FF7 Rebirth Still Doesn't Solve One 27-Year-Old Debate
offers up plenty of new details in its take on the classic story, but there's one huge debate surrounding the original game that draws back from answering. Anything laid out in the new games doesn't necessarily override the classic canon, as it can more or less be viewed as an interpretation of a different timeline. It's still intended to be canon in its own right, however, and everything is supposedly going to link back up with the sequel film when the trilogy concludes.
[This article contains spoilers for .]One aspect of the canon that's always been the subject of debate is the nature of Cloud's romantic potential with Aerith and Tifa, both of whom have feelings for the standoffish mercenary. Both also have plenty of lovable qualities that have endeared them to fans over the years, resulting in a lot of emotional investment over who earns the title of Cloud's true soulmate. There's an argument to be made for either side and battle lines have long since been drawn and stationed by those with strong beliefs one way or the other.
The first trip to the Gold Saucer in FF7 Rebirth gets cut unfortunately short, but that isn't the end for Cloud's chances at an amusement park date.
Although has the opportunity to settle the romance debate once and for all, it opts for the safest road by refusing to take a clear side. Like in the original game, a big moment of romantic fulfillment comes with Cloud's date at the gold saucer. This scene is open to multiple possibilities depending on who Cloud bonds the most with across the course of the adventure, which makes it possible to experience the romance in several different ways.
The system for raising affection is somewhat less cryptic in than it was in the original game, with indicators that relationships have changed occasionally popping up after dialogue choices, side quests, and more, but it's still hard to have much certainty about who Cloud will end up on the date with. If anything's changed, it's that the playing field
