CLOUD STRIFE: One of Gaming's Greatest 

He’s the best protagonist across all of fiction.

I am so pleased you mentioned that clip from Max Dood because he hit the nail on the head. Cloud is so talented and an every man. But he's also someone who obsesses more on his failures than his achievements and on those who were already stronger than him, despite him being younger and at a height disadvantage. The dude fails at giving himself grace, which, hello, we all do at some time or another. And he is the king of defensiveness until he is shown he doesn't have to be and I get that completely. So the moments where his heart shines, are truly brilliant. As you pointed out, free of Jenova's influence, he's a problem solver and sensitive. He just has the misfortune of clearly being manipulated and used. But if he was worthless, Sephiroth wouldn't bother with him or try to keep him alive. He's basically in the middle of a battle for his soul, so the fact that he pushes through this with the aid of his friends is peak storytelling. Love the vid and I'm trying to see what else I can get into too. I'll be following along with you!

Going through Cloud heros journey the first time as a teen was one of the most mind blowing experience ever. Well done on the vid!

He’s a great character and a unique protagonist

It’s funny to think about just how protective Cloud over his friends especially Tifa. It’s obvious that he is, but I only thought about it because I saw a compilation recently of every time Tifa sighs in Remake and Rebirth Cloud will instantly look for her and check on her to see what’s wrong and it happens more than I actually realized (enough for a minute long compilation I believe which is pretty cool). It just makes me think how hyper aware he is for the people he cares for even if he doesn’t always know what to do or say in the moment he will protect them regardless

Great breakdown! I've always related to Cloud as a character. Whether it's looking up to him as a kid, or recognizing his flaws and how they mirror mine as an adult. We're total opposites with how we interact with others, but I relate to him nonetheless. As a kid I looked up to his confidence as a leader, but recognized his shyness immediately. As I got older, I started related to his struggles with identity, imposter syndrome, again shyness, depression, grief and survivors guilt during Advent Children. To eventually learning to rely on others and break down his walls. Overall, one of my favorite characters and I'm always glad to see him analyzed as more than just "emo Cloud".

Cloud is my favourite character of all time in any form of media. Got me through some tough times when playing the OG in regards to grief and identity issues created around trauma. When people dumb him down to an emo stereotype it pains me because it just isnt true at all. Amazing video, really happy I came across it. 😁

Cloud is imo the greatest character in FF history, nobody is as interconnected with everything around him, so well written, so vulnerable yet so satisfying to see, he portrayed the great aspect of life and how one should move on from hardships and failures and keep going, GOAT

I love him, there’s always so many layers to his character but anytime u see him achieve some form of happiness u wanna jump and cheer for him

Great video on a great character! Hearing Cloud's VA voice is like hearing the actual Cloud speaking, pretty wild. Looking forward to Part 3 to wrap up his character arc, not sure how am I gonna survive the wait though 🥹

Cloud has always been an interesting character to me because even though he has been through so much and comes off as a strong stoic, the group help develop his character showing the better side of himself proving that no man is an island. We see that all throughout FF7 and KH, plus I've always been a fan of his designs. Awesome video!

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. So nice to see positivity in this community.

Cloud is my favorite character ever! I could listen to anyone gush about him for hours.

I will say Sephiroth does play a role in Cloud's development ironically positively. Sephiroth provides Cloud a frightening dark reflection as Sephiroth became and was adored as a hero similarly to how Cloud wanted to be. But Sephiroth lacked the one thing that Cloud had in abundance- love and being cherished. It was only after Cloud became a hero after OG7/AC that he understood the weight of it all and just wanted to be a family man. He fulfilled his oath to Zack and upheld a true SOLDIER's honor. And that's something that Sephiroth longs to be part of, whether he admits it or not, in Rebirth during the final battle, he even performs the SOLDIER's prayer during one of his moves. Showing there's SOME bond to his former self, in the bond he did have with Angeal. In his resurrection in LS:Blk, Sephiroth places all his chips in Cloud's EVERYTHING, which forms Sephiroth's core. Cloud doesn't need Sephiroth but Sephiroth is dependent on Cloud. Wonderful video about gaming's spiky haired chocobo farm boy, I'll definitely subscribe.

Cloud's is such a mess, and becomes a complex character due to the very nature of the side effects of his "soldier training" and how non-linear the story is being told. To me there's three different versions of Cloud, And he is sliding in and out of these three different personas throughout the game. I will do this as spoiler free as I can: "The Real Cloud", the one from Tifa's childhood, the child and the person he was before he went away on "Soldier training", This is the one Tifa is emotionally connected with, the one she loves. And to Cloud, Tifa is his childhood sweetheart, and she becomes his rock, his support pillar that keeps him from loosing his former self. Cloud would do anything to protect Tifa and keep his childhood promise to her... Tifa spends the whole game supporting Cloud, and making sure he doesn't loose that side of himself. She is the only one that can truly connect with that side of him. "Soldier Cloud" the one carrying on Zack's legacy, this version of himself is calm, calculated, tactical, efficient, and strong, a one-man army... He doesn't carry Zack's personality, but his soldier eyes and mannerisms are very similar. This is the person Aerith becomes romantically interested in. With her upbeat personality, Soldier Cloud opens up his feelings more and more. And ultimately this version of Cloud does fall in love with Aerith. However throughout the game Aerith realizes that this isn't "the real Cloud", so she tries to seek him out, but cannot find him (only Tifa can). Lastly, "Rage Cloud". Let's call him that. insanely powerful, completely disconnected from "the real Cloud... In rebirth I would say that he is the one that killed the Midgarsormr (we saw the events unfold from Cloud's perspective) this version of himself also appear in the Gongaga reactor as well as the Temple of the Ancients. Has a strong connection with Sepiroth. This version of Cloud only appears when Cloud is in a physically or emotionally weak state.

Thank you for giving me something fun to watch while the rain stops outside my house :D Your assessment of Cloud is excellent. And I loved when you said any friend of Cloud's is a friend of mine. Love this attitude! Great vibes! I'd say that's my attitude with theories. Bring it with kindness. That being said, I love to come up with a heartbreaker, and of course I'll share one. Although I don't know what fictional story broke me. lol Oh dear, that theory. I've had this one for a few years but have reluctant to share it online. To set the record straight for anyone patient enough to read this comment on a video far better than anything I could make, I loved the compilation and what they are doing now. I would only want the Square staff to do what they truly want to do. I also don't mind open endings like that of Dirge. Not getting answers means more questions, which I love. So, I asked myself, what is that final piece of Loveless? You know... the one that only Genesis knows. 'To become the dew that quenches the land, to spare the sands, the seas, the skies, I offer thee this silent sacrifice.' But beware :) Endings can be cruel. And a young Tifa's misadventure has already shown us it is most unwise to follow those who go over the mountain. Should we go over it anyway? Yes? Do it? All right then. Let's go for a climb! Without further ado, it's time a loved one bids us adieu. Here is the sacrifice at world's end! Perhaps five or ten years after the events of Dirge, that legacy that Cloud inherited from Zack has finally gone on to Denzel. But this passing is different. And even though he is human, Denzel fully hears the voice of the Planet and Its final request. He tells Cloud they have to go to Nibelheim. When Cloud asks him why, Denzel's reply is 'the Promised Land.' And here on the slopes of Nibel we tragically learn that the legend is indeed true. In a sacrifice at world's end Cloud returns the gift of the goddess. But having passed on his legacy, Cloud cannot make it to the journey's end. Only those who the Lifestream calls may go beyond. He is unable to follow Denzel over and beyond the mountain where souls go to never return. And as a final balance is restored, a father and son are parted forever. As for Genesis, his final mission for the planet was beautifully simple. Weiss is arguably the most tortured character in the series. With his powers gone, I think he could use a nice home. What home could this be? Is there anyone who feels the need to provide care for a someone who is no longer there? Did anyone have a son about his age? Maybe a lost son who became a Soldier? :) Thanks again for another great video, Jazzy! The rain has stopped too!

I adore Cloud! He's the most iconic and influential protagonist in gaming history imo and I would like to thank you Jazzy for this little video. Over the past few years I've seen more and more hatred shown towards Cloud by so called "fans'" of the game. I agree that everyone is entitled to have their own preferences, but it's the amount of totally unjustified comments that are so toxic in nature that keep seeping in to every stream I watch, Twitter or even Cloud appreciation posts! Many people just do not understand Cloud or do not want to understand him so just hate on him instead - so sad, but true. Cloud is my hero and will always have a special place in my heart!❤

Wish you talked about his relationship with sephiroth more, i know its more negative but it definitely help build him up as a character and i love how rebirth expanded that exponentially.

Cloud is one of my favorite protagonists of all time, definitely #1 in final fantasy anyway. I loved rebirth because of how they portrayed his issues it made me kinda not like him, not in a bad way but he became kind of insufferable. But that only reinforces my love for him more since it makes his heros journey that much deeper.

Some minor thoughs. Zack v Sephiroth part was ok. But it kinda went over Aerith v Sephiroth who are the angel and devil on Clouds shoulder. Recently a friend of mine who is a green enviromentalist played og first time. She said that there is no romance in the game. That the cause is what's important and it's just kids messing around during free time. While for most this take isn't theirs it shows how the story itself is good. Though I would argue some romance adds to it. Eg. in temple of the ancients Cloud breaks Sephiroths control when the whispers attack Aerith. If it's just a friend that control is weakerer to break than when a loved one is attacked. Cloud actually is looking for a family - his friends. He just has problems expressing it. When you talked about personalities around him, he has most of them. And we can see how he interacts with them. I don't think Aerith and Tifa are good at that though. Of course he is more willing to let them do more around him. But I would argue the best to get to him are Zack and....Vincent. Zack is the big brother. They get along because they have the same background and Zack included Cloud as his friend just like Cloud always wanted. Vincent on the other hand is Clouds quite side cranked to eleven. Vince never speaks if it's not important and Cloud feels this on a relatable level. Also Cloud mentally is 16 while Vince is around 50 (serious father-son vibes). Even their absence from the world (coffin sleeping and tank imprisonment) is a mirror image of them. Having both of them around himself Cloud can model his life how he wants it to be (just like most teenagers do). At his lowest in AC he finds comfort in only relatable person - Vincent.

9:00 where does this footage of Cloud and Tifa come from?

It’s interesting you think Tifa gets the most hate, in my experience I see Aerith get far more but I guess it depends on what corner of the internet you are in