Facebook
Reddit
Email
This chapter guide takes you through the opening mission, Fall of a Hero, in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
Fall of a Hero is the first chapter in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the much-awaited sequel to Final Fantasy 7 Remake. This chapter recounts the events of five years ago, as Cloud reveals what happened in Nibelheim between him and Sephiroth.
Interlude — A World Apart
The game begins with a cutscene continuing from the ending of Remake. After a news reporter makes a live report on the ongoing situation, the first gameplay section begins, where you play as Zack Fair. Your objective is to rescue Aerith from Shinra’s forces. When you reach Aerith’s location, the first combat encounter of the game begins.
In this encounter, you face one Grenadier, two Flametroopers, and two Security Officers. These enemies are incredibly easy, so dispatch them in any way you please.
Following these, a second wave emerges post a brief cutscene. The second wave consists of two Flametroopers and an Elite Grenadier. These enemies share the lack of challenge presented by the first wave. Therefore, they are also similarly easy to defeat.
The first chapter will begin after you defeat the second wave of enemies (followed by a cutscene).
Chapter 1 — Fall of a Hero
This chapter starts with Cloud telling the party about the mission undertaken by him and Sephiroth five years ago, in the Nibel region. The two encounter a pair of Disgorgons. Sephiroth promptly disposes of both unfortunate monsters, one in a cutscene and the other in a short combat encounter.
After a quick back and forth between the present and the flashback, Cloud, Sephiroth and their two Trooper companions reach Nibelheim. Mayor Zander greets the pair of SOLDIERS here. Sephiroth allows Cloud to go off-duty, giving you the freedom to explore Nibelheim until sundown.
Exploring Nibelheim
There are four sub-objectives you have to complete in order to progress. The objectives are:
- Climbing the water tower.
- Visit Cloud’s home (you can choose to enter or not). Deciding to enter starts a cutscene with Cloud’s mother, Claudia Strife.
- Meet Zangan at the inn.
- Inspect the Piano in Tifa’s home.
There are three chests to find in Nibelheim. Their locations and contents are as follows:
- In front of the entrance to Nibelheim is a crossroads. Southeast of this is a man jumping over a fence. On the other side of this fence is a chest containing a Mega-Potion.
- In the easternmost room on the second floor of Tifa’s house, there is a chest containing an Ether.
- Go Northwest from the crossroads and across the roof of a shack. Jump off to land near some machinery. A chest here contains another Mega-Potion.
Note: As this is a flashback, any items you collect in this chapter are not carried over for the rest of the game. Therefore, feel free to collect, use, or leave the items as you please.
Once you finish exploring, head to the second floor of the inn. Here, you will encounter Sephiroth. This starts a batch of cutscenes in which Tifa is revealed to be Cloud and Sephiroth’s guide for Mt. Nibel. After taking a group photograph, the trek through Mt. Nibel begins.
Mt. Nibel
Along the way through Mt. Nibel, you can find numerous crates with Shinra logos on them. Breaking these grants items like potions and ethers. Keep a lookout for them wherever you go.
Follow Tifa along the path until you encounter a pair of monsters. Cloud offers to take care of them, and this starts the first real combat encounter of the game. The enemies are two Insectoid Chimeras. This encounter will also start a combat tutorial for you.
The next encounter is against two Kyuvilduns. These enemies are easier than the Insectoid Chimeras and can be dealt with at your leisure.
Heading forward past this, you will be attacked by a Velociwing. This enemy is significantly more dangerous than its predecessors up to this point. Perfectly dodging this enemy’s Charge attack will Pressure the creature, allowing it to be staggered more easily.
Just up ahead is a combined encounter involving a Kyuvildun and a Velociwing together. A tutorial will occur, teaching you how to lock on. It is recommended to defeat the Kyuvildun first before focusing on the Velociwing. After you attain victory, a cutscene occurs, following which you have to face two Velociwings at once.
After defeating the two Velociwings, Cloud offers to scout ahead to prevent any ambushes. Along the path, you will encounter three Insectoid Chimeras. Further along the path are two more Velociwings.
Just ahead of this encounter is a storage room with a chest containing two Mixed Hi-Potions.
Continue ahead until you reach a dead end and are called back by Tifa. Just before this dead end, there is a rocky outcropping to the right (to the left if you are on the way to the dead end). Climb this outcropping to collect an orb of Wind Materia.
After you return to Tifa, follow her through a crevice and continue along the path to a Shinra Facility. Upon entering, an orb of Level Boost Materia is located up the stairs and to the right. Head into the elevator and up to the second floor to start the next combat encounter.
This encounter is against a Screamer. Assess the Screamer to find its weaknesses, resistances, and how to hurt it. A nearby staircase leads to a chest blocked by a railing. Jump over it to collect an Ether from the chest.
To continue onwards, you will have to reduce the Mako gas in the air. This can be done using the massive air purifier on wheels nearby. After you purify the three zones, continue forward by taking the elevator.
At the Helipad, an Elixir is located near the bridge to the East. Afterward, follow Tifa across the Bridge. This will trigger a cutscene, following which Sephiroth will join your party.
The next combat encounter is against three Insectoid Chimeras. Right before this encounter, a bench is present, allowing you to rest up and fully restore your HP. Once you start the encounter you will be given a tutorial on how to switch characters. It is recommended to play as Sephiroth for the remainder of the combat encounters, as he is significantly stronger than Cloud. Additionally, the encounters from now on will be more difficult.
Head North and enter a cave to encounter two Velociwings. At the North end of this cave, an Empowerment Materia is present. After you achieve victory, head deeper into the cave and approach the giant crystal to trigger a cutscene.
The next encounter is against a Screamer and a Velociwing together. Following this encounter, a Spare Change Materia is present on a ledge to the right of a withered tree.
Continue along the trail to start the next combat encounter. This battle is against two Insectoid Chimeras and a Twin Brain. After you complete this encounter, Tifa will guide you to a cliff. Climb this cliff and then another to start the next encounter against a Velociwing and a Twin Brain.
After you are done with this encounter, shimmy along the narrow wooden planks and jump down the cliff to pick up a Magnify Materia. Climb back up the cliff and follow the trail to reach the next encounter. This battle is against a Zu, a large birdlike creature. This is a significantly powerful enemy so be wary.
The next encounter is against two Kyuvilduns, an insignificant challenge for the One-Winged Angel. Continue onwards and clear out the Mako gas to unlock the next area. You will find a bench here. It is recommended to use this bench, as the next encounter is against the boss of this chapter, the Materia Guardian.
After you defeat the Materia Guardian, a series of cutscenes play with some small segments of gameplay in between. You return to Nibelheim after finishing these steps.
Shinra Manor
After a quick return to the present, Cloud explains the end of his return to Nibelheim. Exit the inn and follow the group of villagers to Shinra Manor. Enter the Manor and take the elevator down to find Sephiroth in a room straight ahead and to the left. This will trigger a cutscene between Cloud and Sephiroth.
After the cutscene is over, exit the manor and return to the village. As you head to Cloud’s home, falling debris will bar your way. Turn around and enter the burning building a villager flees from. A pair of crawlspaces inside will lead you to the square. From the square, you can approach Cloud’s house. This will trigger a long series of cutscenes.
Finally, the flashback ends and you return to the present. After this, Tifa knocks on Cloud’s door. Follow her to the roof to talk. After this dialogue finishes, head back to Cloud’s room where Barrett will warn you about infighting and Cloud will lay down to sleep. This will conclude the first chapter of the game.
Looking For More?
Thank you for reading the article. We provide the latest news and create guides for Baldur’s Gate 3, Starfield, ARK Survival Ascended, and more. Also, watch Deltia play games on Twitch or visit his YouTube channel!
