Three years have passed since Square Enix unveiled the groundbreaking Final Fantasy 7 Remake, the first installment of an ambitious trilogy aimed at reimagining the iconic 1997 classic. While Remake demonstrated its willingness to rewrite the script and challenge fan expectations, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth remains shrouded in mystery.
However, a recent trailer showcased during PlayStation’s September 2023 State of Play event has provided us with intriguing hints about how Rebirth will continue to explore alternate timelines and reshape the beloved narrative.
In this article, we will delve into five significant clues unveiled by the FF7 Rebirth trailer, shedding light on the exciting new direction the game might take.
1. Sephiroth’s Choice of Words
In the midst of the State of Play trailer, Sephiroth utters a cryptic phrase, saying, “When worlds collide.” This phrase holds immense significance as it hints at the possibility that the remake trilogy could be a stealthy sequel. Final Fantasy 7 Remake astounded fans by subverting their expectations regarding the iconic storyline, alluding to the existence of multiple timelines coexisting simultaneously. Sephiroth’s enigmatic words set the stage for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth to take bold risks with the cherished characters and narrative from the original FF7.
2. Where is Cid?
As players of FF7 Remake will recall, the game introduced most of the original game’s party members, with Intergrade adding Yuffie to the mix. Looking ahead to Rebirth, there are only three party members yet to be recruited: Cait Sith, Vincent Valentine, and Cid.
The trailer reveals both Cait Sith and Vincent Valentine, but Cid, the disgraced Shinra rocket scientist with his signature foul-mouthed personality, is conspicuously absent. This absence is particularly intriguing because Yuffie and Vincent, originally optional party members, have been seamlessly integrated into the main storyline in Rebirth. Cid’s character arc involves a backstory that brushes against the theme of mortality, suggesting that if multiple timelines are at play, Cid may not have survived one of them, potentially introducing unique challenges for the party.
Creative director Tetsuya Nomura has confirmed that all of the original party members will make an appearance in Rebirth, although the extent of their involvement remains unclear.
3. The Weapons Make an Appearance
A notable element from the late-game stages of the original Final Fantasy 7 was the Weapons, formidable bosses emerging to protect the world from destruction. FF7 Rebirth alludes to the Weapons, offering a glimpse of these fearsome adversaries in its latest trailer. This implies that Rebirth will encompass a significant portion of the original game’s storyline, even though it’s only the second installment of the trilogy.
If players indeed confront the Weapons in Rebirth, it suggests that the narrative might be more condensed than in the original game. Moreover, it hints at even more substantial alterations on the horizon for the final installment of the remake trilogy.
4. Zack Is Alive and Well
For those who completed FF7 Remake, the revelation that Zack Fair is alive and thriving in an altered timeline marked a pivotal plot twist. The role Zack will play in the remaining chapters of the trilogy remains a mystery, and he could potentially become another formidable adversary for Cloud to face. However, the State of Play trailer offers a glimpse of Zack’s presence in FF7 Rebirth as he aids an injured Cloud’s entry into Midgar.
The ending of FF7 Remake hinted at the existence of timeline complexities, suggesting that Zack’s survival exists in a new timeline ripe for exploration. It provides players with an opportunity to witness how events might have unfolded differently if Zack had lived in the original storyline.
5. No Sign of the Forgotten City
One of the most significant questions that has lingered since the release of Final Fantasy 7 Remake is whether the game’s most iconic twist will endure. In the original game, during the climactic events of disc two, the party tracks Aerith down to the Forgotten City, where Cloud bears witness to Sephiroth’s ruthless murder of Aerith. For years, fans have speculated and scoured the internet for any hints of a potential means to save her, only to discover that her fate was unalterable.
The remake trilogy has the potential to rewrite Aerith’s destiny, yet the latest FF7 Rebirth trailer conspicuously omits any reference to the Forgotten City or the tragic encounter between Aerith and Sephiroth.
This omission could be a deliberate ploy to keep fans guessing, or it may suggest that her fate has been altered to such an extent that these pivotal events may not transpire at all. The implications for the timeline and how it factors into Sephiroth’s machinations remain a tantalizing enigma.
Conclusion
As we eagerly await the release of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the clues revealed in the recent trailer leave us with more questions than answers. The enigmatic utterances of Sephiroth, the conspicuous absence of Cid, the appearance of the Weapons, Zack’s presence in a new timeline, and the uncertainty surrounding the fate of the Forgotten City all contribute to the intrigue surrounding this highly anticipated installment of the remake trilogy.
Square Enix’s bold approach to reimagining a beloved classic promises to deliver an experience that both honors the original and surprises fans with its innovative storytelling and alternate timelines. The future of Final Fantasy 7 is indeed reborn, and we can’t wait to see how it unfolds.
