Cloud Strife: 8 Games Where He's Playable

Summary

Cloud Strife is one of the Final Fantasy franchise’s most famous and recognizable protagonists.
Cloud appears in various Final Fantasy spin-offs, from mobile games to RPGs, showcasing his popularity.
Final Fantasy Record Keeper is a game where players can relive iconic battles and recruit Cloud as a playable character.

Without a doubt, Cloud Strife is now the most identifiable figure within the expansive Final Fantasy series. Ever since his debut in 1997, Cloud has graced numerous games, ranging from brief guest appearances to side missions and even taking the lead as a playable character. He’s effectively become the face of the franchise.

This discussion focuses on every game within the Final Fantasy series where Cloud is a playable character. Although there are other games featuring him, this list primarily includes titles where he makes cameo appearances or is summoned instead of being a full-fledged player character. It’s worth noting that Cloud has been in some non-Final Fantasy games, but those won’t be part of our conversation here.

1. Final Fantasy 7 (1997, Remake, Rebirth)

The Origin Point

Final Fantasy 7, along with its remake trilogy, is adored by numerous fans, even those who haven’t played any other Final Fantasy games. This game series, particularly, made Cloud a renowned character across various spin-offs, and introduced Sephiroth, another beloved adversary. The original 1997 version was the first in the series to adopt 3D graphics, yet it retained the turn-based combat system (using the Active Time Battle system) that distinguishes it from its earlier versions.

In contrast to contemporary adaptations that now focus on real-time, action-oriented combat (as seen in Final Fantasy 15), they retain the captivating allure of the world initially presented. The influence of these games and the fame they brought to Cloud Strife is hard to ignore.

2. Final Fantasy 7 Snowboarding/G-Bike

Mobile Only Spin-offs

These are two lesser-known games that served as mobile spin-offs based on the popular title “Final Fantasy 7”. The first one, titled “Final Fantasy 7 Snowboarding“, was playable on certain mobile devices in North America from 2005 to 2012 and in Japan from 2008 to 2018. This game was essentially a remake of the mini-game found within the Gold Saucer in “Final Fantasy 7”, where players controlled Cloud, navigating a snowboarding track while avoiding Moogles and collecting balloons.

The mobile game, titled G-Bike for Final Fantasy 7, bore a resemblance to the original title. It recreated a mini-game where players navigated a character on a bike along a track, annihilating adversaries and dodging obstacles. Regrettably, this game is no longer accessible as it was discontinued in 2015, merely a year after its debut.

3. Final Fantasy Tactics

A Final Fantasy Tactical RPG

Originally launched for PlayStation, Square’s creation titled Final Fantasy Tactics has since been reintroduced on PSP as Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions. In this tactical-RPG, players assume command of Ramza Beoulve, embarking on a mission to gather allies to counteract a sinister scheme within Glabados Church. Combat requires thoughtful strategy and consideration of various battle factors, resulting in an engaging and immersive gaming experience.

As a devoted admirer, I’m thrilled to share that Cloud Strife, the iconic protagonist from “Final Fantasy 7,” becomes a playable character in our adventure by completing a captivating side quest. In this tale, he and Aerith are summoned from another realm. Once recruited, his mighty abilities, derived from his original game, serve as an impressive power up for my party, particularly for Ramza’s team.

4. Dissidia Final Fantasy (2008, 012, NT, Opera Omnia)

An Action Fighting RPG With Final Fantasy’s Most Recognizable Faces

In simpler terms, “Dissidia Final Fantasy” and its follow-ups form a series of fighting games where popular characters from the “Final Fantasy” universe engage in one-on-one battles. The main storyline centers around two deities recruiting warriors for their conflicts, but the original game primarily emphasizes on its engaging gameplay to create an enjoyable experience.

Cloud is one of the selected combatants who plays a significant role in the storyline, engaging in battles until he starts to doubt the cause of the war. Despite maintaining his usual composed demeanor and providing support for other crystal seekers, he harbors a desire to cease participating in wars on behalf of others.

5. Theatrhythm Final Fantasy (Curtain Call, All-Star Carnival)

A Hybrid Rhythm-Action Game

Similar to numerous other games on this roster, “Theatrhythm Final Fantasy” and its successors, namely “Curtain Call” and “All-Star Carnival,” are distinctive spin-offs that introduce novel and unconventional gameplay styles for the series. The “Theatrhythm” franchise, in particular, is a blend of rhythm-action games, where players employ the stylus on the 3DS touchscreen to tap and hold it synchronously with the displayed notes to engage in combat against enemies.

In each of the three games, Cloud is the main character and is automatically selectable in the first two. He follows the show’s distinctive chibi design and has various costumes reminiscent of his past roles in the _Final Fantasy_ franchise.

6. Pictlogica Final Fantasy

A Final Fantasy Puzzle Game

Pictlogica Final Fantasy can be seen as an innovative yet somewhat gimmicky title, originally a mobile game where players engage in puzzle-solving sessions to enable their party to battle waves of enemies. Although the mobile version was discontinued in 2018, a Japanese release for the 3DS enables offline play, keeping the intricate puzzles accessible for dedicated Final Fantasy enthusiasts.

Cloud is among the possible companions, modeled after characters from the series “Final Fantasy 7”, “Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children” and “Crisis Core – Final Fantasy 7”. He carries his iconic Buster Sword in both his illustrations and sprite representations.

7. Final Fantasy: All The Bravest

A Defunct Mobile Game

The latest instance on this list is “Final Fantasy: All The Bravest,” a game that started its life exclusively for mobile devices but has since been discontinued. This game featured 2D combat where players tapped on their chosen character sprite, initiating an automatic attack against any visible enemies. Essentially, the gameplay was straightforward with minimal strategic depth beyond party construction.

In my gaming world, Cloud was a character you could potentially grab from the premium store, which meant shelling out some real-life cash for a shot at playing him. Out of thirty-five characters, he was a rare find, and I often found myself facing other iconic Final Fantasy heroes instead, making up most of the playable roster.

8. Final Fantasy Record Keeper

Reliving Final Fantasy’s Most Famous Battles

The last game mentioned is “Final Fantasy Record Keeper,” a title regrettably inaccessible to Western gamers. “Record Keeper” was actually a social RPG where players could reenact iconic battles from the Final Fantasy series lore. The unique aspect was that players could customize their own team of characters, both old and new, for each quest.

Unlike “All The Bravest”, “Record Keeper” made it possible for the player to guarantee adding Cloud as a playable party member. This happened once the player successfully completed the Mako Reactor No.5 stage for the first time. As a nod to the original “Final Fantasy 7”, this method of inclusion fittingly pays tribute to the game and incorporates Cloud into this charming game adaptation of the series. Notably, “Record Keeper” remains accessible to Japanese players, making it one of the rare games where Cloud is still a playable character.

2025-04-24 07:34

Cloud Strife: 8 Games Where He’s Playable