Summary
Square Enix has recently gone on record to clarify what some might consider a plot hole inFinal Fantasy 7 Remake, consequently confirming one long-standing fan theory about Aerith. Its comments on the matter arrived more than three years afterFinal Fantasy 7 Remakereleased to rave reviews.
Warning! Minor mid-game story spoilers forFinal Fantasy 7 Remakeahead.The first remake of the iconic 1997 RPG sees the return of Aerith Gainsborough, the last member of the ancient Cetra race that joins Cloud’s party in Chapter 8. During their first encounter in the 2020 remake, Aerith makes a remark that appears to imply she’s somehow aware that Cloud used to be a member of SOLDIER, an elite warrior group of the Shinra Electric Power Company. She also calls Cloud a mercenary during the same scene in the English version ofFinal Fantasy 7 Remake, thus correctly guessing his current profession.
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Square Enix has now confirmed a long-standing fan theory that Aerith possesses vague memories of theFinal Fantasy 7multiverse, having said as much in a recent tweet translated by Siliconera. That curious capability allows her to sometimes remember things that haven’t yet happened in the remake, like her learning that Cloud used to be a SOLDIER member. On a related note, Aerith is also one of the select fewFinal Fantasy 7 Remakecharacters who can see Whispers, with Square Enix now explaining that these enemies make her lose her memories of the multiverse every time they strike her.
The developer also confirmed that Aerith’s conversation with Tifa in Chapter 12 is another example of her omniscience. At one point during that section of the game, Aerith appears to be intuitively aware that Tifa is about to ask her to help Marlene before her Tifa finishes her question.
The confirmation of Aerith’s clairvoyance has some interesting implications for the story ofFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the second game in the planned trilogy ofFF7remakes. Assuming the upcoming RPG doesn’t forget about her psychic powers, those abilities might factor into the game’s plot beyond the occasional clairvoyant remark. Nevertheless, some fans believed that theFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthtimeline could take Aerith to unprecedented heightsfor long before Square Enix confirmed her unique powers.
The Japanese studio’s recent comments on Aerith’s omniscience aren’t the first occasion on which the developer-publisher had to elucidate some of her traits. Its last attempt at doing so happened back in April, whenSquare Enix took online to explain Aerith’s scary voice inFinal Fantasy 7 Remake.
Final Fantasy 7 Remakeis available on PC, PS4, and PS5.
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