Cloud Strife is your primary guide through the journey of Final Fantasy 7, although the remake trilogy gives more time to other characters whose stories weren’t as big a part of the original game. Because Cloud suffered from Mako poisoning before the events of the game, his memories aren’t clear or accurate. As a result, it’s difficult to trust what he says and how he perceives events, which is more clearly shown in the remake trilogy. This means that players likely know more about Cloud than Cloud knows about himself, but you might not know every detail about him.
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For a significant portion of FF7, Cloud confuses his memories with what he knows about Zack Fair due to his Mako poisoning and Hojo’s experimentation. Even without his clear memories, you can learn some details about Cloud that are either hinted at through moments not impacted by his confusion, or shown through media outside of the game itself, such as information about changes made during FF7’s development.
1. Cloud is Slightly Claustrophobic
This is shown in at least two scenes in the original game. When you have to lower the bridge during the Mt. Corel train tracks section, Cloud makes a comment about the space being tight and tells himself not to let it get to him. He also has trouble during the submarine section, where he says that he can’t take it anymore due to the small space, shaking, and sound of the engine, only to collect himself again through his own encouragement. Considering Cloud was kept in a Mako tank for a prolonged period of time as Hojo’s experiment, it wouldn’t be surprising if that’s the source of his claustrophobia.
2. Cloud Cross-dresses Outside of FF7
Of course, Cloud’s cross-dressing is a well-known scene in both the original game and FF7 Remake, but those aren’t the only games where he can wear women’s clothing. In Final Fantasy Tactics, Cloud is the only male character who can equip the ribbon accessory. This is a small Easter Egg nodding to his cross-dressing in FF7, and for the lore of Ivalice, wearing the ribbon is basically like cross-dressing. While this isn’t a groundbreaking detail and it doesn’t change Cloud’s character overall, it’s a fun nod to a section of FF7 that, for many players, is a highlight of the game.
3. Cloud’s Original Designs Were Used for Angeal and Zack
With Sephiroth having white hair, the developers considered giving Cloud slicked-back black hair in contrast. While it’s obvious that this didn’t make it to the final version of Cloud, those early designs would end up being made into the designs for Angeal and Zack instead. Had the original design been used, then you never would’ve gotten the comments comparing Cloud to a Chocobo, which are highly entertaining.
4. Cloud Has Two Birthdays
In the guide included with the original FF7, Cloud’s birthday was listed as August 19th. This would later be changed with the Ultimania, which made Cloud’s birthday officially August 11th, and that date has been confirmed to be the real date, retconning the initial game guide’s information. Interestingly, FF Tactics lists Cloud as an Aquarius, and that doesn’t line up with either of his birthdays, making it a mystery as to why he’d be given that Zodiac sign.
5. Cloud Originally Wounded Tifa
During development, Cloud was meant to severely wound Tifa while he was under the influence of Sephiroth before the events of the game, which would’ve left Tifa with scars on her back and without her memories. While this would’ve changed their relationship and made it a lot more difficult to reconnect with both of them missing memories, it’s probably for the best that this idea didn’t make it into the final version of the game, as Cloud and Tifa’s past fits them.
Like any other game, Final Fantasy 7 changed a fair amount during its development, and that made Cloud into the character you have today rather than a character that might’ve been more like Zack or Angeal. Additionally, the remake trilogy is appearing to almost be a sequel to the original game, as at least Aerith and Sephiroth seem to have knowledge of the original timeline, and you’ve already gotten to witness differences between the original and the remake if you’ve played both. In the midst of those changes, you end up getting the small details and adjustments made that turn these characters into the memorable final versions you have now.
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