Final Fantasy VII is known for having one of the most iconic death scenes in video game history, which is why many fans are expecting Square Enix to subvert expectations in the Final Fantasy VII Remake series.

Square Enix came close to adding a shocking death in Final Fantasy VII Remake when Sephiroth gutted Barret with his sword. The people who have been following the promotional material released for Final Fantasy VII Remake will have seen a piece of key art showing the members of Avalanche near the edge of Midgar, suggesting that they all survive the events of the game. However, it’s possible that this could have been a red herring to set the expectations of the fans, so that they can be torn away at the last moment.

It turns out that Barret’s untimely death was just a fakeout. Barret is saved at the last moment by the Whispers, as it’s their job to make sure fate goes as planned. It wasn’t Barret’s time to die, so his wound was healed as if it wasn’t there. There is more to this scene than meets the eye, as Barret’s death at the hands of Sephiroth matches a scrapped idea that was planned for Final Fantasy VII.

In 2005, Final Fantasy VII director Yoshinori Kitase and character designer/writer Tetsuya Nomura were interviewed by Electronic Gaming Monthly (as archived by The Final Fantasy VII Citadel). According to Nomura, Final Fantasy VII was originally only meant to have Aerith, Cloud, and Barret as party members. The decision was made early on that one of the party members was meant to die and Cloud was immediately discounted, as he was the main character. Barret was also considered, but he was discounted due to being “too obvious”. This is a reference to the racist trope of how people of color are the often first to die in movies.

The promotional footage for Final Fantasy VII Remake spoiled the effect of Barret receiving a mortal wound in the game, but it would have been a hell of a shock if the developers had gone through with their original idea from years ago.

Final Fantasy VII Remake is available now for PlayStation 4.

Source: The Final Fantasy VII Citadel