Cloud Strife has steadily become one of the most popular and recognizable characters the industry has seen, and he has appeared in a variety of Square Enix titles as a result. In addition to making appearances in other franchises, the original game that first introduced us to Mr. Strife has been expanded into a franchise of its own. Cloud has graced each title with his presence, even if he (gasp!) isn't necessarily the focus.
The Compilation of FFVII
At the 2003 Tokyo Game Show, Square Enix announced that it was working on a film sequel to the 1997 RPG behemoth. Although the initial film was meant to be no longer than 20 minutes (the end product was actually a full-length motion picture), Square did promise that more FFVII-related products were on the way. Here is a list of the major titles in that make up the FFVII universe.
Final Fantasy VII
The game that started it all! Cloud stars in this Playstation (and later PC) title. The story begins as that of a mercenary in over his head, and it soon becomes one of a man struggling to come to terms with his past in order to save the present. This is Cloud's story, and it is discussed in detail throughout the site.
Final Fantasy VII was originally released in 1997 and is rated T. It is available for both the Sony Playstation and PC. It was re-issued in Japan shortly after the release of the sequel...
Advent Children
The film sequel to Final Fantasy VII that picks up two years after the original game left off. This is rightfully regarded as the final chapter in our hero's epic and is also discussed throughout the site.
Advent Children is a full-length motion picture that debuted in its completed form at the 2005 Venice Film Festival and was released to DVD and UMD in Japan later that year. The international DVD and UMD releases hit stores in 2006. It is rated PG-13.
Before Crisis
Before Crisis is a multi-player game revolving around the Turks several years before the events of FFVII. Because Cloud was ranked considerably low in SOLDIER, his role in this game is small. Although a recent chapter has the Turks dropping in on Sephiroth's doomed visit to Nibelheim, the focus remains more on Shinra's organization than Cloud himself.
The first chapters of Before Crisis were released in 2004 and was finally wrapped up in early 2006; it has only been released in Japan. In 2006, there was some press about the English version being a Verizon Wireless excluive in 2006, but that obviously fell through.
Dirge of Cerberus
As a PS2 sequel starring Vincent Valentine -- with notable focus on Yuffie Kisaragi and Reeve Tuesti -- Dirge of Cerberus has Cloud in a small supporting role, racing into battle and filling Vincent in over the phone. After a siege on Edge, however, no one has heard from Cloud or Tifa...
Fortunately, Cloud's real-life doppelganger Gackt is there to fill the temporary void. Really!
Dirge of Cerberus was released in Japan in 2006 and hit the US with a T rating after several months of tweaking.
Last Order
A short animated film done in the spirit of Before Crisis and included as an extra with Advent Pieces (a $200+ limited edition package of Advent Children), although the focus is on Cloud, Zack, Tifa, and Sephiroth, this is very much the Turks' version of the tragedy in Nibelheim addressed in the original game. Besides the change in prospective, the film had several notable changes to the events in the game (please see the Last Order page); however, these changes were retconned in Crisis Core.
Last Order was first exclusive to the Advent Pieces package but was released with English subtitled in the US, Australia and Europe inthe Advent Children Collector's Edition in 2006-2007.
Crisis Core
Crisis Core is the prequel to Final Fantasy VII following Zack -- Cloud's first true friend and pseudo-mentor -- and the SOLDIERs during Shinra's rise to power. The game tracks the famed Buster Sword as it is passed from one fallen hero to the next, giving players further insight into Zack and Cloud's touching friendship. And Gackt.
Crisis Core was released for the Japanese PSP in September 2007 and followed it up with a US release in early 2008 with a T rating. The US was also the only region not to get the sexy FFVII-branded PSP. Uncool, Square. Uncool.
other products
Cloud also appears in the novel On The Way to a Smile written by FFVII scenario writer Kazushige Nojima and Hoshi wo Meguru Otome by Benny Matsuyama, who, although not a Square Enix staff member, has been entrusted in writing novellas to accompany several of Square's products. In addition to being discussed throughout the site, more details on Cloud's part in On The Way to a Smile can be found in Starting Over. It should be noted that Crisis Core was released several years after Hoshi wo Meguru Otome was published and has rendered it irrelevant.
On The Way to a Smile is included in Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Prologue and Hoshi wo Meguru Otome is published in Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Omega. On The Way to a Smile saw an English release in the Advent Children Collector's Edition. You can read unofficial translations at FFVII Web Novel .
If you're looking to learn more about these titles -- as opposed to only Cloud's involvement in them -- please see the Midgar-Rock Organization's general coverage.
Other Appearances
In addition to other Final Fantasy titles, Cloud has made appearances -- both big and small -- in other games. Even if he doesn't physically appear, sometimes a character will make a comment alluding to our favorite hero or a piece of concept art will be seen on a billboard.
Final Fantasy Tactics
Cloud is zapped from his world into the world of Final Fantasy Tactics, and he is understandably distressed by this turn of events. After encountering a mysterious -- not to mention remarkably familiar -- flower girl around town and escorting her to safety, Cloud is subdued by a flood of memories. Unsure of what to do next, Cloud accepts the hero's offer to join his party, but only until he finds the Promised Land. He'll probably be there awhile.
Final Fantasy Tactics was originally released in 1998 and is rated T. It was embelleshed and re-released for the PSP in 2007.
Ehrgeiz
Once upon a time there was an ancient rune that bestowed the power of the gods on any who possessed it. Like most items of its nature, this rune was a treacherous one to obtain and required those who desired it to fight one another to determine who was worthy of wielding such power. Then Square realized that this was a fighting game and no one actually cared about the plot, so it threw in a bunch of random cameos by FFVII characters. Cloud's move list is available, though it is suggested to try beating the game with Sephiroth, as much FFVII spiffiness ensues.
Ehrgeiz was released in the US in 1999 and is rated T.
Chocobo Racing
Beat the obnoxious story mode five times and you'll get Cloud as a racer. Although his vehicle doesn't have a clever name and he is portrayed in cut scenes by something that looks like a guy in a wetsuit with a question mark for a face, he's still there with his buster sword and motorcycle when on the track (One big 'hurrah!' for run-on sentences!). To access him in the menu, hover over Squall (who does have a witty vehicle and his own race track. What justice is this?!) and press R1.
Chocobo Racing was released in 2000 (?) and is rated E.
Kingdom Hearts
In a parallel universe -- Disney Land -- a hopeless Cloud has joined forces with Hades to find "someone" he's been looking for (never specified but heavily implied to be Aeris). Until they reunite, he can be found at the Olympus Coliseum waiting to battle the young hero. Everyone and his mother make an appearance in this game, including Final Fantasy veterans Sephiroth, Aeris, Cid (Highwind), Yuffie, Squall, Selphie, Wakka, Tidus, and a platoon of moogles. Cloud also makes an appearance in the official Kingdom Hearts manga (Japanese comic book) adaption by Shiro Amano.
Kingdom Hearts was released in 2002 and is rated E. The manga is rated A (All Ages) and was distributed in the US by Tokyopop throughout 2006.
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories is something of a modified version of the original Kingdom Hearts with more insight into the series' story rather than the stand-alone original game. In CoM, Sora and Co. have to fight their way through a mysterious tower, all the while losing their memories while regaining others long forgotten. Each floor represents a different world from Kingdom Hearts made by the memories within Sora's heart (it makes sense, really). In this warped timeline, Cloud is still working for Hades, though this time in exchange for his own lost memories (even though he himself is nothing more than a memory). When defeated, Cloud travels with Sora in the form of a card that can be summoned in battle for a special attack. More information on Cloud's card and the system itself will be posted eventually, but I hate card battle games.
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories was released in 2004, is rated E, and is not as good as Kingdom Hearts. The manga is rated A (All Ages) and is distributed in the US by Tokyopop throughout 2007. The game was re-vamped for the PS2 for the Japanese re-release of Kingdom Hearts II, and was distributed separately in the US in December 2008. You know, in case you're a masochist.
kingdom hearts ii
He's back! Cloud has returned in his AC clothes, prepared to defend his home against the onslaught of Heartless and -- more importantly -- the ever-present threat of Sephiroth (with whom he seems to be going through a divorce). He's not alone in his fight; a certain Tifa Lockheart is looking for him, though he's going to need to do a bit more soul (er, heart) searching if he wants to conquer his darkness once and for all.
Kingdom Hearts II was released in 2005/2006 and is rated E10+. The manga is rated A (All Ages) and was distributed in the US by Tokyopop throughout 2007.
Dissidia -Final Fantasy-
Square Enix decided to celebrate 20 years of Final Fantasy the only way it knew how: by pitting the classic characters against one another in a battle royale. Cloud must join forces with the likes of Cecil, Zidane, and BFF Squall to face an all-star lineup of villains. There's something about a god of chaos and crystals, but no one really cares about that when Sephiroth enters the stage via volcano.
Dissidia -Final Fantasy- was released in Japan in December 2008. Its release was followed by an announcement that Square Enix North America will be releasing it in Summer 2009.
itadaki street special/portable
Because the Square Enix series was in dire need of a revival and the Final Fantasy franchise has become a certified cash cow, several FF characters are playable in the latest addition to the Japan-only series. Structured around a Monopoly-esque board game and featuring silly mini-games, fans can rest assured that Cloud, Tifa, Aeris, Yuffie and Sephiroth are present to represent the VII crew.
Itadaki Street Special was released to PS2 and Itadaki Street Portable hit the PSP only in Japan in 2004 and 2005 respectively. (I am officially an Itadaki Street Portable monster. Potential game addicts: approach this game with great caution.)
Final Fantasy VII Snowboarding
The BEST MINI-GAME EVER was ported to mobile phones a la Verizon Wireless' V-Cast. My phone did not support it when it was available, but I understand it's just, well, a port of the snowboarding mini-game from the Gold Saucer. You play as Cloud and race through different courses, all while listening to one of several cool new Chocobo remixes. Sweet.
Final Fantasy VII Snowboarding was released on in the US in 2004. I couldn't find a rating for it in the ESRB online database. In a strange twist, it was belatedly released in Japan in 2008, sparking mass mental retardation in the blogosphere as it yapped about those silly Japanese and their FFVII games! Evidently I am the only person on Earth to remember this game's 2004 American conception; consider yourself educated.
Other Appearances
Although he doesn't physically appear in these games, he is referenced by characters in Final Fantasy IX, Final Fantasy VIII, and Parasite Eve II , to name a few. A billboard featuring Cloud and Aeris can also be seen in the first Parasite Eve. Similarly, on the start screen of Final Fantasy V for the Sony Playstation, FFV characters walk across the bottom of the screen; if you're lucky, Cloud will march on for a surprise appearance.
Cloud was also the face of both online and televised advertisements for Panasonic's PN00iV mobile phone. No, I'm not joking.
