Cloud Strife isn't just a guy with a giant sword. He’s a mess. Honestly, if you played the 1997 original, you might remember him as this cool, aloof mercenary who didn't care about anything but the paycheck. But in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake characters roster, Cloud is reimagined as someone much more vulnerable and, frankly, a bit of a dork who's trying way too hard.
It works.
Square Enix took a massive gamble. They didn't just upscale the polygons; they gave these icons actual souls. When Cloud tries to act "cool" in front of Tifa, you can see the social anxiety bubbling under the surface. It's a nuance that just wasn't possible on the PS1.
The Cloud Strife Identity Crisis
We have to talk about the voice acting. Cody Christian brings this raspy, guarded quality to Cloud that perfectly captures a soldier—or someone pretending to be one—who has no idea how to talk to people. He’s awkward. He misses social cues.
Unlike the original game where dialogue was a bit more "tough guy" generic, the Remake emphasizes that Cloud is basically a teenager in a super-soldier’s body. He’s acting out a persona he thinks people want to see. This makes his interactions with the rest of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake characters feel earned. When he finally starts to crack a smile or show genuine concern for Barrett, it hits harder because you’ve spent fifteen hours watching him be a standoffish prick.
Tifa and Aerith: Breaking the Old Archetypes
For years, the fanbase put Tifa and Aerith into boxes. Tifa was the "tough fighter" and Aerith was the "innocent healer." The Remake flips that script entirely.
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- Aerith Gainsborough is the real powerhouse here. Briana White voices her with this playful, almost chaotic energy. She isn't a damsel. She's the one dragging Cloud through the slums, making fun of his "tough guy" act, and clearly knows more about the world than she’s letting on. She’s the instigator.
- Tifa Lockhart is actually the more emotionally reserved one. Despite her being a world-class martial artist, she’s constantly second-guessing the morality of Avalanche’s actions. She’s the heart of the group, but it’s a heavy heart. Her design in the Remake—sporting that more athletic, tactical look—matches her role as the "tank" of the emotional narrative.
It’s a fascinating dynamic. You’ve got the flower girl who is essentially a street-smart punk and the bar owner who could punch a hole through a building but is too empathetic for her own good.
The Side Characters Actually Matter Now
Remember Biggs, Wedge, and Jessie? In 1997, they were basically cannon fodder. You knew they were going to die, so you didn't get too attached. Remake changes that.
Jessie Rasberry, in particular, became a breakout star. She’s flirty, she’s an actress, and she has a back-story involving her father that gives her a real reason to be fighting Shinra. When the plate falls, it isn't just a plot point anymore. It’s a tragedy. You’ve sat in her house. You’ve eaten her mom’s pizza. The developers, led by Tetsuya Nomura and Yoshinori Kitase, understood that for the stakes to matter, we had to love the people on the ground.
Even Roche—that weird, bike-obsessed SOLDIER—adds a layer of "Shinra weirdness" that was missing. Some fans hate him. I think he’s hilarious. He represents the sheer absurdity of the world Cloud came from.
Sephiroth: Less is Not More
There’s a lot of debate about Sephiroth’s role in the Remake. In the original, you didn't even see him for the first ten hours. He was a shadow. A myth.
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In the Final Fantasy 7 Remake characters arc, he’s everywhere. He’s haunting Cloud’s visions from Chapter 2. Some people think this ruined the mystery. I’d argue it changes the stakes. This isn't just a remake; it’s a sequel in disguise. Sephiroth seems to know what happened in the original game and is actively trying to change the timeline. That makes him more dangerous than ever because he’s no longer just a villain—he’s a meta-villain.
Why the Combat Style Defines Their Personality
Square Enix did something brilliant with the "Unified Combat" system. Every character's personality is reflected in how they play.
- Cloud is all about stance dancing. He’s versatile but rigid.
- Barrett is the literal anchor. He stands his ground and draws fire, reflecting his role as the overprotective "dad" of the group.
- Aerith feels fragile but commands the entire field with magic wards.
- Tifa is about momentum. You have to be fast, aggressive, and precise—exactly how she fights in the cutscenes.
This isn't just "hit the button to swing sword." It’s "how would this specific person handle a 50-foot mechanical scorpion?"
The Whispers and the Fate of the Cast
We can't talk about the characters without mentioning the Whispers—those ghostly hooded figures. They are literally the "plot police." They appear whenever the story deviates too far from the 1997 script.
When the Final Fantasy 7 Remake characters fight the Whispers at the end of the game, they aren't just fighting a boss. They’re fighting for the right to have a different ending. It’s a bold move that turns the characters into meta-commentators on their own legacy. It means that in the next parts (Rebirth and beyond), nobody is safe. Not even Aerith.
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Looking Forward: Red XIII and Yuffie
We only got a taste of Red XIII at the end of Remake, but his "wise-grandfather-in-a-dog's-body" vibe is intact. Then there’s the INTERmission DLC with Yuffie.
Yuffie brings a much-needed levity. She’s a ninja from Wutai, she’s obsessed with Materia, and she’s incredibly fun to play. Her chemistry with Sonon (a new character for the Remake) showed that the writers can still create compelling new figures without leaning on nostalgia. It proved the "Remake" project has its own legs.
Actionable Insights for Players
If you're looking to truly master the character dynamics and gameplay in your next playthrough, keep these specifics in mind:
- Swap characters constantly. The AI is decent at blocking, but it won't build ATB charges quickly. To win on Hard Mode, you have to play as everyone.
- Focus on Tifa’s "Unbridled Strength." It’s her best move. It increases her stagger multiplier, which is the only way to melt boss health bars.
- Pay attention to the background dialogue. A lot of the character development happens while you're just walking through the sectors. The banter between Barrett and Cloud in the sewers tells you more about their growing respect than any major cutscene does.
- Read the enemy intel. Chadley’s missions aren't just fluff; the descriptions often hint at how the characters perceive the world around them.
The Final Fantasy 7 Remake characters are successful because they aren't statues. They aren't just 4K versions of childhood memories. They are flawed, breathing people who are just as confused about their destiny as we are. Whether you're a veteran or a newcomer, the depth here is staggering.
Go back and watch the scene where Cloud falls into Aerith’s church again. Look at his face. He isn't a hero yet. He's just a kid who’s way out of his depth. That’s the magic of this remake.