Despite being a reimagining, having knowledge of the original Final Fantasy VII from 1997 is advantageous when going into Final Fantasy VII Remake. But at the same time, plenty of scenes and plot elements left even the most hardcore fan scratching their head. No amount of digging into past lore can explain some of the weirder happenings near the end of the game.
The following list will point out plot details newcomers found confusing, and parts of the game that also perplexed veteran fans. The greatest thing about the story's complexity and cliffhanger is the conversation around it among the fandom that will surely go on until the sequel comes out.
10 Confusing For Newcomers: Sephiroth
Sephiroth shows up in Chapter Two without any sort of grand announcement. Those who played it before were puzzled by his early physical appearance. In the original he does not reveal himself until after the party leaves Midgar, though players follow his trail for sometime beforehand. Newcomers had no idea who this intimidating figure was standing before them other than the character's relevance in gaming culture.
9 Confusing For Everyone: The Whispers
While the ghostly apparitions' purpose is revealed by the end of the game, it is not something fans could easily figure out themselves. Some clues present themselves, but they are only more noticeable upon a second playthrough. Once the secret is out, one more clearly sees how the Whispers tend to intervene only when the events of the original game go off course.
8 Confusing For Newcomers: Zack
While no one utters his name in the campaign, the mysterious character at the end of the game facing off against a horde of Shinra troops is Zack.
His place in the overall narrative has yet to be revealed, but one can be sure this is not the last players see of him. Crisis Core on the PSP is a prequel adventure following the Solider, and significantly expands the world.
7 Confusing For Everyone: The Portal
After the motorbike chase, the characters walk through a portal that Aerith seems to believe will change destiny. Upon walking through, however, nothing happens. Only future entries will clarify the impact of their actions during the ending. As of now, fans can only speculate whether they traveled to a different world or the walk through the portal simply rang the bell for the bout with the Whisper Harbinger.
6 Confusing For Newcomers: Flash-forwards
Cloud periodically experiences brief visions. Near the end of the game, some other characters see them as well. For veteran fans, these moments are the first hints at something amiss. The mysterious visions are in fact from the future, showing events from later in the original Final Fantasy VII. Whether these will happen or not in the next games is up in the air.
5 Confusing For Everyone: Whisper Harbinger
One of the last bosses is against Whisper Harbinger, who is aided by three other Whispers. While their design seems inconsequential, everything about them is quite deliberate. Some figured their weapons and moves mirror Cloud, Tifa, and Barret. However, they are actually closer to Loz, Kadaj, and Yazoo from Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. What this actually means, though, is still a mystery.
4 Confusing For Newcomers: Wutai
The game spends a lot of time talking about Wutai, yet does not elaborate on the location any further than mentioning a war between it and Midgar. Fans' ears perked up upon its first utterance, since it is the hometown of Yuffie, an optional playable character from the original. The focus on the conflict perhaps hints at a larger role for the character than in the source material.
3 Confusing For Everyone: The Explosion Surrounding Midgar
During the ending, a strange explosion of light briefly engulfs Midgar, followed by bright particles raining down. Zack also sees this after defeating all the Shinra troops, which makes this event even more puzzling.
What exactly does this signify and why does somebody years in the past see it? Whatever the case, surely a sequel will address it.
2 Confusing For Newcomers: Jenova
Jenova is introduced during the assault on the Shinra Building, which comprises the last several chapters. The whole story behind the weird creature is only revealed later on, so any newcomer desperate to find out could start up the original game. However, even fans cannot be too sure of Jenova this time around. Perhaps it will play a different role in future titles.
1 Confusing For Everyone: Sephiroth's Motives
Newcomers are probably asking their friends why Sephiroth is committing his malicious acts and seemingly trying to lead the party on into defeating the Whispers. Those familiar with the PlayStation game can only speak to what he does, which resembles the source material. They are just as in the dark as everyone else as to what Sephiroth's ultimate plan is here in challenging destiny and seemingly extending a hand out to Cloud during the ending.