UD_Cloudy

[UD_Cloudy @UD_Cloudy]

I honestly don’t think FFVII Remake/Rebirth is doing a normal “multiverse” story.

I think people are using the word “timeline” or “alternate universe” because it’s the easiest comparison, but I don’t think that’s actually what’s happening.

The way I see it, the games are expanding the original idea of the Lifestream itself.

Back in Cosmo Canyon, one of the NPCs mentions that the Lifestream is not just memories, but also hopes, dreams, emotions, and consciousness. I think that line is the key to understanding everything.

So instead of literal parallel universes, I think what we’re seeing are more like “Manifested Worlds”; worlds born from powerful hopes, grief, desires, and unresolved emotions within the Lifestream.

Something closer to a psychic or spiritual manifestation than a scientific multiverse.

And certain people seem capable of influencing these worlds far more strongly than others, especially Aerith.

Which leads to Zack.

I still think Zack is dead in the real world.

But Aerith’s desire for Zack to live becomes so strong that after the Whispers lose control at the end of Remake, that desire begins manifesting into reality through the Lifestream itself.

Not as a fake illusion.
Not as a true alternate timeline.
But as a manifested world sustained by consciousness and emotion.

That’s also why Zack generally cannot fully cross into the real world.

Outside of rare moments like the Edge of Creation; which seems more like a metaphysical convergence point where realities, memories, and consciousness overlap; Zack remains bound to the world created through Aerith’s feelings and the Lifestream.

The Edge of Creation is probably the one place where those boundaries stop mattering.

And I think the same thing is happening later with Aerith.

The date sequence never felt like simple “timeline hopping” to me. It felt more intimate and psychological than that. Almost like Cloud temporarily entering a world shaped by Aerith’s inner self, her acceptance of death, and Cloud’s inability to let her go.

Which brings me to the tear in the sky.

I think the tear represents instability.

Every manifested world we see with the tear feels temporary; like it’s being held together by denial, grief, hope, or unfinished emotions. It exists, but it cannot exist forever.

The real world is still the only stable reality.

That’s why Aerith’s world has the tear.
That’s why Cloud’s reality where Aerith survives has the tear too.

And I honestly think Part 3 will continue this idea when Tifa helps repair Cloud’s mind. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see the same imagery there too, because Cloud himself is unconsciously helping sustain this world where Aerith still exists.

Which is why I don’t think the Remake trilogy is removing consequences or trying to “save everyone.”

I think it’s actually making the theme of loss even more painful.

Because eventually Cloud may be forced to choose between remaining in this comforting manifested world where Aerith still exists… or finally accepting reality and letting her go.

And that fits FFVII perfectly.

The original game was never just about defeating Sephiroth. It was about identity, grief, memory, and learning to live after loss.

Cloud has to accept who he really is.
Aerith may need to let go of Zack.
And Cloud may ultimately need to accept that Aerith truly died.

So to me, the Remake trilogy is not abandoning the themes of FFVII.

It’s pushing them to their absolute limit.

[UD_Cloudy @UD_Cloudy]

@calebhart42 I liked FF13, don't like 13-2 & 13-3

[UD_Cloudy @UD_Cloudy]

@Shadow_Mariko 10 years of FF7 content?

We're definitely eating up!

[UD_Cloudy @UD_Cloudy]

@mason_gason They're basing it on the CGI actor?

Interesting, I never knew this fact before.

[UD_Cloudy @UD_Cloudy]

Left: Aerith's in-game model.

Right: Aerith's CGI model.

The difference in quality is honestly like day and night.

What puzzles me is that CGI sequences presumably have a much larger budget and far more rendering resources available, so I still can't figure out why they ended up looking like such a downgrade compared to the in-game model.

If anything, you would expect the CGI model to be an upgrade, not the other way around.

[midgardeners17 @midgardeners27]

As much as I love Rebirth, I really really miss the Remake models. They were absolute perfection and I feel like the Rebirth ones are missing something 🥲

[UD_Cloudy @UD_Cloudy]

@KillaDirk This is so true and sad at the same time.

After spending so much time perfecting the models, only to be undone for an oversight.

Maybe their CGI team should simply "import" the in-game model as a starting point?

[UD_Cloudy @UD_Cloudy]

@Canousboub 💯.

Thank god they nailed the in-game model, otherwise we have nothing to latch unto.

[UD_Cloudy @UD_Cloudy]

@OldManSakaki Kindly elaborate.

(Obviously, I am not in those fandoms as well).

[UD_Cloudy @UD_Cloudy]

@TeganCombatti ���� with you.

In-game model are the canon model to me.

[UD_Cloudy @UD_Cloudy]

@Artiimas To be fair, on each Remake and Rebirth's final trailer before launch, they practically spoils most of the important plot points, that may severly damage most people enjoyment of the game.

[UD_Cloudy @UD_Cloudy]

I don't think that's what the FF7 Devs are implying.

What they said is now it is more difficult to get gamers buying games due to the new streaming culture, and therefore, the devs need to think of a more creative solution to mitigate that.

That said, unfortunately, most the headlines are misleading, as if they are blaming the games (probably for clicks).

[UD_Cloudy @UD_Cloudy]

@midgardeners27 💯

[UD_Cloudy @UD_Cloudy]

@ActualAero This should be a great start to have the conversation with them.

Data always beats opinions.

[UD_Cloudy @UD_Cloudy]

@midgardeners27 Aerith's and Tifa's 3D model took the worst hit.

It is concerning how come an in-game model captures the characters much more accurately compared with the CGI (big-budgeted) ones.

[UD_Cloudy @UD_Cloudy]

@midgardeners27 Personally, I think this is overally a downgrade.

Don't get me started discussing their CGI model 😢

[UD_Cloudy @UD_Cloudy]

@Sorathegamer7 @TropicalMaku That doesn't stop them having FF13 getting their own trilogy

[UD_Cloudy @UD_Cloudy]

@pxstboy I would 1000% agree to retcon Dirge

[UD_Cloudy @UD_Cloudy]

@aitaikimochi This is the one thing I am a bit concerned of actually.

The One Winged Angel version on Remake is such a banger already, how would Revelation's version going to top it?

That said, I have my upmost trust at Shotaro Shima that he can pull this off!

[UD_Cloudy @UD_Cloudy]

@LordofCinder24 Really curious to see Cloud's new personality in HD, at last!