The Love Triangle in Dirge of Cerberus
by Alantie
Though the game Dirge of Cerberus focuses
mostly on Vincent Valentine, there is still relevant information in the game
which pertains to the Love Triangle debate. Both Cloud and Tifa appear in this
game. However, while many CloudxTifa supporters expected Dirge of Cerberus to
show a romantic relationship between Cloud and Tifa either beginning or already
developed, that was not the case. Although Aerith is not shown or mentioned by
name during the course of the game, she is mentioned in the game booklet in
Cloud’s biography so that her legacy is remembered.
If Square Enix had planned on confirming Cloud and Tifa as a couple, this game
would have been the ideal time to do it. Cloud has come to terms with the guilt
that plagued him during the time of Advent Children, and has moved on from his
grief. Yet, there is no sign and no mention that Cloud and Tifa are now a couple
in Dirge of Cerberus, which takes place a year after Advent Children. Tifa is
not wearing an engagement ring, they do not mention that they are married,
nothing. On the other hand, Cid is mentioned as having married Shera. If a
relationship between Cloud and Tifa had indeed begun to progress, it surely
would have been mentioned like Cid and Shera’s was.
Even the profiles in the game booklet make no mention of a budding romance
between Cloud and Tifa. In Tifa’s biography, she’s referred to simply as Cloud’s
childhood friend, rather than as his girlfriend, sweetheart, or wife. However,
in Cloud’s profile, Aerith is mentioned as a girl with the blood of the Ancients
flowing in her veins who Cloud would never forget. This reference to Aerith has
far more romantic overtones than the reference to Tifa as a childhood friend.
Unfortunately, the only appearance of Aerith in the game is in an Easter egg
cameo - a Loveless poster on a wall with her picture.
Barret is present in all scenes where Tifa and Cloud are shown. For example,
Barret and Tifa are shown riding together in the front of a truck while Cloud is
in the back on Fenrir as they head for Midgar to join the battle. They later
make a phone call to Vincent, and all three are present to talk and help him out
during the battle. No scenes are shown of Cloud and Tifa alone together, and
there is no scene where they share any kind of tender moment or words of a
romantic nature.
During the ending FMV scenes of the game, Shelke, Yuffie, Red XIII, and Tifa are
all shown at the Seventh Heaven Bar, but Cloud is nowhere to be seen. Tifa and
Yuffie talk about him briefly, only mentioning that he is away looking for
something. The fact that Cloud's not shown there could easily imply that he
doesn't spend much time at the bar. With his delivery business, it’s not
farfetched to think that he spends most of his time on the road. From the
information given in the game, it's also quite possible that Barret has returned
to living there, as well, since he considers the Seventh Heaven to be his home
and it's where his adopted daughter Marlene lives.
While Cloud and Tifa do not take center stage in this game, there is still
enough information to confirm that Cloud and Tifa do not share any form of
relationship other than that of friendship, even a year after the events of
Advent Children.
Advent Children Love Triangle FAQ
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