Our Midgar-raised, spellcasting Flower Girl is pretty handy at this whole magic business. Equipped with the right staff, Aerith can not only ascend to cause dramatic devastation for your enemies, but she can also keep your party healthy via her limit breaks and very high magic stats.
After rebooting Final Fantasy 7 as the trilogy of Remake, Rebirth and Really, You Went With That? (TBC), Square Enix are now planning to reboot themselves. Among the publishers’ revamped approach to making money - following a recent drop in profits, per their latest financials - is a more “aggressive” approach to bringing their games to more platforms than specific consoles (in other words, PlayStation) as exclusives, with a particular focus on “win[ning] over PC users”.
A new month means a new Final Fantasy VII calendar, with Square Enix making Cid Highwind the star of the ones for May 2024. It features his new appearance and design from the remake trilogy.
As usual, the two calendars are available in PC and mobile versions. So whether you need a landscape or portrait one, you are set. It also follows the tradition of marking birthdays of important characters on it. So we can see Tifa’s birthday highlighted on May 3, 2024.
Here are the two Cid Final Fantasy VII calendar options for May 2024:
Cid made his debut in the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy in Rebirth. He isn’t a playable character. Rather, he and the Tiny Bronco help us get around and fast travel between regions after a certain point in the game. It is expected that characters like Vincent and him will become playable in the third installment.
However, the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Ultimania guide book did offer some insights into his latest appearance. The game worked in details from one of the supplemental novels. As such, it suggested that Cid met Ifalna and Aerith when he worked for Shinra. That pulls from the supplemental book Final Fantasy VII Traces of Two Pasts.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and its demo are available on the PS5, with the exclusivity arrangement ending on May 29, 2024. FFVII Remake is available for the PS4, PS5, and PC. There’s no release window for the third entry in the trilogy yet.
U.S. sales reports suggest Capcom's action RPG is blowing the competition out of the Brine.
It's natural that everyone's been a little antsy about Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth lately. For weeks, analysts and fans have been discussing the game's potential underperformance compared to its predecessor, Remake, amid worries this might impact the future of the 7 Remake trilogy. Today, we got a …
UPDATE 21.31pm: The Washington Post reporter responsible for a story claiming Square Enix's Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy had been confirmed as a PlayStation console exclusive by Sony has partially retracted the statement.
Originally, the report claimed, "Securing the Final Fantasy 7 trilogy as a console exclusive is a feather in the PlayStation cap", but, in a note on social media, Washington Post games reporter Gene Park offered a clarification, writing, "It was a mistake on my part to write the sentence like that." Park now says, "The entire FF7 trilogy is NOT yet confirmed to be Sony exclusive. The article has been amended to only mention Remake and Rebirth."
Of course, with Remake and Rebirth still being described as PlayStation console exclusives in the Washington Post report (an assertion you'd assume has now been very thoroughly run by Sony and Square), it would be unusual if the third entry in the series proved to be an outlier - but for now, consider the exclusivity status of part three still unconfirmed.
Square Enix announced its FFVII Remake Aerith, Tifa, Cloud, and Sephiroth plush will return to its Japanese eStore on May 25, 2024. They will once again cost 4,180円 (~$28).
These dolls first started to appear worldwide in 2021. The initial batch included them, as well as Barret. Each one is about seven inches tall. They’re soft plush in outfits inspired by the remake trilogy. Each one also features stylized, embroidered, two-tone eyes. When they first appeared, Cloud and Barret showed up before being followed by Aerith and Tifa.
In case you forgot how they look, here’s a gallery of images Square Enix shared with us:
Image via Square EnixImage via Square EnixImage via Square EnixImage via Square Enix
As for the US Square Enix Store, all of the plush are still in-stock there. They sell for $44.99. Even the limited version of Yuffie, which includes her Moogle hood, is still available. Later runs also included the Shinra characters Rufus, Reno, and Rude.
Final Fantasy Remake is available on the PS4, PS5, and PC, and FFVII Rebirth is available on the PS5. The Rebirth exclusivity arrangement ends on May 29, 2024. The FFVII Remake Aerith, Cloud, Tifa, and Sephiroth plush will return to Japan on May 25, 2024.
What if the real “final fantasy” was the friends we made along the way? Final Fantasy VII has the most memorable and adored RPG cast of all time, with fans even falling in love with the optional characters that were a pain to recruit in the original 1997 game. If there’s one thing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth gets right,…
While no live-action film of Final Fantasy VII has been announced, it's not hard to imagine Hollywood doesn't at least have an overly eager eye on it. Depending on perspective, that's either a threat or delight to muse over, especially when you consider Square Enix isn't too shy to flirt with the big screen — looking at you, Spirits Within and Advent Children.
For better or for worse, I often find myself musing over ideal actors for the inevitable, like Zelda or Shadow. So, in case Hollywood goes for it, I'm shouting out my choices now. In honor of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth's launch, here are my picks for a live-action FF7 cast that I think, if made now, would be worthy of such a classic legacy.
Cloud Strife - Cody Christian, Darren Barnet
Screenshot via PopSugar YouTubeImage via Square Enix.Screenshot via Netflix: Behind the Streams YouTube
As one of Final Fantasy’s best protagonists, Cloud deserves someone who can understand him and his complexities. So who better than Cody Christian, Cloud’s current VA? The transition wouldn’t be too jarring, as his resume’s mainly live-action, being in Teen Wolf and All-American. Plus, he's proven himself to play the ex-SOLDIER quite well.
If Hollywood wants more stardom, I offer up Darren Barnet. Striking success with shows like Never Have I Ever and Blue Eye Samurai, he’s done video games and adaptations, including Immortals of Aveum and Gran Turismo. He can grow into the role, much like Cody has been. It’s a tough role but I'm confident Darren could carry the Buster Sword and rock spiky yellow hair.
Tifa Lockhart - Britt Baron, Jessica Henwick
Screenshot via PopSugar YouTubeImage via Square EnixScreenshot via Netflix YouTube
Who doesn't like Tifa? She has a heart of gold and kicks (and punches) some serious ass. You’ll need someone skilled in combat and not afraid to get their hands dirty. Britt Baron, Tifa’s VA, stars in many live-action projects including the wrestling-oriented show GLOW.
On the other hand, there's Jessica Henwick. She's portrayed many badasses on-screen in projects like The Matrix Resurrections, Game of Thrones, and Iron Fist. Whoever they go with, Tifa will be in good hands (or fists in this case).
Barret Wallace - Colman Domingo
Screenshot via Square Enix YouTubeScreenshot via Netflix: Behind the Streams YouTube
The gun-armed Barret strikes fear into the hearts of Shinra yet has a heart of gold. You want an actor who can balance it with finesse and poise. That's where Colman Domingo comes in. His award-winning work in Euphoria and Rustin and his badassery in Fear the Walking Dead prove he has the chops. It's the perfect duo that I can't help wanting to see come to fruition.
Aerith Gainsborough - Hailee Steinfeld
Image via Square EnixScreenshot via Apple TV YouTube
As the last living Ancient, Aerith is a key figure in FFVII’s narrative beloved for her carefree and brash personality. I'd go with Hailee Steinfeld to deliver on all fronts. While she's done action-oriented roles, projects likeArcane, Dickinson, and True Grit show her versatility as an actor to handle those sincere moments with wit and ease. If anything, it proves she can blossom as the beloved flower girl.
Zack Fair - Xolo Maridueña
Image via Square EnixScreenshot via The Daily Show YouTube
Being Cloud's mentor and the protagonist of Crisis Core, Zack is as charming as he is audacious. For the role, you need someone who exudes infectious energy and fierce determination. Enter Xolo Maridueña. His starring roles in Cobra Kai and Blue Beetle nail Zack’s qualities with precision aim, with the latter even letting him conjure a Buster Sword to use. It's practically asking for Xolo to become the SOLDIER we all know and love.
Yuffie Kisaragi - Karen Fukuhara, Stephanie Hsu
Screenshot via Amazon Prime YouTubeImage via Square EnixScreenshot via A24 YouTube
Energetic and vivacious, Yuffie brings more than her Materia and ninja moves to the party. The character requires someone not afraid to embarrass themselves and step out of their comfort zone. Enter rising stars Karen Fukuhara and Stephanie Hsu.
The Boys’ Karen Fukuhara’s very much capable of taking on the Wutai warrior with comedic finesse (as well as kicking ass). The same can be said for Everything Everywhere, All at Once's Stephanie Hsu, as her background in musicals and comedies fits the lovable ninja precisely. Either of these actresses can make Yuffie just as fun as she is in-game.
Red XIII - Max Mittelman, Regé-Jean Page
Screenshot via PopSugar YouTubeScreenshot via Square Enix YouTubeScreenshot via Netflix YouTube
An experiment of Hojo's, Red XIII aids AVALANCHE on their quest to stop Sephiroth. Like others, I’ll throw in current VA Max Mittelman for the role. His performance is extremely impressive for someone who knows him as Ryuji from Persona 5. I also nominate Regé-Jean Page. Known for his roles in Bridgerton and Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, his voice and range is pretty close to Red's tone now.
Cait Sith - Ewan McGregor
Screenshot via Square Enix YouTubeScreenshot via Netflix YouTube
It's a magical Scottish cat. Need I say more to justify Ewan McGregor? Despite being a respected actor (and Obi-Wan Kenobi), he's not afraid to experiment with genres. Cait would be fun for him to do outside of Star Wars and various ventures. If anything, it'd showcase Ewan's versatility as a voice actor, something he hasn't done much of.
Screenshot via Square Enix YouTubeScreenshot via Lionsgate YouTube
Many characters claim to be edgy but none come close to the immortal gunslinger Vincent Valentine. So, of course, I picked Hayden Christensen to play him. Known for Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels, he's due for a vengeful comeback. Vincent would be a great character for Hayden to strut his stuff.
Screenshot via Square Enix YouTubeScreenshot via 20th Century Fox YouTube
Chain-smoking mechanic Cid deserves someone who knows their way around things. Luckily, there's one fit for the job: Maestro's Bradley Cooper. Sure, given his resume, it’s a rich pick, but I don't think anyone could do the role justice like he would. His charisma and nailing of a Southern twang is a major draw (or drawl) for me. While a surefire blockbuster, Cid is right up his alley.
Rufus Shinra - Taz Skylar
Screenshot via Square Enix YouTubeScreenshot via Netflix YouTube
Nepo baby Rufus Shinra needs someone who can nail his cockiness. I vouch for Taz Skylar. His role as Sanji in Netflix’s One Piece radiates a sort of charm that makes him enjoyable to watch. Plus, given his recent foray into Hollywood, this would be a great way to make an even bigger name for himself.
Tseng - Andrew Koji
Screenshot via Square Enix YouTubeScreenshot via Cinemax YouTube
As the leader of the Turks, Tseng is intimidating and precise, so it requires someone who can command a room and kick ass. So, I turned to Andrew Koji. He's wrecked people in Warrior and wants to play Jin Sakai in the live-action Ghost of Tsushima. While he hasn't had many dramatic performances, Tseng may provide a good character for Andrew to spread his wings with.
Rude- Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Image via Square EnixScreenshot via Searchlight Pictures YouTube
Rude is a tight-laced Turk of few words, opting for results rather than reason. An actor I think would knock it out of the park is Kelvin Harrison Jr. Starting from 12 Years a Slave, he's gained traction in Hollywood, leading films like Waves and Chevalier. Rude, while not as musical, is a role that can shine if done right. Kelvin may be the actor to do just that.
Reno - Brandon Perea
Image via Square EnixScreenshot via BAFTA YouTube
The funny man against Rude, Reno is quick to crack both a joke and your bones. While he's seen as comedic relief, he's pretty ruthless given his hot-headedness. With this, I chose Brandon Perea. He's new to acting, but his performance in Nope convinced me to choose him. He's witty, brash, and prime for another scene-stealing role. He's just the type of actor that'd make Reno as fun a character as he is.
Sephiroth - Robert Pattison
Image via Square EnixScreenshot via Warner Bros. Pictures YouTube
Sephiroth needs to be played by someone menacing and fierce. May I present to you Robert Pattison. Yes, I think the Twilight and The Batman actor would be a good Sephiroth. He's got insane range and can bring in lots of newcomers. Also, Robert’s a huge FFVII fan, calling it one of his favorite games. His portrayal as the perfect SOLDIER can strike plenty of chords with audiences. Also, he hasn't done many villain roles, so Sephiroth would be the best character to take a stab at.
The Final Fantasy series is built upon a treasure trove of excellent moments. With a legacy lasting over 35 years, Final Fantasy is one of the longest-running RPG series in gaming history. It’s a series noted for its constant evolution and innovation. No game is like another, and this is especially true on the story axis. We all have our favorite Final Fantasy moments, but here are the 10 wildest moments that only the series could pull off.
Garland’s Time Loop (Final Fantasy I)
Image Source: Square Enix
If you think modern Final Fantasy stories are deviating from the classics with their convoluted time travel and dimensional shenanigans, think again. The very first Final Fantasy game featured time travel as a core plot element. Yes, that’s right, the classic medieval Final Fantasy games of yore had their fair share of sci-fi wonkiness in them, and it wasn’t always easy to understand either.
Choosing which party members to take into combat is always an important part of a Final Fantasy game, and that’s especially true in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. The just-released RPG offers intense, action-packed combat and gives every character their own signature fighting style. While you may have old favorites from…
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is out today. If you’re a big fan, you’re probably already playing it and aren’t looking at this article. If you’re a casual fan or onlooker who is mainly just interested in how it handles certain events of the original game, you’re probably wondering what happens to Aerith in the Remake retel…
My excitement for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth went into overdrive this week. Not only did we get 20 more minutes of its gorgeous open worlds, mini-games and story nuggets to gawp over this week thanks to Sony's dedicated State Of Play stream for it, but the internet has also been awash with previews, interviews and all sorts of other Final Fantasy-shaped goodies. Honestly, it's like a second Christmas for me over here at the moment, it's great.
But one thing that really stuck out to me this week was a comment made by series producer Yoshinori Kitase in an interview with our friends at Eurogamer. When they asked him why remake Final Fantasy 7 at all, his response hit me much harder than I was expecting. He said that the original FF7 is "probably going to be always that game my dad played, and I don't want it to be that." Aside from making me crumble to dust with irrelevancy, this really got me thinking about older games, the way we play them now, and just what role remakes and remasters have in today's PC gaming landscape. So come and feel incredibly old with me as I try and get my (very jumbled and loosely-related) thoughts in order.