As its name implies, Final Fantasy 7 Remake isn't just a remastered version of the classic 1997 JRPG. The remake is using Final Fantasy 7's story and design as an outline, then robustly expanding and creating new experiences from there. One of the biggest changes, according to story and scenario writer Kazushige Nojima, will be protagonist Cloud's personality. In Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Nojima says that, "I have gone much deeper into the inner psychology of Cloud."
Nojima describes the original depiction of Cloud as "cool and stylish," though it might be more appropriate to say he was distant and aloof based on how rare his interactions with other characters were. That will be changing in Final Fantasy 7 Remake as Cloud's personality and relationships become much more of a focus. And the result is that maybe Cloud isn't as cool as fans may have first thought. "This time, [Cloud] can miss the mark and be a little cringe-worthy at times. His cool facade can often slip."
Instead of being a cool and composed character, Cloud will simply be putting that personality forward as a facade. "Because he wants people to accept and respect him, he puts on a front," is how Nojima characterizes the new depth to Cloud. That's not to say it wasn't there in Final Fantasy 7, too, but it definitely wasn't made obvious.
It's a major change to Cloud's character and fans are certain to be mixed on the change. This is something that Nojima himself recognizes fully. "I am nervous about whether the fans will accept that or not," doesn't lend itself the most confidence in the changes. Players will just have to wait and see how well-realized Cloud has become at launch.
Cloud isn't the only character in Final Fantasy 7 Remake being further explored, though. Nojima says that Aerith is also being expanded on. Final Fantasy 7 Remake will even explore a "major untold part of [Aerith's] past" according to Nojima. This addition may not be so obvious, however, as Nojima warns that, "You might not even catch it at all."
To say Final Fantasy 7 Remake will be wildly different than Final Fantasy 7 seems appropriate the more that's shown or shared about the upcoming JRPG. After all, it's a full-length game that only covers the first chapter of the original Final Fantasy 7. It's clearly much larger in many ways than the original. That means that Final Fantasy 7 Remake doesn't just have to stand on its own as a great game, but has to stand up against the legacy of one of the most popular JRPGs ever made. Players will find out if it does soon.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake releases April 10 on PS4.
Source: IGN
