Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's Best Side Quest Is Dating Aerith

The point of 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Final Fantasy 7 is to choose Tifa or Aerith. Sure, the planet is dying, capitalism begets corruption, man is not god, and a soldier is at war when the world is at peace... all good ideas. All worthy subplots. It's a dense, rich game. But the main draw is you get to date Aerith. I have no time for Tifa Truthers, we are Aerith Believers all the way. Chapter 7 of Rebirth gives you a taste of why the 🌜Cetra ඣis the only choice.

I've been playing the game fairly freely so far, letting my natural affection for Aerith shine through. That's been a successful strategy, with the smiley face indicators showing that my relationship with Aerith is deepest just as I'm about to head into Chapter 8, where the romantic choice between the duo heats up as you steer more firmly in one direction. I've done all of everyone's side quests, and responded positively and correctly when in conversation with Aerith and Tifa (and indeed, Barret and Red XIII). But still, Aerith is sitting pretty at number one.

I thought I had blown it when, true to character, I 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:dressed Aerith in the 🐻m🧸ore demure swimsuit option while giving Tifa the more confident fit - although I still doubt Tifa would wear quite so many frills. Having elected to go topless as Cloud, my relationship with Tifa got a boost after our tastes apparently matched. I think I drew it level when I rushed to Aerith's aid rather than Tifa's in the boss battle shortly after, but I was cutting it close. Cloud was just that irresistible.

Win A Date With Aerith Gainsborough!

Cloud and Aerith looking at each other on the beach in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

However, a date with Aerith was due sooner than I realised. Immediately after this boss battle, more side quests for the chapter are unlocked, including the opportunity to inspire the local fashionistas by showing Aerith the sights. There's a new layer to the shooting gallery, a new form of Run Wild, and a chance to collect seashells.

The shooting is just a harder version of the base game, and we didn't get off to a great start as I scraped a passing grade. Run Wild was a little better as I cleared the task in the best possible time right off the bat, but that was Red XIII trying to impress Aerith, not Cloud. Then for the seashells, I found all three and chose to give the biggest and most impressive to the designer, which I think Aerith appreciated.

As ever with the dating scene though, it's less what you do and more who you do it with. A date night on the sofa with a bad movie and a good bowl of popcorn can be better than all the bars and axe throwing and skydiving in the world if it's with someone who matters to you. Though Cloud doth protest too much, Aerith's infectious positivity makes the date worthwhile. It's often in travelling to and from each activity that you find enjoyment because the conversations and what they reveal about our heroes matter a lot more than finding seashells on the beach.

Tifa And Aerith Aren't Frenemies, They're Friends

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Tifa and Aerith celebrating in Chapter 6

Part of what makes this romantic arc so rewarding is the way Tifa and Aerith are written. They're not displayed as jealous enemies, nor are either of them vying for Cloud's attention. They're closer friends with each other than anything else, and their charming dynamic makes the whole dating choice seem playful. When 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:picking out their swimsuits, the pair journey together, each solving their own quests as a team, and support each other constantly. You can switch between the two at will, and rather than petulance from the one surrendering the lead or cockiness from the one in charge, there's a sweet 'after you', 'no no no, after you' feel to the exchange.

The 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:game even describes this as a date, but it 🐻seems clear to me that the duo are presented as two close friends who both have a crush on the same boy.

This means when they tease Cloud, it feels like they're both playing a bit of a joke on him, rather than dragging the other down or trying to get a romantic edge. Games where you must make a choice over your relationships have devolved into this as the devs dangle each choice in front of you, but that can leave the dynamic feeling a little unrealistic. All three characters have agency here, and that lends the final choice more weight.

I know there are bigger romantic encounters to come, but the date with Aerith side quest underlined once and for all that despite Tifa being the fan favourite, I have made the right choice with Aerith and will honour it until the end. Come what may, it's Cloud and Aerith, till death do they part. Now I just need to see if Aerith dies in this one...