014
Y
ou knowsomeone
means business when
they’ve got a sword
bigger than they are
strapped to their back.
Cloud introduces himself to
AVALANCHE as a Mako-enhanced
ex-SOLDIER, and offers to help
them blow up Shinra’s Mako
reactors in exchange for cash. The
only thing the group really knows
about him is that he shares a past
with another member, Tifa. While
most people know him from spin-off
media as being a grumpy loner, the
Cloud of this game knows how to
crack wise, with Barret a prime
target for his sarcastic comebacks.At points the rest of the gang gently
prod at him, trying to get him to open
up (and in Jessie’s case work out if
there’s something going on between
him and Tifa). But while Cloud can be
witty and sarcastic, he keeps his realfeelings close to his chest.However,we
get to see what’s on hismindfrom
early on. He has flashbackstohis
childhood with Tifa, inthewild-west-
like town of Nibelheim;butalsoto
something much more sinister.His
flashbacks keep showinghima
dark-clothed figure withlong,silver
hair: Sephiroth. The memoriesofhis
time as part of SOLDIERarealllinked
to the mysterious individual,andseem
to be closely tied to whyheleft.
But that decision hasputhiminthe
same boat as AVALANCHE.Asan
enhanced super-soldier,goingrogue’s
put a Shinra-shaped targetonhis
back, as he’s an investmentgonebad.
And that Mako experimentation
doesn’t only have positiveeffects.
Generally, all SOLDIERsdieyoung
because of the gene-meddling.Butis
his hatred of Shinra andenigmaticpast
all that draws him to workingwith
AVALANCHE? Maybe Cloudcares
more for the planet thatheletson.A
s themaincharacter
andpartyleaderfrom
thestart,Cloudis solidto
playas,abletotusslewith
almostanyenemyaslong
astheystayin rangeofhis
sword.Tappingtheattack
buttonwillunleasha combo
ofattacks,includinga
launchermovethatliftsthe
enemyupintotheair,while
holdingit downgiveshim
spinattacksthatdamage
enemiesallaround.Use w to switch to his
Punisher mode and his
moves will hit more heavily
while his movements slow.
Any dodge in this mode will
send Cloud right back to his
standard Operator mode,
and switching takes time,
so you’ll need to consider
that in advance. Braver is
now an Ability (not a Limit
Break like in the original
game), with Cross Slash
his first super move. HealsostartswithFocused
Thrust,wherehedashes
forwarddealingstagger
damagetoanyenemiesin
theway.Ashelevelsup,
Cloudgainsaccesstomore
abilities,manyofwhich
revolvearoundsword
attacksonenemies.He’s
capableofdealingwith
prettymuchanysituation,
especiallyashismode
changeshelpwhentaking
onbigenemygroups.Head in the clouds
HOW HE FIGHTSCloud’s spiky hair is one
of his most distinctive
features, and we’re glad
to see it’s in the Remake.