Save for a handful of direct sequels and the occasional off-handed reference, Final Fantasy games tend to be self-contained titles. However, due to the monumental success of Final Fantasy 7 a few years prior, the team over at Square decided to include a bunch of FF7 references in Final Fantasy Tactics, with the most notable one being the inclusion of the game's main protagonist, Cloud Strife.
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By engaging with the game's side content, Final Fantasy Tactics players can add the spiky-haired soldier to their parties, and this is once again the case in the game's 2025 remaster, Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles. Just like in the original, the process for recruiting Cloud is relatively straightforward, although there are a few things that players will need to keep in mind.
How to Unlock Cloud in Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles
To unlock Cloud in Final Fantasy Tactics, players will need to recruit Mustadio during Chapter 2 and retain his services until they make it to the game's fourth chapter. Once there, they should return to the Clockwork City of Goug, where Besrudio will show Ramza and Mustadio a strange device that he found while excavating a tunnel. This will lead to a Side Story set in the Mining Town of Gollund, at the end of which, players will be able to recruit Beowulf, Reis, and Construct 8.
Later on in Chapter 4, players will pass through an area called Sal Ghidos, where they'll run into a character who looks remarkably like Aerith from Final Fantasy 7. If they buy a flower from her, they'll be prompted to head back to the Clockwork City of Goug, where Besrudio has another unusual device to show them. To power it, players will need to travel to Nelveska Temple and defeat Construct 7 to get the Cancer Stone. Using it with the orrery will summon Cloud.
Unfortunately, Cloud freaks out and runs away, but tracking him down is easy enough. Players just need to head back to Sal Ghidos and defeat the gang of thugs who were hassling Aerith. Doing so will give them the option to recruit Cloud, who joins the party at level 24. Unlike in the original game, he comes equipped with his best weapon, the Materia Blade. He also has his own special job called Soldier, which allows him to use some of his most iconic limit breaks like Omnislash and Braver.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Recruiting Cloud in Final Fantasy Tactics
- Recruit Mustadio during Chapter 2 and be sure not to dismiss him.
- Return to the Clockwork City of Goug during Chapter 4.
- Complete the Mining Town of Gollund Side Story and then recruit Beowulf, Reis, and Construct 8.
- Continue with the main story until you reach Sal Ghidos.
- Buy a flower from Aerith.
- Return to the Clockwork City of Goug.
- Defeat Construct 7 in Nelveska Temple.
- Return to the Clockwork City of Goug.
- Return to Sal Ghidos and defeat the gang of thugs.
- Recruit Cloud.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
- Released
- September 30, 2025
- ESRB
- Teen / Fantasy Violence, Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Mild Language, Drug Reference
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- PC Release Date
- September 30, 2025
- Genre(s)
- Tactical, RPG, Strategy
