FFVII Rebirth - Cloud & Zack, Bonds of Friendship (No Magic, Stylish Combo)

[@fable23]

Watching this video and seeing them fight side-by-side, I've only just now noticed how differently Zack and Cloud use the Buster Sword. Zack swings that thing like it weighs nothing, whereas in Cloud's hands it feels very heavy and powerful. A great, subtle way to demonstrate the differences between them: Zack having gone through actual SOLDIER treatment and the training that comes with it, whereas Cloud only got the fucked up Hojo version, and is mostly mimicking Zack's style through his own messed up memories. It's in pretty much all over their animations, but it's most visible in their victory animations; Cloud's sword twirl is very clearly an imitation of Zack's, but Zack spins it a lot faster and smoother.

[@КонстантинПаршуков-о6б]

That's why AC Cloud fight with 6 swords that fuse into 1. He is developing his own style.

[@VeryNormalGuy9]

I don’t think it’s because of the difference in strength (they’re gone through same physical enhancement), both Cloud and Zack swing Buster Sword like it’s a paper sword. The real difference is their combat style and swordsmanship. Cloud handle his sword in pretty methodical way, so it feel weighty and organized. He also rely more on technique and “I have to look cool” factor which is why most of his move look smooth and flow like sword dance, one of his main gimmick in gameplay is counter. Cloud might copy many move from Zack and Sephiroth, but he adapt all of them to his own preference so it totally feel like his style. Zack on the other hand, he clearly is a freestyle fighter, he swing the sword fast and wild, throwing punch and kick into the mix, fight however he want with no clear form. Zack love freedom down to his own fighting style. Dude just smack things hard and fast until it done, simple and clean just like his personality. Their combat style can’t be anymore different even if some of their move look similar.

[@charlesthomas708]

@@VeryNormalGuy9this. Zack is more free form also utilizing punches and kicks. I really like how they differentiate both their styles

[@Chaddingway]

​@@КонстантинПаршуков-о6б One thing I like about AC Cloud is how his Fusion Sword is symbolic of his journey. It took several people to piece him together so that he could become whole again. They're the pieces that support him and allow him to become the strongest version of himself.

[@theplatdream26]

​@@VeryNormalGuy9 I think also cloud did get sword training too while working for shinra, so he's not fully copying what he's seen from Zack. He is quite proficient with swords on his own but the jenova cells for sure souped him up. But another difference is that when dodging Zack definitely feels faster and I think it just comes down to Zack having more years of combat experience than cloud.

[@Collin255]

Incredible. It took me so many attempts to finally beat this WITH magic. Truly impressive!

[@Mello-Moonlight]

I've been waiting for more of your incredibly beautiful Rebirth gameplay.

[@androthekim0131]

This is the most impressive display of skill I’ve seen, and I’ve seen like 100 videos of Combat Simulator videos. Hats off to you sir, I can’t imagine how long it took you to get to this point

[@DOC_951]

Idk… watching people do Aerith no hit solo on “rulers of the over world” is very impressive lol

[@vicdaman]

This is insanely impressive. I can only hope to get even half as good as you. Amazing work. Thank you.

[@meteor22]

If only they allowed you to play Zack and Sephiroth in all the VR missions as an extra reward for beating those 2 challenges. Seems like such an obvious thing to do.

[@Avtenom]

Yes... Maybe with mods on PC version.

[@supersaiyanzero386]

Zack and Sephiroth together. Or Zack cloud and Sephiroth. That might be too much power lol. They should have had THAT team for bonds or rulers available lol Sephiroth and Zack buffed up and cloud as support and DPS would be super fun for ROTOW

[@cloudstruck2785]

OMG this is the best video I've ever seen of someone actually using Cloud's fighting abilities as he was meant to be used. Most people I have watched totally under utilise his skills, or put useless materia on him or don't even use his abilities. Cloud was my main heavy hitter and used correctly he totally rocks! Also just wanted to point out with some of the comments I've read here - Cloud didn't copy Zack's style. At the age of 14yrs when Cloud first enlisted and was assigned a mission with some turks, they noted how expertly adept Cloud was at swordsmanship - I think it was in 'First Soldier'.

[@Avtenom]

Thank you ! Check out my other videos too!

[@cloudstruck2785]

@@Avtenom Will do - I'd love to see you do a solo Cloud video. That would be dope!

[@empty_melodies]

THIS is what I’ve been looking for. Some _style_

[@letpcreation1490]

For people that are saying this game is easy and it is just about smashing the attack button, they’re clearly mistaken. This is about skills , timing and so much more in which you clearly have. Well done !

[@WL-bs4nc]

As someone who still can’t beat Bahamut in the first game, I 100% agree

[@cjtheman2985]

Whoever said that this game is easy button mashing clearly has not played it

[@superizillian957]

@@cjtheman2985it’s your average turn based rpg fanboy

[@NotSoFat]

Insanely great! Perfect cloud+zack combo and in jp dub! Looked like a 2v1 battle

[@chrisvalen]

Good job man keep up the awesome vids

[@supersaiyanzero386]

Zack! Hehehe Stuck in my head lol Very cool. IMO once you know Bahamut and Odin and how to use high braver and Zack's moves this becomes fun. I still get problems with Bahamut but I use a defensive build that has limit, so synergy will pressure and give cloud ascension and finishing touch. It's funny though, I have 801 hours in game and people who don't are still better than me, but instead of some negative stereotypes I try to learn from their strats. Part 3 better have a monster sized combat sim! Great work!

[@LivncA_Dis3]

Another one, jeez this is fun to watch! God tier gameplay!

[@jaredwalla3064]

You are what Imagine what I look like when I play. So much skill and practice; you are very good!!

[@davidpawai3700]

You got sick style! I'm looking for a killer cloud build to balance power and defense! Love you attention to detail when you used synergy counter on Phoenix right after doing the Ariel onslaught.... My favorite🤩🤩🤩

[@resy4]

Amazing run. You’re incredible!

[@chrislee5268]

Jesus, this combat really blows XVI's out of the water... Goes to show that you can have stylish action without sacrificing what makes a game feel like FF (A party, buffs/debuffs/status effects)...

[@jpw8767]

This is such a treat to watch, BRAVO

[@hawashiamarunaga9917]

Big brother and little brother energy.

[@This_Is_TinN]

I screamed "BROTHER" like Liquid Snake does when I realized I was gonna fight Sephiroth with Zack in my playthrough lol

[@hawashiamarunaga9917]

@@This_Is_TinN 😂😂😂Right!

[@Mech.95]

I love this duo. Cloud and Zack are 2 of my favourite characters of all FF. This gameplay is amazing! Have you ever noticed that the voice actors of Sting (the guy with blond hair) and Rogue (the guy with black hair) from Fairy Tail are Takahiro Sakurai and Kenichi Suzumura, just like Cloud and Zack? Do you think that this is a coincidence or a reference to FF7?

[@roycho87]

I like how the mindflayer just changed his mind mid attack.

[@ByronValenciaCorrea]

At the end Zack was like "so got something to do after this?" Haha 💜

[@zildog]

That fight against Alexander was m e n t a l. Literally smelted him before most players could think. What a fucking EPIC run...

[@cjtheman2985]

19:12 Zack: Why are you posing with the sword Cloud: It's my thing Zack

[@Ty4ler]

Finally a non magic build video …. I’ve beaten this challenge 15 or so times , there are so much combat options but people just Vito to magic cuz it’s easy …. Good job man

[@kyranadrian]

extremely solid video. cant wait to unlock zack and sephiroth

[@josetomascamposrobledano4618]

While the inexperienced in FF7 might think that the victory pose of Cloud VS Zack shows that Cloud “needs practice”. In truth the reason is that Zack from Rebirth is a Crisis Core Reunion Port. Original FF7 was the one who started the spin so the Re-sequel version might have been an attempt to make the victory pose “realistic”.

[@Yuffie_Kisaragi-y6t]

Waittttttt, this is so coooollllllll!!!!!!! Question: how do u get this tho??

[@aali4726]

Wow magnificent work u make it look easy just wow impressive wish I could be hf as good GG man

[@DivsF]

Deyummmmm you’re incredible! ❤

[@0070tere]

上手いというのもあるが、何故か何回でも見たくなる戦闘だな

[@rifakcaz9393]

Zack Combat mechanics definitely way harder than cloud but i think they gonna tweak it for the next game so more Casual player can find it easier to use him

[@phantom-X2086]

He's pretty easy once you get the charge timing down. But that's just me.

[@PrincessNine]

It's melee, pause for a beat, press triangle. It's actually easy, despite the speed zack swings, you're really meant to pause for 1 Mississippi or so ya. Issue is picking up the timing in a sink or situation is extremely impractical

[@cooperlittlehales6268]

Interesting to note that Zack and Cloud sheathe their swords differently. Cloud sheathes his blade up, while Zack sheathes his blade down. Wonder if that's an experience thing or personal preference.

[@noxlumine]

More of a reference to how they fight. To Cloud, the Buster Sword is a big friggin sword. Zack inherited it from Angeal, who never used the blade itself due to "use bringing about wear, tear, and rust". Storywise, Zack uses the flat of the Buster Sword more like a club- but obviously that would be more of a pain to animate.

[@jirajirawoo6900]

17:13 18:23 How to counter attack without damage taken? When I countered with triangle, I received damage from Odin's charge.

[@Avtenom]

With perfect timing

[@dave16124918]

This guy is the reason they made these challenges so effing hard!

[@BoyBawalKo]

0:47 daayyyum there is levels. Capcom would be proud.

[@Andreaperepe]

How do you jump with cloud like that? Also how do you get in the air after braver to do aerial onslaught? I thought you had to dodge and hold attack to launch yourself in the air…

[@Avtenom]

Prime mode ability + triangle

[@hwp8729]

Wow i didnt know that you have the freedom to move with prime mode triangle. I thought it was just standing jump

[@antoinejunior3353]

Cloud reminds me of guts from BERSERK the way he swing the sword, while Zack reminds me of ‘WHITE” (ichigo hollow side) from bleach.

[@DavidLe-i9e]

I still think its funny to see Zack do Holy Order Sol cancels.

[@user-ki4no3ly5]

0:10 wtf is that?

[@Avtenom]

Prime mode ability + triangle. 😐

[@user-ki4no3ly5]

@@Avtenom sheeshhh clean game play

[@rinnegan3754]

How do you do these quick counters in punisher/prime mode before cloud finishes the counterattack animation?

[@Avtenom]

Press R1

[@rinnegan3754]

@@Avtenom Thanks, for some reason I thought it didn’t work like that and would often get hit during the counterattack animation. Beautiful gameplay, refreshing to see something that isn’t hpmp swap 😁

[@ramirojoseduransaenz7352]

19:10 CLOUD X ZACK HEROES UNITED

[@Daxma006]

I didn't know TAS was on ps5 yet. Oh, it's not TAS? Nice of god to visit us!

[@mayrokspsn9068]

Nice one , similar to my but I use cloud more for supporting Zack , while I’m spamming high braver , nice vid and Aerial onslaught is top tier

[@CloudStrife777FF]

Serious question, how do you do that jump with cloud out of nowhere??? I need to know, it seems useful as hell and much quicker than holding ranged attack. Is it by pressing triangle mid attack during prime mode?

[@Avtenom]

Yes. Prime mode + triangle

[@michaelyoon9355]

My father taught me the value of hard work.

[@michaelyoon9355]

People are stupid and think because I criticize one thing, that I have a poor image of him.

[@michaelyoon9355]

Yes I remember him criticizing my father. That is not definitive proof though.

[@sorasmalls294]

Best duo in the game, unfortunately I cant play with zack here because im bad at the game and cant get there

[@shawnpresser8374]

Keep trying! You can do it! It just takes practice

[@eauvni]

😍😍😍😍

[@Avtenom]

😂 😍😍😍

[@ShadeKazin]

How did you get Cloud to use ATB without the slowdown?

[@Avtenom]

By using shortcuts. You can define them in Combat settings.

[@therealchecho1868]

This is the sexiest video of rebirth that I’ve seen

[@pantsubegoox]

a true legendary skill 👍

[@WRATHOFW1LL]

what is the immune is that you doing perfect blocks? If so I will probably never get this far lol.

[@itsOGP]

Yes these are perfect blocks and they aren’t as hard to do as you believe. There is also a “precision defense” material that increases the timing window to execute them. Practice my friend you will rise!

[@SergyAZ]

EPIC!!!

[@aali4726]

I got to round 10 +10 times now and everytime odin find a new way to beat me up or onshot me it's so frustrating makeing me hate a game that I love so can I humbly ask u to help me via ps5 gameshre if u could find time or anyone who is interested I only got this and outer world challenge any help will be appreciated thank u in advance

[@chemicalist]

How did you do that jump after sonic boom

[@Avtenom]

I pressed triangle in Prime mode.

[@danielmillward9947]

​@@Avtenombut that just changes it to his other style

[@shanebluesky7452]

Bro where is your rising tide gameplay?

[@Avtenom]

I loved it, so it's coming.

[@ricardolopez-ry5hz]

I clearly heard zack said faya so you used magic

[@rapidfire9999]

Zack-san! Hehe...

[@Strafio]

Not even healing?? 😮 Incredible work! I'd love to be able to play like this someday but it'll take a lot of work to get all the guard timings down! Bravo!! 👏🏻

[@SonicWind25]

What is the build?

[@Avtenom]

The build is shown at the end of the video

[@SonicWind25]

@@Avtenom thank you

[@theblissone]

Less Smart boys with Big sword

[@unholyrevenger72]

I still don't get why Cid and Vincent aren't playable as stripped down characters like Zack an Sephiroth.

[@juliogomesdesouza9035]

Because they appear at the very end and they want to have surprises for the 3rd part. Putting much effort into them for literally just the last 10 hours is may not have seemed worth it to them so they saved for the last game

[@kerutoto]

B U S S I N & N U T T I N 🔥🤙

[@Philosoforester]

This is wild. Currently trying to get through this using magic (mostly buffs). I'm really starting to loathe this fight. Lots of tough ones in this game, this might be the worst. Zack is not my cup of tea. :/

[@mychanelmeme9181]

Can someone beat this challange for me i have max materia my ps ID Ryuken363