Historical Context
In the original Final Fantasy VII, released for the PlayStation 1 in 1997, Aerith's death at the hands of Sephiroth is a significant plot point. It serves as a catalyst for the protagonist, Cloud, and his companions, driving them to confront Sephiroth and save the world. This event is deeply ingrained in the game's lore and has been a topic of discussion and emotion among fans for decades.
Recent Discoveries
Speedrunners have discovered several glitches that allow players to bypass the sequence leading to Aerith's death. These glitches primarily involve manipulating the game's code execution and exploiting specific in-game mechanics. Here are some key glitches used:- Item Overflow Glitch: By manipulating the game's inventory system, players can cause an overflow in memory, allowing them to execute unintended actions. This can be used to skip certain cutscenes or events, including Aerith's death.
- Wrong Warp Glitch: This involves tricking the game into loading incorrect scenes or locations. By performing specific actions in a precise order, players can warp to different parts of the game, effectively skipping the scene where Aerith dies.
- Memory Manipulation: Advanced techniques involve manipulating the game's memory directly. This requires a deep understanding of the game's code and can be used to alter character states or event triggers, keeping Aerith alive past her intended death scene.
Context of Discovery
These glitches were discovered through a combination of community collaboration and individual experimentation. Speedrunners often share their findings on forums and social media, leading to collective breakthroughs. The discovery of these glitches has been facilitated by advancements in emulation and debugging tools, allowing players to explore the game's code more thoroughly than ever before.Implications for the Speedrunning Community
The ability to save Aerith has significant implications for the speedrunning community:- New Categories: These glitches have led to the creation of new speedrunning categories, such as "Save Aerith" runs, where the goal is to complete the game with Aerith alive.
- Narrative Exploration: Players can explore alternate storylines and character interactions, offering a fresh perspective on a classic game.
- Technical Challenges: Mastering these glitches requires a high level of skill and understanding of the game's mechanics, adding a new layer of challenge for speedrunners.
Impact on Traditional Narrative
While these glitches offer exciting new possibilities, they also challenge the traditional narrative of Final Fantasy VII. Aerith's death is a key emotional moment, and altering this event can change the game's tone and message. For some players, this is an opportunity to experience the game in a new way, while for others, it may detract from the original story's impact.
In conclusion, the discovery of glitches that allow players to save Aerith in Final Fantasy VII represents a fascinating development in the speedrunning community. It highlights the creativity and dedication of players who continue to explore and redefine the boundaries of classic games. These findings not only offer new gameplay possibilities but also invite players to reimagine a beloved narrative, keeping the legacy of Final Fantasy VII alive and evolving.
Final Fantasy VII Speedrunners Have Found A Way To Save Aerith In The PS1 Original With Glitches
Or at least one version of her anyway!
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