Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Edge
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Edge
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • EDGE GTAVI exclusive
  • Join our monthly RPG Club
  • Golden Joystick Awards 2026
  • Deal of the Day
  • Countdown to GTA 6
  • RPG Hub
  • G+RLS Podcast
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. MMO Games
  3. World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft's tribute character to Final Fantasy 7's Aerith found impaled by a greatsword after The War Within's release

News
By Kaan Serin
Published 15 September 2024

Does this happen in every possible timeline?

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Aerith prays against a watery backdrop in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
(Image credit: Square Enix)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Beware: there are spoilers for Final Fantasy 7 below. 

World of Warcraft has long paid homage to Final Fantasy 7's sweetheart Aerith Gainsborough with an in-game character called Aerith Primrose, who happens to wear the same reddish-purpley clothes and normally sells flowers next to a church-like building. Now, that same Aerith can be found under a fat greatsword. 

World of Warcraft's surrogate Aerith has been living happily in Dalaran for years, but the new chaotic expansion The War Within lives up to its name and brings destruction to the floating city. It also forces Aerith to live up to her own fate, as you can see her skewered by a long sword in the video below.

Latest Videos FromGamesRadar+
Watch full video here:
YouTube YouTube
Watch On

It's a little funny (and twisted) that Aerith's death in Final Fantasy 7 is so iconic, you'd be hard-pressed to find an Easter Egg related to the game that didn't somewhat touch on the scene where Sephiroth swoops down from above and breaks all our hearts (and, I assume, Aerith's spine.)

Unlike her iconic demise in Final Fantasy 7, however, World of Warcraft's flower vendor can actually survive the run-in with the big, sharp sword if players choose to save her.

You may like
  • Aerith from Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth prays Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director is "so sorry" for what happens to Aerith in Rebirth
  • Jessie Rasberry in Final Fantasy 7 Remake. Final Fantasy 7 Remake's Jessie actor was "devastated" at her character's fate
  • Tifa looks off to her side in Final Fantasy 7 Revelation After countless memes, Final Fantasy 7 Revelation boss confirms that, yes, Fortnite inspired jumping out of the Highwind

That brutal scene has also been the subject of much discussion in the recent remake/sequel/alt-timeline-thing Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Fans were left "confused" and divided and still engrossed as the scene was remixed for the JRPG's finale, leaving many wondering what this meant for the trilogy's third part. Even the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth explainer book couldn't properly explain what was going on.

World of Warcraft veteran says MMO power leveling is a “mistake”: “Getting to level cap should be an accomplishment, not a blip.” 

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
PC Gaming Platforms
PRODUCTS
World of Warcraft: The War Within Final Fantasy 7
Kaan Serin
Kaan Serin
Social Links Navigation
Freelance contributor

Kaan freelances for various websites including Rock Paper Shotgun, Eurogamer, and this one, Gamesradar. He particularly enjoys writing about spooky indies, throwback RPGs, and anything that's vaguely silly. Also has an English Literature and Film Studies degree that he'll soon forget.

Read more
Aerith from Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth prays
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director is "so sorry" for what happens to Aerith in Rebirth
 
 
Jessie Rasberry in Final Fantasy 7 Remake.
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy 7 Remake's Jessie actor was "devastated" at her character's fate
 
 
Tifa looks off to her side in Final Fantasy 7 Revelation
Final Fantasy After countless memes, Final Fantasy 7 Revelation boss confirms that, yes, Fortnite inspired jumping out of the Highwind
 
 
Final Fantasy XIV
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy 14 fans spot Evercold character in Patch 7.56 screenshots, theorize new DPS class
 
 
Barret Wallace stands with his gun-arm at the ready in character art for Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, against the GamesRadar+ orange 'The Big Preview' graphic
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy 7 Revelation: The Big Preview
 
 
The Witcher 3 Songs of the PAst
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy 7 Revelation boss it's "a great honor" to share the Gamescom stage with The Witcher 3
 
 
Latest in World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft: Forever
World of Warcraft WoW: Forever fans say Horde is destroying PvP, beg Blizzard to address the MMO's "faction imbalance"
 
 
World of Warcraft: Forever
World of Warcraft WoW: Forever devs address dungeon XP backlash with 50% boost – but fans of the MMO aren't satisfied
 
 
World of Warcraft: Forever cinematic trailer screenshot shows a man looking seriously into the distance.
World of Warcraft World of Warcraft: Forever brought back a record number of lapsed players
 
 
World of Warcraft: Forever Skyborne
World of Warcraft Many Blizzard devs were "skeptical" about WoW Forever until they saw the new Northshire Abbey
 
 
World of Warcraft: Forever
World of Warcraft World of Warcraft: Forever devs say "this launch was crazier than the insanity we imagined"
 
 
World of Warcraft: Forever Skyborne
World of Warcraft Last World of Warcraft: Forever patch before release sends Shaman Discord server into lockdown
 
 
Latest in News
Ben Whishaw as Sam and Keira Knightley as Helen in Netflix's Black Doves
Thriller Shows Hideo Kojima has high praise for season 2 of Netflix's Keira Knightley-led spy thriller
 
 
GTA 6
Grand Theft Auto Rockstar spins the GTA 6 wheel again and lands on comically large music festival
 
 
Karlach in Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate Skyrim vet says it "felt good" playing Baldur’s Gate 3 because decisions had "actual consequences"
 
 
World of Warcraft: Forever
World of Warcraft WoW: Forever fans say Horde is destroying PvP, beg Blizzard to address the MMO's "faction imbalance"
 
 
Star Wars: A New Hope
Star Wars Movies Star Wars fans are once again debating one of the saga's biggest plot holes
 
 
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2 screenshot
The Legend of Zelda Zelda: Ocarina of Time becomes the biggest physical launch of 2026 in the UK so far, analyst reports
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. The story likely would have been set in the present day, and it "definitely had samurai swords in it," says Obbe Vermeij
    1
    GTA: Tokyo was real enough for Rockstar to negotiate with a Japanese studio, former Grand Theft Auto lead says, but it never happened because America was too important to the series
  2. 2
    Beyond Nen codes (November 2026) for free spins
  3. 3
    There's a reason this Pikachu toy took the world by storm in 2026, and now it's 40% off
  4. 4
    Star Wars fans are once again debating one of the saga's biggest plot holes – and it still doesn't make sense 49 years later
  5. 5
    Zelda: Ocarina of Time beats Breath of the Wild and becomes the biggest physical launch of 2026 in the UK so far, analyst reports

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...