Who...Are You?

The Decades Long Journey of Self-Discovery

The original Final Fantasy VII released in 1997 to nigh on universal praise, and its powerful themes have been firmly embedded in the hearts and minds of gamers ever since. The game has often been mentioned in conversations about grief, environmentalism, the abuse of economic systems, and how greed can poison everything: from the heart of a person, to the air they breathe, to the soil they walk on. These are great interpretations of the journey Cloud and his friends take through Gaia, and probably the most common ones you'll see discussed online, but there is another that I find more compelling than the rest.

Final Fantasy VII, at its most intimate level, is about identity.

A Personal Planet

The game begins in the lonely darkness of the sky and fades to a person: Aerith, one of the many people in the egregiously industrialized and corporately owned fortress city of Midgar. If you've played Final Fantasy VII before then you know there's a very strong and purposeful connection between Aerith and the planet Gaia itself, so as the opening cinematic takes us from the vast emptiness of space to an ethereally lit Aerith seemingly floating amongst the stars, that reality is revealed. Right at the very beginning of the game the player is shown ever so subtly the importance of people, personhood, and identity in the relationship between Aerith, the Lifestream, and the planet.

That relationship isn't merely thematic either. Gaia is more than just a rock floating through space, it is a living organism with some level of sentience; and Aerith is more than a simple girl, she's a member of an ancient race with a spiritual connection to the planet. Aerith can “talk” to the planet through the Lifestream, a river of spiritual energy that encircles Gaia. It’s the source of magic and the place where all souls inevitably return. The concept of personal identity is so important to Final Fantasy VII that even its setting has one. This is obviously where the commentary on environmentalism starts, and that struggle is personified through Aerith and the Lifestream. But, it's not just conservationism or stewardship, it's an intimate relationship.

More Than a Blank Slate

The opening of the game is only one small example of the importance of these themes in Final Fantasy VII, with the strongest example perhaps being the main protagonist—Cloud Strife, who holds within himself the most essential surprise of the story. I'll be careful not to spoil what that is, but suffice to say, Cloud struggles with his own identity the whole way through. His identity as a SOLDIER or a puppet of Sephiroth informs every action the player guides him through. His inability to remember his own past and where he comes from drives the story forward.

Cloud Strife is such an interesting character because until you actually beat the game, he has no idea who he really is. The way he presents himself with his giant sword, cold scowl, and unshaken resolve is largely false; even what people see of him in crossovers and promotional material carries this misrepresentation of who he is. While most RPG protagonists have some set of undefined features that allow for player agency, Cloud’s own uncertainty is a core part of the narrative. You can fill Cloud’s shoes, but you’re not even sure they belong to him.

Trials of Identity

Likewise, a struggle with identity and personhood plagues all the members of Cloud's party. Barret is a strong father and an activist for good, but he sees himself as a betrayer and an outcast. Red XIII portrays himself as a worldly adventurer and fierce combatant, when in reality he is very young and burdened with living up to a family legacy. Tifa is as strong as they come and deeply empathetic, but struggles to believe she's either. Even the enemy Sephiroth has no right idea of who he is, and his efforts to establish himself are the whole reason for the game's conflict. Each character shapes the story of Final Fantasy VII with their trials of identity.

The ideas of earthly stewardship and corporate greed are still important parts of the whole. The planet Gaia is dying, its people are ravaged by conflict and hatred for one another, and there stands a warmongering megacorporation to benefit from all of it. But, as the characters are moved around these issues, the root cause of them is revealed to be each person's failure to confront their past, understand who they are, and decide what they believe. Progress and industry are not an evil unto themselves—and conversely, activism is not inherently virtuous. All systems and ideologies can be corrupted. Ultimately, it comes down to the hearts of those involved.

Peace of Mind to Save the World

In Final Fantasy VII, the heroes don't win without walking the long road of self-examination. Not only to discover who they are, but also what they believe and to be united in that belief. Cloud finally steps out of denial, learns to grieve, and shakes the doubt that allowed others to control him. Barrett eventually turns away from the anger and self-loathing that turned Avalanche into a terrorist organization, instead dedicating his life to finding solutions. Red XIII is no longer ashamed of his youth or his calling and becomes a leader for his people. Tifa finds faith in her own abilities and proudly becomes a shield for those who need it. All of these characters and many others have something to discover about themselves, and it’s not only freeing for them, it’s a necessary step in saving their world.

If Cloud never comes to a full understanding of who he is, the final blow to Sephiroth is never dealt. Similarly, if we are not honest with ourselves about our own struggles, fears, and failings—if we can't look in the mirror without projecting an ideal version of ourselves or letting our hurt shape us—our relationship to the world and other people will remain disordered. Our ability to help and relate to those around us will be stunted. It's important to know who you are, and you don't need to be anyone else.

Final Fantasy VII is a story about honest introspection, the value of life, and the desire to find unity. A timeless lesson for all of us.