These changes seem to be referenced by the story of both newFinal Fantasy 7games.
This theme isnt unique to theFinal Fantasygames and has popped up in a lot of recent video game stories.
Prophecies are often used in fantasy stories to hint at a characters fate.
Final Fantasy 5also features a prophecy that comes true.
The turtle sage Ghido predicted that the crystals used to help seal The Void would break.
TheFinal Fantasygame which is perhaps most focused on the idea of destiny is theremake-worthyFinal Fantasy 8.
Often,theFinal Fantasyseries seems to land on the idea that destiny is real and cannot be changed.
However, Im interested to see if the upcoming third part of theFinal Fantasy 7remake trilogy changes this.
After all, changing ones fate has become somewhat of a recent storytelling trend in gaming.
This is the perfect example of a traditional view of destiny in stories.
Recently, this idea has popped up in several video games.
Throughout thefantasticGod of War Ragnarok, a prophecy that Kratos will die looms large over the games story.
Custom image by Katarina Cimbaljevic
Personally, I thought he was a goner given the series' roots in Greek mythology.
I was pleasantly surprised, therefore, to seeKratos was able to change his fate and survive.
InPersona 5, players can interact with a fortune-teller named Chihaya Mifune.
Image via Square Enix
Although the game makes it clear that Chihaya can see the future, Jokers actions can change these predictions.
Some of these are minor changes, like simply restructuring the order of some events.
However, some are much larger and hint at possible changes to the games ending.
During the climactic fight against Sephiroth inRebirth, Zack appears to fight alongside Cloud and the party.
This implies that the alternate timeline may be able to influence the events of the games main timeline.
There is also an implication that characters like Aerith and Marlene may be able to perceive events across timelines.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthalso adds a new scene where Cloud saves Aerith from Sephiroths attack.
How Final Fantasy 7 Part 3 Could Change The Story (And Should It?)
Personally, I liked the games original open-ended finale.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is the sequel to Final Fantasy 7 Remake and will see Cloud and his friends set off beyond the walls of Midgar to explore the world, stop Sephiroth’s machinations, and see the world outside their slum prison. Now that the whispers of fate no longer guide the characters along the pre-destined path set in the original PlayStation classic Final Fantasy 7, the heroes (and villains) will shape the future. The game will still visit prominent locales and revisit crucial story points, but it will be a more significant departure from the first game from the source material.
My initial interpretation was that humanity was destroyed, but the planet lived on.
A bittersweet ending, but one that I thought did a good job of hammering home the games themes.
