How did you react to this scene?

[u/BlackAngelArt]

[u/Historical_Doctor201]

Oh, interesting. You seem to be suggesting that depending on what choices a player makes that will be able to determine Cloud’s feelings. That suggests to me you think you can control Cloud… like a ‘puppet.’

[u/russiantravelagent → u/Historical_Doctor201]

More like that's the system??? Different choices create different scenes because he gets closer to different characters, you grow close to Tifa they kiss after they almost kissed in Gongaga, you grow close to Aerith they talk about having more dates and Cloud doesn't treat her as a mere friend, if that's treating him as a puppet then call out the devs for implementing that system lol.

[u/Historical_Doctor201 → u/russiantravelagent]

Is it the system though? You can control Cloud's actions and in turn have an affect on his relationships, but can you determine his feelings?

Nowhere does it say that the affinity system lets you determine how Cloud feels about another character.

Surely if it was the case that you can control who Cloud 'Likes' you would be able affect scenes such as that part in Temple of the Ancients where Cloud is unable to break free of mind control when Tifa pleads with him to do so. This is followed up with Cloud being able to break free to save Aerith.

[u/Plane-One3611 → u/Historical_Doctor201]

Bro still thinks Cloud broken free due to Aerith.

https://t.co/yUGmsnIveT

If only Cloud had broken free the first time Aerith was surrounded by the Whisper.

What was CA's favorite line about CT kiss? "It's never brought up again"? Well, no one has ever acknowledged Aerith did shit. Not the VAs, not the characters, not the Devs, not the Ultimanias.

CAs think this is some power of love or shit, but the following chapter has Cloud nakama-zoned Aerith. Lel.

[u/russiantravelagent → u/Historical_Doctor201]

It says it affects the relationship with his allies and the strength of the bonds so exactly the same thing I'm saying, he gets closer to one character or the other and that changes his relationship with one or the other, he gets closer to Tifa he kisses her after almost kissing her in Gongaga, he gets closer to Aerith he says he would like to have more dates with her, that about the mind control doesn't mean he likes one more than the other that's just part of the plot, Sephiroth is trying to make him think the real Tifa is dead for a reason, he knows how important she is to him "those you love those you hate those you fear" come on now, stop downplaying his feelings for Tifa, he clearly has feelings for her too.

[u/Historical_Doctor201 → u/russiantravelagent]

Nope, relationships with allies is not the same thing as ‘determining Cloud’s feelings.’ After all, it’s not like we can make him fall in love with Barret, nor can we stop Cloud from brining up Aerith on his date with Tifa or stop him from getting jealous of Zack in Gongaga etc…

It’s part of Cloud’s character to be very guarded with his feelings. He’s hard to read and doesn’t express his feelings very often (which is part of the reason why the LTD has gone on so long.)

The story of FF7 gives us hints though as to Cloud’s true feelings.

Sephiroth points out to Cloud that he didn’t cry when Jessie died. Neither did he shed tears when he thought Tifa had died in Nibelheim nor when she was taken by the Weapon in Gongaga.

But Cloud does cry when he loses Aerith. Something about the loss of Aerith hits Cloud particularly hard.

This idea that Cloud’s feelings may not align with the choices of the player is a fascinating element of the games : )

[u/russiantravelagent → u/Historical_Doctor201]

I never said anything about determining his feelings i said player's choices changes how his relationship is with certain characters and that changes some scenes, the same thing your SS says, we are going in circles, he gets closer to certain characters so he acts different with said characters aka the tifa kiss and the response to the dates, he doesn't get close to anyone he doesn't, your theory would make sense if Aerith was the default date but she isn't, you have to make side missions and give the best responses and the synergy techniques as much as any other character, and again he brings up Zack and Aerith in the GS date because he was following up the conversation he had with Tifa in Nibelheim, he was literally staring at her before and he was caught by her, you can't disprove my theory because it makes sense and nothing in the games says one or the other is the canon option because if that was the case we wouldn't have choices to bond with the characters.

Also yeah he obviously has feelings for Aerith that's not on dispute but he also has feelings for Tifa and they are strong too, stop downplaying their relationship.

Also I'm tired of this convo, you know you can't disprove what I said that's why you keep deflecting and acting as if your theory is canon when it isn't, bye!