I will (probably) have coherent thoughts later, but in the meanwhile I might as well answer the questions 1 and 2: I remember being absolutely devastated by the Cloud revelation when I first played the game, and this time wasn't much different.
Of course, on the first time the devastation was more about the mind-screwiness of the entire revelation, but this time I'm more horrified by the sheer cruelty of the illusion, both from Cloud's POV and Tifa's, as well as by Cloud's slow breakdown and Tifa's denial and horror.. not to mention how gleeful Sephiroth is about it all, even getting an extra kick over Hojo finding out that the 'failure' made it to the Union. Magnificent and heartbreaking.
It's the darkest part of the game and of Cloud's personal story, and it does a great job of setting the mood for the rest of the game as well as trashing any expectations the gamer might have had about Cloud so far. But it also really demonstrates just how strong Cloud is. That he could go experience so much pain and horror and still be able to put himself together and move on in the end is an amazing feat, final proof that he didn't need to be like Zack or Sephiroth in order to be one hell of a hero. Dude is inspirational.
Of course, on the first time the devastation was more about the mind-screwiness of the entire revelation, but this time I'm more horrified by the sheer cruelty of the illusion, both from Cloud's POV and Tifa's, as well as by Cloud's slow breakdown and Tifa's denial and horror.. not to mention how gleeful Sephiroth is about it all, even getting an extra kick over Hojo finding out that the 'failure' made it to the Union. Magnificent and heartbreaking.
It's the darkest part of the game and of Cloud's personal story, and it does a great job of setting the mood for the rest of the game as well as trashing any expectations the gamer might have had about Cloud so far. But it also really demonstrates just how strong Cloud is. That he could go experience so much pain and horror and still be able to put himself together and move on in the end is an amazing feat, final proof that he didn't need to be like Zack or Sephiroth in order to be one hell of a hero. Dude is inspirational.
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I love you for those last two lines. I really do.
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most of all because "deal with tons of crap" doesn't even begin to describe it.
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