Final Fantasy 7 Speedrunning Guide: Tips to Save Aerith and Save Time

Understanding Aerith's Fate in Final Fantasy 7

The original Final Fantasy 7 is beloved among gamers for its emotional storytelling and intricate gameplay mechanics. One of the most heartbreaking moments is undoubtedly the death of Aerith, a character that players have often wished to save. With the evolution of gaming communities, especially in speedrunning, players have started to explore ways to prevent Aerith's untimely demise while also optimizing their game time. This guide delves into the breakthroughs made in speedrunning strategies that give players a glimmer of hope to keep Aerith in the party while also trimming down significant hours of gameplay.

Innovations in Speedrunning for Final Fantasy 7

Speedrunning is a thrilling subculture of gaming where players complete a game in the shortest time possible. For Final Fantasy 7 enthusiasts, innovative techniques are regularly developed, and one of the latest advancements includes a method to potentially save Aerith during the infamous scene in the Forgotten Capital. The technique was brought to light by proficient speedrunners and involves skipping crucial parts of the game while ensuring Aerith remains part of the party through to a pivotal battle against Jenova Life.

The New Skip: A Game Changer

Discovered by speedrunners AceZephyr and Kuma, the new skip involves a complex set of actions, primarily utilizing Chocobos to navigate previously impossible game scenarios. The critical point is that by employing a Chocobo on the world map, players can trick the game into allowing Cloud to walk on water, directly skipping to the Forgotten Capital without triggering the event that results in Aerith leaving the party. This technique not only preserves Aerith but has the potential to save about two hours of gameplay, making the speedrun even more exciting for fans.

Challenges and Considerations

While this skip is incredibly promising, it comes with its own sets of challenges. The technique works best on certain game versions that permit disabling encounters. Players must avoid any battles while traversing on water; otherwise, an encounter will lead to a softlock situation, rendering the game unplayable without restarting. In cases where Aerith mistakenly remains in the party when she shouldn’t be, any cutscene that involves her can also cause a game crash. This caveat means that players must remain vigilant and ready to adapt to unforeseen errors during their runs.

Testimonies from the Community

Feedback from the speedrunning community has been overwhelmingly positive regarding the development of this new skip. Players have expressed excitement about the decreased time needed to complete disc one, as well as the unexpected opportunity to keep a beloved character in their party. Other seasoned speedrunners have been engaging with both AceZephyr and Kuma to improve upon these discoveries, sharing techniques and working collaboratively to refine the skip further. For example, efforts using pause buffering have been employed to help mitigate random encounters during critical gameplay sequences.

Why Aerith's Character Matters

Aerith Gainsborough is widely regarded as one of the most iconic characters in video game history. Her story arc is not only pivotal to the plot of Final Fantasy 7 but also carries immense emotional weight, impacting both the narrative and gameplay experience. Gamers often find themselves emotionally invested in her fate. Thus, the community’s efforts to alter her story within the speedrunning framework highlight a deep-seated affection for her character and a desire to experience the game differently from the original design.

Exploring the Impact of Remakes and Spin-offs

With the release of Final Fantasy 7 Remake and the teaser for Rebirth, Aerith's story and character have been re-explored through a modern lens. The remake offers new gameplay elements and narrative twists while preserving the essence of the original. While speedrunners focus on mastering classic techniques, newcomers can enjoy these contemporary adaptations of Aerith's tale and possibly feel less anxious about her fate. Critics have praised both games for their rich storytelling and deep exploration of character development, ensuring that Aerith's legacy continues to thrive.

Final Thoughts on Speedrunning in Final Fantasy 7

In conclusion, the world of Final Fantasy 7 speedrunning showcases the creativity and dedication of the gaming community. The newfound ability to potentially save Aerith while simultaneously minimizing completion time is a significant leap forward. As players continue to explore, test, and refine these speedrunning strategies, they also keep alive the spirit of their beloved game. Whether you're a seasoned speedrunner or just starting, there's always something new to learn about this classic RPG.