He doesn't walk. He struts. When Rufus Shinra drops from that helicopter onto the Shinra Building rooftop, the entire energy of Final Fantasy VII Remake shifts. Gone is the bumbling corporate slapstick of the original 1997 game. In its place stands a calculating, shotgun-wielding aristocrat who feels like he actually belongs at the top of a global superpower.
Honestly, the Rufus Shinra FF7 Remake glow-up is probably the most underrated part of the whole trilogy.
Square Enix didn't just give him a high-definition coat. They gave him a soul—a cold, ambitious, and deeply complicated one. If you’re like me and spent the original game thinking of Rufus as just "the guy with the dog," you’ve missed the biggest transformation in the series.
A Different Kind of Tyrant
Most people remember President Shinra (the dad) as a guy who ruled with money. He bought loyalty. He built Midgar into a literal circle of dependency where you either worked for him or starved in the dirt. But Rufus? Rufus thinks that’s old-school and, frankly, inefficient.
In his inaugural speech, he lays it out: he’s going to rule through fear.
It sounds edgy, but it’s actually more pragmatic than the old man’s approach. He doesn’t want to waste time pretending to be a benevolent god. He wants people to know exactly who is in charge so they don't even think about stepping out of line. Yet, there’s this weird nuance where he actually seems to care about the company’s survival more than his father did. He isn't just burning the world for a quick buck; he’s trying to build a legacy that doesn't collapse under its own weight.
🔗 Read more: Daily Jumble in Color: Why This Retro Puzzle Still Hits Different
The Mystery of the Whispers
Here is the part that keeps the theory-crafting community up at night. At the end of the Remake, during that chaotic rooftop scene, Rufus can see the Whispers.
Why?
Only people whose lives are being actively toyed with by fate—or those who are already deviating from the "original" timeline—can see those ghostly grey hooded figures. Tseng can’t see them. The other Turks can’t see them. But Rufus is standing there, tracking them with his eyes.
This implies Rufus is way more important to the "multiverse" or "timeline" shenanigans than he ever was in the 90s. Some fans think it's because he secretly funded Avalanche in the Before Crisis lore (which is canon now), making him a "defier of fate" long before Cloud ever picked up a Buster Sword. Others think he might have Cetra blood or some other secret his father took to the grave. Whatever the reason, he’s not just a corporate suit anymore. He’s a player in the cosmic game.
Surviving the Rufus Shinra FF7 Remake Boss Fight
If you came here looking for help because this guy keeps kicking your teeth in, I feel you. This is arguably the most "git gud" moment in the first game. You can’t just mash Square and hope for the best. Rufus will counter every single basic attack you throw at him. He’ll laugh at you while his dog, Darkstar, pins you to the floor.
💡 You might also like: Cheapest Pokemon Pack: How to Rip for Under $4 in 2026
The Golden Rule: Don't Attack First.
Rufus is a counter-fighter. If you swing, he dodges and punishes. You have to wait for him to reload. When that "Reload" text pops up over his head, that is your three-second window to go ham.
- Braver is your best friend: If you time a Braver attack right when he’s reloading or mid-attack, it instantly pressures him.
- Kill the dog first: Seriously. Darkstar links to Rufus and buffs him. Use Punisher Mode counters to deal with the dog’s physical lunges, then hit it with everything once it’s pressured.
- Steadfast Block: Since you’ll be spending a lot of time waiting for him to move, keep your guard up. This Materia helps you build ATB while defending, which is the only way you'll get enough juice to heal.
It's a duel. It's supposed to feel like a dance. If you try to play it like a hack-and-slash, you’re going to see the Game Over screen a lot.
The Voice Behind the Ego
A character is only as good as the performance, and Josh Bowman absolutely nails the "refined prick" vibe. He gives Rufus this smooth, aristocratic British accent that makes every line feel like a subtle insult. It’s a huge departure from the voice we heard in Advent Children, but it fits this younger, more active version of the character perfectly.
He sounds like a man who has never been told "no" in his entire life, but who is also smart enough to know that everyone around him is probably trying to kill him. It adds a layer of paranoia to the character that makes him feel human, despite the fancy white suit.
📖 Related: Why the Hello Kitty Island Adventure Meme Refuses to Die
What’s Next for the President?
In FF7 Rebirth, we see the stakes get even higher. Rufus is dealing with Glenn Lodbrok (a ghost from the past) and trying to manage a brewing war with Wutai while Sephiroth is out there literally rewriting reality.
He’s caught between being a villain and being the only guy with enough resources to actually help the "good guys" save the planet. He’s the ultimate wild card. He doesn't want the world to end—not because he's a hero, but because you can't be President of a dead rock.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Playthrough:
- Pay attention to his eyes: In the cutscenes where the Whispers appear, watch how Rufus reacts compared to the Turks. It's a masterclass in subtle storytelling.
- Equip Elemental Materia: Pair it with Lightning on your armor for the boss fight; he loves those stun grenades and electric shots.
- Read the Ultimania details: If you can find translations, the developers confirm that Rufus’s role was expanded specifically because he serves as a "dark mirror" to Cloud’s leadership.
To really master the encounter, focus on your Counterstance timing. It is the single most effective way to chip away at his health without getting caught in his "Guns Akimbo" trap. Once you stop fearing him and start timing him, the fight becomes one of the most rewarding in the game.