It’s a common trope in RPGs to give the male protagonist a cluster of women to gawk over. Cloud, as the protagonist, isn’t a hound dog like Brock in thePokemonanime but he does indeed have loyal female friends. Tifa, for example, was his childhood friend whom he left long ago.
Returning to a sort of lost childhood love is a trope in and of itself too. That was an obvious theme inFinal Fantasy 7 Remarkand it remains a theme inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth. The jealousy between Tifa and Aerith is subtle but it is there. Relationships aside, let’s look atTifa as a singular characterand examine her best lines. There will be spoilers.
8“Cloud, You A**hole!”
Chapter 1, Nibelheim
There is a smallEaster Egg in the beginning section ofFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthduring Cloud’s flashback. If players go up to Tifa’s closet they will get a prompt to investigate it. Before they do, players will be asked if they are sure they want to do this.
While the game doesn’t show what Cloud finds, Tifa and Aerith call Cloud an a**hole at the same time for rummaging through her clothes. It will affect their relationships with Cloud so maybe players shouldn’t do it even though it is funny.
7“Sephiroth, Soldiers, Mako, Shinra, I’m Sick Of This!”
Chapter 1, Mt. Nibel Reactor
The climactic finale of Cloud’s flashback is a big one inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Sephiroth has gone wild withmommy energy for Jenova. He burns Nibelheim to the ground and kills anyone on his journey up to Mt. Nibel’s reactor including Brian, Tifa’s dad.
As she finds him, Tifa starts to get angry and even tries to take Sephiroth down with his Masamune sword. The plan backfires, but this gusto from Tifa is riveting even if she failed.
6“I’m Here Now Because They Were There For Me Then, And Where Were You Again?”
Chapter 2, Kalm
One of thestory changes toFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthhas Tifa doubts Cloud was ever in Nibelheim during that Sephiroth incident. Also, Sephiroth is putting the idea in Cloud’s head that Tifa is either lying or is some sort of clone. To prove she is telling the truth, Tifa lifts her shirt to reveal the scar from the Masamune strike.
The scar is right on her chest so of course the game doesn’t show it. Still, this moment at least has Cloud start to believe Tifa even with Sephiroth pushing this lie further in the game.
5“Ribbit?”
Chapter 4, Junon
One of the worst status effects in the original game was Frog which literally turned the party into frogs. It’s a status effect inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthas well during combat, but it’s also part of a mini-game called Jumpfrog. In the lower section of Junon, Tifa and the others can find some kids playing in a pink mist that turns them into frogs.
She is one of the first ones to jump in and her reaction is a bunch of ribbits. One of the funniest things about this scene and mini-game is looking at all of the frog forms of the party, especially Red 13.
4“You Look…Wow.”
One of the best reveals in the original game was when players got to seeBarret dressed uplike a sailor on the Shinra cargo ship. Everyone calls him a marshmallow, which he hates. InFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Barret’s character actually likes the costume even though he takes offense at first when Tifa says this line.
Another change during this section of a Junon is that Aerith and Tifa are dressed up as soldiers along with Cloud which doesn’t happen until the cargo ship originally. It was a good change to help give the parade mini-game some more pep.
3“I Get This All The Time.”
Chapter 6, Costa Del Sol
Costa del Sol is a much more expanded location inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthalong with most locales. Upon arriving, most of the party splits up including Tifa and Aerith who go on a date together. As they walk around the city, they bump into Jenny who looks a little like Johnny.
She’s obsessed with him and thinks Tifa is trying to steal Johnny away. Upon hearing this, Tifa says she gets this sentiment a lot from other women which is a bit of a humble brag in Jenny’s opinion. Just how often does it happen Tifa?
2“You’re Afraid Of A Little Video Game?”
Chapter 8, Gold Saucer
Like in the original, players can go on a date during the Gold Saucer arc of the game. It’s easier to tell who that person will be because there is a newrelationship mechanic inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
If players get Tifa, they can visit a variety of places within Gold Saucer including the arcade area. When she sees the G-Bike mini-game, she’ll encourage Cloud to play it even though he thinks it’s for little kids. It’s one of many cute moments with Tifa in what should be the canonical date ofFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
1“No, Don’t Take Him Too!”
Chapter 9, Gongaga Reactor
Another big story change happens in the Gongaga reactor. During a boss fight involving Whispers swarming the party, Sephiroth possesses Cloud to strike at Tifa. He misses but she falls into the Lifestream and passes out.
She gets inside a Weapon and starts to see visions including one where things white out. Cloud and Sephiroth are walking away from her to which Sephiroth says, “Your words can’t reach him now.” Is it too late or can Tifa save Cloud’s mind in the next game?
