Summary
At the beginning of his journey inFinal Fantasy 7 Remake, Cloud doesn’t seem overly approachable in terms of romance. That said, he does manage to form strong connections with some of the people he crosses paths with along the way, and these relationships are further strengthened inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
Throughout the course ofFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth, players will have several chances to deepen Cloud’s relationships depending on the odd jobs they complete, the dialogue options they choose, and eventhe synergy abilitiesthey make use of in combat. Shortly after arriving at the Gold Saucer in Chapter 8, whatever character Cloud has bonded with the most will then invite him on a date. This also happens in Chapter 12, and it is here where players will see the true conclusion of each date, though the end results can vary depending on the strength of each bond.
6Yuffie
A Somewhat Uncomfortable Experience Due To The Age Gap
DuringChapter 8’s date at the Gold Saucer, Cloud and Yuffie share a relatively nice evening enjoying the mini-games spread throughout the establishment. There is nothing overly romantic at work, causing the experience to feel more like two friends just hanging out. This changes, however, in Chapter 12, where things become a little more intimate.
Where this date really becomes unsettling is during Cloud and Yuffie’s time on the Skywheel. Here, Yuffie kisses Cloud on the cheek. Though there’s nothing inherently wrong with this, the age gap between Cloud and Yuffie is sure to leave many gamers feeling a little concerned. Thankfully, the game makes it very clear that Cloud and Yuffie are both quite uncomfortable regarding what just happened, and the scene that follows where Cloud attempts to make light of the situation by pretending to be hurt by Yuffie’s air punches serves to further cement a brother/sister-like relationship between the two. Still, it’s arguably the most questionable date players can experience inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
5Cait Sith, Cid, & Vincent
An Awkward Experience For A Group Of Mostly Unwilling Participants
If Cloud fails to form a strong connection with any of the other party members inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth, his Gold Saucer date will see him spending time with Cait Sith, Cid, and Vincent. In any other scenario, there would be nothing wrong with this, but at this point in the story, it seems like these four characters have very little to talk about.
This is made even more clear when the group boards the Skywheelduring Chapter 12. With Vincent refusing to add anything to the conversation and Cloud simply asking Cait to be quiet, Cid and Cait Sith are left to bicker amongst themselves, making the date feel a little one-sided and uncomfortable. In the end, it can’t really be considered a date; it’s just a group of acquaintances waiting for time to pass by so they can leave each other’s company.
4Red XIII
A Playful Encounter That Feels More Like A Man Spending Time With His Dog
So long as players don’t view this as a “date,” they are sure to enjoy it. Throughout the course ofFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Red XIII slowly begins to come out of his shell, even going as far as to reveal his more adolescent voice to the party upon arriving at Cosmo Canyon. During Chapter 12, so long as Cloud forms a strong bond withthe canine creature, he opens up even more.
During the “date,” Red XIII lets loose and embraces the full extent of his puppy side. He enters the Skywheel with Cloud and can barely contain his excitement, wagging his tail and rapidly panting. The zoomies stop after a short while, allowing time for Cloud and Red XIII to talk seriously. Here, Red asks Cloud to keep Aerith safe, believing that she is in some sort of danger. Cloud then shakes Red’s paw, like a loving owner would do with his dog, to cement the promise. It’s a heartwarming moment that allows Red to showcase his true personality, which is nice considering how he tends to bottle it up. Upon exiting the Skywheel, Cloud gives Red XIII a pet on the head, which is something that Red rarely lets anyone do. This further showcases the strength of their bond.
3Barret
A Heartwarming Hangout That Reveals Some Interesting Backstory
Though it can happen no matter what character players try to form a bond with, being able to approach Barret during theLOVELESSperformance and proclaim Cloud’s love for him is arguably one of the funniest moments inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth, especially considering how he responds. In terms of the actual date, however, Barret proves to be an exceptional choice.
The tough-guy facade he usually hides behind slowly fades away during his time with Cloud on the Skywheel. Here, he tells Cloud about how he metthe love of his life, Myrna, before encouraging the former SOLDIER to go for it if he has feelings for someone. This scene reveals that Barret truly cares for Cloud and wants only what’s best for him. Though there are no real romantic connotations to be seen, this date further strengthens the connection between each character, making their friendship feel more believable as a result.
2Aerith
A Touching Scene With A Wholesome Conclusion
Cloud and Aerith’s date at the Gold Saucer offers a real insight into how Aerith first perceived him. She explains to Cloud that it was hislikeness to Zack Fairthat first caught her attention, and since then, she has been desperately trying to unearth the real version of him. To Cloud, this doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but to those familiar with the originalFinal Fantasy 7, they will understand the significance of this exchange.
Though Aerith revealed earlier that she still has feelings for Zack in some way, she currently wants to be with Cloud. Holding onto his arm and resting her head on his shoulder, Cloud reciprocates by grabbing onto and holding her hand. The momentary look they share showcases Cloud’s awkwardness and uncertainty, and Aerith returns his glance with a smile. Given what the remaining few chapters do with Aerith’s story, this date is arguably the most fitting one inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth. It cements a deep connection between each character while also alluding to the reason why Cloud is the way he is. On top of all that, it’s an intimate scene that doesn’t go further than it needs to, which is fitting for both characters.
1Tifa
A Deeply Moving Back-And-Forth With An Unexpected Climax
Cloud and Tifahave spent a lot of time throughout bothRemakeandRebirthtiptoeing around their feelings for each other, but their date in the Gold Saucer sees them finally addressing them head-on. Aboard the Skywheel, Tifa and Cloud share an endearing back-and-forth before Tifa decides to ask how Cloud feels about the two of them being alone like this. Cloud admits that it feels a little strange, and Tifa goes on to explain that she has never felt this close to Cloud before.
Before going too far, she doubles back, believing that she is getting ahead of herself. After a moment passes, Cloud dismisses this thought, embracing Tifa before placing his hand on her shoulder and leaning in for a kiss. One of the reasons why this display of affection is so endearing is that it didn’t happen inthe originalFinal Fantasy 7. The fact that Cloud was the one to initiate the kiss is also a pretty big character moment for him since it seems like something he would typically overthink and not follow through on. The kiss shared between both Cloud and Tifa is arguably the most intimate part of any of the dates inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth. The only real downside to it is that it doesn’t really affect the later parts of the story, which makes sense considering that there are five other date options available.
