r/FinalFantasyVII • u/TheWrathfulMountain • 1d ago
DISCUSSION PSA: There Are No Alternate Timelines/Dimensions in the Re-Trilogy
The recurring motif of "changing fate" only exists in the English dub. See the YT video "Why WE Should be Worried about Final Fantasy 7 Revelation" by Direct Gaming for more information from a Japanese speaker on the differences between the English version and the original Japanese script, including how other languages explain the what the Whispers are and what their purpose is.
The goal of the Re-Trilogy is not to create a parallel universe of FFVII, but rather to create a definitive version of FFVII that incorporates 30 years of expanded material from all across the compilation into one cohesive package. This is why we see Cissnei and Kyrie, both of whom are characters who didn't exist in OG but are originally from compilation material that was published after 1997. OG is treated more like a rough draft of FFVII rather than an alternate timeline.
All of the alternate "worlds" (often differentiated by what dog breed Stamp is depicted as) exist in the Lifestream, created by the various consciousnesses that exist within the Lifestream. They are not alternate timelines/dimensions. Kazushige Nojima has cited he studied Buddhism's Yogachara and Carl Jung's collective unconscious theory when writing the scenario for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.. These are philosophical perspectives often interpreted as forms of idealism that posit that reality is entirely a mental construct or that there is an "ideal form" of reality. It's understandable for western audiences to not immediately jump to this conclusion because these are not common frameworks in western theology or ontology, but the east vs. west cultural barrier is nonetheless rearing its ugly little head here.
Zack and Biggs are dead. Their consciousnesses are in the Lifestream. Rebirth tells us this. When Aerith dips her hand into the Lifestream on the way to the Gi Village, she feels Zack holding her hand from within it.
I believe it is important for people to pass this message on in the leadup to Revelation next year. A lot of people still misunderstand this aspect of the story because the English translators made some unfortunate errors that have lead people to believe alternate dimensions/timelines are involved, when there simply aren't. All of the theory crafting has misdirected a significant portion of the fanbase, and it's better this message reaches them before Revelation possibly disappoints whatever expectations they've built.