Cloud Strife debuted in ‘Final Fantasy VII’ as a hired gun working with the environmental group AVALANCHE in the city of Midgar. Created by Tetsuya Nomura, he quickly became a famous hero in role-playing games, with a storyline that begins with fighting a powerful corporation and expands into a worldwide battle against Sephiroth. While his appearance, equipment, and skills have changed over the years in various games, movies, and related titles, his essential character remains consistent.
Okay, so Cloud isn’t just in the original *Final Fantasy VII*. He’s all over the place! I’ve seen him in *Advent Children*, *Crisis Core*, and *Dirge of Cerberus*, and now the *Remake* is awesome too. But it doesn’t stop there – he’s even popped up in games like *Kingdom Hearts* and *Super Smash Bros. Ultimate*, which is how a lot of people my age first discovered him. It’s cool seeing a character from a classic RPG reach so many different games and players.
The Buster Sword
Cloud is instantly recognizable thanks to the massive Buster Sword he carries in ‘Final Fantasy VII’. Its unique rectangular shape and single hole near the handle make it stand out, even in the game’s older, less detailed graphics. The sword has a history, originally belonging to Angeal and then Zack Fair, and its connection to them is important to Cloud’s story.
Throughout the various installments, the Buster Sword frequently acts as a symbol of remembrance or a trigger for Cloud’s memories. In ‘Final Fantasy VII Advent Children,’ the worn sword is left on a cliff as a memorial, and in ‘Final Fantasy VII Remake’ it’s Cloud’s starting weapon, with customizable parts that affect his combat abilities. The sword’s recurring appearance connects all the different stories to a common past.
Omnislash Limit Break
Cloud’s most famous special attack is Omnislash. He can use it once his Limit gauge is full, which happens as he takes damage in battle. Originally, players learned this powerful, multi-hit technique from a game manual. When used at the right moment, it can quickly defeat tough enemies. Omnislash also has unique animations during important story scenes, making it a memorable part of how Cloud fights.
The way Omnislash is used changes depending on the game. In ‘Final Fantasy VII Advent Children,’ Cloud performs an airborne version with many quick strikes. ‘Final Fantasy VII Remake’ features it as a strong, special attack during battles. And in fighting game crossovers, it’s typically a powerful super move designed for that style of gameplay.
SOLDIER Enhancements and Mako Exposure
Cloud’s powers come from a combination of mako energy and Jenova cells. Though he wasn’t originally a top-level SOLDIER, experiments gave him increased strength and speed, similar to the elite operatives. This explains why he can swing massive swords, endure harsh environments, and effectively use Materia.
Mako energy in the story serves as both a source of power and a dangerous element. When characters are exposed to it, they can become stronger, but also experience changes to their memories and how they see the world. Cloud’s personal journey specifically explores these effects, making his incredible abilities feel believable within the game’s established rules and backstory.
Identity and the Zack Fair Connection
At the beginning of the story, Cloud is introduced as a highly skilled former soldier, but he has fragmented and inaccurate memories of his past, especially concerning his time with Zack Fair. As the story unfolds, we learn how events around Nibelheim and afterward profoundly impacted Cloud’s identity. These revelations clarify confusing memories and explain why they feel incomplete or jumbled.
As a huge ‘Final Fantasy VII’ fan, I’ve been diving into the backstory with the follow-up games. ‘Crisis Core’ really filled things in for me – it showed what Zack was up to before the main game, how he and Aerith connected, and even explained how Cloud ended up with the Buster Sword. It all makes so much more sense now! Knowing Zack’s story and how it ties into everything going on with Shinra and Sephiroth just adds a whole new layer to the original game. It really fleshes out Cloud’s whole deal at the beginning.
Fenrir Motorcycle and the Delivery Service
In ‘Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children,’ Cloud rides a unique motorcycle called the Fenrir. It’s designed with compartments to hold different swords and is built for both speed and stability. The Fenrir isn’t just transportation; it’s an extension of Cloud’s combat skills and helps him get around quickly between locations as part of his job.
After the main events of the original game, Cloud operates a delivery service called Strife Delivery Service. This allows him to travel around Edge and nearby areas, reconnect with familiar faces, and deliver essential goods and information to cities that are rebuilding. It provides a glimpse into his everyday life and how he manages things in the aftermath.
The Fusion Sword in ‘Advent Children’
In ‘Final Fantasy VII Advent Children’, Cloud’s iconic sword undergoes a significant upgrade, evolving from a single blade into the multi-part Fusion Sword. This weapon can separate into smaller swords for individual use or combine into larger configurations, letting Cloud quickly adapt his fighting style – a feature that highlights the film’s dynamic, fast-paced action and aerial battles.
The Fusion Sword is made up of different parts, with some blades designed for thrusting and others for wider cuts. These pieces connect securely, allowing Cloud to quickly adjust his fighting style to suit different enemies and attacks without having to switch weapons. This idea of adaptable, modular equipment is also seen in video game versions of the sword, where players can unlock different forms that echo the movie’s design.
Materia Mastery and Summons
Cloud uses Materia, which are like slots for magic and special abilities, to customize his weapons and armor. This lets him cast spells like Fire and Cure, add extra effects to his attacks – like elemental damage – and even summon powerful allies for a limited time. By changing the Materia he equips, Cloud can focus on being a strong attacker, a tough defender, or a versatile support character.
‘Final Fantasy VII Remake’ brings back Materia, which now appears as visible orbs attached to weapons and armor. As you use Materia, it levels up, unlocking new spells and helpful abilities. Cloud can still work with his teammates to perform powerful combination attacks, all while continuing to customize his abilities through Materia. This keeps the spirit of the original game’s customization options alive within the fast-paced combat.
Appearances in Crossovers and Other Franchises
As a huge fan, it’s awesome seeing Cloud pop up in other games! I especially love his appearances in ‘Kingdom Hearts’. He shows up in places like Olympus Coliseum, and his design is really cool – it pulls bits and pieces from different Final VII games, like that ripped cloak and sometimes even just one wing. It’s so neat battling alongside characters from both Square Enix *and* Disney!
Cloud joins ‘Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’ bringing his signature sword fighting style to the game. He has a special Limit Gauge that fills up during battles, letting him use stronger versions of his special attacks. Along with Cloud come stages, music, and spirits inspired by ‘Final Fantasy VII’, all of which showcase how well he fits into competitive play.
Remake Combat Stances and Weapon Upgrades
As a huge ‘Final Fantasy VII Remake’ fan, I’m really excited about the combat system! Cloud has these two awesome stances, Operator and Punisher, that totally change how you fight. Operator Mode is all about being quick and using your regular combos, while Punisher Mode lets you deal way more damage and counter attacks really well, but you’re a bit slower. The best part is you can switch between them on the fly, so you can adapt to whatever the enemies are doing and knock them off balance!
This updated version introduces weapon upgrade cores, letting you improve stats and unlock benefits like higher critical hit rates or better defense. Each sword also has a special ability that Cloud can learn and use, even when he’s wielding a different weapon. This expands his combat options while still keeping his signature swords recognizable and effective.
The Wolf Motif and Visual Symbolism
In ‘Final Fantasy VII Advent Children’ and associated content, a silver wolf emblem frequently appears alongside the character Cloud. You can spot it as a decoration on his equipment and during scene transitions when the focus is on him. It acts as a consistent visual symbol that accompanies Cloud throughout the movie, appearing in various locations and during action sequences.
Cloud’s emblem frequently appears on clothing, artwork, and in-game models, linking designs across different projects. This consistent symbol helps fans easily recognize him, even when his outfits or weapons change in various games. It serves as a recognizable mark for all his appearances after leaving Midgar.
Tell us about your best experiences with cloud technology in the comments! We’d love to hear what’s been most impressive for you and see how everyone compares notes.
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2025-10-14 02:47