With Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2 in development, fans are looking forward to meeting more of the cast from the original. Intergrade, the PS5 upgraded version of Final Fantasy 7 Remake is set to to introduce Yuffie in her own DLC episode. Three more main party members from the original remain hidden so far: Vincent Valentine, Cait Sith, and Cid Highwind. The lattermost of those is likely to receive some of the biggest character changes in the remake so far.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake has already made a lot of changes to the original. Focusing the first part of what's likely to be a full trilogy on the original game's introduction meant fleshing out a lot more of the game. The city of Midgar was expanded into a full-scale game that felt lived in and full of character. Certain plot points were expanded like the conflict between Shinra and Yuffie's home country of Wutai. And many side characters were given proper exploration that helped to drive home the strength of their loss in the later stages of the game. With the next game likely to introduce Cid Highwind, his character will probably receive some serious changes in tone.
How Cid May Change for Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2
Final Fantasy 7 Remake has thus far done a good job of fleshing out character development even in what was chronologically a shorter time frame. Even Cloud's Final Fantasy-classic bad attitude begins leaning more positive by the end of the first game. With even more about the original's story set to change now that the characters have defied fate by defeating the Whispers, handling Cid's character development will likely be somewhat of a hurdle to bring him to modern audiences.
In his later appearances like Advent Children and joining many other Final Fantasy characters in Kingdom Hearts, Cid Highwind is depicted as a wizened, gruff, but well-meaning almost bumpkin kind of character. Despite his prowess as a pilot and engineer, the character is depicted as sort of the "grumpy but loveable old man" of the group. Although when Cid first appears in the original Final Fantasy 7 he is much less likeable of a person. His relationship with his Space Program compatriot and implied romantic partner Shera is incredibly verbally abusive.
Cid berates Shera constantly and aggressively, after blaming her for the failed mission that was supposed to make Cid the first person to travel to space. It's revealed later that the mission's failure was the fault of Shinra (naturally) but isn't until much later in the game that Cid accepts this and develops a better relationship with Shera. Since he's almost assuredly going to join the other party members in Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2, Cid's aggression towards Shera will likely be dialed back if not changed completely.
The original Final Fantasy 7 censored out much of its strong language with strings of symbols replacing most curse words. In most instances this lent a comic effect to Cid's dialogue, with entire text boxes almost censored out. But in instances when addressing Shera directly, the tone was unignorably abusive. The player is left to guess at exactly what words were used, but their context make them hard to guess incorrectly. Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2 already has a lot to tread carefully about and the relationship between Cid and Shera will definitely be one of them.
Cid Highwind Will be Important for FF7 Remake Part 2
One could certainly argue that the development of Cid's character is tied directly to this negative relationship, as he later admits his faults to Shera. The problem is that Shera is depicted as subservient to Cid in a sort of penance for the failed space mission. She is equally unaware that Shinra was to blame and takes full responsibility for the event. Just like some of the heavier elements that will accompany Vincent's introduction to Final Fantasy 7 Remake, finding a way to include this relationship in a way that shows true character growth without reinforcing some stereotypes will be quite the balancing act.
Fans of the remake project so far have already been surprised that some things about Final Fantasy 7 weren't changed for the remake. Many were surprised to see the Wall Market crossdressing event not only included but expanded upon. So it's also a safe bet that Cid and Shera's dynamics will remain largely unchanged. While that may be true, at a minimum it's likely that the sheer volume of verbal abuse thrown Shera's way will be toned down. Language from Cid alone would earn Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2 a Mature rating if not adjusted or censored in some way.
Again, if handled well the dynamic between Cid and Shera could become one of Final Fantasy 7 Remake's more interesting subplots. The game is already so rife with well-examined discussions about mental health and identity that were prescient more than twenty years ago. A nuanced look at a relationship that has spiraled into abuse based on refusing to accept a miscommunication could boost the next Final Fantasy 7 Remake into high-art territory even if only briefly before returning to racing chocobos. Cid Highwind becomes one of the party's lynchpin characters, even taking the leadership role for a time after Cloud's mental breakdown.
In a modern landscape that doesn't want to see some of Final Fantasy's dated stereotypes repeated when it's already shown its capacity for moving video game storytelling forward, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2 needs to take a long look at Cid Highwind. Developing his relationship with Shera will be an important part of bringing the classic story to new audiences. And with so much potential to do the side plot well, Square Enix has likely taken this into consideration. Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2 has a lot it needs to get right, including Cid Highwind.
With so much about the future of Final Fantasy 7 Remake still up in the air as far as its narrative is considered, fans are now expecting more change than ever. Intergrade is bringing in many elements from outside the main game and will need to do so deftly. Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2 has the arguably greater task of bringing in more from the original classic, and part of that adaptation will be changing Cid Highwind and his story to better tell what could be an impactful story for many fans.