Why is Cloud Strife so Popular?
Cloud Strife‘s enduring popularity boils down to two words: Influential nostalgia. His iconic design and complex characterization in Final Fantasy VII made him the poster child for an era of cinematic RPGs. For many gamers, Cloud is gaming in the late 1990s.
His Compelling and Emotional Backstory
Central to Cloud‘s appeal is his intricate backstory revealed across various Final Fantasy VII entries. As a boy living in the mountain village of Nibelheim, Cloud admired the legendary SOLDIER 1st Class, Sephiroth, wishing to be a brave hero like him one day. But unable to meet the physical requirements for Shinra‘s SOLDIER program, Cloud joins the Shinra army as a lowly infantryman instead.
Already grappling with self-doubt, Cloud‘s confidence further deteriorates when he fails to become 1st Class. While back in Nibelheim on a mission, Sephiroth descends into madness and viciously attacks the town, killing Cloud‘s mother and beloved childhood friend, Tifa. Cloud confronts Sephiroth afterward, but Sephiroth easily dispatches him. The combined trauma of both professional failure and personal loses leads Cloud to construct a false persona where he did achieve SOLDIER status.
This profoundly damaged psyche, along with mako experimentation by Shinra scientist Professor Hojo, leaves Cloud wavering between delusion and reality for years. His mental fragility elicits sympathy while also allowing for rich character growth across titles as Cloud slowly puts his mind back together with the support of friends. Watching him battle inner demons makes for an engrossing drama.
Key Details About Cloud‘s Backstory:
- Wished to be a hero like his idol Sephiroth but failed to achieve SOLDIER status
- Lost him mother and dear friend Tifa when Sephiroth attacked hometown Nibelheim
- Suffered severe mako poisoning and psychological trauma from these incidents
- Spent years rebuilding shattered psyche and regaining grasp of own identity
This devastating backstory gives Cloud incredible depth. Gamers deeply connect with his trauma recovery arc across various titles in the Final Fantasy VII metaverse.
His Iconic Visual Design
Cloud‘s distinctive visual aesthetic also boosts his popularity. His glowing blue mako eyes visually signify both his SOLDIER aspirations and traumatic experimentation. Cloud‘s oversized Buster Sword serves as metaphor for the enormous burden he carries on his weary shoulders, while his dark clothes and armor signify emotional protection.
Perhaps most iconic is Cloud‘s gravity-defying blond hair. Spiky and chaotic, it symbolizes his fractured mental state and contrasts strikingly with his pale complexion. During my first minutes playing Final Fantasy VII back in 1997, I knew Cloud was cool the instant he leapt off the train with his wild crown of golden spikes.
Notable Aspects of Cloud‘s Appearance:
- Glowing blue mako eyes hinting at backstory
- Giant Buster Sword taller than himself
- Oversized shoulder armor and dark clothes
- Impossibly large and spiky blond hairstyle
This intense visual design burns Cloud into popular memory. His hair alone has inspired countless tributes, cosplays, and memes.
Seeing Him Develop Across Games and Media
Key to Cloud‘s hero journey is watching him come to terms with past trauma throughout various story arcs. In Final Fantasy VII, he begins as detached loner masking inner turmoil. Under Aerith and Tifa‘s patient guidance, Cloud confronts suppressed memories and achieves self-forgiveness. Players witness him transform into compassionate leader willing to fight for the Planet and friends he loves.
This growth continues in sequel films like Advent Children and Cloud‘s resolve hardens. Having overcome the stigma virus through self-acceptance, he slays enemy Kadaj to saves Midgar one more time. Alongside additional context about Zack Fair‘s sacrifice provided in Crisis Core, Cloud‘s full tale expands impressively across the compilation.
Viewing Cloud‘s ongoing character progression allows fans to profoundly connect with him. As Square Enix adds new plotlines, evolution remains central to his hero‘s appeal.
Key Character Growth Moments Across Titles
| Final Fantasy VII | Confronts suppressed memories of Nibelheim incident and achieves self acceptance |
| Advent Children | Defeats Kadaj, saves Midgar from Geostigma virus |
| Crisis Core | Zack Fair backstory reveals sacrifice so Cloud could live |
Cloud‘s continual development across various media keeps him compelling over decades of Final Fantasy VII stories. Witnessing his struggles makes his heroism more rewarding.
Becoming a Gaming Cultural Icon
Given Final Fantasy VII‘s status as one of gaming‘s landmark titles, Cloud Strife entered popular culture as the quintessential gaming hero of the 1990s. Over 18 million copies of FFVII sold globally, bringing his gravity-defying hair to the masses. Glowing magazine reviews praised both dramatic storytelling and Cloud‘s unwavering dedication to his cause. Such critical and commercial success inevitably bled Cloud into the wider zeitgeist.
Evidence of Cloud‘s Cultural Influence
- 18+ million Final Fantasy VII sales globally
- Numerous 9/10+ reviews from major gaming outlets
- Regularly tops "best character" lists, both in Final Fantasy and gaming overall
- High saturation of Cloud cosplays at conferences like PAX, ComicCon, etc.
- His Buster Sword appears in numerous RPGs as tribute
Cloud‘s sheer ubiquity secures his cultural importance. Given the praise FFVII garnered, Cloud grew into gaming‘s symbol for cinematic storytelling itself during PlayStation‘s coming of age.
His Relatability and Humanity
What truly resonates about Cloud is that under the bravado lies fragile humanity. Throughout FFVII, Cloud suffers frequent headaches and mental lapses hinting at internal unrest. Players later realize these episodes stem from the tremendous psychological burden Cloud carries. Despite his considerable talents as a warrior, Cloud‘s unraveled mind leaves him frequently exhausted or withdrawn.
Yet he perseveres in part thanks to the moral support of friends like Tifa and Aerith. Their warmth and understanding nurture Cloud, revealing a softer side beyond the taciturn exterior. Cloud wants to protect them from further heartache, striving to defeat Sephiroth and Shinra despite fragmented memories nagging at his spirit. This dichotomy between formidable sword arm yet vulnerable psyche makes Cloud inspiring. He represents overcoming trauma to self-actualize one‘s potential, making him hugely relatable for fans worldwide.
