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This was too redundant and hard to read, fixed.
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* Zack being betrayed by all of his former allies or watching the loyal ones die is tragic enough. But at one point, he tries returning home to see his parents for possibly the last time and decides not for them not to be killed by Shinra troops for associating with him. Despite praying for his return, Zack's parents never knew their boy saved their lives during his final days by not coming home. As a last request, Zack asks Cissnei to look after them.
to:
* Zack being betrayed by all of his former allies or watching the loyal ones die is tragic enough. But at one point, he tries returning home to see his parents for possibly the last time and decides but ultimately doesn’t see them, not for wanting them not to be killed by Shinra troops for associating with him. Despite praying for his return, Zack's parents never knew their boy saved their lives during his final days by not coming home. As a last request, Zack asks Cissnei to look after them.
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** Being friendless before Angeal and Genesis needs emphasis. He wasn't just friendless. Recall from the original game's flashback that he told "Cloud" that he always felt different from others, perhaps even higher than others. It's not only his insanity that didn't come out of nowhere, but his god complex, i.e. his sense that he was superior to everyone else. Meeting Angeal and Genesis were the one thing that could have potentially stopped that in its tracks, and even then, it didn't fully stop the feeling that he was different, however, since Genesis was still envious of him. And then finding out what they were...and that he was no different. Genesis and Angeal should have been the indication that he could be a normal person too, but they both just became further reminders that he was anything but normal.
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** Sheer case of DramaticIrony at the end of the first visit to the Nibel reactor. Cloud, recall, was the sole surviving Shinra grunt from the journey. Meaning he's the one that tried to protect Tifa from Copy attacks, but got knocked unconscious, though his helmet stayed on. The entire journey down the mountain is Tifa fireman carrying him back to town, completely unaware that the boy she pined for ever since that night on the water tower, the boy she hoped was among the otherwise-unimpressive-to-her SOLDIER entourage visiting her town, and the sole reason she dressed up in her fancy cowgirl getup, was the grunt who got knocked on his ass trying to protect her, that she carried down from the mountain, and expressed worry over. They were sadly separated by the fact his helmet never came off, and yet were so close to each other.
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* A bit of FridgeLogic in here. Factoring what we know about Cloud in ''Final Fantasy VII'', his life before meeting Zack was... Not ideal. He wasn't popular in Nibelheim (aside from Tifa), so he went to Midgar to become a SOLDIER but failed and became a lowly security grunt. Then he met Zack and got his spirit lifted, bonding over being from backwater towns. Then comes the Nibelheim Incident, where his village gets torched by Sephiroth, [[BrokenPedestal who everyone considered a legend]] (''Crisis Core'' made sure you know Sephiroth well deserved this title). Not only was Cloud's world crushed once there, but then Hojo decides to experiment on him and Zack, causing the former to get Mako poisoning. He's utterly lethargic for the entirety of Zack's voyage to Midgar. When Cloud could move again, he saw Zack leaving him, sometime later saw Zack bathing in his blood, then one minute later, Cloud inherited Zack's sword and legacy. Cloud was there, and he couldn't do anything to help his best friend; Cloud's DeathWail is an on-point reaction, and it comes less as a surprise that he pretends to be Zack—too much happening too fast is not the best way to keep your mental integrity intact.
to:
* A bit of FridgeLogic in here. Factoring what we know about Cloud in ''Final Fantasy VII'', his life before meeting Zack was... Not ideal. He wasn't popular in Nibelheim (aside from Tifa), being widely regarded as an idiot brat who nearly got the mayor's daughter killed, so he went to Midgar to become a SOLDIER but failed and became a lowly security grunt. Then he met Zack and got his spirit lifted, bonding over being from backwater towns. Then comes the Nibelheim Incident, where his village gets torched by Sephiroth, [[BrokenPedestal who everyone considered a legend]] (''Crisis Core'' made sure you know Sephiroth well deserved this title). Not only was Cloud's world crushed once there, but then Hojo decides to experiment on him and Zack, causing the former to get Mako poisoning. He's utterly lethargic for the entirety of Zack's voyage to Midgar. When Cloud could move again, he saw Zack leaving him, sometime later saw Zack bathing in his blood, then one minute later, Cloud inherited Zack's sword and legacy. Cloud was there, and he couldn't do anything to help his best friend; Cloud's DeathWail is an on-point reaction, and it comes less as a surprise that he pretends to be Zack—too much happening too fast is not the best way to keep your mental integrity intact.
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!Per wiki policy, Administrivia/SpoilersOff applies here and all spoilers are unmarked. Administrivia/YouHaveBeenWarned.
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!Per wiki policy, Administrivia/SpoilersOff applies here here, and all spoilers are unmarked. Administrivia/YouHaveBeenWarned.
Changed line(s) 11,18 (click to see context) from:
* Angeal's death and giving Zack the Buster Sword, Zack is so distraught that he ends up crying in Aerith's church and she has to comfort him.
* Zack being betrayed by all of his former allies or watching the loyal ones die is tragic enough, but at one point he tries to come home to see his parents for possibly the last time and decides not to in order for them not to be killed by Shinra troops for associating with him. Zack's parents despite praying for his return would never know their boy saved their lives during his final days by not coming home. As a final request, Zack asks Cissnei to look after them.
* The fact Aerith wrote dozens of letters (88 letters to be exact) to Zack during his four-year absence due to being experimented on by Hojo. Even after years of unknown absence, she still held hope she would see her boyfriend again, even though Zack would never be able to read her other letters or see her again.
* The infamous ending sequence, which is actually represented in gameplay for the most part, and is a shining example of gameplay/cutscene integration. Zack charges into battle with the entire Shinra army and starts fighting for his life. As he slowly gets whittled down by the constant barrage, he starts to flag physically and mentally; after a while he's covered in blood (unfortunately his own) and is so weak he can barely swing his blade. As this is happening, the Digital Mind Wave is breaking down along with his body, and starts showing him flashbacks of the moments he's shared with the friends he's made and lost until eventually, both Zack and the DMW completely give out. And as Zack is lying almost dead, the malfunctioning DMW focuses one last time... on Aerith, and the last memory it shows is of her, before it completely shuts off. Cloud, of course, crawls to his side and hears his final words, takes the Buster Sword and continues his legacy, while back in Midgar, Aerith senses Zack's passing and silently lowers her head in prayer.
-->'''Zack:''' My honor. My dreams. They're yours now.
** Just the fact that you the player, who's spent the entire game growing attached to Zack, ''has to play this section of the game''. And no matter how strong you are, no matter how many elixirs you've collected, no matter how good your Materia setup is; Zack IS going to die and there's nothing you can do to stop it.
** Then there's "The Price of Freedom" playing in the background during the battle, only amplifying the disbelief of Zack's mind slowly breaking down as shown through the DMW.
** Angeal appearing to Zack and helping start his journey back to the planet. Very poetic as earlier in the game, Zack told Angeal that he has angel wings and now, at the end of his former pupil's life, Angeal appears to Zack as one and brings him into heaven.
* Zack being betrayed by all of his former allies or watching the loyal ones die is tragic enough, but at one point he tries to come home to see his parents for possibly the last time and decides not to in order for them not to be killed by Shinra troops for associating with him. Zack's parents despite praying for his return would never know their boy saved their lives during his final days by not coming home. As a final request, Zack asks Cissnei to look after them.
* The fact Aerith wrote dozens of letters (88 letters to be exact) to Zack during his four-year absence due to being experimented on by Hojo. Even after years of unknown absence, she still held hope she would see her boyfriend again, even though Zack would never be able to read her other letters or see her again.
* The infamous ending sequence, which is actually represented in gameplay for the most part, and is a shining example of gameplay/cutscene integration. Zack charges into battle with the entire Shinra army and starts fighting for his life. As he slowly gets whittled down by the constant barrage, he starts to flag physically and mentally; after a while he's covered in blood (unfortunately his own) and is so weak he can barely swing his blade. As this is happening, the Digital Mind Wave is breaking down along with his body, and starts showing him flashbacks of the moments he's shared with the friends he's made and lost until eventually, both Zack and the DMW completely give out. And as Zack is lying almost dead, the malfunctioning DMW focuses one last time... on Aerith, and the last memory it shows is of her, before it completely shuts off. Cloud, of course, crawls to his side and hears his final words, takes the Buster Sword and continues his legacy, while back in Midgar, Aerith senses Zack's passing and silently lowers her head in prayer.
-->'''Zack:''' My honor. My dreams. They're yours now.
** Just the fact that you the player, who's spent the entire game growing attached to Zack, ''has to play this section of the game''. And no matter how strong you are, no matter how many elixirs you've collected, no matter how good your Materia setup is; Zack IS going to die and there's nothing you can do to stop it.
** Then there's "The Price of Freedom" playing in the background during the battle, only amplifying the disbelief of Zack's mind slowly breaking down as shown through the DMW.
** Angeal appearing to Zack and helping start his journey back to the planet. Very poetic as earlier in the game, Zack told Angeal that he has angel wings and now, at the end of his former pupil's life, Angeal appears to Zack as one and brings him into heaven.
to:
* Angeal's death and him giving Zack the Buster Sword, Sword. Zack is so distraught that he ends up crying cries in Aerith's church church, and she has to comfort him.
him. The instrumental version of "Why" playing in the background amplifies the heartbreak.
* Zack being betrayed by all of his former allies or watching the loyal ones die is tragicenough, but enough. But at one point point, he tries to come returning home to see his parents for possibly the last time and decides not to in order for them not to be killed by Shinra troops for associating with him. Despite praying for his return, Zack's parents despite praying for his return would never know knew their boy saved their lives during his final days by not coming home. As a final last request, Zack asks Cissnei to look after them.
* The fact Aerith wrote dozens of letters (88 letters to be exact) to Zack during his four-year absence due to being experimented on by Hojo. Even after years of unknown absence, she stillheld hope hoped she would see her boyfriend again, even though Zack would never be able to read her other letters or see her again.
* Zack wakes after the four-year time jump. In Shinra Manor, Zack sees a vision of Angeal and says how he also wants wings like Angeal's. Seeing his mentor again enables Zack to break free and escape with Cloud; it's a poetic callback to Zack's scene with Cissnei on Loveless Avenue.
-->'''Cissnei:''' Wings symbolize freedom for those who have none.
* The infamous ending sequence,which is actually represented in gameplay gameplay, for the most part, and is a shining example of gameplay/cutscene integration. Zack charges into battle with the entire Shinra army and starts fighting for his life. As he slowly gets whittled down by the constant barrage, he starts to flag physically and mentally; after a while he's while, Zack is covered in blood (unfortunately his own) and is so weak he can barely swing his blade. As this is happening, happens, the Digital Mind Wave is breaking breaks down along with his body, body and starts showing him flashbacks of the moments he's he shared with the his friends he's made and lost until eventually, both Zack and the DMW completely give out. And as Zack is lying almost dead, the malfunctioning DMW focuses one last time... on Aerith, and the last memory it shows is of her, her before it completely shuts off. Cloud, of course, Cloud crawls to his side and side, hears his final words, takes the Buster Sword Sword, and continues his legacy, while back in Midgar, Aerith senses Zack's passing and silently lowers her head in prayer.
-->'''Zack:''' Myhonor. honor... My dreams. dreams... They're yours now.
now. You'll be... My living legacy.
** Just the fact thatyou you, the player, who's spent the entire game growing attached to Zack, ''has to play this section of the game''. And no matter how strong you are, no matter how many elixirs you've collected, no matter how good your Materia setup is; is, Zack IS going to die die, and there's nothing you can do to stop it.
** Then there's "The Price of Freedom" playing in the background during the battle, only amplifying the disbelief of Zack's mindslowly breaking down slowly, as shown through the DMW.
** Angealappearing reappears to Zack and helping helps start his journey back to the planet. Very It's very poetic as earlier in the game, Zack told Angeal that he has had angel wings earlier in the game, and now, at the end of his former pupil's life, Angeal appears returns to Zack as a real one and brings him into heaven.
* Zack being betrayed by all of his former allies or watching the loyal ones die is tragic
* The fact Aerith wrote dozens of letters (88 letters to be exact) to Zack during his four-year absence due to being experimented on by Hojo. Even after years of unknown absence, she still
* Zack wakes after the four-year time jump. In Shinra Manor, Zack sees a vision of Angeal and says how he also wants wings like Angeal's. Seeing his mentor again enables Zack to break free and escape with Cloud; it's a poetic callback to Zack's scene with Cissnei on Loveless Avenue.
-->'''Cissnei:''' Wings symbolize freedom for those who have none.
* The infamous ending sequence,
-->'''Zack:''' My
** Just the fact that
** Then there's "The Price of Freedom" playing in the background during the battle, only amplifying the disbelief of Zack's mind
** Angeal
Changed line(s) 20,22 (click to see context) from:
** Then what about "If you see Aerith, say hi for me... Hey, would you say I became a hero?" Made worse by the fact that since Cloud pretends to be Zack to cope with his death, and Aerith dies before he's healed, he never got the chance to tell her Zack's dying words.
** Cloud screaming in despair when the ''first thing he sees'' after breaking out of his catatonia is his first real friend dying. He then says, "Goodnight, Zack." and walks away in misery. The ending is depressing as hell.
*** Especially if you consider what he says before that, "I won't forget," when you consider that he ''did''. Even worse, by the time he gets to Midgar, the Mako poisoning, mind-control, and sheer emotional and physical trauma has almost completely shattered his mind and, in order to cope, he '''''does forget''''' everything about Zack and steals his identity. He took Zack's last words too literally and no one, no one can help, truly help him at that point. Not even Tifa. The illusion continues for most of ''Final Fantasy VII''.
** Cloud screaming in despair when the ''first thing he sees'' after breaking out of his catatonia is his first real friend dying. He then says, "Goodnight, Zack." and walks away in misery. The ending is depressing as hell.
*** Especially if you consider what he says before that, "I won't forget," when you consider that he ''did''. Even worse, by the time he gets to Midgar, the Mako poisoning, mind-control, and sheer emotional and physical trauma has almost completely shattered his mind and, in order to cope, he '''''does forget''''' everything about Zack and steals his identity. He took Zack's last words too literally and no one, no one can help, truly help him at that point. Not even Tifa. The illusion continues for most of ''Final Fantasy VII''.
to:
** Then what What about "If you see Aerith, say hi for me... Hey, would you say I became a hero?" Made worse Worsened by the fact that since Cloud pretends to be Zack to cope with his death, and Aerith dies before he's healed, he never got gets the chance to tell her Zack's dying words.
** Zack's last words in the whole game are equally tragic and uplifting:
--->'''Zack:''' Hey, would you say I became a hero?
** Cloud is screaming in despair when the ''first thing he sees'' after breaking out of his catatonia is his first real friend dying. He then says, "Goodnight, Zack." and walks away in misery. The ending is depressing as hell.
*** Especially if you consider what he saysbefore that, before, "I won't forget," when you consider that he ''did''. Even worse, by the time he gets to Midgar, the Mako poisoning, mind-control, and sheer emotional and physical trauma has have almost completely shattered his mind mind, and, in order to cope, he '''''does forget''''' everything about Zack and steals his identity. He took Zack's last words too literally literally, and no one, no one can help, one, could truly help him at that point. Not point, not even Tifa. The illusion continues for most of ''Final Fantasy VII''.
** Zack's last words in the whole game are equally tragic and uplifting:
--->'''Zack:''' Hey, would you say I became a hero?
** Cloud is screaming in despair when the ''first thing he sees'' after breaking out of his catatonia is his first real friend dying. He then says, "Goodnight, Zack." and walks away in misery. The ending is depressing as hell.
*** Especially if you consider what he says
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** Really, the state of the ''FFVII'' world falls into this over the course of the game. SOLDIER is slowly destroyed, reduced to a shell of its former self as Genesis, Angeal, Lazard, Sephiroth, and finally Zack all leave. They go from the heroes of the Wutai War to glorified grunts as a result. Banora, Modeoheim, and Nibelheim are all destroyed.
* Sephiroth's descent into madness, which this game covers in greater detail, was far more complicated and somewhat more sympathetic than the original ''FFVII'' showed. It wasn't just Nibelheim and learning of his origins that broke Sephiroth; before then, he was relatively friendless, with only Angeal and Genesis for support (being fellow experiments themselves). After his unintentional injuring of Genesis (that started Genesis's degradation), it all unravels from there; Genesis goes missing and Angeal goes rogue, leaving him completely alone and torn between his loyalties to SOLDIER and those he considered friends. Eventually he considers retirement... and then Nibelheim happens, and nobody is there for him except his newfound 'Mother'. Nibelheim wasn't the start of his lunacy, it was only the tipping point.
* In Banora, when you find Gillian Hewley's body. After that, Angeal just leaves, the clincher being the sad look on Genesis's face before he states, "We are monsters. We have neither dreams nor honor."
* One of the missions Zack takes has him stopping the efforts by a lesser Shinra employee trying to bring the company down. Why was that person doing this? [[HeelRealization They came to understand how evil Shinra was]]. Some foreshadowing for what would happen to Cloud and Zack.
* A bit of FridgeLogic in here. Factoring what we know about Cloud in Final Fantasy VII, his life before meeting Zack was... Not ideal. He wasn't popular in Nibelheim (aside from Tifa), so he went to Midgar to become a SOLDIER. He failed and became a lowly security grunt. Then he meets Zack and got his spirit lifted, bonding over being from backwater towns. Then comes the incident of Nibelheim, where his town is torched by Sephiroth, [[BrokenPedestal who everyone considered a legend]] (and Crisis Core made sure you know this title is well deserved). Not only was his world crushed once there, but then Hojo decides to experiment on Zack and Cloud, causing the latter to get Mako poisoning. He's completely lethargic for the entirety of Zack's voyage to Midgar, and when he began to be able to move, he saw Zack leaving him, then some time later sees him bathing in his own blood, and one minute later, he inherits his sword and his legacy. Cloud was there and he really couldn't do anything to help his best friend. Cloud's DeathWail is an on-point reaction, and it comes less as a surprise that he pretends to be Zack - too much happening too fast is not the best way to keep your mental integrity intact.
* Sephiroth's descent into madness, which this game covers in greater detail, was far more complicated and somewhat more sympathetic than the original ''FFVII'' showed. It wasn't just Nibelheim and learning of his origins that broke Sephiroth; before then, he was relatively friendless, with only Angeal and Genesis for support (being fellow experiments themselves). After his unintentional injuring of Genesis (that started Genesis's degradation), it all unravels from there; Genesis goes missing and Angeal goes rogue, leaving him completely alone and torn between his loyalties to SOLDIER and those he considered friends. Eventually he considers retirement... and then Nibelheim happens, and nobody is there for him except his newfound 'Mother'. Nibelheim wasn't the start of his lunacy, it was only the tipping point.
* In Banora, when you find Gillian Hewley's body. After that, Angeal just leaves, the clincher being the sad look on Genesis's face before he states, "We are monsters. We have neither dreams nor honor."
* One of the missions Zack takes has him stopping the efforts by a lesser Shinra employee trying to bring the company down. Why was that person doing this? [[HeelRealization They came to understand how evil Shinra was]]. Some foreshadowing for what would happen to Cloud and Zack.
* A bit of FridgeLogic in here. Factoring what we know about Cloud in Final Fantasy VII, his life before meeting Zack was... Not ideal. He wasn't popular in Nibelheim (aside from Tifa), so he went to Midgar to become a SOLDIER. He failed and became a lowly security grunt. Then he meets Zack and got his spirit lifted, bonding over being from backwater towns. Then comes the incident of Nibelheim, where his town is torched by Sephiroth, [[BrokenPedestal who everyone considered a legend]] (and Crisis Core made sure you know this title is well deserved). Not only was his world crushed once there, but then Hojo decides to experiment on Zack and Cloud, causing the latter to get Mako poisoning. He's completely lethargic for the entirety of Zack's voyage to Midgar, and when he began to be able to move, he saw Zack leaving him, then some time later sees him bathing in his own blood, and one minute later, he inherits his sword and his legacy. Cloud was there and he really couldn't do anything to help his best friend. Cloud's DeathWail is an on-point reaction, and it comes less as a surprise that he pretends to be Zack - too much happening too fast is not the best way to keep your mental integrity intact.
to:
** Really, the state of the ''FFVII'' world falls into this over the course of throughout the game. SOLDIER is gets slowly destroyed, reduced to a shell of its former self as Genesis, Angeal, Lazard, Sephiroth, and finally ultimately, Zack all leave. They go from the heroes of the Wutai War to glorified grunts as a result. Banora, Modeoheim, and Nibelheim are all destroyed.
destroyed, though Shinra rebuilds Nibelheim to cover up the incident.
* Sephiroth's descent into madness, which this game covers in greater detail, was far more complicated and somewhat more sympathetic than the original ''FFVII'' showed. It wasn't just Nibelheim and learning of his origins that broke Sephiroth; before then, he was relatively friendless, with only Angeal and Genesis for support (being fellow experiments themselves). Afterhis unintentional unintentionally injuring of Genesis (that started (starting Genesis's degradation), it all unravels from there; Genesis there—Genesis goes missing missing, and Angeal goes rogue, leaving him completely alone and torn between his loyalties to SOLDIER and those he considered friends. Eventually Eventually, he considers retirement... contemplates retirement..., and then Nibelheim happens, and nobody is there for him except his newfound 'Mother'. 'Mother.' Nibelheim wasn't the start of his lunacy, lunacy; it was only the tipping point.
* In Banora,when you find upon finding Gillian Hewley's body. After that, Angeal just leaves, the clincher being the sad look on Genesis's face before he states, "We are monsters. We have neither dreams nor honor."
* One of the missions Zack takes has him stopping the effortsby of a lesser Shinra employee trying to bring the company down. Why was that person doing this? [[HeelRealization They came to understand how evil Shinra was]]. Some foreshadowing for what would happen to Cloud and Zack.
* Zack's reaction to seeing the Angeal Copy from Aerith's church in Banora that died helping Lazard protect Cloud from Shinra and Lazard's death shortly after. The last two Angeal copies' deaths hit harder with the knowledge that Lazard inherited Angeal's desires (help Zack, save Genesis, and save the world) and the theory that Angeal controlled Lazard and the canine copy from within the lifestream to carry out his will. Even in death, Angeal wanted to keep helping Zack.
* Genesis finally meets the goddess. He gladly waits for her to bestow her gift upon him, but she silently closes her eyes in rejection. As we see Genesis looking rejected, Minerva sends him away without a word. Representing the lifestream's will, Minerva sees Genesis's desire to complete his SOLDIER duty and be a hero, so she prevents him from returning to the planet. Through his final battle with Zack and his encounter with Minerva, Genesis realizes the true 'gift of the goddess' is his SOLDIER pride, which the fight had restored. He wistfully tells Angeal (through the now-dead Lazard) that his childhood dream of him, Angeal, and Sephiroth eating Banora White apples together has come true.
* A bit of FridgeLogic in here. Factoring what we know about Cloud inFinal ''Final Fantasy VII, VII'', his life before meeting Zack was... Not ideal. He wasn't popular in Nibelheim (aside from Tifa), so he went to Midgar to become a SOLDIER. He SOLDIER but failed and became a lowly security grunt. Then he meets met Zack and got his spirit lifted, bonding over being from backwater towns. Then comes the incident of Nibelheim, Nibelheim Incident, where his town is village gets torched by Sephiroth, [[BrokenPedestal who everyone considered a legend]] (and Crisis Core (''Crisis Core'' made sure you know Sephiroth well deserved this title is well deserved). title). Not only was his Cloud's world crushed once there, but then Hojo decides to experiment on Zack him and Cloud, Zack, causing the latter former to get Mako poisoning. He's completely utterly lethargic for the entirety of Zack's voyage to Midgar, and when he began to be able to move, Midgar. When Cloud could move again, he saw Zack leaving him, then some time sometime later sees him saw Zack bathing in his own blood, and then one minute later, he inherits his Cloud inherited Zack's sword and his legacy. Cloud was there there, and he really couldn't do anything to help his best friend. friend; Cloud's DeathWail is an on-point reaction, and it comes less as a surprise that he pretends to be Zack - too Zack—too much happening too fast is not the best way to keep your mental integrity intact.intact.
----
* Sephiroth's descent into madness, which this game covers in greater detail, was far more complicated and somewhat more sympathetic than the original ''FFVII'' showed. It wasn't just Nibelheim and learning of his origins that broke Sephiroth; before then, he was relatively friendless, with only Angeal and Genesis for support (being fellow experiments themselves). After
* In Banora,
* One of the missions Zack takes has him stopping the efforts
* Zack's reaction to seeing the Angeal Copy from Aerith's church in Banora that died helping Lazard protect Cloud from Shinra and Lazard's death shortly after. The last two Angeal copies' deaths hit harder with the knowledge that Lazard inherited Angeal's desires (help Zack, save Genesis, and save the world) and the theory that Angeal controlled Lazard and the canine copy from within the lifestream to carry out his will. Even in death, Angeal wanted to keep helping Zack.
* Genesis finally meets the goddess. He gladly waits for her to bestow her gift upon him, but she silently closes her eyes in rejection. As we see Genesis looking rejected, Minerva sends him away without a word. Representing the lifestream's will, Minerva sees Genesis's desire to complete his SOLDIER duty and be a hero, so she prevents him from returning to the planet. Through his final battle with Zack and his encounter with Minerva, Genesis realizes the true 'gift of the goddess' is his SOLDIER pride, which the fight had restored. He wistfully tells Angeal (through the now-dead Lazard) that his childhood dream of him, Angeal, and Sephiroth eating Banora White apples together has come true.
* A bit of FridgeLogic in here. Factoring what we know about Cloud in
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Changed line(s) 27 (click to see context) from:
* One of the missions Zack takes has him stopping the efforts by a lesser Shinra employee trying to bring the company down. Why was that person doing this? [[HeelRealization They came to understand how evil Shinra was]]. Some foreshadowing for what would happen to Cloud and Zack.
to:
* One of the missions Zack takes has him stopping the efforts by a lesser Shinra employee trying to bring the company down. Why was that person doing this? [[HeelRealization They came to understand how evil Shinra was]]. Some foreshadowing for what would happen to Cloud and Zack.Zack.
* A bit of FridgeLogic in here. Factoring what we know about Cloud in Final Fantasy VII, his life before meeting Zack was... Not ideal. He wasn't popular in Nibelheim (aside from Tifa), so he went to Midgar to become a SOLDIER. He failed and became a lowly security grunt. Then he meets Zack and got his spirit lifted, bonding over being from backwater towns. Then comes the incident of Nibelheim, where his town is torched by Sephiroth, [[BrokenPedestal who everyone considered a legend]] (and Crisis Core made sure you know this title is well deserved). Not only was his world crushed once there, but then Hojo decides to experiment on Zack and Cloud, causing the latter to get Mako poisoning. He's completely lethargic for the entirety of Zack's voyage to Midgar, and when he began to be able to move, he saw Zack leaving him, then some time later sees him bathing in his own blood, and one minute later, he inherits his sword and his legacy. Cloud was there and he really couldn't do anything to help his best friend. Cloud's DeathWail is an on-point reaction, and it comes less as a surprise that he pretends to be Zack - too much happening too fast is not the best way to keep your mental integrity intact.
* A bit of FridgeLogic in here. Factoring what we know about Cloud in Final Fantasy VII, his life before meeting Zack was... Not ideal. He wasn't popular in Nibelheim (aside from Tifa), so he went to Midgar to become a SOLDIER. He failed and became a lowly security grunt. Then he meets Zack and got his spirit lifted, bonding over being from backwater towns. Then comes the incident of Nibelheim, where his town is torched by Sephiroth, [[BrokenPedestal who everyone considered a legend]] (and Crisis Core made sure you know this title is well deserved). Not only was his world crushed once there, but then Hojo decides to experiment on Zack and Cloud, causing the latter to get Mako poisoning. He's completely lethargic for the entirety of Zack's voyage to Midgar, and when he began to be able to move, he saw Zack leaving him, then some time later sees him bathing in his own blood, and one minute later, he inherits his sword and his legacy. Cloud was there and he really couldn't do anything to help his best friend. Cloud's DeathWail is an on-point reaction, and it comes less as a surprise that he pretends to be Zack - too much happening too fast is not the best way to keep your mental integrity intact.
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-->'''Zack:''' [[FamousLastWords My honor. My dreams. They're yours now.]]
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-->'''Zack:''' [[FamousLastWords My honor. My dreams. They're yours now.]]
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[[caption-width-right:350:[[ForegoneConclusion It could only end one way...]]]]
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* ''TearJerker/DirgeOfCerberus''
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* ''TearJerker/DirgeOfCerberus''''[[TearJerker/DirgeOfCerberus Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus]]''
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[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/zack_dies.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[ForegoneConclusion It could only end one way...]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[ForegoneConclusion It could only end one way...]]]]
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*** Especially if you consider what he says before that, "I won't forget," when you consider that he ''did''. Even worse, by the time he gets to Midgar, the Mako poisoning, mind-control, and sheer emotional and physical trauma has almost completely shattered his mind and, in order to cope, he '''''does forget''''' everything about Zack and steals his identity. He took Zack's last words too literally and no one, no one can help, truly help him at that point. Not even Tifa. The illusion continues for most of Final Fantasy VII.
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*** Especially if you consider what he says before that, "I won't forget," when you consider that he ''did''. Even worse, by the time he gets to Midgar, the Mako poisoning, mind-control, and sheer emotional and physical trauma has almost completely shattered his mind and, in order to cope, he '''''does forget''''' everything about Zack and steals his identity. He took Zack's last words too literally and no one, no one can help, truly help him at that point. Not even Tifa. The illusion continues for most of Final ''Final Fantasy VII.VII''.
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!Per wiki policy, Administrivia/SpoilersOff applies here and all spoilers are unmarked. Administrivia/YouHaveBeenWarned.
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* The fact Aerith wrote dozens of letters (88 letters to be exact) to Zack during his four year absence due to being experimented on by Hojo. Even after years of unknown absence, she still held hope she would see her boyfriend again, even though Zack would never be able to read her other letters or see her again.
to:
* The fact Aerith wrote dozens of letters (88 letters to be exact) to Zack during his four year four-year absence due to being experimented on by Hojo. Even after years of unknown absence, she still held hope she would see her boyfriend again, even though Zack would never be able to read her other letters or see her again.
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-->'''Zack:''' Those wings... I want them too.
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** Really, the state of the FFVII world falls into this over the course of the game. SOLDIER is slowly destroyed, reduced to a shell of its former self as Genesis, Angeal, Lazard, Sephiroth, and finally Zack all leave. They go from the heroes of the Wutai War to glorified grunts as a result. Banora, Modeoheim, and Nibelheim are all destroyed.
* Sephiroth's descent into madness, which this game covers in greater detail, was far more complicated and somewhat more sympathetic than the original FFVII showed. It wasn't just Nibelheim and learning of his origins that broke Sephiroth; before then, he was relatively friendless, with only Angeal and Genesis for support (being fellow experiments themselves). After his unintentional injuring of Genesis (that started Genesis's degradation), it all unravels from there; Genesis goes missing and Angeal goes rogue, leaving him completely alone and torn between his loyalties to SOLDIER and those he considered friends. Eventually he considers retirement... and then Nibelheim happens, and nobody is there for him except his newfound 'Mother'. Nibelheim wasn't the start of his lunacy, it was only the tipping point.
* Sephiroth's descent into madness, which this game covers in greater detail, was far more complicated and somewhat more sympathetic than the original FFVII showed. It wasn't just Nibelheim and learning of his origins that broke Sephiroth; before then, he was relatively friendless, with only Angeal and Genesis for support (being fellow experiments themselves). After his unintentional injuring of Genesis (that started Genesis's degradation), it all unravels from there; Genesis goes missing and Angeal goes rogue, leaving him completely alone and torn between his loyalties to SOLDIER and those he considered friends. Eventually he considers retirement... and then Nibelheim happens, and nobody is there for him except his newfound 'Mother'. Nibelheim wasn't the start of his lunacy, it was only the tipping point.
to:
** Really, the state of the FFVII ''FFVII'' world falls into this over the course of the game. SOLDIER is slowly destroyed, reduced to a shell of its former self as Genesis, Angeal, Lazard, Sephiroth, and finally Zack all leave. They go from the heroes of the Wutai War to glorified grunts as a result. Banora, Modeoheim, and Nibelheim are all destroyed.
* Sephiroth's descent into madness, which this game covers in greater detail, was far more complicated and somewhat more sympathetic than the originalFFVII ''FFVII'' showed. It wasn't just Nibelheim and learning of his origins that broke Sephiroth; before then, he was relatively friendless, with only Angeal and Genesis for support (being fellow experiments themselves). After his unintentional injuring of Genesis (that started Genesis's degradation), it all unravels from there; Genesis goes missing and Angeal goes rogue, leaving him completely alone and torn between his loyalties to SOLDIER and those he considered friends. Eventually he considers retirement... and then Nibelheim happens, and nobody is there for him except his newfound 'Mother'. Nibelheim wasn't the start of his lunacy, it was only the tipping point.
* Sephiroth's descent into madness, which this game covers in greater detail, was far more complicated and somewhat more sympathetic than the original
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* One of the missions Zack takes has him stopping the efforts by a lesser Shinra employee trying to bring the company down. Why was that person doing this? They [[HeelRealization they came to understand how evil Shinra was]]. Some foreshadowing for what would happen to Cloud and Zack.
to:
* One of the missions Zack takes has him stopping the efforts by a lesser Shinra employee trying to bring the company down. Why was that person doing this? They [[HeelRealization they They came to understand how evil Shinra was]]. Some foreshadowing for what would happen to Cloud and Zack.
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* One of the missions Zack takes one has him stopping the efforts by a lesser Shinra employee trying to bring the company down. Why was that person doing this? They [[HeelRealization they came to understand how evil Shinra was]]. Some foreshadowing for what would happen to Cloud and Zack.
to:
* One of the missions Zack takes one has him stopping the efforts by a lesser Shinra employee trying to bring the company down. Why was that person doing this? They [[HeelRealization they came to understand how evil Shinra was]]. Some foreshadowing for what would happen to Cloud and Zack.
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* In Banora, when you find Gillian Hewley's body. After that, Angeal just leaves, the clincher being the sad look on Genesis's face before he states, "We are monsters. We have neither dreams nor honor."
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* In Banora, when you find Gillian Hewley's body. After that, Angeal just leaves, the clincher being the sad look on Genesis's face before he states, "We are monsters. We have neither dreams nor honor.""
* One of the missions Zack takes one has him stopping the efforts by a lesser Shinra employee trying to bring the company down. Why was that person doing this? They [[HeelRealization they came to understand how evil Shinra was]]. Some foreshadowing for what would happen to Cloud and Zack.
* One of the missions Zack takes one has him stopping the efforts by a lesser Shinra employee trying to bring the company down. Why was that person doing this? They [[HeelRealization they came to understand how evil Shinra was]]. Some foreshadowing for what would happen to Cloud and Zack.
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* The fact Aerith wrote dozens (88 letters to be exact) to Zack during his four year absence due to being experimented on by Hojo. Even after years of unknown absence, she still held hope she would see her boyfriend again, even though Zack would never be able to read her other letters.
to:
* The fact Aerith wrote dozens of letters (88 letters to be exact) to Zack during his four year absence due to being experimented on by Hojo. Even after years of unknown absence, she still held hope she would see her boyfriend again, even though Zack would never be able to read her other letters.letters or see her again.
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* The fact Aerith wrote dozens (88 letters to be exact) to Zack during his four year absence due to being experimented on by Hojo. Even after years of unknown absence, she still held hope she would see her boyfriend again, even though Zack would never be able to read her other letters.
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* Zack being betrayed by all of his former allies or watching the loyal ones die is tragic enough, but at one point he tries to come home to see his parents for possibly the last time and decides not to in order for them not to be killed by Shinra troops for associating with him. Zack's parents despite praying for his return would never know their boy saved their lives during his final days by not coming home. As a final request, Zack asks Cissnei to look after them.
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* ''TearJerker/FinalFantasyVII''
* ''TearJerker/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren''
* ''TearJerker/DirgeOfCerberus''
----
* ''TearJerker/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren''
* ''TearJerker/DirgeOfCerberus''
----
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* The infamous ending sequence, which is actually represented in gameplay for the most part, and is a shining example of gameplay/cutscene integration. [[spoiler:Zack charges into battle with the entire Shinra army and starts fighting for his life. As he slowly gets whittled down by the constant barrage, he starts to flag physically and mentally; after a while he's covered in blood (unfortunately his own) and is so weak he can barely swing his blade.]] As this is happening, the Digital Mind Wave [[spoiler:is breaking down along with his body, and starts showing him flashbacks of the moments he's shared with the friends he's made and lost until eventually, both Zack and the DMW completely give out.]] And as Zack is [[spoiler:lying almost dead, the malfunctioning DMW focuses one last time... on Aerith, and the last memory it shows is of her, before it completely shuts off.]] Cloud, of course, [[spoiler:crawls to his side and hears his final words, takes the Buster Sword and continues his legacy,]] while back in Midgar, Aerith [[spoiler:senses Zack's passing and silently lowers her head in prayer]].
-->'''Zack:''' [[spoiler: [[FamousLastWords My honor. My dreams. They're yours now.]]]]
-->'''Zack:''' [[spoiler: [[FamousLastWords My honor. My dreams. They're yours now.]]]]
to:
* The infamous ending sequence, which is actually represented in gameplay for the most part, and is a shining example of gameplay/cutscene integration. [[spoiler:Zack Zack charges into battle with the entire Shinra army and starts fighting for his life. As he slowly gets whittled down by the constant barrage, he starts to flag physically and mentally; after a while he's covered in blood (unfortunately his own) and is so weak he can barely swing his blade.]] As this is happening, the Digital Mind Wave [[spoiler:is is breaking down along with his body, and starts showing him flashbacks of the moments he's shared with the friends he's made and lost until eventually, both Zack and the DMW completely give out.]] out. And as Zack is [[spoiler:lying lying almost dead, the malfunctioning DMW focuses one last time... on Aerith, and the last memory it shows is of her, before it completely shuts off.]] Cloud, of course, [[spoiler:crawls crawls to his side and hears his final words, takes the Buster Sword and continues his legacy,]] legacy, while back in Midgar, Aerith [[spoiler:senses senses Zack's passing and silently lowers her head in prayer]].
prayer.
-->'''Zack:'''[[spoiler: [[FamousLastWords My honor. My dreams. They're yours now.]]]]]]
** Just the fact that you the player, who's spent the entire game growing attached to Zack, ''has to play this section of the game''. And no matter how strong you are, no matter how many elixirs you've collected, no matter how good your Materia setup is; Zack IS going to die and there's nothing you can do to stop it.
** Then there's "The Price of Freedom" playing in the background during the battle, only amplifying the disbelief of Zack's mind slowly breaking down as shown through the DMW.
** Angeal appearing to Zack and helping start his journey back to the planet. Very poetic as earlier in the game, Zack told Angeal that he has angel wings and now, at the end of his former pupil's life, Angeal appears to Zack as one and brings him into heaven.
-->'''Zack:''' Those wings... I want them too.
** Then what about "If you see Aerith, say hi for me... Hey, would you say I became a hero?" Made worse by the fact that since Cloud pretends to be Zack to cope with his death, and Aerith dies before he's healed, he never got the chance to tell her Zack's dying words.
** Cloud screaming in despair when the ''first thing he sees'' after breaking out of his catatonia is his first real friend dying. He then says, "Goodnight, Zack." and walks away in misery. The ending is depressing as hell.
*** Especially if you consider what he says before that, "I won't forget," when you consider that he ''did''. Even worse, by the time he gets to Midgar, the Mako poisoning, mind-control, and sheer emotional and physical trauma has almost completely shattered his mind and, in order to cope, he '''''does forget''''' everything about Zack and steals his identity. He took Zack's last words too literally and no one, no one can help, truly help him at that point. Not even Tifa. The illusion continues for most of Final Fantasy VII.
-->'''Zack:'''
** Just the fact that you the player, who's spent the entire game growing attached to Zack, ''has to play this section of the game''. And no matter how strong you are, no matter how many elixirs you've collected, no matter how good your Materia setup is; Zack IS going to die and there's nothing you can do to stop it.
** Then there's "The Price of Freedom" playing in the background during the battle, only amplifying the disbelief of Zack's mind slowly breaking down as shown through the DMW.
** Angeal appearing to Zack and helping start his journey back to the planet. Very poetic as earlier in the game, Zack told Angeal that he has angel wings and now, at the end of his former pupil's life, Angeal appears to Zack as one and brings him into heaven.
-->'''Zack:''' Those wings... I want them too.
** Then what about "If you see Aerith, say hi for me... Hey, would you say I became a hero?" Made worse by the fact that since Cloud pretends to be Zack to cope with his death, and Aerith dies before he's healed, he never got the chance to tell her Zack's dying words.
** Cloud screaming in despair when the ''first thing he sees'' after breaking out of his catatonia is his first real friend dying. He then says, "Goodnight, Zack." and walks away in misery. The ending is depressing as hell.
*** Especially if you consider what he says before that, "I won't forget," when you consider that he ''did''. Even worse, by the time he gets to Midgar, the Mako poisoning, mind-control, and sheer emotional and physical trauma has almost completely shattered his mind and, in order to cope, he '''''does forget''''' everything about Zack and steals his identity. He took Zack's last words too literally and no one, no one can help, truly help him at that point. Not even Tifa. The illusion continues for most of Final Fantasy VII.
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** Really, the state of the FFVII world falls into this over the course of the game. SOLDIER is slowly destroyed, reduced to a shell of its former self as Genesis, Angeal, Lazard, Sephiroth, and finally [[spoiler:Zack]] all leave. They go from the heroes of the Wutai War to glorified grunts as a result. Banora, Modeoheim, and Nibelheim are all destroyed.
* Sephiroth's descent into madness, which this game covers in greater detail, was far more complicated and somewhat more sympathetic than the original FFVII showed. It wasn't just Nibelheim and learning of his origins that broke Sephiroth; before then, he was relatively friendless, with only Angeal and Genesis for support (being fellow experiments themselves). After his unintentional injuring of Genesis (that started Genesis's degradation), it all unravels from there; Genesis goes missing and Angeal goes rogue, leaving him completely alone and torn between his loyalties to SOLDIER and those he considered friends. Eventually he considers retirement... and then Nibelheim happens, and nobody is there for him except his newfound 'Mother'. Nibelheim wasn't the start of his lunacy, it was only the tipping point.
* Sephiroth's descent into madness, which this game covers in greater detail, was far more complicated and somewhat more sympathetic than the original FFVII showed. It wasn't just Nibelheim and learning of his origins that broke Sephiroth; before then, he was relatively friendless, with only Angeal and Genesis for support (being fellow experiments themselves). After his unintentional injuring of Genesis (that started Genesis's degradation), it all unravels from there; Genesis goes missing and Angeal goes rogue, leaving him completely alone and torn between his loyalties to SOLDIER and those he considered friends. Eventually he considers retirement... and then Nibelheim happens, and nobody is there for him except his newfound 'Mother'. Nibelheim wasn't the start of his lunacy, it was only the tipping point.
to:
** Really, the state of the FFVII world falls into this over the course of the game. SOLDIER is slowly destroyed, reduced to a shell of its former self as Genesis, Angeal, Lazard, Sephiroth, and finally [[spoiler:Zack]] Zack all leave. They go from the heroes of the Wutai War to glorified grunts as a result. Banora, Modeoheim, and Nibelheim are all destroyed.
* Sephiroth's descent into madness, which this game covers in greater detail, was far more complicated and somewhat more sympathetic than the original FFVII showed. It wasn't just Nibelheim and learning of his origins that broke Sephiroth; before then, he was relatively friendless, with only Angeal and Genesis for support (being fellow experiments themselves). After his unintentional injuring of Genesis (that started Genesis's degradation), it all unravels from there; Genesis goes missing and Angeal goes rogue, leaving him completely alone and torn between his loyalties to SOLDIER and those he considered friends. Eventually he considers retirement... and then Nibelheim happens, and nobody is there for him except his newfound 'Mother'. Nibelheim wasn't the start of his lunacy, it was only the tippingpoint.point.
* In Banora, when you find Gillian Hewley's body. After that, Angeal just leaves, the clincher being the sad look on Genesis's face before he states, "We are monsters. We have neither dreams nor honor."
* Sephiroth's descent into madness, which this game covers in greater detail, was far more complicated and somewhat more sympathetic than the original FFVII showed. It wasn't just Nibelheim and learning of his origins that broke Sephiroth; before then, he was relatively friendless, with only Angeal and Genesis for support (being fellow experiments themselves). After his unintentional injuring of Genesis (that started Genesis's degradation), it all unravels from there; Genesis goes missing and Angeal goes rogue, leaving him completely alone and torn between his loyalties to SOLDIER and those he considered friends. Eventually he considers retirement... and then Nibelheim happens, and nobody is there for him except his newfound 'Mother'. Nibelheim wasn't the start of his lunacy, it was only the tipping
* In Banora, when you find Gillian Hewley's body. After that, Angeal just leaves, the clincher being the sad look on Genesis's face before he states, "We are monsters. We have neither dreams nor honor."
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--->'''Zack:''' [[spoiler: [[FamousLastWords My honor. My dreams. They're yours now.]]]]
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* The infamous ending sequence. [[spoiler:Zack charges into battle with the entire Shinra army, his life flashing before his eyes as he gets whittled down, to the point where he's covered in blood and so weak he can barely move or lift the Buster Sword to defend himself. Followed by finally collapsing and holding on barely long enough for Cloud to crawl to his side and hear his final words and take the Buster Sword. And while this is happening, back in Midgar Aerith seems to sense his death and lowers her head in prayer.]]
** [[spoiler:You're barely selling it. Unlike other games which gives us a downer ending cutscene, it gives us a downer ending stage! You get to play as Zack for one last time, slowly getting flooded by SHINRA soldiers and no matter how strong you are, you will lose. Even better, the roulette system would still work, showing you your precious memories with your acquaintances. As the fight drags on, Zack will become noticeably weaker until THE END.]]
** [[spoiler:You're barely selling it. Unlike other games which gives us a downer ending cutscene, it gives us a downer ending stage! You get to play as Zack for one last time, slowly getting flooded by SHINRA soldiers and no matter how strong you are, you will lose. Even better, the roulette system would still work, showing you your precious memories with your acquaintances. As the fight drags on, Zack will become noticeably weaker until THE END.]]
to:
* The infamous ending sequence. sequence, which is actually represented in gameplay for the most part, and is a shining example of gameplay/cutscene integration. [[spoiler:Zack charges into battle with the entire Shinra army, army and starts fighting for his life flashing before his eyes as life. As he slowly gets whittled down, to down by the point where constant barrage, he starts to flag physically and mentally; after a while he's covered in blood (unfortunately his own) and is so weak he can barely move or lift the Buster Sword to defend himself. Followed by finally collapsing and holding on barely long enough for Cloud to crawl to swing his side and hear his final words and take the Buster Sword. And while blade.]] As this is happening, the Digital Mind Wave [[spoiler:is breaking down along with his body, and starts showing him flashbacks of the moments he's shared with the friends he's made and lost until eventually, both Zack and the DMW completely give out.]] And as Zack is [[spoiler:lying almost dead, the malfunctioning DMW focuses one last time... on Aerith, and the last memory it shows is of her, before it completely shuts off.]] Cloud, of course, [[spoiler:crawls to his side and hears his final words, takes the Buster Sword and continues his legacy,]] while back in Midgar Midgar, Aerith seems to sense his death [[spoiler:senses Zack's passing and silently lowers her head in prayer.]]
** [[spoiler:You're barely selling it. Unlike other games which gives us a downer ending cutscene, it gives us a downer ending stage! You get to play as Zack for one last time, slowly getting flooded by SHINRA soldiers and no matter how strong you are, you will lose. Even better, the roulette system would still work, showing you your precious memories with your acquaintances. As the fight drags on, Zack will become noticeably weaker until THE END.]]prayer]].
** [[spoiler:You're barely selling it. Unlike other games which gives us a downer ending cutscene, it gives us a downer ending stage! You get to play as Zack for one last time, slowly getting flooded by SHINRA soldiers and no matter how strong you are, you will lose. Even better, the roulette system would still work, showing you your precious memories with your acquaintances. As the fight drags on, Zack will become noticeably weaker until THE END.]]
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* Sephiroth's decent into madness. Unlike Kefka, Sephiroth had to endure months of failing his friends, and while Zack had Aeris to comfort him during this dark time, he had no one. Ultimately, Nibelheim was just the straw that broke the camels back. His decent into madness was very real, and it slowly took it's toll over the course of the game.
to:
* Sephiroth's decent descent into madness. Unlike Kefka, Sephiroth had to endure months of failing his friends, and while Zack had Aeris to comfort him during madness, which this dark time, he had no one. Ultimately, game covers in greater detail, was far more complicated and somewhat more sympathetic than the original FFVII showed. It wasn't just Nibelheim was just the straw and learning of his origins that broke Sephiroth; before then, he was relatively friendless, with only Angeal and Genesis for support (being fellow experiments themselves). After his unintentional injuring of Genesis (that started Genesis's degradation), it all unravels from there; Genesis goes missing and Angeal goes rogue, leaving him completely alone and torn between his loyalties to SOLDIER and those he considered friends. Eventually he considers retirement... and then Nibelheim happens, and nobody is there for him except his newfound 'Mother'. Nibelheim wasn't the camels back. His decent into madness start of his lunacy, it was very real, and it slowly took it's toll over only the course of the game.tipping point.
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----
to:
* Sephiroth's decent into madness. Unlike Kefka, Sephiroth had to endure months of failing his friends, and while Zack had Aeris to comfort him during this dark time, he had no one. Ultimately, Nibelheim was just the straw that broke the camels back. His decent into madness was very real, and it slowly took it's toll over the course of the game.
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-->'''Zack:''' [[spoiler: [[FamousLastWords My honor. My dreams. They're yours now.]]]]
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* A retroactive one once the Nibelheim Incident is all well and done with: Sephiroth, who has been Zack's friend and ally, and friend of other characters, finally goes insane. It makes Zack's anguished declaration of betrayal that much more poignant.
** Really, the state of the FFVII world falls into this over the course of the game. SOLDIER is slowly destroyed, reduced to a shell of its former self as Genesis, Angeal, Lazard, Sephiroth, and finally [[spoiler:Zack]] all leave. They go from the heroes of the Wutai War to glorified grunts as a result. Banora, Modeoheim, and Nibelheim are all destroyed.
** Really, the state of the FFVII world falls into this over the course of the game. SOLDIER is slowly destroyed, reduced to a shell of its former self as Genesis, Angeal, Lazard, Sephiroth, and finally [[spoiler:Zack]] all leave. They go from the heroes of the Wutai War to glorified grunts as a result. Banora, Modeoheim, and Nibelheim are all destroyed.
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-->'''Zack:''' [[spoiler: [[FamousLastWords My honor. My dreams. They're yours now.]]]]
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**[[spoiler:You're barely selling it. Unlike other games which gives us a downer ending cutscene, it gives us a downer ending stage! You get to play as Zack for one last time, slowly getting flooded by SHINRA soldiers and no matter how strong you are, you will lose. Even better, the roulette system would still work, showing you your precious memories with your acquaintances. As the fight drags on, Zack will become noticeably weaker until THE END.]]
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* Angeal's death and giving Zack the Buster Sword, Zack is so distraught that he ends up crying in Aerith's church and she has to comfort him.
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* The infamous ending sequence. [[spoiler:Zack charges into battle with the entire Shinra army, his life flashing before his eyes as he gets whittled down, to the point where he's covered in blood and so weak he can barely move or lift the Buster Sword to defend himself. Followed by finally collapsing and holding on barely long enough for Cloud to crawl to his side and hear his final words and take the Buster Sword. And while this is happening, back in Midgar Aerith seems to sense his death and lowers her head in prayer.]]
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* The infamous ending sequence. [[spoiler:Zack charges into battle with the entire Shinra army, his life flashing before his eyes as he gets whittled down, to the point where he's covered in blood and so weak he can barely move or lift the Buster Sword to defend himself. Followed by finally collapsing and holding on barely long enough for Cloud to crawl to his side and hear his final words and take the Buster Sword. And while this is happening, back in Midgar Aerith seems to sense his death and lowers her head in prayer.]]]]
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Added DiffLines:
* The infamous ending sequence. [[spoiler:Zack charges into battle with the entire Shinra army, his life flashing before his eyes as he gets whittled down, to the point where he's covered in blood and so weak he can barely move or lift the Buster Sword to defend himself. Followed by finally collapsing and holding on barely long enough for Cloud to crawl to his side and hear his final words and take the Buster Sword. And while this is happening, back in Midgar Aerith seems to sense his death and lowers her head in prayer.]]
