Final Fantasy 7 Remake made some huge changes to the narrative, and now with the release of Intergrade, it's becoming even more clear how big those changes are. At the end of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Cloud, Barret, Aerith, Tifa, and Red 13 team up to defeat the "Whispers," robed creatures that have been haunting the group for the entire game. By defeating them and the monstrous Arbiter of Fate, the group essentially vanquishes destiny to live an unwritten story. In the case of Final Fantasy 7, that means Part 2 could look very different.
So far, nothing about Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2 has been revealed or even announced, but the game is certain to make an appearance sooner or later. With the main characters no longer bound by the original story, fans can't stop asking one critical question: will Aerith still meet her iconic, tragic end or will players be able to save her? That question might just be answered in Part 2.
Aerith's Death is One of the Most Iconic Moments in Video Game History
Despite happening over two decades ago, Aerith's death in the original Final Fantasy 7 is one of the most iconic and the most shocking events in all of video game history. For many kids playing the game in 1997, it was their first time experiencing true loss in a video game. Because video games are so much more immersive than other forms of media, it had a deep impact that lingers to this day. Many fans claim to still not be able to get through Aerith's Theme without having a flashback to that moment.
In the remake, that scene has the potential to be even more heartbreaking. It's such a powerful scene that the one thing fans can count on is that it will happen in some form. Aerith may make it out alive or she might not, but there's no way that Final Fantasy 7 Remake won't at least acknowledge Aerith's death and pay homage to it.
For better or for worse, Aerith is frequently defined by her death scene. It's a huge part of her legacy, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake has to address it. It might not happen in Part 2, specifically, but it does seem likely depending on a few different factors.
How Far Will Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2 Get?
The first part of Final Fantasy 7 Remake told about one-third of the entire story, leading up to when the team finally leaves Midgar in pursuit of Sephiroth. No one knows how many entries Square Enix intends for the Final Fantasy 7 Remake series, but it seems most likely that the developer will turn the game into a trilogy. Trilogies are commonplace in the video game industry, and everyone loves a solid three-act structure.
Assuming Part 2 covers the next third of the original story, a lot of players are anticipating the grand finale of the second game to be Aerith's death at the Temple of the Ancients. Aerith's death is one of the biggest turning points in the story, and let's be honest, is there a better spot to end it? That famous moment is one of the biggest turning points in the game, and it's the perfect grand finale scene.
If Square Enix decides to make even more modifications to the narrative though, which it almost certainly is, Part 2 could look very different. Depending on how many events are added to the story, fans could be looking at a much longer series of games. Depending on how those events unfold, the Temple of the Ancients might look completely different.
How Part 2 Could Change Aerith's Fate
At the end of Intergrade, Zack Fair was shown returning to Aerith's church in Sector 5. It's still a mystery whether he's alive in the same reality as the team or if he's in a completely different timeline, but his appearance is incredibly significant. He comes looking for Aerith, and as Aerith's former lover, Zack could wind up changing everything for her.
If Zack were to join the main party and he and Aerith were to rekindle their relationship, that story could look very different. Aerith might not be at the Temple of the Ancients when Sephiroth strikes, or Zack could jump in to save her. Similarly, Cloud could come to Aerith's rescue this time around. Zack Fair's survival has huge implications for the overall story and could change a lot.
Sephiroth had many cryptic lines in Final Fantasy 7 Remake, but one of the most bewildering moments happened between him and Cloud at the edge of creation. Sephiroth says, "Seven seconds till the end. Time enough for you, perhaps. But what will you do with it?" No more context is given, and it's impossible to know exactly what Sephiroth meant by that statement. However, some fans believe Sephiroth was specifically referencing Aerith.
It takes seven seconds for Sephiroth to kill Aerith in the original game. Coincidence? Possibly, and Sephiroth could also be referring to the much more cataclysmic destruction of the planet. But it's an interesting detail that could mean something. Could those seven seconds be the difference between letting Aerith die and saving her?
Should Aerith Die in Part 2?
Assuming Part 2 does include the Temple of the Ancients, Aerith's possible death scene is definitely the one players are most eager (or most afraid) to see unfold. It's a critical moment that some feel alters the course of the narrative and plays an integral role in Cloud's character development. Players fell in love with Aerith all over again in Final Fantasy 7 Remake, and it would be even harder to see her die in stunning 4K graphics with outstanding vocal performances, but should the remake change such an important moment?
Fans are actually pretty divided on this. Aerith didn't need to die for the story to happen, necessarily, but that moment had an enormous impact on everyone who played the original Final Fantasy 7. It was a heartbreaking moment that reinforced the themes of trauma, grief, and loss prevalent through Final Fantasy 7's entire narrative thread. Because it had such a profound impact on the original players, simply skipping it might feel like a cowardly move.
However, other fans argue that nothing would be ruined if Aerith doesn't die in the remake. The story could continue as normal and Cloud has more than enough trauma to deal with without Aerith's death adding to it. Who knows what else the remake may pile on his shoulders as a result of the altered narrative. Even after losing Aerith, fans can bring her back as an optional party member for combat, so why not just let her live?
There's no right or wrong answer to this question and whichever way Square Enix goes with the remake, it'll just have to be justified and executed well. Aerith might die in Final Fantasy 7 Remake or she might not, but there needs to be a scene at the Temple of the Ancients, and one way or another, it should stir players' emotions in a similar way as the original game.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake is available now on PS4.