Summary
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s depiction of Nibelheim is as raw and unrelenting as one might expect from a visually enhanced rendition of the original game. Though the title’s opening sequence leans into Cloud’s unreliable memories, the fact of Nibelheim’s destruction remains; fire scourges across the small village as its citizens get crushed under burning rubble. The moment is the central catalyst for Cloud and Tifa’s motivations and development acrossFF7’s story, making it all the more eerie when they return to see an uncanny recreation of what it once was, devoid of the people that lived there save for one familiar face.
AsFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s Cloud and Tifa find themselves interacting with the new citizens of Nibelheim, now a mysterious mako poisoning treatment center, they stumble on a chef in Cloud’s old house. An eccentric woman with a penchant for singing when worried, the chef explains that the cat she helps to feed has gone missing. Enlisting Cloud and Tifa’s help in finding the feline, the two set off to the foot of Mt. Nibel, where Tifa recalls her old cat, Fluffy. Though she laments not being able to save the cat during Sephiroth’s rampage, she goes on to regale Cloud with fonder memories of the pet before being met with a fortuitous sight. As it turns out, the missing cat is Fluffy herself, with a litter of kittens in tow.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s Tifa Shines in Her Nibelheim Side Quest
Nibelheim’s ‘My White-Haired Angel’ Quest
The escort mission bears resemblance toRebirth’s other great animal moments, as Cloud and Tifa fend off fiends to keep Fluffy and her kittens safe, stopping for some pets along the way. Where the side quest elevates itself, however, is upon the group’s return to Nibelheim, as Fluffy and her kittens find themselves drawn to a melodic tune coming from Tifa’s old house. The piano in her childhood room still stands, and as the chef Christine plays, the cats gather round to listen, hoping for an encore. Cloud mentions that Tifa can play, and Christine whips up an audience for an accompaniment, tying its way perfectly intoRebirth’s piano mini-game.
Paying Homage to the Past
The ensuing performance of Aerith’s theme is one that is both heartfelt and profound, and as players hit the proper notes, the orchestral rendition of the track swells in a way that captures the soul and heart of its original depiction. It is a reminder not just of the strengths of the originalFF7’s soundtrack, but of the beauty inRebirth’s homage to the past, a trait that follows the through-line of the side quest itself. Though thetragedies of what befell Nibelheimstill resonate with Tifa, she manages to find strength in the good memories she holds and the opportunities she and Cloud are afforded in the present day, promising to make up for lost time.
These moments are exemplified in Tifa’s dialogue about her father, and her understanding of the anger that led to his death, mirrored in her own feelings after moving to Midgar and joining Avalanche. The wayRebirthdepicts the lingering PTSD of losing her father and the others in Nibelheim isn’t understated, though she and Cloud leaning on each other is an endearing reminder of how they work to move forward. In the more light-hearted moments ofTifa’s side quest, the past is celebrated in a way where one might imagine a small Fluffy listening to Tifa practicing piano as a child, getting to experience the same moment five years later in a brand-new context.
As withRebirth’s other side missions, Tifa’s Nibelheim quest is a great look into the character moments thatFF7’s castare afforded through its dual focus on Cloud and another party member. Its depiction allows Cloud and Tifa to muse about the past in a way that feels natural and grounded, honing in on both the good and bad memories that strengthen their connection to one another. Though Nibelheim is a source of great tragedy for them, it was also once their home, making the quest’s emotional connection all the more compelling while cementingRebirth’s prowess at showing hardship and beauty in equal measure.
