Editing Cloud Strife (section)

===Cultural impact===
Cloud set a trend in the ''Final Fantasy'' series in regards to the characterization of main characters. Following ''Final Fantasy VII'', Nomura designed [[Squall Leonhart]], the lead of ''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]'' giving him a similar anti-hero persona. Tasked with creating a "female version of Cloud" for ''[[Final Fantasy XIII]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/news/ffxiii-interview |title=FFXIII Interview: Nomura, Kitase, Hashimoto and Toriyama |date=June 7, 2006 |last=Smith |first=Luke |website=[[1UP.com]] |access-date=October 24, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805002459/http://www.1up.com/news/ffxiii-interview |archive-date=August 5, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Nomura designed [[Lightning (Final Fantasy)|Lightning]] with Cloud's success in mind, stating that he "desired for her to be ... loved for a long time, like Cloud".<ref>{{cite journal|date=November 14, 2013|script-title=ja:ここに, ひとつの神話が終われワを迪える解放者の覚醒よワ13日一|journal=[[Shūkan Famitsū]]|language=ja|publisher=[[Enterbrain]]|issue=1302|page=42}}</ref> After Lightning was voted as the most popular female character in the series by Japanese fans, Mollie Patterson of ''[[EGMNOW]]'' commented: "Some have also brought up that Lightning is kind of the female equivalent to Cloud, which might be why she gets so much love".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/japan-ranks-their-favorite-final-fantasy-females/|title=Japan Ranks Their Favorite Final Fantasy Females|last=Patterson|first=Mollie|date=January 18, 2013|website=EGMNOW|publisher=EGM Media|access-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923234556/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/japan-ranks-their-favorite-final-fantasy-females/|archive-date=September 23, 2015}}</ref> However, for ''[[Final Fantasy X]]'', the staff aimed for a more contrasting hero would act more cheerful in the narrative, [[Tidus]].<ref name="FlareG">{{cite web|author=Knight, Sheila|year=2003|title=Tetsuya Nomura 20s|url=http://flaregamer.com/b2article.php?p=81&more=1|publisher=FLAREgamer|access-date=13 April 2006|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709232759/http://flaregamer.com/b2article.php?p=81&more=1|archive-date=9 July 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="sun">{{cite book|year=2001|editor1=Sam Kennedy|editor2=Gary Steinman|title=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine August, 2001|page=96|publisher=[[Ziff Davis Media]]}}</ref> Similarly, Nomura created [[Noctis Lucis Caelum]] from ''[[Final Fantasy XV]]'' with another different characterization from Cloud and Squall's and instead more insecure.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=8 February 2008|magazine=Famitsu Weekly|language=ja|title=1000号記念スペシャル表紙プロジェクト|publisher=Entenebran}}</ref> When the game ''[[Nier]]'' failed to be a success in North America despite portraying an elder as a protagonist to appeal to Westerns, director [[Yoko Taro]] convinced other staff members to use instead a younger type for the English remaster version, using Cloud as an influence.<ref name="sad">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/yoko-taro-didnt-mean-to-make-nier-sad-on-purpose/1100-6490892/|title=Yoko Taro Didn't Mean To Make Nier Sad On Purpose|website=GameSpot|accessdate=May 21, 2023|archive-date=May 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501163913/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/yoko-taro-didnt-mean-to-make-nier-sad-on-purpose/1100-6490892/|url-status=live}}</ref>

''IGN'' stated that Cloud set a trend for role-playing video game heroes,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/characters/cloud-strife|title=Cloud Strife Biography|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=January 28, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021135629/http://www.ign.com/characters/cloud-strife|archive-date=October 21, 2012}}</ref> describing his "spiky blond hair" and "gigantic Buster Sword" as "instantly identifiable icons, recognized by gamers around the world".<ref name=Top-25>{{cite web|url = http://uk.ign.com/articles/2008/05/16/top-25-final-fantasy-characters-day-v?page=3|first = Dave|last = Smith|title = IGN's Top 25 Final Fantasy Characters|work = IGN|date = May 16, 2008|publisher = Ziff Davis|access-date = July 20, 2008|archive-date = March 15, 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240315022026/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/16/top-25-final-fantasy-characters-day-v?page=3|url-status = live}}</ref> ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' described Cloud as an example of "excellent design and characterization".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ff7citadel.com/press/int_edge.shtml | title = The Making of Final Fantasy VII | work = Edge | publisher = Matthew Pierce | access-date = July 21, 2008 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080705141229/http://www.ff7citadel.com/press/int_edge.shtml | archive-date = July 5, 2008 | df = mdy-all}}</ref> ''[[Famitsu]]'' in 2010 published a seven-page tribute to Cloud, showcasing his many appearances throughout the years.<ref name="famitsutribute">{{cite journal|date=February 4, 2010|script-title=ja:今週の特集読者が選ぶ! 人気キャラクター クラウド|journal=Shūkan Famitsū|language=ja|publisher=Enterbrain|issue=1103|pages=143–149}}</ref> He was named best character of all time in ''[[Dengeki PlayStation]]''{{'}}s 2007 "Den-Play Awards".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ps3.ign.com/articles/837/837350p1.html|title=Nomura Talks FFXIII|last=Gantayat|first=Anoop|date=November 22, 2007|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=November 22, 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123114222/http://ps3.ign.com/articles/837/837350p1.html|archive-date=November 23, 2007}}</ref> ''GameSpot'' published a video titled "Greatest Game Hero: Cloud Strife" for his inclusion in their 2009 "All Time Greatest Game Hero" poll, showcasing scenes of Cloud as he appears in ''Advent Children''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/greatest-video-game-hero/standings/index.html|title=All Time Greatest Game Hero – The Standings|website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=September 15, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130811115320/http://www.gamespot.com/greatest-video-game-hero/standings/index.html|archive-date=August 11, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/psp/rpg/finalfantasyviiadventchildren/video/6227706 |title=Greatest Game Hero: Cloud Strife |date=September 16, 2009 |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=August 14, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925062915/http://www.gamespot.com/psp/rpg/finalfantasyviiadventchildren/video/6227706 |archive-date=September 25, 2009}}</ref>