Speedrunners Discover How to Save Aerith and Save 2 Hours

In an exciting development for speedrunners of Final Fantasy VII, a newly discovered skip allows players to retain Aerith in their party all the way to the Forgotten Capital. This breakthrough was achieved by speedrunners AceZephyr and Kuma, and involves utilizing a Chocobo to navigate across the ocean, bypassing the segment where Aerith traditionally leaves the group. Although this skip has the potential to save approximately two hours of gameplay, it comes with significant caveats, as encounters while executing the skip can lead to game softlocks. The community is actively working on solutions to refine this technique for a smoother speedrunning experience.

While players have long speculated about saving Aerith, the game narrative is designed to lead to her tragic death. However, the new speedrun technique allows her to remain in the party until a certain point, though this doesn't truly save her in the storyline context.

Final Fantasy VII, originally released in 1997, is one of the most iconic RPGs in gaming history. It tells the story of Cloud Strife, a mercenary who joins an eco-terrorist group called AVALANCHE to fight against the corrupt Shinra Electric Power Company. Aerith's character has become particularly famous due to her pivotal role and emotional impact in the storyline, making the potential for speedrunning innovations surrounding her character a fascinating topic for both fans and newcomers alike.