"It's like this train. It can't run anywhere except where its rails take it."

Pictures

Hi and welcome! This page is dedicated to the hero of Final Fantasy VII. While he is not quite as cool as the hero in Final Fantasy VIII, he is still worth a look.

Cloud Strife Job: Mercenary (ex-member of SOLDIER)
Age: 21
Weapon: Sword
Height: 5'7"
Birthdate: August 19
Birthplace: Nibelheim
Blood Type: AB
The main character in Final Fantasy VII. Originally a member of SOLDIER, he is now a mercenary who will take any job. After being hired by AVALANCHE, he gradually gets caught up in a massive struggle for the life of the planet. His enormous sword can cut almost anything into two.

A former member of SOLDIER, this guy with the weird first name isn't as cute, but he has this weird, funky hairstyle that is pretty cool in an odd way. Plus, he uses a bike at one point, and he just looks so rad on it! ^_^

One reason why I like him is because he reminds me of Squall (I played VII after VIII) somewhat, although I don't think he's quite as deep. It starts out fine enough; a person who doesn't care about others and wants to rely only on himself.

As the story progresses, he starts feeling genuinely interested in saving the world, something he didn't give a hoot about earlier. Also, we find out a lot more about his past. It includes a startling revelation but I'm not about to tell you if you haven't played it yet!

Also, we have this cool little love triangle going on between him, Tifa and Aeris (Aerith if you're Japanese). At one point in the game, you (as Cloud) gets to go on a date with either those two, Yuffie, or even Barret(!), and who you get to go with depends on how nice you were to any of them. Obviously, if you were weren't nice to one, he/she wouldn't ask you out! When I played, I went out with Tifa, which was good ^_^

Of course, we also get some hints that maybe he's actually gay. No, seriously! I have heard (but haven't actually done it myself), that you can enter the Honeybee Inn early in the game, and enter a hot tub (or sauna. I can't remember) with several guys. Hmmm, and he did it willingly too. Uh huh... ;) Don't forget your date with Barret, heh. For some reason, gay people intrigue me. ^_^

However, Squall was more complex, and had a lot more character to him. At least, that was what he was to me. For these reasons, it is why Cloud doesn't get the top spot in my list of cool FF heroes. ^_^

Probably due to FFVII's popularity, Cloud has also been featured in several other games, FF Tactics, Chocobo Racing, and Ehrgeiz.

In FF Tactics, you can recruit Cloud in your party if you go through a lengthy sidequest. He will join you if you help him save Aeris (yes, she's in the game too, although her name is never stated. You can't recruit her. She's just the flower girl). If you wish to use his limits, you have to use the Materia blade, as it is the only weapon that unlocks it.

In Chocobo Racing, he is a secret character you can unlock by beating Story Mode five times. Then, at the character select screen, highlight Squall and press the R1 button. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find a picture of him in the game.

In Ehrgeiz, he is a playable character, along with Tifa, Yuffie, Vincent and Sephiroth. However, I am unsure whether they are secret characters that have to be unlocked, or standard characters you can choose from right away. Now, if only there was a true FF fighting game, where you can duke it out with lots of FF characters. I'd like to see a match between Cloud and Squall, or even Red XIII and Interceptor, if four-legged characters are included.