Unlocking Redemption: How Rebirth in Final Fantasy VII Can Transform Us in Death and Beyond

The Enduring Power of Final Fantasy VII: Why Aerith’s Death Hurts So Much

In the world of gaming, few moments are as iconic as the death of Aerith Gainsborough in Final Fantasy VII. Released in 1997, this beloved character’s untimely passing sent shockwaves through the gaming community, leaving fans reeling and desperate to know: Can we bring her back?

Games have a strange relationship with the concept of death, and it’s no surprise that players in 1997, starved of narratives with real stakes beyond how many quarters you could pump in or whether you really wanted to fight all the way back to the place you died – would have a strong reaction to Aerith’s permanent demise. It’s woven into the narrative, with Cloud, despite all his emotional duress, grappling with the gravity of her death in the moment. As he holds her lifeless body, he’s forced to confront the meaning of being human, as he had been copying Zack Fair’s homework, trying to replicate his friend’s heroism, but it’s not the same.

As the game comes to a close, Aerith takes an unconscious Cloud through her memories of the Midgar Slums. Sephiroth is waiting for his chance to murder everyone, and Aerith’s obsession is with taking it easy – choosing jewelry from a catalog, or getting flawless gold chocobos. The multiverse of Final Fantasy VII is collapsing, but Aerith’s only concern is for Cloud to look at her and hold her hand.

In the remake, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, this dynamic is magnified, and the stakes are higher. From the moment the game begins, Aerith’s mortality is a constant presence, like a cloud over the narrative. The dread of Shinra, Sephiroth, and the Lifestream’s influence hangs over the game, forcing our heroes to confront the danger in their own way. The only one who never falters is Aerith, steadfast in her resolve to live life to the fullest.

Can we bring Aerith back? The answer is no, and it’s heartbreaking. In a 2004 interview, Square Enix Developers acknowledged that they were unable to change her fate, that her death was the core of the story. Nevertheless, we continued to try, and the debate raged on in fan communities, online forums, and even in the workplace. What does it mean to be human if our existence can be so easily erased?

Rebirth, on the other hand, understands the power of Aerith’s story. It doesn’t try to cheat death; it amplifies the emotions, the struggles, and the sense of loss. It’s a reminder that life is precious, and when death comes, it’s devastating. In the end, Rebirth imparts a crucial lesson: the importance of accepting the end is coming, but not without appreciation for the journey.

So, why does Aerith’s death hurt so much? It’s because we’re forced to confront the impermanence of life, and ultimately, our own mortality. We reach for her, and she slips away, leaving us with a void that can never be filled. Rebirth shows us that, in the face of death, we can still find solace in the memories, the moments we shared with the ones we love, and the strength we draw from their presence.

In the end, Rebirth’s great power lies in giving us more time to cherish the moments we have with characters like Aerith. We have all the time in the world to fall in love with the act of being alive, so when the end comes, there are no regrets.

In the words of Cloud, "I got this." And he lets her go, to fight for the world she loved, surrounded by friends who will mourn, but will also be better for having known her.

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