Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
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.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
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+ 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
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • 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
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Summer Preview
  • Prime Day deals
  • New Games 2026
  • Best gaming tech
  • GTA 6
  • 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 From
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
  • Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's ending explained Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's ending explained
  • Aerith in Final Fantasy 7 Remake Like any Final Fantasy 7 fan, Remake trilogy boss "seriously searched" for a way to reverse the JRPG's big death
  • Low-poly Final Fantasy 7 characters stand facing camera amid HD environments Final Fantasy modder is bringing the OG character designs to Final Fantasy Rebirth because "them polygons got that aura"

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
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's ending explained
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's ending explained
 
 
Aerith in Final Fantasy 7 Remake
Final Fantasy Like any Final Fantasy 7 fan, Remake trilogy boss "seriously searched" for a way to reverse the JRPG's big death
 
 
Low-poly Final Fantasy 7 characters stand facing camera amid HD environments
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy modder is bringing the OG character designs to Final Fantasy Rebirth because "them polygons got that aura"
 
 
Cloud and Tifa in Final Fantasy 7 Remake.
Final Fantasy Ahead of Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, Tifa and Cloud are as popular as ever in Japan new survey shows
 
 
Key art for World of Warcraft: Midnight.
World of Warcraft WoW's current storyline is "like a Saturday morning cartoon," former Blizzard quest designer says
 
 
Ariana Grande appears in Final Fantasy Brave Exvius
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy Resonance fans want the true stars of Brave Exvius, not just JRPG icons like Cloud and Tidus
 
 
Latest in World of Warcraft
A still from the World of Warcraft: The War Within cinematic.
World of Warcraft As World of Warcraft players take on the Casino Bots, Blizzard is working on finding a solution
 
 
Turtle WoW
World of Warcraft WoW fans gather in popular private server Turtle WoW to say goodbye as it ends 8-year run following Blizzard lawsuit
 
 
World of Warcraft Classic 20th Anniversary Edition screenshot.
World of Warcraft World of Warcraft streamers attend top-secret Blizzard event, leaving fans hoping for Classic Plus
 
 
A dragon from World of Warcraft looks at another player riding a dragon
World of Warcraft World of Warcraft "will continue to decline" unless the MMO gets a "reset," says former Blizzard boss
 
 
World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft Blizzard apologizes for the World of Warcraft bugs after new patch leaves fans annoyed and concerned for the future
 
 
Leeroy Jenkins in Hearthstone
World of Warcraft WoW's Prop Hunt mode descends into chaos as players are able to find each other using their minimaps
 
 
Latest in News
Posing with a rifle in the Fallout 76 Ghoul update
The Elder Scrolls New Xbox CEO reportedly pushing for faster Fallout and Elder Scrolls games
 
 
Erenshor art
RPGs RPG dev inspired by classic MMOs says his Steam success was "this seemingly unattainable dream"
 
 
Asha Sharma in black shirt
Games Microsoft considered cutting Xbox off entirely and making it easier to sell, report says
 
 
Stuntman: Hollywood
Racing Games Stuntman: Hollywood was the best 15 minutes of my Summer Game Fest
 
 
This is an Xbox advertisement
Xbox Xbox exec clarifies that Netflix-style ads that interrupt gameplay would be a bad idea, actually
 
 
Palworld 1.0 trailer shows panda-like boxer Pal
Survival Games Nintendo Palworld lawsuit has "zero chance" at more than "chump change," expert says
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Posing with a rifle in the Fallout 76 Ghoul update
    1
    New Xbox CEO reportedly pushing for faster Fallout and Elder Scrolls games
  2. 2
    RPG dev inspired by classic MMOs says his Steam success was "this seemingly unattainable dream"
  3. 3
    Microsoft considered cutting Xbox off entirely and making it easier to sell, report says
  4. 4
    Stuntman: Hollywood was the best 15 minutes of my Summer Game Fest
  5. 5
    My kids won't stop asking to play this new version of The Game of Life

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
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

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

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...