Final Fantasy VII Rebirth OST - Vs. Jenova Lifeclinger

[@Shadestars]

The idea for it to play Aerith's theme during the Jenova fight like the OG FF7 was awesome, but the idea to have Jenova's theme slowly creep in and take it over the way it did is a stroke of pure fucking genius!

[@Zeldafan-fp3uu]

Plus it fits with the theme of Jenov a itself. A parasitic being that clings to a host until it eventually takes over completely

[@Vigilante008]

I disagree, I want to start by saying I absolutely love this game but I felt rebirth stole the death away. In the OG when she dies the theme doesnt stop, you are left with anger and sadness throughout, You are sad for your friend who died in your arms, you are angry at the person who kill them and frustrated you have to fight before you can grieve and mourn. In Rebirth the uncertainty of what happened only confirmed in the final cutscene takes the spotlight off the what happened and you never really get a final goodbye unlike in the OG. Yes we know her fate and why she does what she does but for me It felt flat and moved on rather quickly. ProJared did a review on the OG and I think hes telling of Aerith scene is very good.

[@glottis8]

I guess you just experienced Loss. @@Vigilante008

[@BlackStarSeries]

@@Vigilante008come on now

[@DA50886]

@@Vigilante008you may not like it, that’s fine. But it doesn’t diminish how Square’s musical team crafted this beautiful composition and the emotional impact it had on those who play Rebirth.

[@NeoakiraIV]

Phase 1: 😭 Phase 2: 😭 *tapping feet * Phase 3: 😭*bopping head* Phase 4:😭 🕺🕺🕺🕺

[@StillWeRide]

😂😂

[@NevermindMe77]

LMAO

[@CKParker35]

comment of the century

[@Fall-oo6mt]

I couldn't even cry. I was fucking LIVID. I was trembling in anger when Sephiroth started laughing after trolling everyone Her theme playing made me even MORE mad. If that was their intention, it was fucking well done

[@justhomas83]

Hell yeah 🤘

[@brandoa1131]

They have not missed a single time when remaking these jenova themes.

[@LostGeburah]

at least there's that. if only didn't miss on the endings...

[@BigKieth420]

whine whine wahhh im not satisfied with the direction wahhh. get.over.it.@@LostGeburah

[@tobiis-a-good-boy4960]

@@BigKieth420Hey I dig the direction of the story too but don't be a immature brat over how others feel about the story. You need to get over the fact that not everyone will share the same opinion as yours, and yours is no more valid than theirs.

[@andimari9194]

@@BigKieth420oh noooo someone has a different opinion than me let me berate them!!!😭😭😭

[@winspyy]

@@tobiis-a-good-boy4960 new bad old good. That usually how it boils down tho, so I get him pissing on him lmao

[@blueeyeddrago3540]

The fact that this Jenova has actual eyes in the skull is much more creepy.

[@Jaredskoll]

Makes me think of the human alien hybrid in aliens 4

[@Ace85858]

@@Jaredskoll Greetings from spain (I don't live in spain)

[@angelbloodshinra]

​@@Jaredskolloh good, it wasn't just me who thought of the Newborn there!

[@dracon204]

If you'll remember her previous iterations... she's slowly gaining more and more 'features' each time! Betting we'll see Absolute in full fleshy glory at the end of 3.

[@blueeyeddrago3540]

@@dracon204 FF7 Reunion is gonna be M for mature lol

[@Plasmacat1]

The transition where everyone is split up and after everyone is falling beating the shit out of her like its Advent Children is amazing. Tifa using a Jenova’s Blizzaga to slide and gain momentum to punch her is chef’s kiss 🤌. It was a rollercoaster playing this fight.

[@antoinejunior3353]

To live long enough for a remake and seeing how far they came…definitely best game in my lifetime. The group ass whipping that went down compare to the ps1 version. My god square really let their imagination go wild. Game of the year.

[@CosmicAeon]

Yeah all those types of cinematics where they team up, and all the cool synergy moves in combat, really makes them feel like a proper team that's been together a long time. Love that stuff.

[@eoinjamesmadden3385]

Whole hearted agree with you here. Emotional rollercoaster, absolutely breathtaking every step. Everyone's limit bar at max apart from cloud too. And then in phase 3. Getting the finishing blow with finishing touch. So unbelievably epic. Game of the year 100% ​@@antoinejunior3353

[@awtodor]

​@@antoinejunior3353you know I'm agreeing with you the more time I've spent. This is the greatest game I've ever played outside OoT

[@antoinejunior3353]

@@awtodor what’s your take on it comrade? What have you enjoyed so far and what are your expectations for the final disc. Are you hoping For All 5 WEAPON to appear. With the model bizzaro sephiroth it gives me hope it will be lol gaming biblical 🔥🔥💪

[@aun1426]

The fact that everyone's limit break (except Cloud) is full is super friggin cool.

[@jayjaysheroah2485]

Because cloud is so messed up he thinks he saved aerith

[@lilianus7421]

@@jayjaysheroah2485 And probably because it will be full and ready to Omnishash Sephiroth like hell in Part 3

[@scottishjedi1522]

@@jayjaysheroah2485Or he did actually save her and mess up the timeline even more he’s now floating between two, which is why Aerith kept transitioning between being alive & being dead. I think they’re playing with the whole ‘unreliable narrator’ thing here. Because it’s not just Cloud that saw Aerith- Red XIII felt her there too, though only when she seemed to brush his fur. That’s why it can’t just be in Cloud’s head.

[@jayjaysheroah2485]

@@lilianus7421 trueee cant wait for omnislash

[@leos8813]

@@scottishjedi1522 Agreed. We even saw the rainbow effect that means divergent timelines.

[@Kelohmello]

i swear to god i didn't cry when aerith's theme hit i promise

[@MarcusSanchez2525]

Dude I was literally fighting back tears, I didn’t think I would since I played the original so many times but they got me good!

[@jaydrawsart]

"There are no promises at Journey's End"

[@cruzzosanchezzo9632]

I honestly couldn’t breathe cuz I was crying so much😢

[@wojtekg7144]

yeah..... me too

[@HS-mn6jc]

I haven’t had a piece of music hit me this fucking hard in a long time. I know the original did the same thing with Aerith’s theme during this fight but this version hits even harder. There’s this grandiose tragedy in hearing such a triumphant melody while you, the player, are desperately trying to deal with the loss and doing everything in your power to not let her loss be in vain. Not to mention how this first phase starts literally tearing your entire party away from you until it’s just Cloud… you can really feel how this is a point of no return and there are no guarantees on who’s gonna make it out of this alive. I literally had to pause multiple times during this fight because the tears in my eyes were making it impossible to see what I was doing :’(

[@jamesmcgeachie]

Fighting JENOVA Life with Aerith’s theme is one of my most powerful gaming memories from the 90s. I’m so glad they delivered on that moment. All is forgiven.

[@LostGeburah]

only to fail HARD before and after it. truly the monkey paw is strong with this.

[@Fall-oo6mt]

​@@LostGeburahnah

[@clarityreunited]

@@Fall-oo6mtyeah

[@Fall-oo6mt]

@@clarityreunited nah

[@xeonaught6942]

@@LostGeburah depends on perception I was happy they took this direction tbh theres no emotional connection to her death I have seen it 1000 times how was they meant to make it emotional if they went by the OG I feel it would of fallen even worse for you . I actually felt more in the sector 5 scene they played on it that we already knew it was coming then the dread of seeing her sat next to cloud at the pool brings up so many questions and mystic was that Aerith or Jenova nobody can say without any shadow of a doubt who or what it is however in the ending scene that is certainly Aerith from the lifestream but that cutscene by the pool is just plain weird

[@DusttheDemonslayer]

The version for the final jenova will be ABSOLUTELY insane

[@AzumangaFan13]

HA...I see what you did there lol

[@MarcusSanchez2525]

I wonder if they will go with the design it has in the OG or go for a completely different form.

[@dragoonmk4203]

​@@MarcusSanchez2525Why not both?

[@MarcusSanchez2525]

@@dragoonmk4203 they definitely could, if so I look forward to seeing its updated look! I think the boss fight I am looking forward to the most is with Hojo!

[@BlackStarSeries]

@@MarcusSanchez2525eta for part 3?

[@vir6487]

How to make the saddest scene from OG feel even more gut wrenching? Make the protagonist become so traumatized that now he is in denial. Everyone but Cloud: *LIMIT BREAK READY FULL OF RAGE READY TO DESTROY JENOVA* Cloud: Yeah guys! Let's beat this boss and move on! :)

[@_XVIII_]

I never even caught that. Thank you for pointing it out. So cool, yet so sad...

[@michaelrobosa146]

That's one thing that most people did not noticed, the limit break bar being full to everyone except Cloud. Goes to show that Cloud is really in-denial regarding Aerith's death

[@tsyumamatsuthehavenofguard32]

10:37 _limits are meant to be broken_

[@driumissimo]

Cloud isn't in denial. He's seeing past the fourth wall and into other timelines. He can see the broken sky and he can see that Aerith still lives, even if it's not in that timeline. There's a lot of jankery going on, but it's definitely not denial. He's seeing past the barrier between timelines, just like Aerith and Sephiroth could/can.

[@SweetJohnnyCage]

@@driumissimo I think it's a mix of the two. He's communicating with Aerith from another timeline, or her spirit in the lifestream, not realizing that she's dead in his world. Pretty sure in part 3, we're going to see the events preceding the water burial, which was missing in Rebirth, after Cloud's personality and memories get put back together.

[@ronaldmaday]

10:44 is pure “LET’S FREAKIN’ GOOOOO” energy of a transition.

[@samraines6966]

The combination of the frantic chaos of Jenova's theme and the imagery of that threeway synergy attack dealing 9999 damage is just peak

[@antoinejunior3353]

Bro to live long enough to experience a new ff7 and be blessed with this…bro what a time to be alive.

[@samraines6966]

@@antoinejunior3353 Agreed. As an old ass FF7 fan it's crazy to to see how this remake project both stay super faithful to the OG but also expands and refreshes the characters and the world in so many ways. My personal game of the decade, it's crazy good and a lot of that is thanks to the amazing soundtrack.

[@librashooter]

​@@samraines6966not yet game of decade, there are still part 3 also release this decade and it should be better than rebirth.

[@samraines6966]

@@librashooter Well true. Or part three could crash and burn as a finale and sour the entire trilogy but fingers crossed that doesn't happen. Still, Rebirth by itself was the most engrossed I've been with a game since, I dunno, maybe Bloodborne? Lots of it is thanks to nostalgia but even without it it's such a gem of a game.

[@tsyumamatsuthehavenofguard32]

LIMITS ARE MEANT TO BE BROKEN

[@ArtificialChaos80]

The way the trumpet comes in on Aerith's theme, creating a despondent wailing sound, as the prelude to the funeral choir is just masterful instrumentation.

[@Adamantaimai]

It's now a second time where square absolutely confused me with a recreation of an iconic ffvii scene, just to immediately drop an epic jenova fight with the best music ever that make me forget all about it. seems intentional LOL

[@ElysaraCh]

it's definitely intentional, the whole point of the redone scene is that Cloud can't process or accept her death even with it literally happening in his arms. The entire scene, the pacing, the barrage of fights, Sephiroth not allowing the player time to process and grieve... it's all intentional and it's brilliant.

[@raisylvaine8398]

@@ElysaraChthe way everyone *but* Cloud starts with a full Limit Gauge is such good story telling as well. Everyone is fucking *pissed* because she’s gone but he thinks that she’s fine.

[@Beyond.Joyful]

With Phase 2 transition and Jenova actually showing normal eyes is the most unsettling thing about this video

[@brandonvinall]

The eyes are haunting

[@N120Xeno]

Is as unsettling as Jenova Emergent getting the ability to walk lol

[@DarkEpyon123]

Remember, while these boss fights are her/it's true form, she/it was walking around taking on the form and impersonating the central before she started fighting them and killing them off. That's why she/it is in that human form in the tank at the Mt nibel reactor.

[@MaffeGamer]

How they have managed to make three insanely different high quality boss themes from the original theme is just beyond me.

[@dinorex3464]

The fact that her main theme only plays in the final phase is a beautiful touch. She did it. After so much uncertainty, she knows she pulled it off. She killed off the last Cetra and the only one who could potentially halt her. And now that Aerith has faded in the Lifestream, Jenova finally shows herself for what she is. She is not a Cetra. She is not a godly being from above. She is not "holy." She is an alien monstrosity who wiped out a civilisation and is about to do that again. There is nothing sacred about this, it's utterly fucking evil. Maybe this is me reading too much into it, but I love this theme so much.

[@woljay9362]

Not at all this is precisely the feeling I got. Jenova is our antithesis and brazenly reveals itself to us. Up until this point everyone thought Jenova was “just another Cetra”. I’m not sure how they did but they made FF7 even better with the depth in lore and story telling.

[@nicholasvassey9799]

Same here my friends this piece is fucking legendary and prestigious!

[@Thanatos9029]

J-E-N-O-V-A is one of the greatest tracks in game history imo. Hamazu knew he couldn't half ass any remake of this track and he has been delivering beyond expectation each time.

[@panzerdragoon273]

The arranger is Yasunori Nishiki though, the composer of Octopath Travelers

[@Thanatos9029]

@@panzerdragoon273 I noticed that when going through the Soundtrack files that several different composers worked on this besides Hamazu. It still doesn't change my statement. All of them deserve incredible respect for the job they did.

[@blueeyeddrago3540]

Why is it that even though the J-E-N-O-V-A theme was used alot, it never gets old?

[@N120Xeno]

@@blueeyeddrago3540 Probably due to both them having each Jenova a unique boss theme and each Jenova having a unique design different from one another. These new Jenova designs go so absolutely hard

[@kwtkold9302]

​@@blueeyeddrago3540all three versions have been awesome. I love how emergent was very different, the high vocal parts doing the tune is amazing

[@jacklast4399]

Since credit is already out on VGMdb: The lengthy song is split between two parts: Aerith's Theme - The White Materia and J-E-N-O-V-A - Tenacity. Both of those songs is composed by Nobuo Uematsu and arranged by Yasunori Nishiki.

[@TheSeventhForce]

Nishiki might legit be one of my favorite musicians in the industry at the moment. Between his KHIII & FFVIIR tracks, the Octopath series and YGO Master Duel, the dude's been on an absolute tear these last few years.

[@SnakeEater776]

I know dreamweavers was J-E-N-O-V-A, quickening but what was emergence's?

[@TheSeventhForce]

@@SnakeEater776 It's called J-E-N-O-V-A - Emergence on the soundtrack, too.

[@SnakeEater776]

@@TheSeventhForce ah, fair enough, cheers

[@lukes.854]

Nishiki remains the GOAT

[@CJusticeHappen21]

In FFVII, a character's soul is their song. Here you can hear Aerith's song disappear into the lifestream. Jenova's song replaces it, timidly at first, then forcefully, then joyously. Jenova is self-exaulting: "Glory to me! I have killed the Last Cetra!"

[@tsukuneboy]

Are you sure she is the "last"....there is a girl in Midgar who can talk to her in lifestream you know

[@CJusticeHappen21]

@@tsukuneboy And at the end of Advent Children, there are loads of children with the ability to speak with the planet. One of my favorite FF7 Theories is that the Cetra are being reincarnated, in the next generation of humans.

[@CJusticeHappen21]

Yo, that was why the film was called "Advent Children"! The movie plays it up as if the children infected with Geostigma are a sign of the return of Sephiroth, and in a way they are that. But in reality, Sephiroth was only hijacking or piggy-backing off of the return of the Cetra, who the children are actually signifying the return of!

[@tsukuneboy]

@@CJusticeHappen21 but even before the creation of AC, they already established Marlene is able to sense Aerith presence. In a sense she is some kind of a special character sans explanation during that time

[@rhaspados666]

​@tsukuneboy and then here Marlene's father is still able to talk to Eleanor maybe he wasn't as crazy as we thought maybe he's a cetra

[@perfectharbinger1398]

I love how genuinely difficult it is to decide which is the best of Remake's Jenova themes: Dreamweaver is superb, Emergent is an absolute banger, Lifeclinger nails the majesty and heartbreak of the ending perfectly. I think I have to go with Emergent as my personal fav... but there's *literally* no wrong answer. They're all S-Tier.

[@NightSkyNyx]

I also appreciate how each Jenova theme in Remake doesn’t attempt to one-up each other, but have their own unique and distinct take to match the gravity of their respective situation. Dreamweaver’s is a faithful remix of the original with an incredibly satisfying buildup and payoff. Emergent utilizes an ethereally haunting choir and a fast pace to get across the urgency of the fight. Finally for Lifeclinger, her theme is a mockery of Aerith’s death by using her theme and then overriding it with Jenova’s more traditional theme, which as you said, perfectly captures the heartbreak, sorrow, and majesty of the ending. They’re ALL fantastic and I have faith that Jenova Death, Synthesis, and Absolute’s themes will be just as incredible in their own ways

[@MarcusSanchez2525]

I think I personally love the Jenova lifeclinger theme because after we are done feeling sad during Aerith’s section the song goes ham and we get to unleash all our anger on Jenova! 😤

[@androsias3354]

I have high hopes for Hojo's version.

[@perfectharbinger1398]

@@androsias3354 Yeah, before, there was a part of me that was like "Ehh, they'll give Hojo his own theme in the third game." because they don't have much need to reuse boss music. But then I remembered the Jenova motif can be heard in *tons* of Hojo's scenes across these two games. OF COURSE he's getting a Jenova remix! lol.

[@fissilewhistle]

I think they got it perfect the first time, to be honest.

[@dr.edwardrichtofen365]

I thought I did a good job of keeping it together. But then the roar of the trumpets at 0:51 made me start bawling my eyes out. Just like when I played the OG all those years ago

[@cloudshines812]

Aeris: “You can’t fall in love with me Cloud…” Cloud: “I know… but I already have…”

[@jackmenifee87]

the way phase 4 kicks in after the transition buildup is so beyond cracked god they were cooking so hard with this boss

[@LordMalice6d9]

I think this is the best boss theme from this game!

[@ojisankusai]

"...Shut up. The cycle of nature and your stupid plan don't mean a thing.. Aerith is gone..Aerith will no longer talk, no longer laugh, cry.., or get angry... What about _us?_ What are _we_ supposed to do?! What about _my_ pain? My fingers are tingling.. My mouth is dry.. My eyes are burning!" "What are you saying? Are you trying to tell me you have feelings, too?" "Of course! Who do you think I am?!" "Ha ha ha... Stop acting as if you were sad.. There's no need to act as if you were angry, either.. Because, Cloud..." "You.." "....Are a puppet.."

[@juanp7691]

they're definitely saving it for the cloud tifa Lifestream scene, it will hurt so much I can't wait ​@Orcaluv26

[@toliverwrist6770]

I think they might incorporate it in the Lifestream portion of the story, when Cloud finally confronts the memories he has repressed.

[@DarkEpyon123]

​@Orcaluv26he mouthed it when they were jumping between the different universes after aerith got stabbed and he was holding her

[@Muramusa723]

I think this might be my favorite final battle sequence in any videogame I've ever played. Ending a game like this off with a ~45min long multi-phase battle like this & utilizing every character in the game with various team comps for it just felt incredible, and this was also the peak of the game for me musically too in a game with one of the best OSTs I've ever heard. Just amazing.

[@joshuayung5158]

I started off very enthusiastic but by the "adds phase" I was willing it to be over. Picks up at the end but several of those phases feel like pure padding and don't contribute much to either gameplay or narrative.

[@andrewaigalew]

Imagine undercutting what is probably the most important videogame death by adding like 10 phases to a 1hour boss fight when it should have been a time for mourning. You cant even begin to feel sad about Aerith's death since before you even process it you have to lock in for a fucking hour.

[@Muramusa723]

@@andrewaigalew I mean you fight Jenova there in the original too, and then almost immediately the next thing you do is go fuckin snowboarding LMAO so I can't say I agree with you on this one, the tone of FF7 original was wildly inconsistent as well. For me the intense fight added to the emotional impact rather than taking away from it, I enjoyed the emotional rollercoaster even if it was messier than the original. I also wouldn't want a 100hr game to end with a single 5 minute boss fight like the original FF7 had here, I think that would've been lame as hell and violently anticlimactic for such a long game.

[@weeBob40985]

@@Muramusa723 Gotta agree, maybe it's nostalgia but some people make original FF7 out to be perfect game or something. I thought this battle was awesome and it makes sense that there's no sense of mourning in Rebirth since Cloud himself doesn't think Aerith is dead.

[@MarcusSanchez2525]

⁠@@weeBob40985Oh its complete nostalgia, as someone who has played the original countless times I can say it for certain the game is not perfect but for some reason lots of people act like it’s absolutely perfect in every way possible when its not, I’ve seen people even say “they have completely perverted the message of the original”…I mean ok man you do you, I don’t see it that way at all I am overjoyed that we get to experience this awesome story again and these twists are making it far more enjoyable then a 1 to 1 remake.

[@bruhi12839]

Say whatever you want. This theme was the one which forced me to break down. When her theme just slowly faded, I realised the deep meaning behind it and broke down to tears, Aerith must be alive in other timeline by the game’s logic. If she ain’t, I am saving the planet for her brilliant sacrifice. She chose to die for that. Best theme, best game, best character. Loved the experience

[@Klearith]

Advent children was confirmed to be canon for the remake games so I think Aerith still has to die

[@CDB79-xs8rk]

​@@Kleariththey could be lying about that.

[@Klearith]

@@CDB79-xs8rk you could say that about everything. That's a stupid thing to think

[@CDB79-xs8rk]

@@Klearith creators of entertainment lie all the time to keep surprises just that. Hardly stupid. I'd say it's naive to just take anything at face value. Cheers.

[@Klearith]

@@CDB79-xs8rk I've never really heard of that happening from Square and they *confirmed* that it's true. They'd get so much backlash if they were to lie. The most logical thing is to take things at face value if you have no reason to doubt it.

[@medigoomnis]

Gosh I love all these Jenova themes...but 6:48 that Gilgamesh progression wtf hahaha

[@DCValorstrike]

Ok, because I thought I was the only one who noticed?! So strange lol

[@wowwiz1187]

You heard it too?! 🎉

[@lanonyme-vod8090]

That's the Yasunori Nishiki progression too so that explains it haha You can hear it in some of the battle themes he made for Octopath

[@frostbitepup87]

I am convinced, our true final boss will not be sephiroth, it's gonna be jenova, they are going INSANELY HARD on jenova's themes

[@aephyn_]

This actually makes a lot of sense. It would be a little bit repetitive fighting Sephiroth thrice for a final boss so maybe they're going for a more mastermind take on Jenova?

[@noahcennerilli7975]

SPOILERS FOR THE ORGINAL I think the final boss will be the God version of sephiroth we see at the end of FF7

[@pablothecoffeelover2551]

⁠i mean there is jenova synthesis

[@Gaias_guardian]

Agreed.

[@paulkleihege1509]

What if the only way to stop Sephiroth is to... redeem him? Get him to see Jenova for the parasitic, manipulative force she is, and get him to realize his 'plan' is just HER plan, and he's being used? Imagine a final battle with a whole Jenova, the calamity from the sky, against Cloud, Zack, and a FURIOUS Sephiroth, having his own breakdown of identity but lashing out to destroy her for what she has done to him.

[@TJetPrime]

This is the boss fight I was waiting the most for since Remake. They did not disappoint. I had to pause the game when Phase 1 started because of the shock and the music. Jenova always was always one of my favorite boss in gaming so this was such a treat.

[@LordMalice6d9]

If feels a bit off, however, after such a heartbreaking moment, starting this with Aerith's theme that then slowing melts away into Jenova's more bombastic spectacle laden theme.

[@wowwiz1187]

I feel like a lot of us were still processing everything in the beginning of phase 1 😭😭😭 it's just like it finally hit me that it happened and I had to pause lol

[@toriamu2395]

Me: "It's been a few weeks. I think it's safe to listen to the OST while I do some work!" Me: *bawling my eyes out yet again*

[@Heimscheisser92]

Exactly. ❤

[@cloudshines812]

For me its been four months and I’m still crying

[@DarlingDreadful]

Can’t wait to see what they do with Death and Synthesis

[@LordMalice6d9]

I can see it now honestly. Jenova Deathbringer and Jenova Absolute.

[@TrueZero2]

Don’t forget Hojo. He used the theme during his fight as well back in the day.

[@foxywoxy0w068]

@@LordMalice6d9 I was thinking that it would be Deathbringer, it just fits the name theming perfectly. As for the last Jenova fight, Jenova ABSOLUTE could work, I think someone in the comments suggested Jenova CONVERGENCE as well which sounded pretty cool, as well as Jenova COMPLETE or alternatively, just Jenova.

[@mcorvis914]

@@foxywoxy0w068 Jenova RUINITED...?

[@nocturne6362]

This has become the best official Jenova battle theme, lets face it.

[@AzumangaFan13]

Remake JENOVA is still a top contender. The slow build to phase 3 and then just pumping it up to 11 was just too fucking good

[@agranosclem]

I think I prefer Emergent over this, but it's by a slim margin

[@КонстантинПаршуков-о6б]

I still prefer Jenova Dreamweaver theme with that slow build up to the "Bitch is back!" moment when the original Jenova theme kicks in. But I admit that in terms of pure music I like all 3 themes equally.

[@Daredevil792Thefinalfantasy]

absolutely

[@jxivanx]

And we don't know if part 3 will have another Jenova theme surpassing this theme...

[@jhin_gg]

This music is INSANE. I LOVE how Aerith's theme sounds more hopeful first, like: u saved her, but then it merges into the theme of Jenova, like the worlds are merging. Exactly how Sephiroth was saying at the end, after Cloud blocked his sword. There's one theory that we stopped the worlds from merging after we defeated Sephiroth, and it makes pretty much sense. Now there are two realities, one where Aerith lives and one where she died like in the OG. Man, I can't wait for P3. What an amazing game.

[@joetorres4810]

I didn’t see it as a new timeline being made, aerith is controlling the lifestream and helping cloud combat sephiroth

[@Fall-oo6mt]

I'm pretty sure that the worlds ARE merging, which is why Cloud sees Aerith and the hole in the sky. Since he created another timeline, he's the only one who can see that it's merging with his own timeline

[@joetorres4810]

@@Fall-oo6mt clouds delusional and believes he saved aerith. That’s why he is the only one in the Jenova fight afterwards without a limit break. The other characters were pissed and emotional during that fight. Sephiroth even tells cloud that he’ll never see the truth with such clouded eyes. Aerith did die but she returned to the lifestream and is now influencing that. The Zach time line sephiroth is trying to merge or completely wipe out and destroy that timeline

[@Fall-oo6mt]

@@joetorres4810 See, my theory goes something like this: Sephiroth planned from the beginning for Cloud to save Aerith, so that he'd merge both timelines in which she died and survived and fuck with Cloud's head. Since Cloud created that timeline, and is the one who entered the Whispers portal, he's the only one who can see that. By doing that, Sephiroth has one more timeline to destroy and absorb its energy. Aerith may throw a wrench at his plans though, which is why he planned for Cloud to save her. By doing that, he can manipulate Cloud into thinking that Aerith is actually Jenova (which is what I think he was trying to do since the beginning, at first by gaslighting him into thinking it was Tifa he was talking about), and then make him kill that Aerith, so that she can't interrupt Meteor. This entire convoluted plan is possible due to the fact that 1. Sephiroth has entered the Lifestream when he died, but not merged with it; and 2. Jenova is in control of the Lifestream. Since it is a multiversal being, Sephiroth takes advantage of that by fucking timelines up and merging them together, so that he can destroy all of them.

[@elowei9919]

@@joetorres4810it’s not just delusion. That’s confirmed when Aerith pets red at the end and he feels it and calls out her name. That scene alone confirms it’s not all in clouds head.

[@hyper_blade1477]

That guitar in the final phase…. I get chills every single time I hear it.

[@WL-bs4nc]

I like how Dreamweaver’s theme was slow, as if you couldn’t grasp the true presence and importance of JENOVA, then it gave you the regular theme once you’ve gotten used to it. JENOVA Emergent’s theme was a lot more tense and chaotic, as you now understand what JENOVA is and how physically and mentally terrifying she is. And here, Lifeclinger’s theme is somber at the start, using Aerith’s theme, because of what just happened. But when the main theme kicks in, it’s a truly orchestrated version of the original theme, as you’re now fully used to JENOVA, and you’re able to handle the situation a lot better now. It’s an evolution of music, and I’m really hyped for how the other 2 fights handle her theme!

[@kenji4861]

Who went into this battle with a stripped down Cait Sith?

[@jordancarroll2121]

Me…

[@andreseh87]

😂😂😂😂

[@lunacrescentnightshado]

I made sure to re equip him

[@erodsan9044]

Bro… 🙃

[@rainingtacos7529]

Yeah...

[@eliminoh_p7877]

Best OST of all time. Thought they wouldn’t match Remake but it’s even better. The whole thing is just an absolute fucking masterpiece from start ti finish. Can’t wait until April 10th. ❤

[@VGHistory1]

What's April 10th?

[@night104]

​@@VGHistory1the official soundtrack's release

[@Dununerp]

I love the Battle at the Big Bridge motifs that come in every now and then

[@fairyaerith]

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who noticed this!!

[@HeadBodyMasterPersonal]

Best version of J-E-N-O-V-A, hands down

[@Canal25bits]

Im hope jenova absolute have good theme like this

[@whyteflame]

Emergent was pretty awesome too

[@AresLodin]

I think its great but I think emergent was better imo. But this one is absolutely phenomenal as well

[@Probably_JENOVA]

*Ha Cha Cha*

[@BlackStarSeries]

@@AresLodineveryone is a critic haga

[@enda19]

That transition right at 0:12 gave me goosebumps. This OST is a masterpiece and a tearjerker

[@grandimations7309]

I genuinely have zero clue how Square is ever going to surpass this Jenova fight, let alone this game. Part 3 has a lot to live up to.

[@yannispirou101]

true, but if you've played the og ff7, there's definitely a chance they're gonna surpass this with the actual final boss in the third game

[@Erikthedood]

There is plenty of stuff they can do to top this game. One, we’ll finally have all 9 original party members playable. Two, we’ll have both the Highwind airship and the Shinra submarine to sail the skies and explore the seas. The weapons will be awakened, and we’ll get the craziest boss fights we’ve ever seen. The war with Wutai is in full throttle, and we’ll get to see Yuffie, Vincent, and Cid’s backstories revealed. Not to mention Cloud’s true background being revealed, and that isn’t even to mention the Knights of the Round and the return to Midgar. It definitely has potential to be the best game in the series for so many reasons.

[@MasamuneChad]

5:13 Most of the OG fans will have felt Jenova's hand come down as if to fully stamp out the cetra for good in this part of the track.

[@ArtemisGlitch]

The greatest song ever made. EVER FUCK. not even video game music. This song is a miracle to the ears!!!

[@jimmydesouza4375]

You ever listened to Bloodborne's soundtrack? That's often considered the best videogame music ever, wonder how you compare this with that. This is amazing though.

[@yannispirou101]

@@jimmydesouza4375 Bloodborne has probably my fav soundtrack in a souls game ngl

[@zeldaoot23]

This soundtrack is a goddamn masterpiece.

[@Spike2276]

Square really is going for the best OST award two years in a row, aren't they?

[@KeyToAeris2024]

3 cause Kingdom Hearts 4 is probably 2025 Lmfao

[@Spike2276]

@@KeyToAeris2024 Ain't no way i'm believing that claim after how long Nomura took to make 15, KH3, and 7 Remake... I'm convinced KH4 will be coming out when i have grandkids.

[@eugostodedub]

GOD DAAAAMN how does it just keep getting better and better?!

[@bukojoetheslapsoils8273]

If FF7 Rebirth doesn't win Best Soundtrack this year, then it's either the award-giving body doesn't want to give the same award twice to the same series, or just bloody deaf. We will see.

[@jaybee4288]

Rapping monk in metaphor refantazio deserves it. Astrobot had a sick soundtrack too. Depends what you like really, there was a lot of good music this year.

[@jynxx_b]

I love the ost so much can we give a fucking massive shoutout to the phase changing portions?!?! There soooooo gooood

[@imoonie0589]

The phases of this boss fight is like 5 stages of grief. You're in denial at first, we witnessed the death of Aerith but the boss fight did not give us the chance to process that. Then just like the music, we slowly accepted what happened to Aerith. It feels like it's not just the game characters who lost someone dear to them, but to you as well. And not every game can do this. Kudos to the Music Production of FF7Rebirth!

[@forrestbabola582]

Legit top 3 pieces of game music ever. The way that high pitched choir intertwines with the horns and violin and piano and guitar on phase 3 is INSANE. Easily my favorite of the series now

[@Tony6Shot]

For me, Jenova Dreamweaver's theme was one of the top three songs in Remake, and became my favorite take across all of the official versions that have ever come out. And then this fight comes along and the music makes tears shoot out of my face before hyping me back up to fight this icky alien. These soundtracks are just phenomenal.

[@DereC519]

i do like how they respected the original by keeping aerith's theme in the fight, like the original devs intended

[@juliogomesdesouza9035]

They are the original devs. The team making the remake is still the same people except the original director Sakaguchi. But besides him, Nomura, Kitase and Nojima worked on it in 1997 and are working on the remake as well.

[@srlinski]

Anyone else notice that they snuck in bits of Battle on the Big Bridge at certain places, like 6:48 and 12:03? Gilgamesh really made his mark on this game!

[@ToaOnichu]

Now that you mention it...

[@jedb57]

I thought i was crazy for hearing this

[@theyouth2000]

The phase 1 theme is so sad, and infuriating. Mourning the loss of Aerith and avenging her at the same time. Hits emotional highs.

[@mingQWERTY]

The guitar version of JENOVA's theme from AC in phase 3 is just top notch. So glad they're moving their music towards that direction in the end of FF7 Rebirth with this theme and One Winged Angel Reborn

[@un_known5895]

when Jenova Dreamwalker's theme hit, many (myself included) believed that it couldn't be topped, while Jenova Emergeance came close but wasn't all quite there, here comes Jenova Lifeclinger to smash dreamwalker's theme down to 2nd place! good god this theme has everything you could want! from starting off with Aerith's theme we got from "life" in the OG FF7 to Jenova's theme slowly taking over, to the full take over. the descent into the final encounter when the orchestra went full out with the last phase! here's hoping that part 3 will also produce a banger of a Jenova theme! but until then, Jenova Lifeclinger takes the title of "best Jenova theme"

[@ElysaraCh]

in part 3 we're going to get Jenova Synthesis, featuring JENOVA COMPLETE.

[@Auctorion]

I sincerely hope they don't try to top this for Jenova's main theme. I want Jenova Deathbringer/Deathdealer/Deathgiver/whatever to have a more haunting theme, to reflect the growing horror and tension. Then I want a balls-to-the-wall banger for JENOVA ABSOLUTE.

[@djmeagaaim17]

​@@ElysaraChDon't forget Jenova Death and Hojo-Jenova

[@NightSkyNyx]

⁠@@AuctorionI definitely agree with this direction as the previous Jenova themes have their own unique take instead of trying to one-up each other. Dreamweaver’s was a faithful remix of the original with an incredibly satisfying buildup and payoff to it, Emergent’s was fast paced and adrenaline filled with a beautifully ethereal choir stressing the urgency of the situation, and Lifeclinger has Aerith’s theme as it’s intro before overriding it with Jenova’s theme almost like Sephiroth is actively mocking us for the death(?) of Aerith. I have faith that whatever themes they’ll make for Jenova Death and Synthesis will continue to have their own distinct take (like you said, I would love for them to go all out for Death and make her music super creepy, haunting, and horror themed)

[@TheAdventGamer]

I just kind of worry they shot themselves in the foot having the Lifeclinger fight look like Jenova Complete from the endgame. I'm quite eager to see what they do with Part 3.

[@xeonaught6942]

yeah I think it might be the best boss in the game by a mile the music was so Nostalgic driven

[@frostbitepup87]

This song was like the greatest funeral song ever. i was crying hard trying to fight this thing, i was so mad.

[@PetarBladeStrok]

I can't believe that the part where Jenova theme mixes with Aerith's theme inbetween phase is missing from the OST version of this track... :S

[@ArsmozaDork]

Phase 1: 😭 Phase 2: 😡 Phase 3: 😤 Phase 4: 🤩

[@KloudStrifeFF7]

Jesus. The final phase transition + phase 4 parts are insane. Best Jenova theme so far.

[@raychen7990]

First time I played this part，Aerith’s theme shock me so hard，bgm and freak Jenova，weird but beautiful

[@raychen7990]

Omfg...this bgm is epic，the music from Aerith to Jenova，that tempo become stronger & faster，step by step till the end，in the end they add guitar and bass sound，I love this part

[@ninjapandas22]

Omg I was expecting full on hype mode when this battle started and when Aerith's started I had to pause the game, it caught me off guard and I was already emotional to begin with

[@Corrieography]

10:40 the build-up starting here going into the next phase is one of the smoothest, most insane transitions I've ever heard.

[@kwtkold9302]

The low boom sound when Jenova falls and then again when the team lands is just amazing subtle music.

[@blitzcloud]

The transition from those "chosen by the planet" in extreme dramatic fashion with those notes tuning into jenova theme are just pure musical genius

[@loveever89]

Everytime Jenova’s theme comes on during battle, you know it’s serious! Imagine a FFVIII remake when you fight Ultimecia. 🔥🔥🔥

[@andreseh87]

Holy shit that would be amazing

[@calebbridges4748]

I like how the part of the theme that sticks with me is the part that feels like falling. This part feels like it always creeps back in under everything else. No matter how hopeful or epic it becomes, there's always this horrifying sense of falling down.

[@HeraldofProphecy]

I think I speak for a lot of us when I say Jenova is WAAAAAAAAY scarier when there are real eyes peeking out of that skull rather than glowing lights.

[@Zorualex]

I started straight up bawling when i heard Aeriths Theme feat. Jenova. The most beautiful ending soundtrack to an amazing game. Once again, bravo Square.

[@EKsUrbanTracks]

I have loved every single battle transition, both visually and musically, this one is very sudden (yet expected if you know the game) but you're so invested in the scene that you forget what's coming. They don't give you time to breathe and you remember the warning before joining Aerith. Jenova's face appears, pan out and then the theme begins. Masterful. And freaking cruel.

[@hamsterinmykitchen]

I've seen people disliking the party banter during this fight, but I think, and this is just my headcanon, that the entire Lifeclinger fight is experienced from Cloud's POV . At this point he compartmentalized what happened to Aerith and convinced himself that this is just another Jenova fight, hence the "You've done this before" line and his general attitude. There are other hints, like Cloud not having his limit gauge filled at the start of the fight, or Aerith theme getting eventually replaced by the 'standard' Jenova theme. I think that party dialogue being light-hearted is intentional, this might just be Cloud imagining what his party members would say during a 'normal' boss fight, a defense mechanism of sorts. Once Cloud is out of the picture for the party's phase of Sephiroth Reborn fight, the dialogue is notably more serious (with the exception of a quip from Cait Sith, but even then it's more of his style of speech and less of him not taking the fight lightly)

[@jdunc635]

Interesting theory! I’m glad that you are respecting the devs’ conscious decision to keep the banter instead of being like others and thinking you know better. And you’re probably right. Either way, I think the banter is meant to convey a sense of emotional confusion.

[@gozogo1233]

Imagine we fight Jenova Death, but when Cloud does the killing blow, he thinks he killed Aerith himself, then goes insane and gives in to despair.

[@JayBomb21]

I love every version of Jenova but this one must be my favorite out of them mostly the guitar ver of it in later parts.

[@figastro]

Good music moves me to tears. This is whole-box-of-kleenex territory. As an amateur composer myself, it takes some kind of special genius to take existing themes and merge them in such an elgant, logical, and balanced way. Especially a slow, ballad-like theme into J-E-N-O-V-A! We're in the golden age of video game music, with the wavesynth quality we have now too.

[@erichaslam7952]

Best game I’ve ever played. Best soundtrack ever made

[@fistimusmaximus6576]

Listened to this live orchestra, was epic.

[@jomarquis7116]

Used to play FF7 as a kid. Truly the best times. last 90s. For games that is. unforgetable nostalgia.

[@thomasdemore7972]

Yo...when the brass section fully kicks in, in phase 1, freaking CHILLS

[@HamzaAliGhallu]

Goosebumps overloaded this is beyond beautiful ❤😢😢😢

[@Kaiser499TV]

This theme makes me even sadder when you realize Aerith isn't in her spot in the screenshot.

[@BrandtsBoys]

Awwww this makes me so sad. Like in phase 3, I get depressed because I know in my heart it should be Aerith and Tifa fighting together.

[@davidpeterson5647]

Before beginning: Crying like a baby. After ending: I need a cigarette after that...

[@hemeon]

As I promised, I am back again! This song clearly has a lot of inspiration from Octopath Traveler 2! Another game with a God tier sound track. 6:47 The same as Octopath Traveler 2, Normal Battle 1, right as the music goes to start repeating. Around 1 minute 55 seconds into that if you find a video. Then it immediately follows up with a beat similar to Octopath Traveler 2, Critical Clash 1. Basically the intro/the beat of most of the song. At 9:55 it sounds like the intro to Octopath Traveler 2's final boss music (Those who deny the Dawn, or even the start of "For the Dawn"). There's likely more inspiration from Octopath but alas I am out of time to comb through again. What an amazing OST.

[@yannispirou101]

07:54 oh my fcking GOD, I've never felt this way with videogame music before lol, indescribable feeling

[@Theyreallyfooledyou]

A case study in how to improve upon perfection. Absolutely astounding piece of music 👊

[@Saphomaat]

I love the fact, that after the transition starting at 5:17 her theme actually sounds like the ruthless evil thing she is. No more "playing" around with the music (like in Dreamweaver or the chants in Birth), it's pure fucking darkness.

[@xPooogle515]

If you put it on 0.5 speed you can really appreciate the fast combat animations happening during the final transition at 10:00…so cool

[@jmkos86]

From day 1, with remake, square enix did not disappoint. They took their time and delivered EXACTLY what we needed, not so much what we ALL wanted but to me, remake and rebirth have been “perfect” titles. Everything in these games is just…👨🏻‍🍳💋 These songs just bring everything together with such greatness that every time I hear it or replay it it’s like the first time…can’t wait for part 3!!!!!

[@feikken]

The video editing you did for this was pretty slick.

[@nightskycry]

just finished it last night. i had to lie down for a minute when aerith's theme kicked in. this version was so. fucking. good. i can't wait for the soundtrack to drop

[@cloudshines812]

When 1:25 played, I deadass just dropped my controller and started sobbing. Like, I may be split upon the ending… but I’m so glad I cried once more upon an emotional weight like this since the 90s. FF7 wasn’t just a game for me… it was an experience… a reflection on my own personal life of why I have to keep going… and how I’ll continue for the ones I love… even if I lose some…

[@RobTheSquire]

The Jenova theme has always been one of the best themes ever made in the entire Final Fantasy series.

[@BillNyeGuy]

Remember Jenova can become those we love and those we hate. The very very ending cutscene when Aerith appears is only when Cloud is looking at the party. That might not be Aerith in that final cutscene. Cloud has lost it and is in denial, hence why we don’t see him putting her body to rest. That’s for Part 3 when Tifa helps heal his mind.

[@asimb0mb]

This theory doesn't work, because Red XIII can sense Aerith when she touches him at the end. We know how good Red's senses are. He would know it's Jenova if it was her.

[@henryaggerate9669]

Red is also an experiment of Hojo’s. He is also manipulated by Sephiroth in the original game.

[@drcossack86]

@@henryaggerate9669 This isn't true at all - the only party member to get a Jenova infusion is Cloud. If you're referring to the scene in the Northern Crater with the Black Materia hand-off, it's Jenova with the appearance of a party member.

[@blackroomrob4205]

​@msankey86 "it's jenova with the apprearence of a party member" So... the 'Jenova Pretending to be Aerith' theory not only works but it's also kinda canon?

[@daanitheestallion]

they'll definitely change it so that hojo have him jenova cells too. Like think about it, it's wayy more impactful and creepy if aerith is actually jenova manipulating cloud rather than just being a figment of his mind​@@drcossack86

[@rysspace2511]

Music has be straight up ascending to heaven

[@taylor63664]

This may be the best video game boss. Ever.

[@Judionine]

How can we fight the boss if we can't stop crying....

[@akiinmoonlight79]

Fr i had to pause and breathe a little bit before i could carry on 😭❤️

[@wowwiz1187]

PAAAAAUUUSE 😭😭😭😭😭😭paaaaaaawwwwwws

[@dr.edwardrichtofen365]

The fact it took until the transition from Phase 3 to Phase 4 to finally hear the original Jenova theme in the background is honestly an incredible touch. I love what they have done with the soundtrack of this game; honoring and recognizing the original, while also elevating it to new heights through the power of modern hardware.

[@OtaConnor]

gee thanks for helping Vincent

[@NeoakiraIV]

At least he went in and helped them get cloud in CID just outside washing the Branco

[@wowwiz1187]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@danielreilly5395]

This is top tier much respect to all the people that made this happen. Thank you.

[@ianmanning4368]

When the boss battle shifted to Tifa and Cait Sith, I knew shit was gonna get real...😮😮😮😮😮

[@DeckWizard]

Game of the year 2024 hands down. 😢😢

[@DarkPhoenix89]

Just like in remake, phase 3 and the final phase are where it's at. The tempo man. This was banging to listen to while fighting Jenova.

[@SharPhoe]

6:48 First it was slipping in part of Kefka's theme during the fight with Rufus in Remake, now Battle on the Big Bridge gets its own snippet while fighting JENOVA. Uematsu is just flexing on us at this point!

[@porcelinaart8221]

I keep hearing bits of that song but I thought I was tripping. I wonder why that song?

[@Paotato69]

That team up at the end was amazing, I love how the final battles gave everyone a chance to shine.

[@groudonvert7286]

With Red XIII being useless during the phase he's supposed to shine.

[@idiotnumbnuts8486]

@@groudonvert7286 You mean the wing phase? Yeah, Yuffie carried me through that one.

[@groudonvert7286]

@@idiotnumbnuts8486 I discarded Red XIII to the useless member as soon as I discovered he couldn't touch flying enemies.

[@MarcusSanchez2525]

@@groudonvert7286I would hardly call Red who gives Haste, heals and ATB charges with his abilities useless. He is also a stagger building machine as well as one of the most agile party members.

[@groudonvert7286]

@@MarcusSanchez2525 Useless against flying enemies. This game has a huge problem with characters unable to hit flying enemies (FF16 had it too).

[@mrmickfran]

9:20 I'd recognize that Octopath-esque trumpet anywhere