5 Things Most Final Fantasy Fans Don’t Know About Cloud Strife

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In Final Fantasy 7, Cloud Strife serves as your main guide, yet the remake series devotes additional time to other characters whose roles were less prominent in the original game. Due to Cloud’s prior Mako poisoning, his memories are hazy and unreliable. This ambiguity makes it hard to rely on what he says or how he interprets events, a complexity that is more evident in the remake trilogy. Consequently, players may have a deeper understanding of Cloud than Cloud himself, but some details about him remain unclear.

In a substantial part of Final Fantasy 7, due to Mako poisoning and experimental manipulations by Hojo, Cloud often mixes up his own memories with those of Zack Fair. Yet, there are certain aspects about Cloud that can be gleaned, either through scenes unaffected by his confusion or through additional sources like behind-the-scenes information from the development of Final Fantasy 7.

1. Cloud is Slightly Claustrophobic

In at least two instances throughout the initial game, Cloud’s anxiety about confined spaces becomes evident. For instance, during the Mt. Corel train tracks part, he mentions how cramped it feels and reminds himself to stay composed. Similarly, in the submarine section, he expresses his discomfort due to the tight quarters, shaking, and engine noise. Given that Cloud was subjected to extended periods in a Mako tank as Hojo’s experiment, his claustrophobia might well stem from this experience.

2. Cloud Cross-dresses Outside of FF7

In both the original Final Fantasy 7 and the remake, Cloud’s cross-dressing scene is quite popular. However, these aren’t the only games where Cloud dons feminine attire. In Final Fantasy Tactics, he’s the sole male character who can wear a ribbon accessory. This subtle reference harkens back to his cross-dressing in FF7, and in the world of Ivalice, wearing the ribbon is essentially a nod to cross-dressing. It might not be a major plot point, but it’s a charming homage to a beloved aspect of FF7 for many fans.

3. Cloud’s Original Designs Were Used for Angeal and Zack

Initially, game developers thought about making Cloud’s hair slicked-back black, contrasting with Sephiroth’s white hair. However, this idea didn’t make it into the final version of Cloud. Instead, these early designs were used for the characters Angeal and Zack. If the original design had been kept, we might not have had the amusing comparisons of Cloud to a Chocobo.

4. Cloud Has Two Birthdays

As a devoted fan, I’ve stumbled upon some fascinating trivia about everyone’s favorite hero, Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy 7. Originally, according to the game’s guidebook, his birthday was listed as August 19th. However, this changed in the Ultimania, where Cloud’s official birthday was updated to August 11th – a date that’s now considered the authentic one, thus overriding the initial game guide’s information.

Now, here’s where things get intriguing! Final Fantasy Tactics lists Cloud as an Aquarius, but this doesn’t align with either of his birthdays, leaving us puzzling over why he was assigned that particular Zodiac sign. It’s a small detail, but it adds another layer to the rich lore of the Final Fantasy universe.

5. Cloud Originally Wounded Tifa

In the development process, an early concept for the game featured Cloud inflicting severe wounds on Tifa under Sephiroth’s influence. This would have resulted in scars on her back and memory loss, significantly altering their relationship and making reconciliation challenging due to missing memories. Thankfully, this idea was not included in the final version of the game because it suits Cloud and Tifa better for their past events to remain as they are portrayed.

In the same vein as other games, Final Fantasy 7 underwent significant transformations during its creation, shaping Cloud into the character we know today instead of a version closer to Zack or Angeal. Interestingly, the remake series seems to be leaning towards being a continuation of the initial game, as characters like Aerith and Sephiroth appear to possess knowledge of the original timeline. If you’ve played both versions, you’ve noticed differences between them. Throughout these alterations, it’s the intricate details and tweaks that transform these characters into the memorable versions we cherish today.

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2025-09-07 02:13