Summary
As well as being widely regarded as one of the greatest video games ever, the originalFinal Fantasy 7introduced numerous iconic characters. The likes of Cloud Strife and Sephiroth are well-recognized in wider pop culture, and for the most part, the cast of characters is engaging and well-fleshed-out. One such character is Cid Highwind, instantly recognizable by his bright blonde hair, blue jacket, and cigar.Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the second act of Square Enix’s re-imagined trilogy, reintroduced Cid to a modern audience, but he only played a minor role.Final Fantasy Remake Part 3will place more emphasis on the likable pilot, and his fighting style should complement the party’s dynamics well.
TheFinal Fantasy 7 Remaketrilogy’s diverse combat optionsare made possible thanks to a modern fusion of more traditional turn-based mechanics with real-time action RPG elements. Each member of Cloud’s party serves a specific purpose and can be switched in and out with the non-active members whenever the player likes. This flexibility makes for fluid battles, and allows for a wide degree of party build variety. Cloud, as the de facto melee fighter, can be flanked by the likes of Barrett, a ranged attacker, and Aerith, who relies heavily on magic, among others.
Cid Should Fill a Gap in Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3’s Combat Options
While the party’s varied combat styles cover most areas of offense, there are still a few traditional RPG classes that have been left light. One such class is the spear-user. Traditionally, spear-users are melee fighters who can strike with power while being a fair distance from the enemy, thanks to the long reach that their weapon affords them. Spears, staffs, and halberds are all typical weapons of choice for the spear-user, but so far in theRemaketrilogy,Final Fantasy 7has only been able to offer Aerith as a staff user. Her penchant for magic and healing techniques means that she is hardly a proficient melee option, so it’s here that Cid’s skills should come to the fore.
In the originalFF7, Cid was a useful spear-user who was able to use a range of powerful attacks. So far, while each character has been reimagined for this new trilogy, they have each stuck to the core style and principles of their original form, so there’s no reason to assume Cid will be any different. He should provide the player with alternative close-range offensive options, particularly those who findTifa Lockhart’s bare knuckles, and Red XIII’s fangs, to be lacking suitable range. Both demand that the player get extremely close to the enemy, which puts them right in the firing line for retaliation.
There’s Plenty of Room For Cid’s Character to Grow in Final Fantasy 7 Part 3
Introduced as a non-playable NPC fairly late duringRebirth, Cid’s role should significantly expand in the third and final part of the Trilogy. He was a crucial component of Cloud’s party duringFinal Fantasy 7’s mid-to-late game, so fans should expect him to be much more prominent in the as-yet-unnamed finale. There is also the possibility that he could be featured more prominently in someFinal Fantasy 7 RebirthDLC, should this materialize. However, there has been no news of it so far, and many would argue that Vincent Valentine would make for the more exciting focal point of any expansion.
Much of whatFF7 Remake Part 3has in store for Cid, as well as the wider party, is unknown at the moment. The story at the end of Rebirth opens up a world of possibilities, but it remains to be seen just how far the narrative deviates from the original. Whatever happens though, Cid’s combat style should complement the rest of the party well, and he could find himself being a mainstay in many players' parties of choice.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
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FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is the highly anticipated new story in the FINAL FANTASY VII remake project, a reimagining of the iconic original game into three standalone titles by its original creators. In this game, players will enjoy various new elements as the story unfolds, culminating in the party’s journey to “The Forgotten Capital” from the original FINAL FANTASY VII.
