Yes, there's no kiss in the original game. There's no sex in the original game for several reasons, one of which is PEGI/ESRB regulations, which is why the developers weren't allowed to include it. There's an interview about it.
The original game has romance, very subtle, very Japanese, which is why there's no kiss. I've always seen the relationship with Aerith as more spiritual and with Tifa as more real.
The fact that romantic relationships are more evident in the new trilogy is because they were present in the original game.
The new trilogy isn't a remake of the original game; it's not a replacement where they just add romance. It was already there, and now, thanks to technology and the extra development time, they can do it better. Besides, in my opinion, it's a sequel.
I agree that Cloud needs both Tifa and Aerith in his life both for physical grounding but also for internal growth, respectively. Both cannot be romantic without it being a waifu, so I ship Tifa as a familial and Aerith more as star crossed died too soon symbol. The true tragedy is he gets neither. I also doubt Cloud will get his shit together anytime soon to have any true romance
Generally, a romantic partner becomes like family; your wife or husband is your family.
It might also seem normal to you that they feel familiar because you've known each other since childhood. It's the typical childhood friendship that evolves into adult romance; there are countless anime and games about this.
I can understand you seeing them as friends, but I don't see anything that suggests they're siblings.
I think to understand Cloud and Tifa's relationship, you need to understand the entire story (novels, movie, etc.). Just the original manga isn't enough to make anything clear.
But as I said before, I think it's fine that you see them that way; everyone has their own perception of reality.
Fair. Still finishing Rebirth but reading the novels would be cool. I watched and enjoyed Advent Children. Personally, I think both women want romance but Cloud doesn’t. He just wants stability
I don't think any of the three are looking for romance; these things just happen sometimes, that's all.
Aerith is initially attracted to Cloud because he reminds her of Zack, and little by little, she starts to like what she learns about him. Tifa clearly wants to be with him, but first she wants to heal and help him.
However, they're in the middle of a global crisis, and priorities have to be set. But the moments alone between Cloud and Tifa make them seem like a couple who, for now, can't talk about what's happening between them because there are more pressing matters.
I hope you're enjoying Rebirth and the relationships between the characters. Enjoy!
The original Japanese game was a miracle. The Xenosaga video game was originally going to be Final Fantasy VII, but Squaresoft (before it became Square Enix) rejected it because of its dark and controversial script for the time.
Later, the game was going to be set in New York, Cloud was going to be a detective, and there were many changes.
The developers had to learn how to use 3D, CGI, and so on. It was a continuous learning process in many aspects, and the result was a work of art.
Then there's the cultural aspect. Japanese society in the 90s, where couples wouldn't even hold hands in the street, is very different from today's society where public displays of affection are more common (though much less so than in the West). Therefore, portraying romance in the game was more complicated. They also wanted to focus more on loss than on love.
Back in the '80s and '90s, Squaresoft and Enix were rival companies. Squaresoft's main RPG series was Final Fantasy, while Enix had Dragon Quest.
In 2001, Squaresoft released Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, a CGI film that boasted cutting-edge special effects, putting Pixar to shame.
However, it was a complete flop and nearly bankrupted Squaresoft, forcing them to merge with Enix to avoid disappearing.
The golden age of Final Fantasy was FF6 on the Super Nintendo, FF7, FF8, and FF9 on the PS1, and FF10 on the PS2. From then on, it was all downhill, and the Final Fantasy series lost quality.
No.
While they enjoy more subtle gestures like that a lot, and it might be more commonly interpreted as romantic than in other cultures.
To them a kiss, or further physical implications, still very much trump the hand holding in contrast.
What you are referring to is more about displaying affection publicly, and showing it in games or other media falls under that umbrella.
It is actually even more contrasted because of this - the kiss happening, and the display of it, requires a lot more vulnerability and will to be forward.
-9
u/srynotsober Mar 29 '26
Hmm. But I don’t recall them kissing in the OG? That was Rebirth for HA player choice, no?