Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Red XIII Friendship Guide (2024)

The relationship mechanic is one of the new features in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. It's based on a hidden mechanic in the original game where different choices influenced which character Cloud goes on a date with at the Gold Saucer. It was one of the popular mechanics in the original game due to offering replayability and the fantastic cutscenes that resulted from it.

Rebirth expanded this greatly through its Affinity mechanic by outright displaying Cloud's bond with each character and more clearly laying out how to improve those relationships. There's still plenty of guesswork for those who avoid a guide, especially for characters like Red XIII. The end result may not be a full romance like Tifa or Aerith, but Red XIII still has one of the best Gold Saucer cutscenes. Getting there, however, is a little complex.

What To Know About Synergy

New to Rebirth is Synergy, which allows for awesome tag team abilities that add an impressive amount of strategy to the already strategy flow of battle. Most Synergy abilities are unlocked through Folios, so pay attention to where those nodes are located for Red XIII. Using a Synergy move in battle for the first time will increase Red XIII's affinity. Best to use them as soon as they're unlocked so they aren't forgotten. For players who find Red XIII a fun and interesting character to play, this will be no problem.

Chapter 2 – A New Journey Begins

Dialog: Village Center (Kalm)

One of the core components of relationship raising is dialog. Every party member will occasionally have a one-on-one conversation with Cloud with three dialog options to select. These are graded on a star level from one star to three stars with three stars being the best option. Typically, players don't know which dialog option yields the best result until they select it. That option's star grade will be revealed in future playthroughs.

After obtaining weapons and equipment, return to Red XIII where Cloud will ask what Red XIII is doing. He responds that he's standing watch and that "one can never be too careful with Shinra." Respond with "I knew I could count on you" for the best result.

Side Quest: Livestock's Bane

After obtaining a Chocobo, speak the Farmer Cloud and company first met after leaving Kalm. A fiend has been terrorizing the region, and he needs help dispatching it. Much of the quest will be following a trail, which the Chocobo will help with. The trail leads to a beach where the White Terror resides in its den. The White Terror is an extremely tough enemy at this point of the game, although still beatable with the right strategy.

The White Terror isn't weak to anything. Over time, it amasses energy that can be depleted by landing damage on it or by blocking an attack. When it's out of energy, it will be pressured. Be patient and try to keep party members alive. Also, make sure to Assess it as it will be the only time White Terror is fought outside of difficult Chadley VR challenges. Once defeated, return to Oliver's Farm and speak to the Farmer to end the quest.

Side Quest: Where the Wind Blows

After being able to return to Kalm, and completing "Livestock's Bane" and other side quests in the region, chat with Broden – the helpful innkeeper. Broden isn't doing too hot, and he's full of regret. He and Mildred had planned to fix the windmill in the Grasslands, but he doesn't have the strength to do it.

To transmute the part Mildred needs for the windmill, Cloud needs to pick up a few components. The first is a Transmuter Chip, which is found in "Excavation Intel 1: Bygone Settlement," which is unlocked after finding two Lifesprings in the Grasslands. Finding the Transmuter Chip requires digging it up with the Chocobo much like any other treasure.

The second component is the Quetzalcoatl Talon, which is earned after defeating the Quetzalcoatl – the most powerful Classified Creature Intel in the region. Gaining access to it requires finding four Lifesprings in the Grasslands. The Quetzalcoatl is tough, but it's weak to Ice attacks, which can make it much easier to defeat.

Lastly, transmuting the Windmill Gear requires a Craftmanship level of four. On top of the Quetzalcoatl Talon, also pick up two Iron Ore, one Lea Titanium, and five Beast Bones. Most of these should already be acquired by normal gameplay. If not, roam the region, pick up anything on the ground, and defeat any enemies found. Craft the Windmill Gear, give it to Mildred, and return to Broden to complete this side quest.

Chapter 4 – Dawn Of A New Era

Dialog: Under Junon Inn (Red XIII's Room)

After Red XIII leaves Aerith's room, he'll be waiting in his. Cloud can knock and enter where they can have this next conversation. Thanks to all the fish smells, Red XIII is concerned he may not be able to sniff out Shinra. Express a similar level of concern with "Huh. Not good" for the best result.

Side Quest: The Hardest Sell

After arriving at the Crow's Nest for the first time, Toby immediately has a side quest available. This, and the Crow's Nest, are only available after completing "When Words Won’t Do" side quest. Toby has an issue with the "Merc of Junon," which Cloud immediately senses is another one of Kyrie's schemes. Kyrie is stationed at the Junon lighthouse and hasn't been much help with fiends, so Toby asks Cloud to help.

At the lighthouse, waves of Flan enemies begin appearing. These Flans are all weak to Fire, which makes them easy to handle. The White Mousse enemies, however, are much tougher. They have no weaknesses, but using an element too much makes them resistant. So balance out elemental attacks and the White Mousses should go down easily with careful strikes. After the tough battle, Kyrie decides to move out and Toby returns to pay up the nice reward.

Chapter 5 – Blood in the Water

Story: Queen's Blood Tournament

After completing, and winning, the Queen's Blood tournament, Cloud is challenged by a surprise opponent – Red XIII. Simply beat Red XIII here to increase his affinity. Red XIII doesn't do anything unique or special, so continue using what works. If it appears he'll win, pause and retry it.

Chapter 6 – Fool's Paradise

Story: Help Red XIII During the Hojo Boss Fight

Toward the end of Chapter 6, Hojo will summon a capturing mech that will try to kidnap people. Cloud will pick up an umbrella and join the fight. He can choose to help out Aerith and Barret or Tifa and Red XIII. Choose to help Tifa and Red XIII over on the right.

Dialog: Costa del Sol Beach After Boss Fight

Red XIII and Hojo have a lot of history. Can't blame anyone, especially him, for letting emotions get the better of them. Even so, Red XIII wishes he approached things differently. Respond by telling him to not let it get to him with "Don't sweat it" because "anyone would wanna punch that smug asshole."

Chapter 7 – Those Left Behind

Side Quest: Of Robed Men and Ransoms

After settling into North Corel, speak to Dr. Sheiran who has been looking after Robed Men. One of the Robed Men has been kidnapped and held for ransom. Follow Red XIII as he tries to track down the Robed Man, defeating enemies along the way.

Once in a cave, use the UV light to follow the tracks. This will lead to numerous fights and swinging across ropes to turn on power. Eventually, Cloud and company reach the kidnappers who have one more trick up their sleeve – a Dark Claw. Dark Claws are more powerful versions of Death Claws and can instantly kill anyone. Dodging its Reaper Claws attack will help pressure it. Beyond that, it has no weaknesses. Remain cautious, and it should go down before long. After it's defeated and the cutscene plays out, Cloud will be back at Dr. Sheiran's for the quest reward.

Chapter 8 – All That Glitters

Story: Defeat Dio in the 3D Brawler Tutorial

After arriving at the Gold Saucer, there's an epic musical number. This leads automatically into a 3D Brawler tutorial fight against Dio. Since it's a tutorial, winning should not be a problem as it teaches players how to play. For this and future 3D Brawler matches, pausing while the opponent is starting to attack can allow the player to determine the best response so they can be ready when they unpause. It's cheap, but it works well. After defeating Dio in this tutorial, Red XIII will offer a show of respect, and that's it.

Chapter 9 – The Planet Stirs

Dialog: Gongaga Village

After meeting Cissnei, Red XIII ambushes Cloud with a surprise pop quiz. Red XIII is testing whether Cloud and the player can appropriately identify the famed Gongaga Mushrooms. Each of them looks very close to one another, but the correct batch is the right-most ones.

Side Quest: O Chicken, Where Art Thou

"O Chicken, Where Art Thou" is perhaps the funniest side quest in Rebirth, yet it's also one of the most irritating. Kazhra is looking for her missing chickens, so Cloud and Red XIII want to help her.

Each chicken needs to be lured all the way back to Kazhra using a chicken lure. The lure is a clanging object on a rope that Cloud has to drag to get the chicken's attention. The first chicken will simply follow it. If it gets too close, the chicken will kick the canister and Cloud will have to start over. Each subsequent chicken will add a new gimmick, however. When there's a question mark above the chicken's head, don't move, or it will flee. The next chicken will add a "..." above its head. When it does, it's preparing the charge so quickly move the canister back so it doesn't kick it.

The final chicken is far outside the village. Thankfully, Cloud doesn't have to lure it all the way back as a Levridon attacks. It's fast, but it's also weak to Ice. Once it's defeated, head back to Kazhra for the tasty reward!

Chapter 10 – Watcher of the Vale

Dialog: Cosmo Canyon Before Aerith's Festival Speech

The Cosmo Canyon torch festival is one of the most beautiful moments in Rebirth. While everyone is gathered around the bonfire, Cloud has the opportunity to speak to everyone. Speak to Red XIII, and anyone you want to talk to, before Aerith as speaking to Aerith will progress the story. Red XIII is feeling a little nostalgic but stops short of opening up. Encourage him to open up further with "I'll lend an ear."

Side Quest: From Whence Life Flows

After completing the events behind the sealed door, speak to Begenhagen in the Observatory. Bugenhagen wants Cloud and Red XIII to check on old regional Lifesprings that are no longer brimming with life. Bugenhagen will assist with any gate, but Cloud and Red XIII will have to dispatch any enemies and protect said gates.

The first location is east of the Dried Oasis Tower. No enemies at this one. Interact with the gate and Bugenhagen will open it. The second gate is found near Phenom Intel 1 while the third is southeast of that, just to the northeast of the Chocobo stop. The fourth gate is close to the center of the map, to the northeast of the Gliding Range Tower. To best discern the location when reading Bugenhagen's clue, view his map upside down. The final gate is at the very south of the map by a Lifespring and a Chocobo stop. No enemies at this gate, but Threadsplitter Chimera will still come out to play. These are weak to Ice, but shouldn't be too much trouble. After they're defeated, this side quest will wrap up.

Side Quest: Promises to Keep

After "From Whence Life Flows," "Promises to Keep" will be unlocked. A Watchman has notable that some Gi spirits have been spotted. Keep following the quest markers to face off against them. The Gi spirits will possess enemies such as Desert Penguins and Desert Sahagins. While stronger than their normal counterparts, they still fight the same and have the same weaknesses. The final creature is an Irasceros, which is weak to Lightning. It can shift immunities from physical to magic attacks. Once its stagger is high enough, it'll use Concentrate, which will heal it and remove its stagger. Keep attacking it with Lightning-based attacks to interrupt Concentrate. Once defeated, this side quest is finished.

Chapter 11 – The Long Shadow of Shinra

Dialog: Nibelheim (by steps near Shinra Mansion)

The final Red XIII dialog is found leading up to Shinra Mansion. Red XIII comments that something about Nibelheim feels off, but stops short of continuing so as to not offend Cloud. Minimize any offense by saying, "This isn't my hometown," because at this point it pretty much isn't.

Chapter 12 – A Golden Key

Queen's Blood Rematch

During some free time in Chapter 12, Cloud has the opportunity to rematch Red XIII in Queen's Blood. He's tougher this time, but he can be challenged however many times necessary to win. Just make sure to defeat him before continuing with the story. He can be challenged in Chapter 13, but by then it will have no effect on the Gold Saucer date.

Gold Saucer Date

If all goes well, Red XIII should have the highest affinity of any character at this point. There are two date cutscenes depending on if Red XIII's affinity is above or below 50%. Above 50% is the more "intimate" scene. After completing the game, players can set which character and which date type they'll experience when replaying Chapter 12. This is much easier than going through this long process, however, some players do want to date Red XIII during their first playthrough.

Even though Red XIII participates in Loveless, none of the choices there matter. The Skywheel date will take place right after that, so enjoy!

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

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Cloud and his comrades escape the city of Midgar in pursuit of the fallen hero, Sephiroth. As they travel across the world, they find themselves on a journey that will decide the fate of the planet

RPG

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:93/100 Critics Recommend:99%

Franchise

Final Fantasy

Platform(s)

PlayStation 5

Released

February 29, 2024

Developer(s)

Square Enix

Developer

Publisher(s)

Square Enix

ESRB

T for Teen