Highlights
Tifa Lockhart has the potential for significant character development in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, as she faces her past and explores her role beyond Midgar.
The enhanced playtime and additional story elements in Final Fantasy 7 Remake provide a more comprehensive and well-developed depiction of Tifa, granting her a pivotal role within the storyline. The connection between Tifa and Yuffie could potentially transform into a mentorship dynamic, wherein Tifa shares her martial arts expertise and becomes a pillar of support for the group, potentially leading to conflicts with Cloud.
Many of the characters in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth have great potential for character development as the narrative shifts to establish a new canon. Among the main cast, Tifa Lockhart stands out as a character who could undergo significant growth, especially as she confronts her and Cloud's troubled past.
With the changes being made to the canon events in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and the added time for world and character development, there is a vast opportunity to delve deeper into Tifa's true essence. Equally important is the inclusion of formerly optional characters into the canon, which could bring a greater sense of depth to the entire party.
An Actualized Tifa Confronting Her Past
While fans have developed an idea of Tifa's character over time since the original Final Fantasy 7 release, this understanding is mostly derived from limited context or revealed through extensive background information. However, the recent release of Final Fantasy 7 Remake has provided the opportunity for players to experience a more complete version of these characters. This is particularly true for Tifa, who plays a central role in the narrative of the remake.
The extended segments in the game have delved deeper into Tifa's motivations for joining AVALANCHE, as well as establishing her as an integral part of Midgar's Sector Seven community. Now that Tifa has left Midgar and is traveling with Cloud, her position in the wider world becomes less stable, but also offers her greater opportunities for personal growth and development outside of her previous role in the city. With the introduction of new characters, Tifa's role as a dependable pillar may elevate to an even higher level.
Tifa as the Adult in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's Party
The bond between Tifa and Aerith in Final Fantasy 7 Remake, which wasn't as strong in the original game, opens up the possibility of new growth with the addition of the youngest party member. By having Yuffie join the party as a mandatory member woven into the narrative, Tifa gets the chance to form another meaningful connection, similar to her fast friendship with Aerith. However, due to the age gap between Tifa and Yuffie, their dynamic may take on a different dynamic, where one becomes a mentor figure for the other.
Among the three main female characters, it is expected that Aerith will play a "big sister" role with Yuffie, similar to how she was viewed by the children in the orphanage at Midgar. Tifa, on the other hand, being more mature and constantly assuming the role of stability for the group, can go in two directions. With Aerith likely taking on the role of a big sister in Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Tifa could then embody the nurturing figure of the group mom, potentially leading to clashes with Cloud rather than strengthening their bond, as hinted at by the game developers.
Yuffie, a skilled fighter with a reckless personality, offers Tifa the opportunity to share her own martial arts experience and pass it on to future generations. Instead of taking on a "group mom" role, Tifa can draw inspiration from her former mentor Rashard Zangan, who taught her martial arts. This will not only allow us to go beyond the inclusion of subtle references in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, but also provide a fresh perspective on characters like Zangan and their impact on Tifa, specifically. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is scheduled to launch on February 29, 2024, exclusively for the PS5.