The words ‘Final Fantasy VII Remake‘ and ‘Rebirth’ often spark debate, mainly because of the changes made – particularly to the story. While I’m generally accepting of what these games offer, I’ll admit even I found some of the alterations a little confusing.
A major improvement in the remakes is how much more developed the characters are. They’ve been given richer personalities, highlighting both their strengths and unique flaws, while still remaining recognizable from the original game – they’ve simply been enhanced and made more compelling.
I’ve been putting together a list of characters who really changed throughout the game – ones who feel different by the end, either because they learned something huge or because of those creepy Whispers messing with them. It’s about how they’re not the same people we met at the start!
Some characters in Final Fantasy VII have become beloved by fans, developing rich names and histories. Others haven’t resonated as well, possibly due to changes in the story. Let’s explore how these characters have evolved from their initial versions.
10. Cloud
The Degradation Did Wonder For Him
I used to always choose Final Fantasy VIII over VII because I preferred the character Squall to Cloud. Squall’s internal thoughts made him feel more down-to-earth, while I initially found Cloud arrogant (though that changed later in the game). However, playing Remake and Rebirth gave me a new appreciation for Cloud.
As I mentioned before, both remakes developed the characters more fully, which was expected. While some characters simply had their personalities enhanced, Cloud received significant development, even becoming almost a different protagonist. We now see firsthand how the mako is physically and mentally harming him, leaving him as unstable and delusional as any failed test subject.
The remake also introduces elements of the multiverse, which are still largely unexplained but have already altered certain events. For instance, Cloud recalls Zack earlier than he did in the original game, and it’s a nice change to see how much he values their friendship, even while believing they were simply fellow soldiers. Ultimately, a major strength of the remake is how it makes you connect with and like Cloud as a character.
9. Tifa
Helping Cloud Along The Way
A major mystery in the original game was why Tifa didn’t confirm Cloud’s stories or challenge his recollections. Rebirth addresses this directly. Shortly after the events in Kalm, Tifa speaks with Cloud, reveals her scar, and attempts to help him understand what really happened and correct his distorted memories.
In the remakes, Cloud’s childhood friend has a much more active role than she did in the original game. Previously, she mainly spoke up when Aerith was present or during the final part of the story. Now, she’s consistently working to help Cloud piece together his memories and regain his mental stability, which makes her a target for Sephiroth – or a version of him – who tries to use Cloud against her.
Fortunately, despite briefly falling into the Mako and experiencing a vision of the Lifestream – something that originally happened much later in the game – she’s rescued by a powerful creature. While this might seem like a plot change rather than a change to her personality, it ultimately affects how we perceive the beloved character Tifa Lockhart.
8. Jessie
Psyche!
What’s great about Final Fantasy VII Remake is how it brought Biggs, Wedge, and Jessie to life. Their personalities feel exactly as I always pictured them, even back when the original game had simpler graphics. Biggs is the voice of reason, Jessie is energetic and fun, and Wedge is just a really kind, supportive friend.
Out of all the versions, the Remake really focused on Jessie Rasberry, giving her more screen time and even a last name – which is a small detail, but true! She’s incredibly important because Cloud likely wouldn’t have continued working with AVALANCHE without her. We also learn more about her personal life in the Remake, including her dream of becoming an actress at the Gold Saucer.
Jessie is a fascinating character, especially because she’s one of the few people who can get Cloud to open up – even Aerith and Tifa took time to earn his trust. That’s why her disappearance after Sector 7 is destroyed feels so impactful and sad.
7. Rude
But Gentle
The Turks were a much more prominent group in both Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth. Every member received more development, appeared in more scenes, and surprisingly, became quite irritating. While characters like Reno, Elena, and Tseng felt true to form, Rude really stood out to me as the most impactful.
Rude isn’t the most captivating character, but he’s improved in the remakes. Originally, he was quite bland, but now he has a little more personality and feels more present. He consistently seems hesitant about what he’s doing, particularly after the events of Sector 7. It’s also subtly hinted that he has a crush on Tifa, though she doesn’t seem to reciprocate, and this shows in how he acts around her.
You really get a sense of Rude’s personality when you first see the bar in Junon. While this scene was always present, Rebirth expands on it, revealing a more approachable side of the Turk and highlighting his humanity.
6. Yuffie and Vincent
From Optional to Mandatory
I started thinking about Yuffie and Vincent together because people discuss them in similar ways. Both characters began as optional additions to the team, but eventually became essential and important members. That shift in their roles is really what changed how I see them.
In the original Final Fantasy VII, you only saw Yuffie’s story if you actively recruited her and then traveled to the optional area of Wutai. However, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth automatically includes Yuffie in your party. Plus, Episode INTERmission provides her full backstory, detailing her time in Midgar and her connection with Sonon.
While Vincent hasn’t been featured as prominently as Yuffie so far, that’s likely to change in the next game. Even now, he has a bigger role than in the original Final Fantasy VII – you can encounter him early in Nibelheim, and he’s a tough opponent both in a memorable boss fight and as a Queen’s Blood player. We can expect to learn more about his history as a former Turk in the final remake installment.
5. Johnny
From Zero to… Some
While Johnny wasn’t a major character initially, appearing mostly around the Honey Bee Inn, his role expands significantly in the Remake. He actively assists Cloud with infiltrating Don Corneo’s mansion in Wall Market, and in Rebirth, he becomes a key figure with the longest side quest in the game, even owning a hotel.
We first meet Johnny when we rescue him from Shinra’s soldiers, and after that, he starts looking up to Cloud. Later, in Wall Market, he assists Cloud and Aerith with their plans before heading to Costa del Sol. Once there, he acquires a neglected hotel and, with the player’s assistance and the help of his clones, begins to restore it.
Johnny’s story proves that people from any background can succeed with opportunity. It also demonstrates how remakes can enrich a game’s universe while staying true to its roots.
4. Barret
The Best Papa
Barret always came across as a strong, determined person willing to do whatever it took to protect the world and secure a better future for his daughter. He was also a loving father to Marlene and genuinely cared for his friends. His personality stayed largely the same in Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth, but it was emphasized even more.
I was surprised to find Barret a little more lighthearted than I’d expected. When he began sharing his feelings with Cloud about Marlene growing up and eventually leaving home, it really resonated with me – as a father myself, I completely understood where he was coming from.
Barret often playfully teased the group, particularly when we first reached Cosmo Canyon. His serious, determined exterior – his desire to immediately take down Shinra – softened a bit. He remains firm in his opposition to the company, but the remakes reveal a funny and charming side to Barret, making him even more lovable.
3. Cid
From Swear Machine to Doting Uncle
Man, I always got the feeling that Cid in the original Final Fantasy VII was one bad day away from a total meltdown. He was always yelling, getting into fights, and seemed super stressed – always with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth! Definitely didn’t seem like a healthy lifestyle. And honestly, the way he treated Shera was just awful. Even the official guides confirm he wasn’t very nice to her, which is really disappointing.
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Everything shifts when he realizes she didn’t crush his aspirations without reason – she actually protected them. However, the creators seem to have recognized that Cid Highwind’s gruff personality hadn’t held up over time. In Rebirth, he’s much softer and kinder than players remember. He’s ditched the cigars, mostly avoids swearing, and now offers a lot of friendly guidance to the team.
The game also gives him a new history: he claims he knew Aerith’s mother, Ifalna, which strengthens his reasons for helping her. Honestly, I like this version of Cid better than the original, but I’m eager to see how his story develops in the next part of the game.
2. Sephiroth
Way Too Much Screentime
Honestly, those Whispers in the Remake are really bugging me. They’ve thrown me for a loop, and I’m still trying to figure out how I feel about all the story changes. I’m holding off on making any real judgments until Part 3 comes out, but even now, they completely change how I thought about Sephiroth and what to expect from him.
It seems Sephiroth’s goals are still the same as in the original game. However, while we didn’t meet him until after the events at Shinra and the flashback in Kalm, Remake introduces us to this striking, silver-haired character right away, as Cloud is leaving the reactor. The question is: is this really Sephiroth? Is it Jenova? Or something else entirely?
This development alters our expectations for the villain. He’s much more talkative – which is great, because Tyler Hoechlin delivers fantastic voice acting – and more directly involved in the main conflict. I think it’s a clever way to show his influence over Cloud as Cloud’s condition worsens, but it’s debatable whether it went too far. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.
1. Red XIII
18 Again!
I always knew Red XIII was young for a beastman, but honestly, in the original Final Fantasy VII, it didn’t really hit me until we got to Cosmo Canyon and heard about Nanaki’s past. Since there wasn’t voice acting back then, it just didn’t land the same way. But wow, Rebirth completely changed that for me – it really made me feel how young he is!
Red XIII’s initial introduction was striking – a deep voice and a thoughtful expression, delivering calm, careful responses. It felt right, and I appreciated how well it suited him. But when we arrived at Cosmo Canyon and he rushed home, suddenly sounding like a young boy with a much higher voice, I was just as shocked as Barret. I immediately wondered, “What just happened?”
At first, it took some getting used to, but the story changes actually made sense. It wasn’t just Red XIII’s voice that was different; his personality shifted too. He’s still incredibly wise for his age – he is quite old, after all – but he didn’t feel the need to act tough anymore. It was nice to see him just be himself, the lovable Nanaki we all know and love.
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2026-04-16 23:42