.

I recently played Crisis Core and I love Zack.

3:02 They wanted to explore Zack's character since 1997? I didn't know that Interesting!

I always thought that the real reason cloud wasn’t able to get into Soldier wasn’t because he was not physically able but rather that he lacked self confidence to be able to achieve his goals, so therefore when he took on some of Zacks personality he gained his self confidence as well and that’s how he achieves feats worthy of being in solider.

Cloud OG concept art was very similar to Zack's appearance. In the making they had said it just didn't stick out enough so they went with blonde hair spikey hair. Ironic enough, Zack's look was the OG vision but they went with Clouds look who was drawn to have the same outfit & sword...very similar to how Zack & Cloud's relationship is in the actual game.

Very well thought out and comprehensive. I was a little wary of watching since Zack's character is my favorite of the franchise, but it was very enjoyable and I can't think of anything I disagreed with. Excellent contrast between him and Genesis with how Mr. Rhapsodos is much more dreamy and Zack is actually very grounded. Optimistic does not equal simple-minded, and you illustrated that quite nicely with Zack's character analysis. Great job.

Great video, I've never seen the death of Aerith and Zach presented in a way where they were able to join each other in the life stream. I like that as an ending. I've heard that in the Japanese version of the game, Zach and Aerith were never actually dating and it was just a translation error in the English version, but Square decided to go with it for Crisis Core. Keep up the good work!

More Zack would be great imo. Have u played the remake and if u have what’s your opinion of it??

6:43 with the idea about the shoulder pauldron, being a visual metaphor between Cloud and Zack, was one of those out of nowhere epiphany/light bulb moments. I was looking at Final Fantasy 25th Memorial Ultimania VII-IX artbook I'd noticed with the character models they worn the same clothes, and then thinking how Cloud has the one pauldron it was *bing* "dude does that mean I what it means!" And thus, the idea/theory was born

Not many people care understanding Zack I have seen many people understanding Cloud etc. But *NO ONE* wants to understand Zack, they just cast him away And the people who cast him away are 1: Clerith who hate the fact Zack was with Aerith and that he is alive now *TRUST ME they are boiling* 2: People who hate Zack's existence and *THINK* he will steal Clouds place some how *which is a very stupid thinking* So you have people hate him for no reason and be unfair

Zack and Cloud AKA #BestBroMance

I have understand *BOTH* Cloud and Zack Zack isn't the typical Shonen happy character Otherwise the same could be said to Cloud, been the typical emo character The reason I like Zack a little bit more then Cloud its because he reminds me of Naruto, what do I mean by that : He starts as a young arrogant teenage boy and ends up becoming a man Through his experience he changes and grows up His pain, suffering and struggle will ALWAYS begin after Angeal leaves and betrays Shinra Having Zack start questioning *IF* what he is doing or what Shinra is doing is right Questioning his own morals till the end Zack is not happy, but he has to smile to hide his pain, to stay strong for him self and others, he wanna make other people's pain go away because he understands them and feels them When Aerith or Cloud is happy Zack is happy as well, if any of them are in pain or sad he feels that pain Zack *acts tough* but he is not, *IF ANYONE PAYS ATTENTION TO THE FACKING CHARACTER AT ALL, EVEN 1 BIT* they will see that he tries to hold back his feelings And there were many times where Zack was ready to break but he managed to keep his sh*t together Except...... The moment he killed Angeal with his own hands, that was a lot even for him to take I can't imagine the time it took him to get back at his feet Aerith and Cloudand Kunsel were there for him as well He kept standing up I do not hate Cloud *NEITHER* Zack I love both characters why f*cking hate someone without a f*cking reason?

Hey its a vid about the gongaga man

I'm so mad if Zack's going to be alive in Remake. As you can tell from my User-name, Zack ist my most favorite Character. He is so lovable, goofy, nice, funny, honorable and always there for those dearest to him. I was heartbroken at the ending of Crisis Core even though I exactly knew what was about to happen. His death has auch an emotional impact after having gotten to know him so well in crisis core. Sure - Zack being alive and reuniting with Aerith would be the Happy Ending he deserves. But live doesn't always happen this way. Part of why he is my favorite character is because of his tragic fate. Because even the nicest ones don't always get a happy ending. Having him alive would take away all of that. And ultimately it would mean that nobody needs to suffer and everybody gets a happy ending. But life just doesnt work that way Apart from Zack as a Person, his death is crucial to the story and Clouds mental state. His plot is of such a significance to Clouds past that I can't Imagine how they'll handle the massive changes. Him beeing alive leads to none of clouds mental state, his behavior, his past and his Motivation making any sense. As sad as it is: Zack (and Aerith, too, by the way) HAVE to die. Final Fantasy VII is about loss and coping with it. With Zack and Aerith being alive it won't be Final Fantasy VII anymore. Just some bad fanfiction.

Loving the content jack been soaking it all in! These making an excellent group watch drink every time you heard the word 'contemporary' and then discuss the points laid out in the video.

The remake definitely gave a lot of nods or references to his character. For instance, I think Stamp, the Shinra cartoon propaganda references him because in Crisis Core it was stated that Angeal gave him a nickname, Zack the Puppy. Then, there's Aerith/Aeris giving Cloud questions or actions that really references his character lol. I wish there was someone out there who would point out all the Crisis Core references in the remake since I don't have the luxury to enjoy the game currently. But, nice analysis. Hope your content improves.

Great video. I can't recall if you did a review of the Turks org. With the extended material, including Vincent's past history, you get a very interesting take...

Anyone notice how Zack’s scar if looked at sideways is a seven o_o

YEEEESSS been waiting for this :,,)

The way you pronounce Aerith is different 😁 sounds like a Greek God named Ares. I'll get used to it though love your video BWT. Thanks for making it and putting a good time into it.

When you show up late to the party 😂 I watched one video, immediately subscribed, and now I am just trying to catch up.

his life was anything but fair

One thing I don't understand if why Zack have to drag Cloud to Midgar and not place him some where safe like a hotel or somewhere and just pay extra. Cloud is unconscious and an extra weight to him so yeah...

9:00 - Are you familiar with the term 'ludonarrative harmony'?

I must say, I'm really enjoying your content, late to the party though I am. I find myself irresistibly compelled to ask, though: are you aware of yourself occasionally pronouncing "Aerith" (personal preference over "Aeris", don't mind me) as "Ares", as in the Greek god of war?

Me? Gongaga.

I remember playing this for the first time without the context for 7 a good ten years ago and being blown away by the audacity to brutally murder the main character. Like holy shit, I thought Final Fantasy was just a fun sci-fi flick at that age. I’ve since played 7, and it’s a fantastic game that’s aged very well, but the notion of a remake continuing the presentation and essence of Crisis Core, ala the RE2 Remake has always made me giddy. I hope whatever Square Enix does with the 7 Remake is something fresh and exciting again - it’s the best I can hope for after such a disappointing string of titles with a couple of great games (FF14, NieR, DQ11) on the side.

Zack’s New English VA sounds like Sonic the Hedgehog so cringy and Terrible It hurts my soul 😭😭😭 Rick Gomez was perfect for Zack

Wow called it

Am just waiting for the Clerith or the hated of Zack to jump in and start sh*tt*NG all over the character Xd

First

How in the actual fuck do you and four eight production's pronounce Aeris' name like the god of war. It's AIR-IS. Drives me up the wall. Otherwise, great video.