Aerith's Fate Changed: FFVII's Biggest Skip Yet
There's a groundbreaking discovery in the world of Final Fantasy VII. We're not talking about the new remakes on PlayStation 5, but the original 1997 game. A new skip allows players to jump to Aerith's death scene much earlier than expected. While she still dies in the pivotal scene, players can keep her in the party afterward. This discovery has fascinating implications for both speedrunning and fans obsessed with Final Fantasy's iconic flower girl.
The Big Skip
Normally, players don't encounter Aerith's infamous death scene until the end of disc one, after many hours of gameplay. However, speedrunners recently found a way to skip to it much earlier, bypassing an entire two hours. This has shaken up playthroughs of the decades-old RPG.
How It Works
The trick was discovered by speedrunners AceZephyr and KumaLuzbel. It involves manipulating how the game stores and tracks terrain data. By repeatedly mounting and dismounting a chocobo shortly after leaving Midgar, players can make Cloud walk across the ocean to the City of Ancients, where Aerith's fate unfolds.
- Skip almost the entirety of disc one
- Save Aerith without cheats
- Keep Aerith in the party for the rest of the game
Challenges and Strategies
While the scenes of Sephiroth killing her still play out as normal, Aerith can be used in the player's party. However, if she joins the fight immediately after her death, the game will softlock. By holding her back, players can keep her as a companion for the rest of the game.
One challenge is reaching the end of disc one at a low level, around eight or nine, and facing much stronger enemies. A water ring found before the Jenova boss fight can nullify the boss's attacks for at least one party member, making it possible to get through the fight. Speedrunners are working on optimizing this skip and documenting it for others to try.
Join the Adventure
This discovery opens up new possibilities for exploring Final Fantasy VII in ways never thought possible. If you're a fan of gaming news and want to enhance your streaming experience, join Streamers Visuals. Stay updated on game news and explore a variety of designs like emotes, sub badges, and overlays.
