What games other than FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE has Cloud Strife appeared in?
The hero of FINAL FANTASY VII has had a very successful career as a cameo and guest star in other games. We take a tour through his greatest moments.Cloud Strife, the spiky-haired hero of FINAL FANTASY VII and FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE, has had quite the career.
The original 1997 RPG may have given him his big (Limit) break, but the spiky haired Buster Sword-wielder has gone on to appear in all sorts of other titles in the last 23 years - fighting games, RPGs… and even a racing game.
With FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE bringing a host of new Cloud fans into the fold (One of us! One of us!) we thought it would be fun to take a very quick tour through the diverse history of the iconic character.
Let the disclaimers begin!
But first let’s get some quick disclaimers out of the way. We’ll only be looking at a selection of games, and only those by Square Enix. So if you’re expecting a certain big-name fighting game on here, sorry to disappoint. Even if it is rather smashing.
What’s more, to keep this article from becoming longer than War and Peace, we’ll only focus on titles where Cloud appears as a character - costumes and references don’t count.
And now we’ve (hopefully) covered our rears, on with the list!
Compilation of FINAL FANTASY VII
This series of projects expanded the world of the original FINAL FANTASY VII, offering prequels and sequels that offered new insight into the game’s incredible world.
Unlike the original game, Cloud stepped out of the spotlight to let other heroes (and villains) take center stage. That said, he was still a significant presence in most of them in some way.
Before Crisis: FINAL FANTASY VII
In this Japan-exclusive mobile game, set before the events of the original FINAL FANTASY VII, players took the role of one of Shinra’s special ops unit the Turks. Cloud played a small supporting role, encountering the player character on a few occasions.
Crisis Core: FINAL FANTASY VII
This acclaimed action RPG prequel, released for the PlayStation Portable, focused on a SOLDIER: Zack Fair. While Cloud wasn’t playable, he had a very important role in the story. …look, I’m dancing round some serious spoilers here, so let’s just move on.
Dirge of Cerberus: FINAL FANTASY VII
Vincent Valentine - one of the party in the original FINAL FANTASY VII - stepped into the shoes of main hero in this RPG shooter for PlayStation 2. While primarily Vincent’s story, Cloud steps up to help his pal out at key points in the adventure.
Cloud on consoles
In addition to those titles directly related to FINAL FANTASY VII, Cloud has made appearances in plenty of other games over the years. Not just a SOLDIER - he’s a cameo First Class too.
Here are some of the highlights:
FINAL FANTASY TACTICS
This tactical RPG takes place in the world of Ivalice, but a little dimensional difference can’t hold back Cloud Strife. He’s in the game as an optional character, and can be recruited to take to the field in battle.
Chocobo Racing
Cloud took to the track in this super-cute racing game. Released in 1999 for the original PlayStation, characters and creatures from across the FINAL FANTASY series jumped into vehicles to race and battle across multiple tracks. Cloud was an unlockable character, and rode his famous Hardy Daytona motorcycle.
EHRGEIZ: God Bless the Ring
Originally released in arcades, and later on PlayStation, Ehrgeiz was Cloud’s first foray into the fighting genre. It wouldn’t be his last. The game featured original characters, but also included a selection of fighters from FINAL FANTASY VII.
KINGDOM HEARTS / KINGDOM HEARTS 1.5
KINGDOM HEARTS’ ever-upbeat hero Sora encounters Cloud in the Olympus Coliseum. This Cloud is a darker figure than you might expect, even willing to make a bargain with Hades in order to find what he seeks.
Excitingly, the first KINGDOM HEARTS lets you face off against Cloud in battle - and it’s a challenging bout that demands both focus and attention. Mind you, it’s a walk in the park compared to Sephiroth.
This is one game you can actually play right now - KINGDOM HEARTS 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX is out now on PS4 and Xbox One.
KINGDOM HEARTS Chain of Memories / KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories
Cloud appears in KINGDOM HEARTS Chain of Memories, again working with Hades. Events play out a little differently in this card battling adventure, but the hero’s appearance remains just as effective.
The game was originally released for the Gameboy Advance and later remade in full 3D as KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories. That version is included in KINGDOM HEARTS 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX.
KINGDOM HEARTS II / KINGDOM HEARTS II.5
Sora, Donald and Goofy encounter Cloud again in KINGDOM HEARTS II. The young warrior seeks to destroy his own darkness, and asks Sora for his help.
You don’t fight Cloud in this entry in the series. Instead, he fights alongside the heroes, helping them defend the world of Hollow Bastion from the encroaching Heartless.
DISSIDA FINAL FANTASY NT
The most recent entry in the DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY series features thrilling 3-v-3 battles, with FINAL FANTASY characters, including Cloud, facing off in iconic locations from across the series. Rest assured that Midgar is one of them.
If you want to give it a go, a free version is available to try now. The available characters cycle, so you may not get Cloud straight away, but you will get a chance to see if the game’s for you.
WORLD OF FINAL FANTASY
This fantastic RPG is a love letter to the FINAL FANTASY series, as well as a richly rewarding game in its own right.
That love is on full display when it comes to the Champions - classic FINAL FANTASY heroes that you can bring into battle to help you out.
There’s a twist though. These are super-adorable chibi versions of the characters - we feel fairly confident in saying this is probably the cutest version of Cloud you’ll see in any game.
Cloud on handhelds
Cloud Strife can’t be constrained to the big screen - he’s had quite a few outings for portable consoles too.
DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY
Take some of the greatest FINAL FANTASY characters of all time, make them battle each other in fast-paced, and surprisingly tactical combat, and slather on a generous helping of spectacle, and you have DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY.
The first entry in this fan-favorite fighting series released for PSP in 2008, and naturally Cloud was available as a playable fighter.
DISSIDA 012 FINAL FANTASY
Cloud returned in the sequel DISSIDIA 012 FINAL FANTASY, also released for the PSP. This follow-up expanded on the single player, added new characters, and included new mechanics that allowed for even more exciting and tactical battles.
THEATRHYTHM FINAL FANTASY CURTAIN CALL
This fantastic rhythm game for 3DS - like it’s predecessor THEATRHYTHM FINAL FANTASY - lets you run, ride and battle your way across different music tracks from all over the series.
To do so, you must create a party comprised of super-adorable versions of FINAL FANTASY characters, including Cloud. You remember when we said World of FINAL FANTASY Cloud was the cutest? This version could definitely give him a run for his money.
FINAL FANTASY EXPLORERS
How’d you fancy joining your friends to hunt and battle some of FINAL FANTASY’s greatest monsters? This 3DS game delivered exactly that - and lots of fan service to boot!
Not only can you dress as your favorite characters, you can even become them with the trance command. Under the right conditions, you can literally turn your character into Cloud Strife himself.
Not only that, you get access to some of his signature moves, including the flashily effective Omnistrike!
Cloud on Mobile
FINAL FANTASY has a rich history of mobile titles, and Cloud has appeared in quite a few of them. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but some of the highlights of Mr Strife’s mobile career include:
FINAL FANTASY VII: Snowboarding
If you played the original FINAL FANTASY VII, you’ll no doubt remember the snowboarding minigame near Icicle Inn. In 2005, an expanded version of that game was released for mobile phones, letting Cloud shred the slopes on the go.
FINAL FANTASY RECORD KEEPER
FINAL FANTASY RECORD KEEPER lets you experience memories of previous FINAL FANTASY games on mobile. The gameplay revolves around exploring classic FINAL FANTASY moments, collecting characters from those games, and using them in battle.
Cloud’s present and correct of course - considering the premise it would be weird if he wasn’t!
FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS
FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS is a mobile RPG in which you recruit and summon FINAL FANTASY characters from all over the series - and in some cases beyond it.
A few versions of Cloud have appeared in this mobile RPG as optional characters and summonable ‘visions’.
DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY OPERA OMNIA
You can recruit Cloud quite early on in this excellent mobile adventure. Players explore various maps, building a fighting team of FINAL FANTASY characters, collecting materials to upgrade gear and engaging in excitingly strategic battles.
That was a whistle-stop tour of Cloud Strife’s life of guest spots and cameos.
If you’ve finished FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE and are eager for more Cloud-y action, I’d heartily recommend World of FINAL FANTASY or DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY NT - both are easily available both digitally and physically and feature the character in a fairly prominent way.
And if you haven’t played FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE yet, what are you waiting for? It’s arguably the best way to see this iconic hero in his native habitat.
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