Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, a follow-up to its predecessor, has not only presented the much-loved 1997 classic in a modern graphic format with enhanced gameplay but also introduced substantial alterations to the original storyline. While the bulk of the narrative remains faithful to the original, drastic changes crop up as we move towards the end. This article uncovers the seven most significant narrative modifications made in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, with a spoiler warning for both the original and the remake.
The enigmatic Black Materia in the original game, capable of summoning a planet-destroying meteor, has been given a new origin story in Rebirth. Originally, not much was known about its origins, and its destructive powers were only revealed when the party visited the Temple of the Ancients.
In the remake, the Black Materia traces its roots back to the Gi, a tribe of undead tormenting the tunnels beneath Cosmo Canyon. An entirely new sequence unfolds where Gi Nattak, the tribe's leader, guides the party to his village, revealing the tribe's centuries-long existence in a state of unrest.
In the Final Fantasy 7 universe, spirits are born from the Lifestream and return to it upon death. However, the Gi, not originating from the Lifestream, are forever trapped as ghosts. To escape their eternal torment, the Gi created a materia that turned black with their pain and spite. Their intention was to summon a meteor to obliterate themselves along with the planet that held them captive. But before they could act upon their plan, the Black Materia was stolen by the Cetra, Aerith's ancestors, and concealed in the Temple of the Ancients.
Rebirth introduces four new characters: Yuffie, Cait Sith, Cid Highwind, and Vincent Valentine, each with a unique introduction. In the original game, Yuffie was a random encounter in the world's forests. In Rebirth, she is found washed ashore at Junon Harbour, with her assassination attempt on Rufus Shinra replacing the original CPR scenes with Pricilla.
Cid, a resident of Rocket Town in the original game, is introduced as a hired pilot in Rebirth, providing fast-travel services using the Tiny Bronco from the Gongaga airfield. After revealing his acquaintance with Aerith's mother, Ifalna, he pledges his aid to Aerith.
Vincent, who was locked in the basement of the Shinra Mansion in the original game, is found there in Rebirth as well. However, his introduction is tied to the party's search for a computer terminal to identify the location of the Temple of the Ancients. Vincent's past association with Sephiroth and Shinra prompts him to join the party.
Throughout the game, Sephiroth tries to convince Cloud that Tifa is an imposter. This culminates at the Gongaga Reactor, where Cloud, tormented by Sephiroth's manipulation, tries to kill Tifa. Although Tifa narrowly escapes his attack, she falls into the reactor's liquid mako lake and is swallowed by a Weapon. Inside the Weapon, she witnesses visions of the past, including her childhood promise with Cloud, foreshadowing Sephiroth's control over him.
In the original game, Aerith was oblivious to her impending death. However, Rebirth emphasizes that Aerith and Red XIII had foreknowledge of their fate. This ability to foresee the future comes from Aerith's White Materia. In the original game, this special orb summoned Holy, a protective magic that could defend the planet. In Rebirth, the White Materia is a vessel for Aerith's visions of the future. With the loss of this ability, Aerith is no longer aware of her fate.
While Sephiroth's ambition to ascend to godhood by absorbing the Lifestream remains constant in the remake, Rebirth reveals that his master plan also involves conquering the multiverse through a phenomenon called Reunion. The Reunion refers to Sephiroth orchestrating the convergence of different realities, hinting at his desire for mass destruction.
In the original game, Aerith's death is followed by the indication that her spirit lives on in the Lifestream, where she can protect the planet from the meteor. This idea is retained in Rebirth but presented differently. Aerith's spirit continues to exist and can communicate directly with Cloud, although the rest of the party remains unaware of her presence.
As for Zack, the multiverse concept in the remake trilogy allows for his existence in different realities. We see several versions of Zack in Rebirth, each in a distinct reality. Towards the end, Zack ponders on Sephiroth's words about worlds uniting and parting, suggesting the possibility of a reunion of realities where Zack, Aerith, and Cloud can live happily together.
The original game briefly mentions the war between Shinra and Yuffie's home, Wutai. The remake expands on this, introducing Glenn Lodbrok, a former SOLDIER who defected to Wutai. Glenn is attempting to reignite the war between Shinra and Wutai to destroy both Shinra and Midgar. However, it is revealed in the finale that Glenn is merely a puppet of Sephiroth, and the ploy to restart the war is to distract Rufus, thus allowing Sephiroth to easily find the Promised Land.
With these significant narrative shifts, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth presents a fresh and engaging experience to long-time fans and new players alike.
The Origin of Black Materia: A Tale from the Gi Tribe
The enigmatic Black Materia in the original game, capable of summoning a planet-destroying meteor, has been given a new origin story in Rebirth. Originally, not much was known about its origins, and its destructive powers were only revealed when the party visited the Temple of the Ancients.
In the remake, the Black Materia traces its roots back to the Gi, a tribe of undead tormenting the tunnels beneath Cosmo Canyon. An entirely new sequence unfolds where Gi Nattak, the tribe's leader, guides the party to his village, revealing the tribe's centuries-long existence in a state of unrest.
In the Final Fantasy 7 universe, spirits are born from the Lifestream and return to it upon death. However, the Gi, not originating from the Lifestream, are forever trapped as ghosts. To escape their eternal torment, the Gi created a materia that turned black with their pain and spite. Their intention was to summon a meteor to obliterate themselves along with the planet that held them captive. But before they could act upon their plan, the Black Materia was stolen by the Cetra, Aerith's ancestors, and concealed in the Temple of the Ancients.
Character Introductions: A Different Approach
Rebirth introduces four new characters: Yuffie, Cait Sith, Cid Highwind, and Vincent Valentine, each with a unique introduction. In the original game, Yuffie was a random encounter in the world's forests. In Rebirth, she is found washed ashore at Junon Harbour, with her assassination attempt on Rufus Shinra replacing the original CPR scenes with Pricilla.
Cid, a resident of Rocket Town in the original game, is introduced as a hired pilot in Rebirth, providing fast-travel services using the Tiny Bronco from the Gongaga airfield. After revealing his acquaintance with Aerith's mother, Ifalna, he pledges his aid to Aerith.
Vincent, who was locked in the basement of the Shinra Mansion in the original game, is found there in Rebirth as well. However, his introduction is tied to the party's search for a computer terminal to identify the location of the Temple of the Ancients. Vincent's past association with Sephiroth and Shinra prompts him to join the party.
Cloud's Attempt to Kill Tifa at Gongaga Reactor
Throughout the game, Sephiroth tries to convince Cloud that Tifa is an imposter. This culminates at the Gongaga Reactor, where Cloud, tormented by Sephiroth's manipulation, tries to kill Tifa. Although Tifa narrowly escapes his attack, she falls into the reactor's liquid mako lake and is swallowed by a Weapon. Inside the Weapon, she witnesses visions of the past, including her childhood promise with Cloud, foreshadowing Sephiroth's control over him.
Aerith and Red XIII's Foreknowledge of Their Fate
In the original game, Aerith was oblivious to her impending death. However, Rebirth emphasizes that Aerith and Red XIII had foreknowledge of their fate. This ability to foresee the future comes from Aerith's White Materia. In the original game, this special orb summoned Holy, a protective magic that could defend the planet. In Rebirth, the White Materia is a vessel for Aerith's visions of the future. With the loss of this ability, Aerith is no longer aware of her fate.
Sephiroth's Ambition: Conquer the Multiverse
While Sephiroth's ambition to ascend to godhood by absorbing the Lifestream remains constant in the remake, Rebirth reveals that his master plan also involves conquering the multiverse through a phenomenon called Reunion. The Reunion refers to Sephiroth orchestrating the convergence of different realities, hinting at his desire for mass destruction.
Zack and Aerith's Continued Existence
In the original game, Aerith's death is followed by the indication that her spirit lives on in the Lifestream, where she can protect the planet from the meteor. This idea is retained in Rebirth but presented differently. Aerith's spirit continues to exist and can communicate directly with Cloud, although the rest of the party remains unaware of her presence.
As for Zack, the multiverse concept in the remake trilogy allows for his existence in different realities. We see several versions of Zack in Rebirth, each in a distinct reality. Towards the end, Zack ponders on Sephiroth's words about worlds uniting and parting, suggesting the possibility of a reunion of realities where Zack, Aerith, and Cloud can live happily together.
Glenn Lodbrok and the Shinra vs. Wutai War
The original game briefly mentions the war between Shinra and Yuffie's home, Wutai. The remake expands on this, introducing Glenn Lodbrok, a former SOLDIER who defected to Wutai. Glenn is attempting to reignite the war between Shinra and Wutai to destroy both Shinra and Midgar. However, it is revealed in the finale that Glenn is merely a puppet of Sephiroth, and the ploy to restart the war is to distract Rufus, thus allowing Sephiroth to easily find the Promised Land.
With these significant narrative shifts, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth presents a fresh and engaging experience to long-time fans and new players alike.
![Pokémon Silver Version [save file]](/data/resource_icons/1/1547.jpg?1714410551){kind=icon}
