Whether you played the original Final Fantasy 7, chances are that you know the fate of Aerith Gainsborough. However, fans who played Remake know that several changes have been made in the new reimagining of the game that canonically changed the fate of some of the notable characters. Now that we’re at the point where the famous tragedy happens, do we see Aerith die once again in FF7 Rebirth? As a warning, the rest of this guide contains major spoilers for the story, so please read at your own risk.
Does Aerith Die in FF7 Rebirth?
Yes, Aerith dies at the end of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth in Chapter 13: Where Angels Fear to Tread. However, a change has been made to the iconic scene. Originally, Sephiroth stabs Aerith at the Forgotten Capital while she is kneeling down and praying. This time around, the iconic scene presents itself in the same way, but Cloud is initially able to stop Sephiroth.
As a result of the events that happen during this scene, Cloud is able to see both of Aerith’s fates: one where she dies and one where she stays alive. Her spirit even makes a return for a short while to aid you in fighting Sephiroth. Unfortunately, fate ensured that Aerith couldn’t escape, taking her in its dark embrace. The other party members who also witnessed the event are proof that it did happen and that what Cloud saw was only revealed to him. It’s hard to say what the sequel to Rebirth will bring concerning these timelines.
To see Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth in action, check out our walkthrough of the first couple of hours on YouTube:
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is available now on the PS5.