The Impact of Aerith's Fate in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, despite its many strengths, falters in its handling of Aerith's death, attempting to obfuscate the tragic event and turning it into a convoluted, meta puzzle. The game's finale fails to effectively convey the emotional impact of Aerith's death, instead focusing on subverting expectations and leaving little room for grieving. This departure from the original game's masterful handling of the event ultimately diminishes the impact of Aerith's character and her significance to the story.