Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth captivates players not only with its gripping story and breathtaking graphics, but also with a profound relationship and romance system.
This aspect of the game allows you to build a closer bond with the characters accompanying Cloud on his journey. In this guide, we delve deep into the mechanics of this system, shedding light on how you can strengthen your relationships with the various characters and even ignite romantic connections. Warning: This guide contains mild spoilers.
Overview of the Relationship System
In Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the relationship system plays a central role in creating a sense of connection between Cloud and his companions. This becomes particularly noticeable in a key moment at the Gold Saucer in Chapter 12. The system includes the following characters:
- Tifa Lockhart
- Aerith Gainsborough
- Barret
- Red XIII
- Yuffie
The current relationship level is indicated by a smiley symbol above the characters' heads, which you can see by pressing the L1 button during exploration. Depending on your actions or decisions, the relationship can improve, as indicated by a color change of the smiley from gray to purple, yellow, green, dark blue, and light blue.
Synergy Abilities and Actions
A key component to strengthen your relationships are the synergy abilities and actions unlocked by spending Skill Points (SP) in the Folio menu. These actions, triggered in battle, provide an excellent way to enhance your relationship with a character:
- Synergy abilities are activated by holding the R1 button, allowing you to perform a specific action with a character.
- Synergy actions require filling the ATB gauge to select a character ability that adds a synergy pip. When two characters have at least two pips, they can trigger their synergy action.
Personal Conversations and Side Quests
The relationship system is also influenced by personal conversations and participating in side quests. During your explorations, you will have moments to interact with your companions and choose from various response options. Similarly, the numerous side quests in each settlement area directly impact your relationships.
Missable Events and Your Companionship at the Gold Saucer
Some relationship boosts are completely missable, depending on your actions at certain times. These events range from competitions, such as the Blood King Tournament, to decisions regarding outfits at the beach. Your actions in these moments can have a significant impact on the development of your relationships.
The highlight of the relationship system is experienced at the Gold Saucer, where the character with the highest relationship level will invite Cloud to a special sequence. This can range from friendly conversations to romantic gestures, depending on how strong your bond is with certain characters.
Conclusion and Replay Options
Upon completing the campaign, the game offers you the option to select various companions and replay Chapter 12 through the Extra Settings menu. This allows you to experience different interactions and endings based on how you shaped your relationships with the characters.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth offers a rich and dynamic player experience where every decision and interaction influences the relationships between Cloud and his companions. Whether you aim for deeper friendships or romantic relationships, this system adds an extra layer of immersion and emotion to the game.
