Starting Level...

[Sogreth]

This MIGHT be possible spoilers, but not really, as it happens in like the first 20 mins of the game.


This is bugging me, and I DON'T KNOW WHY.

The starting level (after the flashback in Kalm) seems to be 15? Totally fine. No issues with that. What's bothering me is that in the flashback, Cloud is LEVEL 40!! WHY!!?

In the original, his starting level is 6. And the flashback it's 1. This actually makes sense, as it's set in the past. Back when he was less experienced. So why is it that he is somehow Lv40, then regresses to lv15?

It's not even a big deal, really. It has no effect on gameplay. I just feel like it's a pretty annoying plothole.

[JDL]

it is just coz when you start new game (aka flashback and zack) they want you be overpowered coz game explaining basics, combat etc.... so that way is hard you die etc... mealtimes learn mechanics. So the flashback level don't affect game as i said it is just coz that

[zero]

dont try to conflate video game mechanics to in worldbuilding tech, its just a tutorial

[Tiberius]

Because sephiroth's favorite puppy was actually someone else

[Zhaidel]

It is because the Cloud in the flashback is not actually Cloud.

Spoiler:
That is Zack Fair who used to tell Cloud of his various experiences, tales, etc. Cloud impressed Zack's stories and watching him fight onto himself as one of Zack's good friends and being actually incredibly capable with the sword. However, Cloud was not able to overcome becoming 1st class due to his weak mental aptitude.

Cloud was actually one of the Shinra grunts that was traveling with Zack and Sephiroth at the time. Obviously, not the one that fell and died. Thus Cloud did experience much of the events of that catastrophe first hand. This is something that is later delved into in the story and why Cloud doesn't remember Zack, why some characters don't recognize him as a 1st class soldier and are confused when he announces who he is, and so on.

Now, obviously Cloud shouldn't be level 15 if everyone else in the party is level 15, but it would mess up the gameplay if he was stronger than the entire combined party like in the story. Now, he does definitely grow in strength to reach 1st class and arguably surpasses Sephiroth by the time of Advent Children.

[Sogreth]

Originally posted by Zhaidel:

It is because the Cloud in the flashback is not actually Cloud.

No sh*t. But it still doesn't make sense. Cloud still "thinks" that's him.

They made it work in the OG. Just seems odd to mess up that minor detail.

[Zhaidel]

Originally posted by Sogreth:

Originally posted by Zhaidel:

It is because the Cloud in the flashback is not actually Cloud.

No sh*t. But it still doesn't make sense. Cloud still "thinks" that's him.

They made it work in the OG. Just seems odd to mess up that minor detail.

They also made him literally level 1 in the OG, far weaker than even the weakest mob and party member ever in the entire game, despite the fact that was Zack whom they were actually claiming was that weak.

The Rebirth version makes way more sense. The only part that feels inconsistent is that post flashback Cloud isn't stronger than your entire combined party just like he wasn't in the OG. This is obviously to prevent the others from being extremely base support only while Cloud dominates the fights, because the game doesn't have such an advanced combat system and AI.

[Sogreth]

Originally posted by Zhaidel:

Originally posted by Sogreth:

No sh*t. But it still doesn't make sense. Cloud still "thinks" that's him.

They made it work in the OG. Just seems odd to mess up that minor detail.

They also made him literally level 1 in the OG, far weaker than even the weakest mob and party member ever in the entire game, despite the fact that was Zack whom they were actually claiming was that weak.

The Rebirth version makes way more sense. The only part that feels inconsistent is that post flashback Cloud isn't stronger than your entire combined party just like he wasn't in the OG. This is obviously to prevent the others from being extremely base support only while Cloud dominates the fights, because the game doesn't have such an advanced combat system and AI.

Well no. The whole thing doesn't make sense. Taking Cloud aside, and away from the party. Why would he think he's way strong back then, then he is now?

[Scarlet Crusade]

Cloud, Zack, whichever way you go with it, their power was dwarfed by Sephiroth’s, that was the point of the original and is lost here.

[Zhaidel]

Originally posted by Sogreth:

Originally posted by Zhaidel:

They also made him literally level 1 in the OG, far weaker than even the weakest mob and party member ever in the entire game, despite the fact that was Zack whom they were actually claiming was that weak.

The Rebirth version makes way more sense. The only part that feels inconsistent is that post flashback Cloud isn't stronger than your entire combined party just like he wasn't in the OG. This is obviously to prevent the others from being extremely base support only while Cloud dominates the fights, because the game doesn't have such an advanced combat system and AI.

Well no. The whole thing doesn't make sense. Taking Cloud aside, and away from the party. Why would he think he's way strong back then, then he is now?

Cloud doesn't think he is weaker now than back then. Cloud's memories are also messed up and Tifa/Aerith notice the discrepancies in his story. Anytime Cloud tries to remember details that relate to the truth or his real identity/Zack he has issues and feels sick.

In the original game Cloud is level 1 in the flashback. He is around level 10-12 depending on player progress by the time you are in Kalm.

Thus in the OG from the player's perspective he isn't weaker in Kalm. In Rebirth it is apparent there are issues with his story that he can't see but others can. Both make sense.

As Scarlet mentions, Sephiroth's power is intended to dwarf Cloud's in the flashback and is emphasized by the developers by the level gap in the OG plus his absurd equipment like the Tough Ring, all + tier 3 magic, damage immunity while in Rebirth he regularly 1-shots stuff in cutscenes and uses a powerful infinite mana limit effect.