Guide to Romances in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth: How to Start a Romance and Friendship with Tifa, Aerith, Barret, and Other Characters

The continuation of the reimagining of the classic Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth boasts an updated relationship system with Cloud's team members. However, leveling up intimacy and especially unlocking an intimate scene is not easy. This guide will detail the Bonds of Friendship mechanic and how to approach each available party member.

Relationships do not affect the main story, so you will see everything the writers have prepared regardless. However, the Bonds of Friendship determine Cloud's partner on dates in chapters 8 and 12.

You can level up relationships in several ways: by completing story missions (which you won't miss anyway), completing side quests, making choices in dialogues, and frequently using joint attacks.

Side quests can be completed in various ways, and to achieve the best result, you will need to earn three stars of success. Choices in dialogues also have a gradation of one star, two stars, and three stars, respectively.

You can see the degree of relationship level by pressing L1 during movement or world exploration. Smileys indicate the current level and show how many bars need to be filled to move to the next one. Interestingly, the progression never decreases, meaning that by increasing friendship, you cannot spoil the relationship.

During the second playthrough or replaying chapters, the game will itself suggest the best choices, but for the first time, you will have to act at your discretion.

Remember that you will see the companion with whom you have the best relationship, but kissing scenes will only occur if the relationship is leveled up to a strictly defined level.

There are 6 options available:

The mechanics will always be the same, but some decisions will be mutually exclusive.

Let's start with dialogues. In each chapter, there are several important conversations where you must choose specific responses.

Chapter 2 — in the square with the Mako tank in the center of the village. After the phrase This tank remind you of anything?.

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Chapter 4 — in the hotel, on the second floor in Tifa's room. After the phrase Do you remember a guy named Emilio?.

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Chapter 6 — near the bar next to the stairs leading off the beach, while Tifa is getting a drink. After the phrase Feels like it's been ages since Seventh Heaven.

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Chapter 9 — follow the path down from the flower altar near Grib's house, Tifa is near the first appearing house. After the phrase What sorta thing would you go for?

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Chapter 10 — in the crowd. After the phrase Did I sound as awkward as I felt?.

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Chapter 11 — on the second floor of the medical center, Tifa's old house. After the phrase It was taking a toll... Then you turned up.

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In Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, you are free to choose which side missions to complete. Some of them affect the friendship leveling with companions. Let's start with the quest A Rare Card Lost. Defeat several opponents in the local card game and in the finale, you will get a scene with Tifa. To start, find the bartender in the Meadow region and talk to him.

The second quest is in the Junon region and is called Calling All Frogs. Behind the docks, find a cluster of frogs and defeat the enemy in the form of a frog. After success, return to the children and play at least one round in their game.

Location — Crow's Nest. Quest Dreaming of Blue Skies. Find a scenic viewpoint and talk to the old man in the wheelchair. Head to the Hunting Grounds and make sure you have a mountain chocobo. Look for the cow by its smell. Eventually, you will find the Dragon's lair. After the victory, you need to choose one of three offerings to the condor. For the best result, choose beef. Return to the old man and place the offering on the pedestal. When the giant bird appears, take a photo of it.

In the Corel region, complete the quest Gold Cup or Bust.

Find the quest Bodybuilders in a Bind, where you will have to complete mini-games, and also in Nibelheim, complete the quest My White-Haired Angel.

Be sure to unlock all synergistic skills with the girl. This is a new mechanic that was not in the previous game. By using the skill at least once, you will immediately increase friendship with the character.

Besides all the listed tasks, you need to make a series of correct choices throughout the story. In Chapter 4, you must participate in the parade and score the most formation points. Start by recruiting all 10 units of the Seventh Infantry Regiment. By pressing L2, you can switch between units and give commands. Positioning is crucial here. Make sure to select flamethrower units, 2 OMON squads, and 2 grenadier squads. Place units of the same type next to each other to get bonuses, then complete all mini-games without mistakes to get the maximum points. Relationships with both Tifa and Aerith will improve.

In Chapter 6, you need to correctly choose beachwear for one or both girls that matches what Cloud will wear. For example, if you choose the Wild Surf set for Cloud, you should also choose the swimsuit set for Tifa Shining Spirit and Pink Mermaid for Aerith. If you choose the casual set for Cloud Ocean Chocobo, then you must choose the same for Tifa Majestic Glamour and/or Floral Delight for Aerith.

In the same chapter, you will have to choose which squad to go into battle with. One will have Aerith, and the other Tifa accordingly.

In Chapter 12, there will be the final scene. Tifa should already have been Cloud's companion in Chapter 8. Your relationship with her should be better than with Aerith and above 50%. Only in this case will there be a cutscene with a kiss.

Aerith is the second girl in the team who deserves Cloud's attention no less than Tifa. The principle will be the same — correct answers, completing side quests, and making the right choices in story quests.

Chapter 2 — near the Magnate's bookstore. After the phrase Wanna climb the clock tower together?.

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Chapter 4 — in Aerith's room at the hotel. After the phrase Do you remember the first time we met?.

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Chapter 6 — on the shore by the sea. After the phrase I start thinking things so dark and ugly it scares me.

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Chapter 9 — after the scene with Zack's parents, near their house. After the phrase Pretty selfish, huh? Waltzing in there, stirring up memories…

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Chapter 10 — in the middle of the crowd. Talk to Aerith last, as after this dialogue, others will be unavailable. After the phrase What will you do?

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Chapter 11 — near the Mako Tower. After the phrase You never came up here hopin' she'd wave?

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In the Meadow region, there will be a quest Flowers From the Hill. It will open immediately after taming the first chocobo. Return to the farm and listen to Chloe. Cloud needs to gather flowers. There will be several mandragoras on the meadow — deal with them.

Gather the required flowers — red, yellow, and white. Do not gather green ones — they are not needed. Once you return to Chloe, your relationship with Aerith will improve.

In Junon, there is a quest Stuck in a Rut. Find Gabe at the local chocobo farm. Head to the mountain top to get a mountain chocobo. The bird can climb steep surfaces. You will need to complete a puzzle with carts. The chocobo does not get distracted by flying rocks, so save them to throw at the cart switches from a distance. In the final stage, you need to bypass the cart near Belle — the mountain chocobo. The easiest way to do this is by rolling. When you are close to Belle, be especially careful as you can still be noticed unexpectedly.

Once you find the repairman, he will give you a map with very rough markings of the materials needed for the task. Use the chocobo's sense of smell to find them faster. The first set is north of Belle's capture site. The second is north of the first set near a dilapidated building. The last one is under a massive tower. You can get there by making a hole in the fence east of Angler's Storage. Return to the master, then to Gabe. In the end, you will receive many rewards and improve your relationship with Aerith.

In the Junon region, do not miss the quest Beneath Still Waters. In this quest, find several soldiers and help them defeat the Hell Rider. Then use the mountain chocobo to track the escaped monster. Once you reach the location, defeat a few more flying monsters. Track the Hell Rider again and engage him in battle. Talk to the captain and complete the quest.

The quest Rendezvous in Costa Del Sol is directly related to dating. On the beach, find a large stage where three girls are standing. These are artists who offer Cloud and Aerith to go on three dates so they can observe and be inspired to create new clothes.

The first date will be from Naomi. She is waiting for you at the end of the shopping alley. You will need to play as Red XIII and throw 8 numbered balls into nets with corresponding numbers. The second date is from Fran. Here you need to play a mini-game and shoot ghosts with a toy gun. The third date is from Yorda. She is waiting near the chocobo stables. You will need to go to a distant beach and collect shells. Once you reach the location, fight two crabs. Use hired chocobos to find the required shells. Give Yorda the gigantopod shell — this is the best option. After that, watch the show.

In the Gongaga region, complete the mission Spice of Life. You will need to gather the necessary ingredients for a dish. Follow the dog to reach the farm. The dog's owner will refuse to sell the vegetables. Watch the cutscene featuring Aerith. Now follow the dog, protecting the animal from wild beasts.

Find mushrooms that look like the ones in your picture. The second ingredient should be sniffed out by the chocobo. Head to the location and follow the scent. Carefully pick the mushroom so as not to damage the cap. After collecting 3, return to the girl chef and watch the cutscene.

The last quest from the same girl chef is Woodland Vigil.

You need to help with the patrol. Climb the tower and survey the area. Cloud will notice a point of interest. Deal with the monsters there. Return to the tower and mark a new location. Another fight awaits there. The third time, everything will repeat, but you will encounter a strong frog enemy. Immediately after this, a dialogue will start, after which the quest will be completed.

As with Tifa — unlock all synergistic moves and use them at least once. Perform well in the parade in Chapter 4. The mechanics are detailed in the Tifa section. In Chapter 6, choose the right beach outfit. Again, refer to the corresponding section with Tifa. The task is the same and boosts relationships with both girls. Finally, when choosing a team for the beach battle, go with Aerith instead of Tifa.

Everything else will be a summary. As with Tifa, the friendship level should be either the highest or above 50%.

Only upon achieving this result will you see the extended cutscene on the Ferris wheel.

If you are a fan of strong male relationships, then forget about the pointless choice between Tifa and Aerith, and focus on the real hero — Barret. There won't be a love scene, but you will get a heartfelt dialogue on the Ferris wheel.

Chapter 2 — near the Rusty Arrow. After the phrase Not gonna have a drop till Seventh Heaven's back up and running.

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Chapter 4 — in the private room of the hotel. After the phrase What do you think Yuffie wants with us?

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Chapter 6 — by the stairs leading from the beach. After the phrase I couldn't do a damn thing for those poor bastards.

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Chapter 9 — next to Cissnei's house. After the phrase Wonder what kind stuff we'd end up growing here.

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Chapter 10 — in the crowd at the meeting. After the phrase So what- we sit here and 'theorize'?

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Chapter 11 — in the hotel. After the phrase We gotta do something, right?

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Quest Lifeline in Peril in the Grasslands area. Talk to the mayor and go in search of the mercenary. After discovering the truth, find the necessary parts. All materials for pipe repair will be nearby. After collecting them, return to the girl. Follow her to the breach and defeat several monsters. After the dialogue, return to the mayor.

Hustle and Grind — same region. Take the quest and head to the highway. Defeat a pack of wolves. After the cutscene, engage in a fight with bandits. The quest will be completed.

When Words Won't Do — Junon region. Escort the delivery dog. After taking the task, head to the settlement exit and agree to follow the dog. Along the way, you will have to destroy several enemies.

In the Corel region, find the quest Missing Mr. Birdie. You can take it from the children. You need to find a bird that looks like Cloud. First, gather resources for the bait, then place them in three birdhouses. After some time, check them. The bird will be in the lowest one. Kill all the monsters near each birdhouse along the way.

In the Gongaga region, there is a quest The Pursuit of Perfection. You will meet a weaponsmith who will be impressed by Barret's prosthetic. He will ask you to gather resources for his own new weapon. On the map, you will find the necessary locations. After collecting 8 pieces, return to the master. He will assemble a new weapon for Barret.

In the same region, find the quest Escape from Endless Writer's Block. Help a children's writer and take several photos of Red 13 for her inspiration.

In the Nibel region, there is a quest Lament of the Damned.

Engage in several battles in virtual reality and talk to the squad members.

We won't repeat about synergistic attacks. It's the same as in other cases. However, in story quests, there are a few differences from what was required in Tifa and Aerith's branches. In Chapter 6, choose the team that includes Barret to fight the boss. In Chapter 7, you need to listen to the big guy and change the route.

When the mini-game starts, you must play as Barret and destroy the maximum number of boxes. Towards the end of Chapter 7, take control of Barret again and fend off enemies. Your task is to shoot as many as possible while not losing too much health.

If everything is done correctly and your closeness with the comrade is above 50%, it will be Barret who accompanies Cloud in Chapter 12.

However, thanks to our guide, you will still be able to quickly gain the big guy's favor without changing your main love interest.

One of Cloud's friends is a sentient animal with a manly face and red fur — Red 13. As with other comrades, to develop a good relationship, you need to choose the right answers in important dialogues.

Chapter 2 — in the west of the village center, next to the photographer, near the large staircase. After the phrase One Can never be too careful with Shinra.

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Chapter 4 — in Red 13's room in the hotel. After the phrase I doubt I'll smell Shinra till it's too late.

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Chapter 6 — lying on the sand between the tents and the stage. After the phrase I know I should strive to maintain my composure around him, but…

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Chapter 9 — near the altar, from which you can descend down the slope. No need to choose answers, just correctly identify the Gongaga Mushrooms.

Chapter 10 — among the crowd. After the phrase Just forget I said anything.

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Chapter 11 — near the stairs leading to the Shinra mansion. After the phrase No one wants to hear people badmouth their hometown.

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Quest Livestock's Bane in the Grasslands region.

Talk to farmer Oliver, who has problems with his cows. Red 13 can help smell the thieves, but he will not manage, so you will have to use the help of a chocobo. Go to the target and defeat the monster that looks like a white wolf. After that, return to the farmer.

Quest Where The Wind Blows in the same region. Talk to Broden in the Village Center.

He asks for help fixing the windmill for his friend Mildred. She will need 6 chips for the repair, which can be found all over the map. During the task, you will have to fight several monsters. The part will need to be crafted, then give it to Mildred.

In the Junon region, find the mission The Hardest Sell. Toby asks to clear the lighthouse of monsters.

After reaching the point, talk to the lighthouse keeper, then engage in battle. After a prolonged fight, the task will be completed.

In the Corel region, complete the quest Of Robed Men and Ransoms. You need to find a missing person in a robe. Follow Red 13 to track down the kidnappers.

After reaching the chocobo carriage, turn on the flashlight given to you by the doctor. It highlights the sweat and grease traces of the kidnapped person. Keep moving. Near the closed door, turn right and find the lever. It will activate the gears on the ceiling, which have special places for the cat hook to grip. Move between the gears to get to the platform on the left of the closed gate. Pull another lever to open the gate. At the end of the path, a cutscene and a fight await you, after which the task will be completed.

In the Gongaga area, complete the task O Chicken, Where Art Thou. Use Red 13's sense of smell to gather the lost chickens.

The last one will be far outside the village. Lead it back with bait just like the others until enemies attack. After the fight, the bird will return home on its own. Watch a funny cutscene and complete the mission.

In the Cosmo Canyon region, complete the mission From Whence Life Flows. Explore five clusters of crystals.

In the same region, find the quest Promises to Keep.

Win a series of battles with spirits that will constantly change bodies. In the end, fight a big boss.

As in all other cases, use synergistic attacks. Additionally, you need to perform a number of actions in the story. In Chapter 5, defeat Red 13 in the Shinra Queen's Blood-8 tournament.

In Chapter 6, before the beach battle, choose a team with the furry friend. It also includes Tifa. In Chapter 8, you will master another mini-game — 3D Brawler. Defeat Dio in it.

Finally, in Chapter 12, win against Red 13 in the board game again.

If everything is done correctly, the friendship level will be above 50%, and you will be able to see an additional scene.

The small and very active Yuffie is another companion of Cloud, available for relationship development. As in other cases, we will start with dialogue choices, and then explore all the necessary additional missions and decisions in the story tasks.

Chapter 6 — in front of the ice cream van. After the phrase You're obviously captivated by my bodacious beach bod.

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Chapter 6 — right after the boss fight on the beach after the Johnny's Seaside Inn tavern. After the phrase Whadda you say?

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After the phrase Afraid you're about to catch a beatdown?.

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After the phrase Bet you're thrilled, huh?

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After the phrase You don't want me around to save your butts?.

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Chapter 9 — in Cissnei's house. After the phrase from the song I am so, so bored... Bored right out of my brain.

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Chapter 10 — among the crowd. After the phrase Once you die, that's that.

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Chapter 10 — near the stairs leading to the Shinra mansion. After the phrase What about, say, oh...materia?

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The quest Tides of War and Worry is located in the Junon region. A very simple task where Cloud needs to ride a dolphin and hit the required number of balls.

The task Seaside Inn Saga in the Corel region tells about the clones of the innkeeper. He asks to check how their material collection for repairs is progressing. Gather 8 materials nearby, then visit another pair of clones. At the old factory, use the chocobo to find the chip transmuter.

The next step is to talk to the clone on the shore. This stage can only be completed in Chapter 9 when you unlock the all-terrain vehicle. Defeat the Thornberry King and bring his crown to the employer.

In the same region, complete the quest Troubled in Paradise. Another ongoing quest. You will need to gather bait to eliminate the monsters on the beach. Once this is done, return to Kyrie and decide what to do with her, then report back to the mayor after the cutscene to complete the task.

In the Gongaga area, find the quest Teach Me, Great Warrior. Help the guy complete the training Yuffie has prepared.

The task Bonds of Trust can be found in Cosmo Canyon. A woman will suggest catching a special chocobo. Move the cart so that the birds do not notice you. The new chocobos can glide. This will be required to complete the quest. Complete 3 tracks, and the mission will be over.

Another task in Cosmo Canyon is Victim of Circumstance. Yuffie will meet an acquaintance. Deal with the monster that was chasing him. For this, buy a vibrodetector from the moogle.

And the last additional task is called Esoteric Secrets of the Elders. It can be found in the Nibel region. Catch the special chocobo again.

Hide in the bushes to avoid being seen. When you are on the mountain, throw down bait to guide the bird past the blocking plants. The next step is to gather special grass with the new chocobo. A total of 30 pieces are required. The third step is to outrun the old man in a race. Task completed.

In the story mode, not much needs to be done. In Chapter 7, change the route as Yuffie wants. Also, destroy as many as possible in the Minecart mini-game by controlling the girl. In Chapter 12, defeat Yuffie in 3D Brawler, and then participate in a play with her.

Don't forget to use synergistic moves to keep your relationship with the girl above 50%, and then you will unlock access to a closer scene on the Ferris wheel.

This group of characters occupies the last place in our guide for a reason. They also help Cloud in his travels, but interacting with them is different from others. Leveling up friendship automatically excludes all other relationships. That is, to get a scene with two guys and an anthropomorphic cat on the Ferris wheel, you need to not complete any side missions or develop Bonds of Friendship with anyone.

Cloud thus turns into a gloomy and unsociable soldier, devoid of any sympathy and other human emotions. Interestingly, this is how the main character is initially portrayed. So playing as the real Cloud means getting the worst ending in relationship development.