Square Enix Reveals Final Fantasy VII Cloud Strife Plush
Square Enix listed a plush toy of Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII on its official store, coinciding with new details about the game's PS4 remake.
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Square Enix provided a look at a new piece of merchandise for its most iconic role-playing game, the Final Fantasy VII Cloud Strife Plush. The item appeared on the Square Enix Online Store with product images showing the character in plush form. At the time, the collectible was also available for purchase through listings on Amazon.
The plush captures Cloud’s signature look, complete with his spiky blond hair and the dark purple SOLDIER 1st Class uniform. This release came at a time of renewed focus on the Final Fantasy VII universe, capitalizing on both nostalgia and recent announcements.
A Renewed Focus on a Classic
Final Fantasy VII first launched in 1997 for the original PlayStation, becoming a landmark title that helped popularize Japanese role-playing games globally. It was later ported to PC in 1998. More recently, an enhanced version of the PC port was released on the PlayStation 4 in early December 2015. This PS4 version introduced trophy support, giving players new goals to achieve in the classic adventure.
The timing of the merchandise and the classic game’s re-release aligned with major developments for the franchise’s future. The renewed availability of the original game on a modern platform gave new and old players a way to experience the story ahead of the announced remake.
The Upcoming Remake and Fan Reaction
At E3 2015, Square Enix officially announced that a full remake of Final Fantasy VII was in development, confirming years of rumors and fan requests. The title was announced as a timed exclusive, set to be playable first on PlayStation 4.
More concrete details emerged at the PlayStation Experience in December 2015. A new trailer showcased the remake’s battle system, revealing a significant departure from the original’s Active Time Battle (ATB) system. The new combat appeared to be fully action-based, with players taking direct control of characters in real-time fights, a style more akin to modern action RPGs.
During the same event, Square Enix also confirmed that Final Fantasy VII Remake would be released as an episodic series. The company explained that the scope of the original game was too massive to recreate in a single, modern title. This decision caused concern among some longtime fans. Discussions in the community centered on the potential pricing structure for a multi-part game and whether an episodic format could lead to content from the original world being cut or significantly altered.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Final Fantasy VII Cloud Strife plush?
It is a collectible plush toy of the game's protagonist, officially released by Square Enix. The design is based on his appearance in the original game, including his spiky hair and SOLDIER uniform. The plush was first shown on the Square Enix Online Store in late 2015.
When did the original Final Fantasy VII release on PS4?
The original *Final Fantasy VII* was released for the PlayStation 4 on December 5, 2015. This was not a remake but a port of the enhanced PC version from 2012. The main addition for the PS4 release was the inclusion of system-level trophy support.
What kind of combat system does Final Fantasy VII Remake have?
Based on gameplay revealed in 2015, *Final Fantasy VII Remake* features an action-based combat system. This is a significant change from the turn-based Active Time Battle (ATB) system used in the 1997 original. The new system emphasizes real-time control over characters during battles.
Why is Final Fantasy VII Remake a multi-part series?
Square Enix stated in 2015 that the project's massive scope necessitated a multi-part, episodic release. The developer explained that recreating the entire world, story, and all the content of the original *Final Fantasy VII* to modern standards was too large for a single game release.