Because of the technological advancements made in gaming since 1997, Final Fantasy VII Remake is better able to show what the characters of the iconic Japanese RPG can really do in combat. Cloud Strife in particular displays incredible athletic feats during gameplay and in the cinematics, with the action mirroring the 2005 animated film sequel, Advent Children.
Seeing his skills makes one wonder just how he would stack up against other famous video game protagonists. The following list does just this. Five of the heroes below could probably best the spiky-haired main character, while the other five would not stand a chance.
10 Could Win: Bayonetta
Few protagonists match Cloud’s athleticism like Platinum Game’s heroes. Bayonetta’s slew of guns and abilities would send Cloud’s head spinning. Her iconic hair could destroy him with the snap of her fingers. She would then add insult to injury acting like she didn’t even break a sweat during the confrontation.
9 Couldn’t Win: Solid Snake
As incredible of a soldier Solid Snake has proven himself to be throughout the Metal Gear Solid franchise, he would not be able to keep up with all of Cloud’s jumping and quick sword slashes.
If the battle were determined by who could best sneak into a facility undetected, then Snake would have the clear advantage, but in a face to face duel he is bound to lose. After all, if Grey Fox had chosen to fight Snake with his sword in Metal Gear Solid, the soldier probably would not have made it out alive.
8 Could Win: Samus Aran
Samus possesses two things going for her which Cloud lacks - long range weapons and the Morph Ball ability. She is just as agile as him and her armor could probably take a beating from the Buster Sword before cracking. Could Cloud deflect the bursts of energy coming from her futuristic firearms? If not, then he does not even stand a chance.
7 Couldn’t Win: Sora
This list has to include some characters from other Square Enix properties, and who better to include than another character created by Tetsuya Nomura?
Sora can put up a mean fight despite his positive outlook on life, but something tells us his keyblade would mean nothing against the Buster Sword. Granted, he won in the first game against him in the colosseum, but these are fights to the death we’re talking about here.
6 Could Win: Raiden
Raiden in in Metal Gear Solid 2 would probably fare as well as Solid Snake. However, once he takes up the sword and replaces most of his body with cybernetic parts, like Metal Gear Solid 4 and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, then he would give Cloud a run for his money. His sword slices through Metal Gear Rays and Gekko units like butter, and he has the strength to stop a boat, so a Final Fantasy protagonist would be a piece of cake.
5 Couldn’t Win: Master Chief
Master Chief is a legend in his lore, but could he even land a shot against Cloud? While he’s wasting all his ammo, his opponent would inch closer and closer while blocking bullets. While Chief has the Energy Sword for close quarters confrontations, he has never had to use it against a skilled swordsman. The only thing he really has going for him is the armor, but that would only protect him for so long.
4 Could Win: Kratos
This one is a no brainer. While Cloud saves the world and defeated intensely powerful beings, Kratos destroyed an entire mythology with his bare hands, and is on his way towards annihilating a second one.
Just seeing what he did to Hercules in God of War III should be enough to send Cloud running for the hills. The only advantage the Ex-Soldier might have over Kratos is speed, but all the God of War needs to do is land one good hit.
3 Couldn’t Win: Jill Valentine
Sure, Jill has destroyed tons of disgusting monsters, but a human opponent with souped-up abilities would be her downfall. She already almost bit it in the interim between Resident Evil 3 and Resident Evil 5 when Wesker knocks her out of a window.
Mindless opponents like the Tyrant or Nemesis are cannon fodder. Cloud, on the other hand, is fast and tactful, two attributes most of Jill’s enemies lack.
2 Could Win: Doom Slayer
Like Cloud, the Doom Slayer possesses enhanced strength and speed. He also has the Crucible, which cuts through just about every enemy in his respective game. As strong as the Buster Sword is, it’s hard to believe it could stave off a swipe from the Crucible. Even if it could, the Doom Slayer’s plethora of other abilities and incredible arsenal would put Cloud to shame.
1 Couldn’t Win: Captain Price
This may seem like a weird pick, but just think about if Captain Price were working for Shinra and was not a member of the S.A.S.. Avalanche would have a much easier time going about their activities in Midgar. Perhaps they would have even been able to prevent the Sector 7 plate from collapsing. Price is a great soldier and protects his homeland from terrorist threats, but the ecoterrorists at Avalanche are a whole different ball game, especially with Cloud among their ranks.
