Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallZack Fair and Cloud Strife are friends and comrades. Their time together has a lasting influence on Cloud, and Zack’s story in Crisis Core –Final Fantasy VII– gives that connection its fullest focus. Spoiler note: The explanation below stays with the basic relationship and avoids detailed revelations about Cloud’s past.
How are Zack and Cloud connected?
Square Enix describes Cloud befriending Zack Fair, a SOLDIER: First Class, and accompanying him on assignments. Cloud hopes to become a SOLDIER himself, and their time together influences the person he eventually becomes. That makes their connection one of friendship and comradeship—not simply a rivalry or a romantic pairing.
Zack’s care for Cloud is also shown in a practical way: Square Enix’s Zack profile describes him returning to Midgar after a difficult battle with a mako-poisoned Cloud in tow. That detail captures Zack looking after his friend while keeping the focus on their bond.
What does Zack mean to Cloud?
Zack is an important influence on Cloud. The original Final Fantasy VII presents Zack as part of Cloud’s past, while Square Enix’s retrospective says their time together has an “incredible influence” on the person Cloud becomes. That influence is central to why Zack matters to Cloud’s story.
#1 Best Overall
- Immerse yourself in the city of Midgar like never before, with improved textures, lighting, and background environments
- Players can switch between two game modes: "Graphics Mode" prioritizes 4K high-resolution graphics; "Performance Mode" prioritizes smooth action at 60 frames per second
- Capture and share your memorable moments from the game with a fully customizable “Photo Mode”
- Players can enjoy immersive battles by using the DualSense PlayStation 5 controller with its haptic feedback integration
- Play the brand-new episode featuring Yuffie and experience new combat and gameplay additions
Which game tells Zack’s side of the story?
Crisis Core –Final Fantasy VII– is a prequel centered on Zack. Square Enix says its story begins seven years before Final Fantasy VII; the game develops Zack’s experiences and the legacy connecting him to Cloud. The Square Enix Store describes that legacy as the heart of the saga, in product-page copy rather than a statement from a named spokesperson.
For a version available as a remaster, CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION updates the original game’s graphics, soundtrack, interface, and combat, according to Square Enix. It is an optional way to spend more time with Zack’s story; availability and editions can vary by platform and retailer.
Rank #2
- The award-winning FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE* retells the original story up to the escape from Midgar, with breathtaking visuals, fast-paced gameplay, and additional story elements. This RPG delivers unforgettable characters, a powerful narrative, and a hybrid battle system that blends real-time action with strategic, command-based combat. It also includes FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, a side story starring Yuffie Kisaragi that offers a fresh perspective running in parallel to Cloud’s journey.
- STUNNING VISUALS - Explore Midgar like never before with stunning visuals and richly detailed environments that bring the city’s layered, industrial districts to life, all while staying true to the spirit of the original game.
- DYNAMIC COMBAT WITH STRATEGIC DEPTH -The innovative battle system combines strategic command-based gameplay with fast-paced action. Seamlessly switch between characters, harness the power of materia, summon iconic creatures, and unleash devastating limit breaks.
- ICONIC CHARACTERS, UNFORGETTABLE STORY - Follow Cloud Strife, an ex-SOLDIER turned mercenary, as he joins Avalanche to take on the Shinra Electric Power Company. Cloud and his allies Barret, Tifa, and Aerith are pulled into a battle that will decide the fate of the planet.
- EXPANDED CONTENT - FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE offers quests, mini-games, and missions set in expanded areas of Midgar. Encounter new characters and experience exciting content that adds even more depth to the story.
How should you distinguish Zack’s relationship with Cloud from his relationship with Aerith?
Zack’s friendship with Cloud is separate from his romantic connection to Aerith. The fact that Zack returns to Midgar hoping to see Aerith while bringing Cloud with him illustrates that these are distinct relationships: he cares for Cloud as a friend and has a separate bond with Aerith.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How does the original game differ from Crisis Core in telling their story?
The original Final Fantasy VII frames Zack through Cloud’s story; Crisis Core centers Zack and expands the background to their connection. That difference in perspective is enough to guide players choosing what to play for more context. The available official descriptions do not establish every continuity detail across the later remake project, so the games should not be treated as having identical accounts in every respect.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- The Amazon Exclusive Edition includes a FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH PS5 controller skin (inside the case) featuring Cloud and Sephiroth. This PS5 controller skin provides full coverage without buttons or sensor interference.
- An Expansive World: As the party searches for Sephiroth, explore the beautiful, expansive regions of the world and open up new areas to discover through unique forms of transportation
- Deepen their relationships to unleash powerful team based combos
- An Evolved Battle System: Combine strategic thinking with thrilling action combat alongside your comrades, including newly added characters
- Beyond the Walls of Fate: In this standalone adventure for fans and newcomers, Cloud and his comrades venture across the planet, their fates unwritten, making each step outside the dystopian city of Midgar fresh and mysterious
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
