Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth calls out one of the original JRPG's most dated gimmicks: "The times have changed, Cloud!"
A deserved scolding
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth tackles one of the original JRPG's more dated gimmicks by scolding you for even thinking about it - rightfully so.
In Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, you can have Cloud delve through Tifa's drawers after opening her wardrobe during the Nibelheim flashback. If you try and do so, he'll comment that he can't open the drawers themselves before drawing the ire of Tifa, Aerith, and Barret in-turn. "The times have changed, Cloud!" he says, scolding our hero.
As Automaton Media notes, this is a pretty big change from something the original Final Fantasy 7 did. In the original JRPG, Cloud could not only rifle through Tifa's drawers but could also pocket her underwear, which very understandably prompts Tifa to give Cloud a talking-to.
What was even weirder about the original incident is that Square Enix's localization team translated Tifa's underwear as "Orthopedic Underwear," which... sounds puzzling, to say the least. Automaton Media notes that this was taken by players back in 1997 as a sports bra for Tifa.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth thankfully does away with all that confusion and nonsense. As Barret very rightly points out, times most definitely have changed. Final Fantasy 7 Remake had its own history to tackle with the infamous Honey Bee Inn scene, and Rebirth proves no different.
Read our full Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth review to see what we made of Square Enix's remake sequel. Keep an eye on our Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Gold Saucer date guide if you want to bond with Tifa or Aerith throughout the game.
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Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.