Delve into the rich tapestry of Final Fantasy VII Remake's lore, exploring the history of Midgar, the motivations of AVALANCHE, and the sinister machinations of the Shinra Electric Power Company. Understand the world's socio-political landscape, the sificance of Mako energy, and the ancient Cetra's legacy.
The World of Gaia and Midgar
Final Fantasy VII Remake is set on the planet Gaia, specifically within the sprawling, multi-layered metropolis of Midgar. This city is a stark representation of class disparity, with the wealthy elite residing in the upper plateaus, while the impoverished masses live in the slums below. The city is powered by Mako energy, extracted from the planet's Lifestream by the Shinra Electric Power Company.
Shinra Electric Power Company
Shinra is the dominant global corporation, controlling everything from energy production to military forces. Their primary objective is to exploit Gaia's Mako resources, believing it to be the key to humanity's survival and prosperity. However, this extraction is slowly draining the planet's life force, a fact that AVALANCHE vehemently opposes.
AVALANCHE
AVALANCHE is an eco-terrorist group dedicated to protecting the planet from Shinra's Mako exploitation. They believe that Mako is the planet's blood and that its extraction will lead to irreversible destruction. You primarily experiences the story through the eyes of Cloud Strife, a former SOLDIER who joins AVALANCHE for his own reasons.
The Lifestream and Ancients
The Lifestream is the collective consciousness and life force of the planet. It is believed that all living things return to the Lifestream upon death. The Ancients, also known as the Cetra, were a race with a deep spiritual connection to the Lifestream and the ability to communicate with the planet. They were nearly wiped out by the Jenova Project, a Shinra experiment involving an extraterrestrial life form.
Jenova and Sephiroth
Jenova is a mysterious extraterrestrial entity discovered by Professor Gast. Shinra scientists, led by Gast, experimented on Jenova, leading to the creation of SOLDIERs and the infamous Sephiroth. Sephiroth, believing himself to be the last of the Ancients and a son of Jenova, becomes the primary antagonist, driven by a desire to summon Meteor and merge with the Lifestream.
Materia
Materia are crystallized spheres that grant users magical abilities, combat skills, and passive enhancements. They are a vital part of the game's combat and progression system, allowing for customization of character abilities and playstyles. The origin and full extent of Materia's connection to the planet's life force are explored throughout the narrative.