TheReasonableClerith

Director at a multinational video games publisher. I like making little videos about Aerith and Cloud.

Split time between London, Tokyo and... the Philippines?

[TheReasonableClerith @thereasonablecl]

I don’t think people realise what they’re doing when they say the Buster Sword represents Zack.

The Buster Sword is one of the most iconic pieces of game design ever created. It’s both the first and last thing a player of the OG sees. For many players, it’s shorthand for the incredible experiences they had with FF7 growing up, a symbol tied to some of their most memorable moments in gaming.

It’s intrinsically attached to the FF7 brand. Arguably even more so than the meteor in the logo itself. Specifically, it's a symbol of Cloud, the protagonist taking you on this beautiful journey.

Zack is an important part of the story. He’s the missing link for Cloud, a key motivator and the person who saved his life. He starts Cloud’s journey. He’s also a great addition to the series: a ray of sunshine in an otherwise bleak world. He’s an important part of Cloud’s character.

But having a character who played only a small role in the original FF7 (largely due to development constraints) subsume so many of these symbolic elements risks undermining what made those moments special. It slowly detaches long-time fans, the people who have been there since the beginning, from some of their core memories of the game.

Yes, supplementary material expanded Zack’s role. But we shouldn’t pretend those works reached the same audience. The novels, and even Advent Children, were experienced by only a fraction of the players who played the mainline game.

For many fans, Zack represents the era where the Compilation wasn’t firing on all cylinders. A period where some creative missteps were made, especially when compared to the Remake titles.

If we start attributing core imagery and symbolism to characters other than the protagonist people originally connected with, it risks undermining the very foundation that made all that supplemental material possible.

The Buster Sword was owned by Zack. Before Zack, Angeal.

But it has always been and will always be, the symbol of Cloud and his journey.

Anything else feels disingenuous to those who remember the magic of the original: when Square were creating legendary IP that helped define a console generation.

That's why the flower and sword, may evoke memories of Zack, or signify a journey, or even represent a fragmented mind - but ultimately, those two objects represent two of the OG's most enduring characters. Cloud and Aerith.

*Beautiful image by NCCRYPT - purchase here https://t.co/bO66mt8QYm

[TheReasonableClerith @thereasonablecl]

Dude you went on a ten post rant.

I'm not reading all that. Get it into a more concise format and we can discuss.

But re the LTD, if that's true - if there really is no LTD, why do you think the devs doubled down on it in Re-Trilogy? Choices have been expanded. In fact, Hamaguchi has just confirmed that choice will play a major part in interpreting the characters you play with in Revelations.

CT groupthink was that there would be no choice in part 3. Looks like you were wrong?

If they were looking to remove the LTD and clear up any misconceptions, now was the time to do it. But they didn't. They doubled down.

The LTD has been referenced by the devs for 30 years. It's one of the most enduring parts of the game.

Now if you want to ignore everything, that's your perogative.

Just know that Revelation will come as a sizeable shock for you, just as the end of Rebirth was.

[TheReasonableClerith @thereasonablecl]

So if artists do now know more than the devs and the players, does that mean Loren Allred was right about NPTK being a love song for Cloud and Aerith?

[StygianSis ✨ Cody C. Said Tifa Knows Cloud Best ✨ @StygianSis]

Cody Christian confirming Tifa knows Cloud more than any other character, she's Cloud's anchor, she always stands by his side no matter what, their connection is special and he wouldn't be who he is without Tifa after being confirmed to say CloTis will get fed good in Revelation.

All I can say is buckle up! 😂😂😂

https://t.co/Ydd6agx68F

[TheReasonableClerith @thereasonablecl]

@Dslmaniac @corvin_raven The point is, she used her fucking daughter to shame a character.

Who does that?

And that's from a prominent member of CTs.

[TheReasonableClerith @thereasonablecl]

@Dslmaniac @corvin_raven One of these from a CT literally mimics a real life murder.

That's about as bad as it gets.

You won't win this. Some CTs are incredibly vile individuals

[TheReasonableClerith @thereasonablecl]

@Dslmaniac @corvin_raven You are genuinely hopeless!

I've wasted enough time on you, I think! Especially if you don't even acknowledge the devs or the ulrimania!

All I will say is, I hope the Aerith option in part 3, doesn't offend you too much!

[TheReasonableClerith @thereasonablecl]

Nope, some are romantic, some are not.

The affinity system in both OG and Re-Trilogy has always played a deciding factor in the romance.

Here's the Ultimania pages. This is affinity based and SE are proving that the CA date is romantic. There are also other dates that are not romantic. It's very clearly defined here.

I have just proved you wrong.

[TheReasonableClerith @thereasonablecl]

@Dslmaniac @corvin_raven Show me proof that the majority of Tifa fans are women.

Is that why she is so high up the Pornhub ranks, consistently?

[TheReasonableClerith @thereasonablecl]

Hahah, you absolute joker.

You just admitted there's an affinity system for the player to pick.

That's why you have your optional kiss.

Always been that way. There has always been choice, always interpretation and never, ever a canon pairing.

That's a love triangle.

I don't argue that Cloud only loves Aerith. You are the 100% guy here, saying there is no Aerith romance, no LTD.

Well there's Nomura explaining that very fact.

[TheReasonableClerith @thereasonablecl]

O, I can imagine it very well.

Check it out.

You may have one or two receipts. I have thousands.

Some CTs are genuinely nice and just like the ship. But when you have a historically sexualisd character like Tifa, you get hundreds and thousands or porn-addled incels following.

I don't excuse any genuinely bad behaviour, CA or CT. Perhaps you could have the same self-awareness?

[TheReasonableClerith @thereasonablecl]

That was from the actual game manual.

Or maybe this from Nomura? Or are you saying you know better than Nomura?

There is and always has been a love triangle. FF7 is famous for it.

And if this isn't 1997 anymore, why is it that you keep saying Re-Trilogy will just follow the OG, hmmm?

But again, you are living in a Tifa fantasy and no-one, not Nomura, me or the games themselves will pull you out of that.

[TheReasonableClerith @thereasonablecl]

"She seems more interested in the developing love triangle..."

It's stated on the first pages of the OG manual.

The issue is, I don't care that you have these blinkers on. You can think whatever you want.

It's that you then try to bully people into thinking your (incorrect) way, when the devs have time and time again, corrected you.

If you want to live a Tifa fantasy, that's fine. Just don't force others to do the same.

[TheReasonableClerith @thereasonablecl]

@abzy1200 He's also a professional and wouldn't give anything away that was crucial to the plot or story.

Which is why he avoided revealing anything about Aerith.

[TheReasonableClerith @thereasonablecl]

@Dslmaniac @corvin_raven You are just delusional at this point and it doesn't matter how many times the devs tell you that there is a love triangle and it's down to player choice/interpretation - you will just continue to function with your blinkers on.

[TheReasonableClerith @thereasonablecl]

And I don't deny that I'm a shipper - I flag my interest. I don't weasel around pretending not to be a shipper. I nail my colours to the mast.

Why don't you try being a man and accept that, too?

But as I said, I'm about the story first, then shipping. You have no right or understanding to doubt that.

[TheReasonableClerith @thereasonablecl]

@Dslmaniac @corvin_raven Noooo. A "ship" is to have an affinity for a fictional couple.

You have an affinity for Cloud and Tifa, presumably because you are sexually attracted to Tifa.

That makes you a shipper.

Whether you think one is canon or not makes no difference. You are a shipper.

[TheReasonableClerith @thereasonablecl]

@drowsyluma Easy John!

Blood pressure is the silent killer and Tifa won't fuck you if you continue sounding like an angry 15yr old!

[TheReasonableClerith @thereasonablecl]

@martindelp So many bitter, butthurt and jealous folks on here!

I bet you all watch the Prem, anyway!

Come on the Three Lions 🦁 🦁 🦁

[TheReasonableClerith @thereasonablecl]

@GCasasa @martindelp That would be the "Irish" ones

[TheReasonableClerith @thereasonablecl]

@karakono1 @Garabatxs @martindelp Butthurt, much? What are you so jealous about?