Final Fantasy VII Revelation May Finally Explain Rebirth's Biggest Mysteries

Some major new details have emerged in recent weeks about the final game in the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, and they completely change how you might look at Rebirth's controversial ending. Zack's role is set to be much bigger than many expected; players will influence certain character moments through their choices, and one key scene involving Cloud's identity is reportedly so emotional that director Naoki Hamaguchi says he has watched it around 40 times and still cries every time.

On top of that, recently discovered DLC listings suggest the story could continue even after the main game ends. The latest information is not just about gameplay. It also addresses Aerith's fate, Zack's real role in the story, and how the trilogy is supposed to end. The biggest surprise so far has been the question of who Cloud is. 

Hamaguchi said he's played Final Fantasy VII: Revelation about 40 times, and one significant scene where Cloud looks deep inside himself and finds his true identity still brings him to tears every time he sees it. Even more interesting, he explained that this is a moment tied not only to Cloud's past but also his relationship with Zack and Aerith.

If you played the original Final Fantasy VII, this instantly reminds you of the famous Lifestream sequence where Cloud and Tifa fall into the Lifestream together. 

And she helps Cloud remember his own broken past. And he finally knows what really happened in Nibelheim. He accepts that he unknowingly placed himself in Zack's role, inherited parts of Zack's memories, and was never the person he believed himself to be. Everything points toward Revelation expanding this sequence into something much larger and far more emotional.

There is one important difference this time, though. When Hamaguchi discussed the scene, he specifically mentioned Aerith alongside Zack. That could mean the Lifestream sequence will do more than simply reveal Cloud's true identity. 

It may also force him to witness Zack's death, confront what really happened to Aerith, and finally accept the truths he refused to face at the end of Rebirth. The emotional impact Hamaguchi described may extend well beyond the Nibelheim revelations and focus heavily on Aerith's fate.

Rebirth ended with Cloud's grasp on reality becoming increasingly unstable. 

While everyone else mourned Aerith, Cloud continued to see and speak with her. It remains unclear whether that version of Aerith exists in another world, whether she is truly reaching Cloud through the Lifestream, or whether she is simply a manifestation of Cloud's inability to process his trauma. One possibility is that Cloud will continue believing Aerith is alive until the story eventually forces him to confront reality during that major Lifestream sequence.

That does not mean Aerith's role in the story is finished. Quite the opposite. It has already been officially confirmed that Zack will have a much larger role in Revelation than he did in Rebirth. While Hamaguchi avoided revealing specifics, he promised Zack fans would be pleased with what they see.

In Rebirth, Zack moved between different worlds and briefly crossed paths with Cloud during the final battle. This time, those connections appear likely to play a much larger role instead of being limited to only a handful of short sequences.

One possibility is that Zack will continue searching for Aerith. 

They may reunite in another world, meet within the Lifestream itself, or Zack may ultimately sacrifice himself to stop multiple worlds from collapsing. Whatever direction the story takes, Zack appears to be evolving beyond simply explaining Cloud's past. Instead, he seems positioned as one of the central characters responsible for helping explain both the ending and Aerith's true situation.

Another confirmed feature involves player choices. Decisions made throughout the story will influence certain character scenes, although players should not expect multiple drastically different endings. According to Hamaguchi, the game still builds toward one central conclusion, but conversations, relationships, and the way characters prepare for the final battle can change depending on your choices. Everyone will ultimately reach the same destination, but the emotional journey leading there may feel different.

That approach may actually work better than offering multiple endings. A system where Aerith survives in one ending, dies in another, or ends up somewhere completely different in a third could easily make an already complicated story even harder to follow. Instead, the focus appears to be on presenting a single definitive ending while allowing your decisions to shape the emotional experience along the way. 

After the ending of Rebirth, many fans are likely hoping for answers rather than even more mysteries.

Square Enix also plans to bring together much more of the wider Final Fantasy VII universe. Characters from projects such as Crisis Core, Advent Children, and Dirge of Cerberus are expected to appear throughout Revelation.

Hamaguchi explained that the goal is not simply to remake the 1997 original but to unite the entire Final Fantasy VII universe into one connected narrative. Although he stopped short of confirming specific returning characters, speculation has grown around names like Cissnei, Weiss, Nero, and Genesis.

Genesis, in particular, remains one of the biggest unanswered questions. He survived the events of Crisis Core before reappearing in the secret ending of Dirge of Cerberus, yet his storyline has remained unresolved ever since. If Square Enix truly intends to tie together every major piece of Final Fantasy VII lore, Genesis seems difficult to ignore. 

Zack's expanded role also makes stronger Crisis Core connections seem increasingly likely.

The relationship between Revelation and Advent Children is another major question. When asked if the game would be directly tied to the movie, Hamaguchi refused to give a definitive answer, instead urging players to experience the ending for themselves.

That noncommittal answer allows for two options. It could be a straight lead-in to Advent Children, or a total reinterpretation of the events that follow, given the major story changes throughout the remake trilogy.

Another recent discovery has added even more speculation. New listings on EpicDB, which tracks Epic Games Store database entries, revealed nine DLC entries connected to the game, including one called Story Expansion Pass.

It is important to note that Square Enix has not officially confirmed these listings. 

Some of the entries could simply be cosmetic costumes, Materia packs, preorder bonuses, or other smaller downloadable items. At this stage, there is no evidence that nine separate story expansions are actually planned.

Even so, the title Story Expansion Pass naturally suggests something more substantial than cosmetic content. Hamaguchi has previously stated that if enough players are interested, Square Enix could develop additional stories that were unable to fit into the main game.

One obvious candidate would be a Dirge of Cerberus-focused expansion centered on Vincent. Since Vincent will become fully playable in Revelation, and the wider Final Fantasy VII universe is already being incorporated into the story, the groundwork for such an expansion appears to be in place.

Still, there is one line that many fans hope Square Enix will not cross. 

Aerith's ultimate fate, Zack's conclusion, and the explanation behind the multiple worlds should all be resolved within the main game itself. Expansions can certainly explore Vincent's history, Genesis' future, or entirely new adventures set afterward. However, leaving the trilogy's biggest mysteries for paid DLC would likely disappoint many players.

The latest information also includes several important gameplay additions. Players will reportedly obtain the Highwind within the first five or six hours of the adventure, allowing them to freely fly across the world map and parachute down to any location.

Every major region from Rebirth will return, but Meteor's arrival will dramatically change many of those familiar environments. Falling debris, environmental destruction, and a much more dangerous atmosphere are expected throughout the world. A larger map alone, however, may not be enough. 

Many players will likely hope exploration becomes more rewarding while reducing the repetitive open-world activities that appeared throughout Rebirth.

Combat is also undergoing major changes with the new FITS system, which allows characters to switch combat roles by equipping different outfits. Cloud, for example, can reportedly become a Black Mage, while characters who traditionally focus on close-range combat will gain access to completely different playstyles.

Vincent will combine long-range gunplay with his signature monster transformations, while Cid will become a highly mobile aerial fighter who specializes in spear attacks. Since Rebirth already featured one of the trilogy's strongest combat systems, these additions have the potential to make Revelation even more varied if properly balanced.

They're also adding more endgame content to Revelation. The game won't require players to replay the entire game on Hard Mode before facing the hardest battles; instead, it lets them jump straight into tough endgame missions after completing the story.

A few Weapon monsters will be part of the main campaign, while others will be optional superbosses. 

Although the Ruby Weapon and Emerald Weapon have yet to be officially confirmed, the speculation surrounding both legendary enemies continues to grow. If they bring back the modern combat mechanics of the remake trilogy, they could become some of the most memorable battles in the game.

Overall, the latest announcements paint a far clearer picture of where Final Fantasy VII Revelation is headed. Bigger world, more complex combat systems, and more to do for Zack and Vincent are all great additions, but the biggest questions still have to do with the story itself.

In the end, it all boils down to 3 big mysteries: What truth does Cloud eventually discover about himself? Where is Zack, really? What is the real story behind Aerith's fate? If Square Enix can answer those questions satisfyingly and understandably, the remake trilogy could conclude on an unforgettable high note. If the finale instead ends with another deliberately vague sequence open to endless interpretation, the debates that began after Rebirth are only likely to grow even larger.