I remember the very first time I played a Final Fantasy game in 2009. As the youngest of three kids, I always got my brothers’ hand-me-downs, including their video game consoles. So, when I saw Final Fantasy 7 in the pile of PlayStation games that my older brother had given me, I figured I might as well give it a shot. Little did I know that I would still return to the game 15 years later.
Jumping into the game, I quickly found myself loving Tifa. She was by far my favorite character in the game. I have always gravitated toward female characters, especially when I see one that reminds me of the type of person I would like to be. It probably comes as no surprise that I was determined that Cloud and Tifa would end up together by the end of the game, and boy, was I disappointed.
A Date Gone Wrong
I squealed with excitement when I first saw the Gold Saucer date between Cloud and Tifa in the original Final Fantasy 7. I was certain that this would be the moment where the hero and his perfect love interest get together, something I have always loved seeing. I just knew that it was going to be happily ever after for the two, and that moment was going to seal the deal for the two of them.
The truth is, I was 9 years old when I first played the game, so I was not happy with Tifa when she decided not to say anything to Cloud during their Gold Saucer date. I couldn’t understand why on earth she wouldn’t tell Cloud she loved him. I thought it was ridiculous that she kept saying she needed to find the right time and ended up not doing it.
The truth is that love can be scary, especially when you don’t know how the other person feels.
As an adult, I feel pretty badly about how annoyed I was at Tifa because I can totally get that now. Considering everything that was going on at the time and how much tension was between Cloud, Tifa, and Aerith, I understand being nervous and never feeling like the time is right. When is the right time to tell your childhood best friend you’re in love with them? Is there ever a right time? The truth is that love can be scary, especially when you don’t know how the other person feels. I’m still upset that I didn’t see the two get together 15 years ago, but if I was Tifa, I know I would have done the same thing.
The Perfect Fix
I pre-ordered a copy of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth the moment I could because I was so excited to relive my childhood. I always have a soft spot for games that were firsts for me, and I immediately remembered my experience playing Final Fantasy 7. Of course, one of my first memories was the moment Cloud and Tifa were on the Skywheel. I wanted to see them get together, but I knew how the story went.
Even though I knew I would go back to that 9-year-old who was mad at Tifa, I still got so excited about seeing the Skywheel date again. I tried to remind myself that I had been where Tifa was on the date, and it wasn’t easy, but I still just wanted her so badly to confess her love for Cloud while she could. From the moment they stepped onto the Skywheel, I felt like things were different this time. The date felt so much more real than it ever did in the original game. (Yes, I have played it since 2009, so it wasn’t just that I was 9 during the original scene.)
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Even from the beginning, the two had a lot more chemistry. When they got on the Skywheel, they almost missed their chance and had to jump into the carriage, causing them to fall into each other like in a bad rom-com *swoon*. From there, the date plays like anyone could expect; Cloud is awkward, while Tifa finds it hard to admit her feelings. However, what happened next was not on my bingo card for changes in Rebirth.
Tifa and Cloud began to reminisce about their childhood, and Tifa told Cloud that she couldn’t remember a time that they were this close, even as kids. Cloud then embraced her, and I could feel my heart pounding. I remember thinking about how it was so much cuter than the original. But when their embrace ended, they kissed. They actually kissed. I instantly screamed and felt no shame at how excited I was to see a fictional couple get together.
The Gold Saucer’s Golden Date
Every variation of the Gold Saucer date is so important, and it truly highlights the importance of human connection, but Tifa’s date is just different. No matter which date variation you see in the game, you are going to see Cloud with someone he cares about. Even the joke Gold Saucer date with Cait Sith, Vincent, and Cid shows how important friendship is.
What sets Tifa’s Gold Saucer date apart is how Cloud interacts with Tifa. Cloud has always been a very awkward character who can’t express his feelings to save his life. While his feelings come to the surface in the other Gold Saucer dates a little bit, this is the only date that ends with him acting on his feelings. This is the only date where he confesses something. After 15 years, my heart is full, and I am so thankful I got to see this couple become canonical.
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