While its opening might involve eco-terrorists bombing an electricity plant rather than knights in shining armor storming a castle, Final Fantasy 7 shares numerous narrative elements with classic fairy tales, contributing to its enduring appeal for nearly three decades. The game offers a cast of complex characters and a story that, despite its colorful, anime-inspired aesthetics, resonates as a fairy tale for adults.
The Heart of the Kingdom
Fairy tales often feature a prominent castle, symbolizing power, wealth, and social order. Final Fantasy 7 presents Midgar, a sprawling metropolis dominated by the Shinra Corporation. This gleaming metal city, with its towering Mako reactors and central skyscraper, serves as FF7's equivalent to a fairy tale castle. Governed by a pseudo-royal family including President Shinra and his son Rufus, Midgar is the starting point for Cloud and his companions' journey. Even as their adventure expands beyond the city, Midgar's influence remains a central force shaping the fate of the planet.
A Humble Hero
Cloud Strife can be seen as an inversion of the archetypal humble hero like King Arthur. Arthur rose from humble beginnings to claim a throne, while Cloud, a young man from the countryside who joined Shinra to impress a girl, grapples with an identity crisis. Unlike Arthur's discovery of royal lineage, Cloud confronts the realization that he is not the hero he believed himself to be. His journey involves confronting his flaws and regrets, a struggle with impostor syndrome that makes him a relatable protagonist.
Practical Magic
Many fairy tales incorporate magic, such as a fairy godmother or mystical enchantments. In Final Fantasy 7, magic takes the form of Mako, a substance that combines elements of real-world petroleum and the mystical energy of Star Wars' The Force. This tangible form of magic, particularly its exploitation by a greedy corporation, adds a layer of adult realism to the fantastical concept.
A Shadowy Threat
Beyond the corporate villainy of Shinra, Final Fantasy 7 features Sephiroth, a formidable antagonist who manipulates Cloud and the party. Sephiroth's methods, which involve creating apparitions and influencing events from afar, parallel the actions of a witch casting spells. His obsession with Cloud, stemming from a past encounter in Nibelheim, drives much of the narrative's conflict.
Fantastic Beasts
Talking animals are a common element in fairy tales, often representing the mysteries of the natural world. Final Fantasy 7 includes Red XIII, a creature resembling a wolf, dog, and large feline, who serves as a party member. Through Red XIII and his grandfather in Cosmo Canyon, players learn about Mako and the Lifestream, expanding the scope of the game's conflict beyond immediate threats.
Lessons Learned
Fairy tales often impart moral lessons, and Final Fantasy 7 offers two significant ones for adult players. The first encourages skepticism towards large corporations, highlighting their potential for greed and nefarious actions. The second lesson centers on self-acceptance: that one can be imperfect and still be worthy, a theme embodied by Cloud's complex character.
Sleeping Beauty
While fairy tales often feature a damsel in distress, Final Fantasy 7's Aerith takes on a more active role in saving others. As the last of the Cetra, she possesses a unique connection to the Lifestream and a crucial destiny. Her ultimate fate, depicted as a spiritual presence between life and death, mirrors characters like Snow White or Sleeping Beauty, in a state of limbo. The ongoing question for fans regarding the remake series is whether Aerith can be saved in future installments, with the final part, Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, slated for release on April 8, 2027.