History TearJerker / FinalFantasyVII

!Dirge of Cerberus
* ''Dirge of Cerberus'' shows that Lucrecia [[SelfInflictedHell willingly encased herself in crystal]] and remains in that cavern, because the Jenova Cells in her body ''won't let her die''.
* The scene in Shinra Manor when Vincent sees a projection of Lucrecia and the first thing he does is try to hug her. Then she walks straight through him.
* Shalua's sacrifice.
--->"And remember... I'll always... Love you." *DEAD*
* Nero and Weiss becoming one at the end of the game.
--->'''Nero:''' Let us become one. Let us come together, so that no one may ever tear us apart.
* Shelke's flashback to herself and Shalua at their mother's grave, after which Shalua appears to Shelke asking if it's alright for her to return to the planet and Shelke says no. Then Shelke is surprised by the tears that fall from her eye since she believed she didn't have any left.
* Vincent's last visit to Lucrecia, where he tells her Omega and Chaos have returned to the planet, and that she is the reason why he survived. Then when he turns around and walks out of the cave, a tear is seen rolling down Lucrecia's face.

!Crisis Core
* Before you even get to the inevitable foregone conclusion in ''Crisis Core'', Angeal's death and Aerith's subsequent comforting of the sobbing Zack is sure to send tears spiraling down your face.
* Zack's final fight in ''Crisis Core'' that leads to his death. What's worst is that they use the initially normal-seeming interface of the Limit Break system to frame those soundbites, so the first time it happens, it can catch you unaware... but then instead of the usual clear but unvoiceacted mini-cutscenes that sometimes pop up, you get staticky video with likewise staticky voices, and the pictures on the reels start to dissolve. By the end, the only face remaining is Aerith's, jittering brokenly on the reels. Considering it's implied throughout the game that Zack's Limits are activated and strengthened by his thoughts of his friends and loved ones... yeah. Just. Yeah.
** 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.
** 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.
** 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.
** Then what about "[[TearJerker 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.
* ''VideoGame/CrisisCore'': Putting aside a nonsensical plot, prequel-created plotholes, and not the best writing to be had, [[DoomedByCanon the doomed ending of Zack Fair]] makes playing through the whole thing painful to many.
** 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.".
** Zack's simple line: "Those wings... I want them too."
* ''Sephiroth''. In ''Crisis Core'', you really see how much of a good person he once was. He truly cared for his few friends. Watching that, and knowing what he becomes, is painful. Then he tells Zack "After this mission, I'm leaving Shinra," (because he doesn't want to hunt his friends anymore) and ''then'' we find out that this mission is to ''Nibelheim''? '''God'''. Also, every single scene with Zack and Aerith in ''Crisis Core'', considering you know it’s all doomed...

!Advent Children
* Kadaj's death scene in ''Advent Children'':
-->'''Aerith:''' Kadaj... Stop working so hard.\\
'''Kadaj:''' Mother... is that you?\\
'''Aerith:''' Let's go back with everyone.
** Kadaj then says "okay" and his voice and expression is just so innocent looking that it's hard to believe this is the same psycho bastard who's been abducting children and antagonizing the good guys this whole film.
* Kadaj's death. First, Cloud catches Kadaj when he collapses; second, Kadaj still calls Cloud "brother" in that heartwrenching manner; third, Aerith comforting Kadaj (damn, Maaya Sakamoto did a good job), he thinks that it's his "mother"; and last but not least, Aerith telling Kadaj they will go back together, and we see him [[AlasPoorVillain smile]] and [[TheWoobie cry out of happiness]]. And of course, having Creator/NobuoUematsu as music director, with the SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic (or sad music) "The [[http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858611150/ Promised]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvYh3uQpqXc Land]]".
** When Cloud catches Kadaj and shows such vivid compassion for him -- this despite being a totally [[StoicWoobie shutdown hero]] and so expressionless as to be almost a [[HeroicMime Heroic Mime]]. It's not only that Kadaj's death is suddenly – and unexpectedly – [[AlasPoorVillain very sad]], but also that Cloud suddenly shows enormous depth of character and ''as'' a character. His heroism is earned once and for all, and all the emo is swept aside, because he fights without malice or vengeance, and shows pity for the defeated foe. Not just pity, but sympathy--because he knows exactly what it feels like to be a puppet for someone else's agenda. It's that combo of heroic prowess and heroic insight (compassion) that brings about the classic [[EmotionalTorque catharsis]]. And all that is captured in one strange, small moment, when Kadaj [[DiedInYourArmsTonight dies in his arms]].
* "Which is it... a memory or us?" Most of Tifa's conversations with Cloud, and her fear that he might choose death over their life together.
* Reno from Advent Children. Yeah, he's there mostly for the comic relief, but, in one scene, he is talking to Rude. He mentions how happy he is that so many Shinra employees came back to work after everything that happened and Rude tells him that they will all work hard to make up for what they did. Reno... doesn't think redemption is possible for them any more. He goes on to talk about Elena and Tseng. Hoping that they didn't die and Rude has to give him a pep talk to snap him out of it. It's a really sober moment until Reno gets back to his normal self.

!The Remake

* "Case of Tifa" is full of this, Cloud ever-growing depression, and Denzel's seemingly incurable illness, as well as [[TheWoobie Tifa]] herself struggling with a massive case of SurvivorGuilt.

* "Case of Tifa" is full of this, Cloud ever-growing depression, and Denzel's seemingly incurable illness, as well as [[IronWoobie Tifa]] herself struggling with a massive case of SurvivorGuilt.

* "Case of Tifa" is full of this, Cloud ever-growing depression, and Denzel's seemingly incurable illness, as well as Tifa herself struggling with a her own case of SurvivorGuilt. To say she needs a hug is something of an understatement.

* "Case of Tifa" is full of this, Cloud ever-growing depression, and Denzel's seemingly incurable illness, as well as Tifa's own massive case of SurvivorGuilt. To say she needs a hug is something of an understatement.

* "Case of Tifa is full of this as aside from Cloud becoming increasingly depressed and emotionally distant, Tifa also has to battle her own bout of SurvivorGuilt, particularly over Aerith and Sector Seven.

* "Case of Tifa is full of this as aside from Cloud becoming increasingly depressed and emotionally distant, Tifa clearly [[GuiltComplex holds]] [[ItsAllMyFault herself]] [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone responsible]] for much of the loss of life fighting Shinra back in Midgar, especially over [[SurvivorGuilt Aerith]] and [[MyGreatestFailure Sector Seven]].

* Much of "Case of Tifa" is basically this between Cloud's increasing depression and Tifa's own SurvivorGuilt over the events of the game, particularly Sector Seven.

* "Case of Tifa" showcases that, for all her strength and bravery, Tifa of all people starts the novella with her own bout of SurvivorGuilt, blaming herself for much of the loss of life that occured in the original game fighting Shinra and Sephiroth in the original game, Aerith and Sector Seven in particular. Thankfully Cloud helps her snap out of this and she quickly regains the strength to live and rebuild.
-->'''Cloud:''' It's not like you to be troubled by your thoughts.
-->'''Tifa:''' It's... Just the way I am.
-->'''Cloud:''' No. You're much more cheerful and strong. If you've forgotten the way you were then, I'll be there to remind you.

* "Case of Tifa" showcases that, for all her strength and bravery, Tifa has to deal with her own bout of SurvivorGuilt and PTSD, blaming herself for much of the loss of life that occured in the original game in the fight against Shinra and Sephiroth in the original game, Aerith and Sector Seven in particular. Thankfully Cloud helps her snap out of this and she quickly regains the strength to live and rebuild.

* "Case of Tifa" showcases that, for all her strength and bravery, Tifa has to deal with her own bout of SurvivorGuilt, blaming herself for much of the loss of so many friends and innocent bystanders that occured in the original game in the fight against Shinra and Sephiroth, particularly Aerith and Sector Seven. Thankfully Cloud helps her snap out of this and she quickly regains the strength to live and rebuild.

* "Case of Tifa" gives Tifa her own bout of SurvivorGuilt, blaming herself for much of the tragedy that occured in the original game in their fight against Shinra, particularly Aerith and Sector Seven. Thankfully Cloud helps her snap out of this and she quickly regains the strength to live and rebuild.

-->'''Tifa:'''"It's... Just the way I am."
-->'''Cloud:'''"No. You're much more cheerful and strong. If you've forgotten the way you were then, I'll be there to remind you."

* "Case of Tifa" gives Tifa her own bout of Survivor's Guilt, blaming herself for much of the tragedy that occured in the original game (Particularly Sector Seven). She starts to ease up on herself by the end but then Cloud leaves.

** But for many people, ''Yuffie'' of all people has a reaction that's perhaps the most gut-wrenching. This being the selfish little ninja who wrecked havoc on your party for no reason other than greed... but once faced with Aerith's death you can see her struggling to maintain control of herself. But then she completely loses it and ''flings herself at Cloud crying''. And Cloud just hangs onto her and lets her cry. And even when she leaves, her sprite is shaking to show she's still crying. It makes the scene afterward, when she basically bitch-slaps Cloud and tells him he's not going after Sephiroth alone because of course they're all coming along, all the sweeter. It was this moment [[RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap that convinced many doubters that Yuffie actually had a heart after all]].

** Somehow it's worse knowing the NES Fan translation also has Aerith's death in it....it's just as heartwrenching as the real thing....

[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/vg_meh_1_3285.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:300:''Damn you'', Sephiroth.]]

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/aerithdeath.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''Damn you'', Sephiroth.]]

** Aerith's death was related to the death of a real person: [[spoiler:Sakaguchi's mother, who died early in the production of ''Final Fantasy VII''. This made Sakaguchi, the man behind the entire series, include a realistic death in the game as opposed to the Hollywood-style deaths in earlier Final Fantasy games.]]

*** It never could; ''Advent Children'' made it absolutely crystal clear that she's dead. And unless they write such into any possible GrandFinale as a ThrowTheDogABone to everyone, or render the ''Compilation Of FF VII'' non-canon, not that a lot of people would complain if they did, then she's never coming back. To be fair, she doesn't seem to mind her existence right now, [[spoiler: and she always has Zack for company.]]

** Cait Sith's reaction may seem out of place but it's quite deep in the long run as he did his best to try and do what he does best, cheer up the saddened....but to no avail, even he knew he couldn't cheer up Cloud and he simply looks at him as he orders his Moogle to walk away. [[spoiler:Even worse is if you think about it is that Reeve must have been watching the entire thing. Imagine how he feels on the other side of whom he's controlling?]]

* WordOfGod says that [[spoiler:Cait Sith's sacrifice]] was so blatantly played up, only to be deflated ''in mere seconds'', intentionally to desensitize players to dying characters, making the player believe that this is a game in which nobody dies. The next scene is Aerith's going to you-know-where. Well played, Squaresoft, well played.
** Even though Cait Sith pretty much ended up being NotQuiteDead, [[spoiler:Cait Sith's prior HeroicSacrifice]] was still very touching... particularly when [[spoiler:the moogle tripped and Cait Sith fell on the floor, then turned to the camera and made that adorably cute shrug. "Even I can save the world!"]] Some people - even ones who are actually ambivalent about Aerith, start crying at this one even if they know the circumstances. The music [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfelCeKaaIE "Words Drowned by Fireworks']] and [[spoiler:the moment when he swings his arms cheerfully, then stops and slumps over for a second]] really make it... Jeez, darn you, Square, because that was [[spoiler:AlasPoorScrappy]] at its finest and could be considered RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap. You find yourself ''agreeing'' with what he said: [[spoiler:another Cait Sith body may (and does) come along, but there's only one of ''this'' Cait Sith... and you're actually going to miss him]].

* The scene in Shinra Manor when Vincent sees [[spoiler:a projection of Lucrecia]] and the first thing he does is [[spoiler:try to hug her. Then she walks straight through him]].

* Nero and Weiss [[spoiler:becoming one at the end of the game.]]
--->[[spoiler:'''Nero:''' Let us become one. Let us come together, so that no one may ever tear us apart.]]

* Before you even get to the inevitable foregone conclusion in ''Crisis Core'', [[spoiler:Angeal's death and Aerith's subsequent comforting of the sobbing Zack]] is sure to send tears spiraling down your face.

** In Banora, when you find [[spoiler:Gillian Hewley's body]]. After that, [[spoiler: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''. [[spoiler:In ''Crisis Core'', you really see how much of a good person he once was. He truly cared for his few friends. Watching that, and knowing what he becomes, is painful. Then he tells Zack "After this mission, I'm leaving Shinra," (because he doesn't want to hunt his friends anymore) and ''then'' we find out that this mission is to ''Nibelheim''? '''God'''.]] Also, every single scene with Zack and Aerith in ''Crisis Core'', considering you know it’s all doomed...

-->[[spoiler:'''Aerith:''' Kadaj... Stop working so hard.]]\\
[[spoiler:'''Kadaj:''' Mother... is that you?]]\\
[[spoiler:'''Aerith:''' Let's go back with everyone.]]

[[caption-width-right:350:''Damn it'', Sephiroth.]]

[[quoteright:300:[[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/vg_meh_1_3285.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:300: ''Damn it'', Sephiroth.]]

** Cid is unable to show his face to anyone, not even Aerith's, after seeing this whole event. All he does is just stare at the sky, and then without even looking at Cloud, walks away. Probably because he's tearing so badly and he also can't bear to let Cloud see his sad face.

** ''Dirge of Cerberus'' shows that Lucrecia [[SelfInflictedHell willingly encased herself in crystal]] and remains in that cavern, because the Jenova Cells in her body ''won't let her die''.
** The scene in Shinra Manor when Vincent sees [[spoiler:a projection of Lucrecia]] and the first thing he does is [[spoiler:try to hug her. Then she walks straight through him]].
** Shalua's sacrifice.

** Nero and Weiss [[spoiler:becoming one at the end of the game.]]

** Then what about "[[TearJerker Cloud, if you see Aerith, would you say... that I became... A hero]]"?

** In Banora, when you find [[spoiler:Gillian Hewley's body]]. After that, [[spoiler:Angeal just leaves, the clincher being the sad look on Genesis's face before he states "We are monsters"]].

** Cait Sith's reaction may seem out of place but it's quite deep in the long run as he did his best to try and do what he does best, cheer up the saddened....but to no avail, even he knew he couldn't cheer up Cloud and he simply looks at Cloud as he orders his Moogle to walk away. [[spoiler:Even worse is if you think about it is that Reeve must have been watching the entire thing. Imagine how he feels on the other side of whom he's controlling?]]