Contents
Introduction
Episode Five
Episode Six
Episode Six
Thoughts on Final Fantasy VII Remake
The Way We Were
Final Fantasy 101
Music Player
Music Player
Introduction
Your eyes do not deceive you, this week we have two episodes. Next weeks Wall Market episode was too long, so you get the first part here as a bonus as its less than half an hour and too short for it's own post.
Episode Five
Episode five is made from chapter 8 of FFVII Remake
Episode Six
Episode Six is made from parts of chapters 8 and 9
Thoughts on Final Fantasy VII Remake
My thoughts on the fifth and sixth episodes
Episode Five
After last weeks action pact episode, we are at a much slower pace here. We begin with Cloud waking up in a ruined Church in the Sector 5 Slums and coming face to face with Aerith again. Yes Cloud finally gets to spend some quality time with her and finally find out more about this mysterious character.
We are also introduced to the Turks for the first time - First Reno in the church, then later Rude near Aerith's home. I'm never entirely sure why they are slightly protective of Aerith, is it just because she is an object for Shinra? Or do Reno, Rude and their boss (we will catch up to him later) hold a slight affection for her?
Though the scenes in the church pretty much follow the same events as the original, the inclusion once more of the Spectres is an interesting one. Up until this point they always seemed to be against Cloud and Aerith, but this time they seem to be helping. Who's side are they on anyway?
I love the slow walk across the rooftops and the conversations between Cloud and Aerith. Once again they took a tiny moment from the original (see comparison video later in this issue) and ran with it. Sometimes it's the quiet moments that really stand out in this game.
Once Cloud finally reaches the Sector 5 slums, we get our first glimpse of Scarlet on a huge TV screen in the centre of town. Though we don't get to see much of her in this game, when we do, she always makes an impression.
The yellow flower is referenced again a few times in this episode. It's an incredibly sweet on-going side note, but may hold some larger significance as the story progresses.
Cloud is being a bit cute this week, first collecting flowers for a local orphanage, then looking for some missing children. He's definitely softening as the story progresses if you think about how he was when we first met him at Mako reactor 1.
On their way back from saving the children, Cloud and Aerith are confronted with a cloaked figure. This is the second one we've seen. Each has a number on their shoulder, and each sparked an hallucination of Sephiroth. Marcus from episode 3, Clouds neighbour, had the number 45. This mysterious figure is number 2. They, along with Sephiroth, keep repeating the same word Reunion. Which is also interesting if you think about Aerith's description of the yellow flower. Also something to note is Aerith's reaction when Cloud mentions he thinks Sephiroth's alive.
The final scene between Cloud and Aerith is completely gorgeous. They really have the facial animations spot on don't they. Certain looks Aerith gives without saying a single word, makes me fall in love with her more and more. Poor Cloud, he doesn't stand a chance does he.
Episode Six
The scene between Cloud and Aerith's mum is great, and you can completely understand her fears. I loved the look Aerith gave when she walked in the room, she knew straight away something was up.
We were also treated to a wonderful flashback of Cloud and his mother. I love it whenever we get glimpses of his past. Though, as this is the memory of when he returned to his home town, it is the around the same time that everything burnt down, which was hinted at in the first episode. Sad times.
Where Cloud and Aerith leave, Cloud is suddenly stopped by an unseen memory and a single tear falls down his check. I found this quite moving, and wondered if it was reference to his mother, some other past event, or something yet to come?
I normally edit out walking sections where possible, but I included their walk here simply because I love the music so much. It just fits perfectly.
Cloud also gets his first hints of Wall Market. The Wall Market experience is every bit as good as we all hoped it would be, and you all don't have to wait long to see it.
There is a lot to love in this short episode. The on going gag of Aerith going for a high five and cloud just not getting it, is too lovely for words. And the group of Thieves they meet towards the end made me laugh much more than I should.
The scene With Aerith and Cloud sitting in the old playground is another lovely moment. The words Aerith says here are very important to the on going story and the past, Cloud's PTSD type reaction hints as much. (I'm sure you've all worked out by now that whenever Cloud has one, something important has triggered it)
Finally we get to the start of one of the wackiest storylines in all of Final Fantasy VII, The Wall Market. In an earlier post I cited the three moments I was most excited to see in the Remake. The Wall Market was the first, and next week you will find out why. (I fear I may be bigging next weeks episode up a bit to much at this point - Nah, it's totally worth all the praise!)
But the biggest news of all of course is our first sighting of a Chocobo! Yes CHOCOBO! Have I ever mentioned before that I love Chocobos? No? My love for Chocobos will never die!
The Way We Were
Comparing to scenes from the original PSone Edition. This week we compare the original version of the church scene, roof top section and playground.
Notice Cloud does not fight Reno in the church and its barrels he pushes over to help Aerith flee from the Shinra troops. The roof top section is of course tiny in the original. I love the art work for the exterior and interior of Aerith's home in the original, all the lovely small details were always there.
I must admit i'm loving comparing the scenes of the original and remake, it's fascinating to see what they have changed or expanded and what they've kept really close to the original. It's not only given me a bigger appreciation for the work in the remake but equally reminded me how beautiful the original still is.
Final Fantasy 101
This week we look at Sector 5 Slums and a mysterious character named Chadley.
Sector 5 Slums
The vast shantytown beneath the Sector 5 plate. It's streets are a confusion of jerry-built homes made of waste material and refuse. An orphanage has been erected here, which many of the slums' children call home. In the outskirt of the area, one can find a dilapidated church sitting quietly amongst the rubble. - Taken from a FFVII Remake info screen.
The Sector 5 slums is the second hub area Cloud reaches where he's free to slow down, talk to the various inhabitants, complete jobs and enjoy some retail therapy.
A Shinra materia researcher who commissions Cloud to collect monster data to further his studies. He harbours doubts about Shinra's current policies and wants to provide the citizens of the slums with materia powerful enough to overthrow the corporation. Though just a child, Chadley possesses an impressive intellect. - Taken from a FFVII Remake info screen.
Chadley is a very interesting character and although for most of the game he doesn't have any kind of story, there is more to this boy then meets the eye. Because of his lack of connection to the main story you wont see him much in the episodes, though you may notice him standing in the background as Cloud and co carry on their adventure.
Chadley offers up Battle reports for Cloud to complete. The reports are the only way to unlock certain Materia. On top of that, every fifth unlocked report is a fight against one of a possible four Summoning creatures. Defeating them adds them to your roster to help aid you in future battles.
The four you can fight and then use are:
Shiva
Fat Chocobo
Leviathan
Bahamut
An ice-element summon created in virtual reality. It is a manifestation of a queen who once healed the planet's wounds with ice, as evidenced by the existence of permafrost in the polar lands - Taken from the FFVII Remake Enemy Intel
A pleasingly plump summon recreated in virtual reality. It is a manifestation of the legendary chocobo, a symbol of fertility and good fortune. Fat chocobos appear in many beloved fairy tales - Taken from the FFVII Remake Enemy Intel
A summon recreated in virtual reality. This entity is a tutelary dragon deity said to protect people from natural disasters. Today, most of its worshipers live in the vicinity of Wutai. - Taken from Enemy Intel in FFVII Remake
A legendary summon recreated in virtual reality. It is the manifestation of a dragon king revered by the original stewards of the planet. According to oral tradition, there are many Behamuts, each with their own powers and forms - Taken from the FFVII Remake Enemy Intel
But these are not the only Summons in the game. You gain Ifrit by just following the story and a Chocobo & Moogle summon by taking a bit of a detour within a certain chapter - But don't worry, if you are about to leave the area the game will warn you there are still things to collect, so you can't miss it!
If you pre-ordered the game or bought one of the special editions you are treated to yet more Summons:
Chocobo Chick
Cactuar
Carbuncle
Here's the full roster:
Music Player: Flowers Blooming in the Church
This week there could be no other choice, an absolutely beautiful piece of music. Enjoy!
Next Week
Cloud experiences the strangest night of his life when he goes to great lengths to save his childhood friend Tifa. Nothing he has faced before could have prepared him for what was about to unfold.
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