It is too big. Honestly, that is the first thing anyone thinks when they see the Final Fantasy 7 Buster Sword. It’s roughly six feet of unrefined steel, boasting a single-edged blade that looks more like a kitchen cleaver for a giant than a practical weapon for a mercenary. Yet, for nearly thirty years, this slab of metal has defined an entire genre of RPGs. If you grew up in the 90s, you didn't just see a sword; you saw a symbol of rebellion against a planet-killing corporation.
Cloud Strife carries it with a weird, gravity-defying grace, but the history of the blade is actually pretty tragic. It isn't just a starter weapon you swap out for something with better stats at the first shop in Midgar. Well, in the original 1997 game, it kind of was. But as the "Compilation of Final Fantasy VII" grew, the Buster Sword became a character in its own right. It carries the weight of shattered dreams, broken promises, and a legacy passed down through blood and grief.
The Real Origin Story Most People Forget
Most casual fans assume the Final Fantasy 7 Buster Sword belongs to Cloud. It doesn’t. Not originally, anyway. If you've played Crisis Core, you know the real story starts with Angeal Hewley. He was a First Class SOLDIER with a strict sense of honor. Interestingly, Angeal rarely actually used the sword. He wore it on his back, claiming that use leads to "wear, tear, and rust." He treated it like a religious relic because his father had to borrow a massive amount of money to have it forged when Angeal joined Shinra. His father actually died working to pay off that debt.
That’s heavy.
When Angeal eventually passed the blade to Zack Fair, it wasn't a celebratory moment. It was a "protect your honor" moment. Zack used the blunt edge more often than the sharp one to keep the blade pristine, honoring Angeal's memory. By the time it reaches Cloud’s hands outside the gates of Midgar, the sword is battered. It’s seen the end of the world and the end of several friendships. When Cloud grips that hilt, he’s not just taking a weapon; he’s taking on a mental burden he isn't even fully aware of yet.
Specs and Design: More Than Just a Large Knife
Let's talk about the actual look of this thing.
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The Final Fantasy 7 Buster Sword is roughly five to six feet long, with a foot-wide blade. It’s got those two distinct holes near the handguard. In the original game, these were just cool design elements, but they were eventually retconned (or clarified) to be Materia slots. The handguard itself is usually depicted as gold or brass, though the Remake series adds a ton of gritty detail, showing the bolts and the wear on the steel.
It's massive.
How heavy is it? Fans have spent decades arguing about this in forums. If it were made of solid high-carbon steel, you're looking at something weighing between 250 and 300 pounds. No human—not even a bodybuilder—could swing that with the speed Cloud does. This is where the lore of "SOLDIER" comes in. Cloud and Zack weren't just fit; they were infused with Mako and Jenova cells. They were basically biological experiments. Without that superhuman strength, the Buster Sword is just an expensive, oversized paperweight.
Why the Buster Sword Matters in the Remake Era
When Square Enix released Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth, they had a problem. How do you make the iconic starting weapon relevant when players want to see those big numbers from endgame gear? They solved it with a brilliant weapon upgrade system. Now, you can actually keep the Final Fantasy 7 Buster Sword equipped for the entire game without feeling like a total idiot.
The Remake treats the sword with a level of reverence that borders on the cinematic. You see the scratches. You see the way the light hits the duller parts of the metal. In Rebirth, the combat animations for the Buster Sword feel "heavier" than Cloud's other blades, like the sleek Masamune or the jagged Hardedge. There is a specific satisfaction in landing a Focused Thrust with the original blade that you just don't get with the more "magical" looking swords.
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It feels real.
The sword also acts as a visual shorthand for Cloud's mental state. In the early parts of the story, he treats it like a tool. He’s a "Mercenary." He’s cold. But as the layers of his fractured identity peel away, the sword becomes a tether to his real past—and the friend he forgot.
Myth-Busting the "Buster"
There are a few misconceptions that float around the community. Some people think "Buster" refers to a specific type of historical sword. It doesn't. While "Bustard swords" (a variation of the bastard sword) exist, the name "Buster" is likely just a "cool-sounding" Japanese-to-English translation choice meant to imply it "busts" through defenses.
- Is it indestructible? No. In Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, we see Cloud has moved on to the "Fusion Sword." The original Buster Sword is left at the cliffside where Zack died. It’s rusted and pitted. It's a grave marker.
- Can you buy a real one? You can buy replicas, but "real" ones made of functional steel are dangerous. The YouTube channel Man at Arms actually forged a "functional" version, and even their massive blacksmiths struggled to lift it.
- Is it the biggest sword in the game? Surprisingly, no. Sephiroth’s Masamune is significantly longer, though much thinner. The Buster Sword wins on pure mass, though.
The Cultural Impact: From Midgar to the Real World
You cannot go to a comic convention without seeing at least five Final Fantasy 7 Buster Swords. Most are made of foam or cardboard, but the sheer presence they command is undeniable. It changed how game designers thought about weapon design. Before 1997, swords in RPGs were generally proportional. After Cloud, we got Monster Hunter's Greatswords, Berserk's influence went mainstream, and "over-sized" became a trope.
The sword represents the "edgy" 90s aesthetic done right. It wasn't just big for the sake of being big; it was big to show that the protagonist was carrying something heavier than just metal. It was a burden.
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How to Appreciate the Legend Today
If you are jumping into the Final Fantasy VII trilogy now, don't just ditch the Final Fantasy 7 Buster Sword the second you get the Iron Blade or the Sleek Saber. Take a second to look at it in the menu. In the Remake series, the "Weapon Proficiency" system actually encourages you to master the abilities attached to each sword. The Buster Sword usually grants "Focused Thrust," which is essential for staggering enemies. Master it, then keep using the blade if you want that classic look.
Honestly, playing through the game with the default sword feels more "canon" during the big cinematic moments. Seeing Cloud confront Sephiroth with any other blade just feels... off.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into the lore or even own a piece of this history, here is how to handle it:
- Check the Proficiency: If you're playing FFVII Rebirth, make sure you've maxed out the Buster Sword's proficiency immediately. It’s your primary tool for building the pressure gauge on bosses.
- Watch Crisis Core Reunion: To truly understand why the sword looks the way it does, play or watch the ending of Crisis Core. It changes how you see the opening cutscene of the original game forever.
- Replica Shopping: If you're buying a replica for cosplay, look for "EVA Foam" versions. Avoid the stainless steel "wall hangers" unless you have a professional-grade wall mount; they are notorious for falling and damaging floors because of the weight-to-hilt ratio.
- The Advent Children Connection: If you want to see the "end" of the Buster Sword's journey, watch the Advent Children Complete version. It shows the sword's final resting place in high definition, and it's a poignant end for a piece of equipment.
The Final Fantasy 7 Buster Sword isn't just a collection of pixels or a hunk of plastic on a collector's shelf. It’s the visual anchor for one of the greatest stories ever told in gaming. It is awkward, oversized, and impractical—and that is exactly why we love it.