Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is already Game of the Year: A dangerous Trend?

Last Updated on: 2nd March 2024, 02:07 am

The entertainment industry has long recognized the allure of sex as a marketing tool, and the video game industry is no different. However, the recent release of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth has brought the issue of female sexualization in games into sharp focus. While the game is highly anticipated, it has ignited controversy with its portrayal of female characters in ways that prioritize male desire over character depth.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth: Controversy and Criticism

The release of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth has ignited a firestorm of criticism due to its overt sexualization of beloved female characters like Tifa Lockhart and Aerith Gainsborough. Here are some of the core points of contention:

• Camera Angles and Suggestive Poses: The game employs camera angles that deliberately focus on certain body parts, emphasizing curves and cleavage. Characters are frequently placed in poses that highlight their physiques in ways that feel overtly sexualized rather than relevant to combat or the narrative.
• Revealing Costumes: Tifa, in particular, has seen a redesign with a far more revealing outfit than in the original game or the first part of the Remake. This change, while visually appealing to some, breaks the previous establishment of her as a skilled martial artist, as her impractical attire would hinder her movements and offer little protection.
• Intimate Scenes: Certain sequences within the game feature close-ups and focus on intimate moments or suggestive expressions. Critics argue that these scenes prioritize titillation over meaningful character development and contribute to the overall objectification problem.
• The Viral Beach Scene: The beach scene quickly went viral, with its focus on the female characters’ bodies in bikinis dominating the conversation. This scene encapsulates the criticism leveled at Rebirth, where the male gaze is prioritized over showcasing characters’ personalities or advancing the plot.
• The Legacy of Beloved Characters: Many fans feel the hyper-sexualization betrays the characters they cherished from the original Final Fantasy 7. Tifa and Aerith were compelling and complex figures; their reduction to sexual objects undermines the established depth and agency they once embodied.

Dear @SquareEnix and the Final Fantasy Team. That video was disgusting.

The female sexualisation of your characters is embarrassing. No wonder why kids think they're older than what they are.

The one female character had her shorts unbuttoned and exposed.

Really really bad.

— Jack (@Jack_J0n3s) February 25, 2021

The Broader Issue: Sexualization in Games

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is merely the latest in a long line of games that prioritize the sexualization of female characters over authenticity, depth, or logic. Here are some recent examples where the sexualization felt particularly egregious and nonsensical:

• NieR: Automata (2B’s Design):
  

  

  While 2B is a complex and fascinating character, her design features a revealing dress with impractical cutouts and a blindfold that serves no combat purpose. The justification for the outfit is often thin, creating a dissonance between her compelling story and her overtly sexualized appearance.

• Mortal Kombat 11 (Female Fighters):
  

  

  The recent Mortal Kombat games have faced criticism for the impractical and hyper-sexualized armor of female fighters. Characters like Jade and Kitana wear outfits that expose large areas of skin and feature bizarre cutouts, making little sense for skilled warriors in the midst of brutal combat.

• Bayonetta Series:
  

  

  The Bayonetta series is built upon the premise of an overtly sexualized, powerful female protagonist.  While the games might embrace a form of female empowerment, her design features skin-tight clothing made of her own hair and overtly suggestive combat poses, catering explicitly to a specific kind of male gaze.

• Senran Kagura Series:
  

  

  This series features schoolgirls as its main protagonists, presented in skimpy, physics-defying outfits and consistently placed in compromising positions. The game is essentially built on the concept of sexualizing underage girls, making it a particularly disturbing example of fan service taken to harmful extremes.

The Argument Against Illogical Designs

Beyond the ethical implications of objectifying women, these examples highlight an illogical core to such designs:

• Impracticality: In action-focused titles, the scantily-clad attire makes little sense from a combat perspective. The lack of protection and focus on exaggerated curves hinders rather than aids these supposed warriors.
• Breaks Immersion: When character design is so focused on unrealistic body proportions and revealing clothing, it can disrupt the sense of immersion in the game world. It becomes difficult to take these characters seriously as fighters or adventurers.
• Undermines Narratives: Often, this overt sexualization clashes with the game’s attempts at a serious narrative. A character might face deep emotional struggles or be celebrated for her intelligence, only to be undermined by a design that reduces her worth to her sexual appeal.

Why This Matters

The pervasive sexualization of women in video games is not merely a matter of taste or artistic preference. It has potentially harmful consequences that reverberate beyond the game screen and into society at large. Here’s why we need to care:

• Reinforces Harmful Stereotypes: When women are consistently portrayed as sexual objects, it reinforces the dangerous stereotype that their primary value lies in their desirability to men. This contributes to a culture that normalizes objectification and can lead to real-world sexism, harassment, and even sexual abuse.
• Promotes Unrealistic Sexual Expectations: Over-sexualized depictions of women can create unrealistic expectations about women’s bodies and sexual availability, particularly in young and impressionable gamers. This can fuel frustration, dissatisfaction with real-world relationships, and contribute to the demand for harmful types of pornography.
• Connections to Crimes: While a direct causal link between video games and violent crimes such as pedophilia is hotly debated, research does suggest a potential connection. Studies have found that exposure to sexualized media can increase aggression, decrease empathy towards women, and promote acceptance of rape myths – all of which are risk factors associated with sexual violence and abuse.
• Alienates Female Gamers: The constant barrage of sexualized female characters makes the gaming space feel unwelcoming and alienating for women and girls. This discourages them from participating in gaming communities, limiting their potential as game creators and perpetuating the gaming industry’s male-dominated image.

Supporting Research

• A 2007 study by the American Psychological Association found a significant link between the consumption of sexualized media and the acceptance of sexist attitudes.
• A 2022 study by the University of California, Santa Barbara reported a connection between media consumption (including video games) with sexual content and an increase in sexually permissive attitudes and behaviors. The study also noted higher instances of unwanted sexual contact experiences among participants with higher media exposure.

Important Note: It’s crucial to stress that playing video games with sexualized content doesn’t automatically make someone a perpetrator of sexual violence. However, these depictions contribute to a broader culture that can normalize harmful attitudes towards women and sexuality.
It’s time for the gaming industry to take responsibility and prioritize balanced, respectful portrayals of women alongside men.

Positive Examples: A Hopeful Future

Thankfully, the gaming industry is not without examples of well-crafted, complex, and inspiring female characters. Here are a few more additions to our list:

• Celeste:
  

  

  Madeline, the protagonist of Celeste, is a compelling example of relatable female characterization. Her design is practical and reflects her journey of overcoming anxiety and self-doubt. The focus is on her internal struggles and growth, not on sexual appeal.

• Control:
  

  

  Jesse Faden, the powerful and enigmatic protagonist of Control, breaks free from typical tropes. Her abilities and motivations are central to the game’s narrative,  and her design is focused on functionality and a sense of authority, rather than catering to the male gaze.

• Tomb Raider (Reboot Series):
  

  

  While the older Tomb Raider games often fell into the trap of overtly sexualizing Lara Croft, the recent reboot offers a more nuanced and realistic portrayal. Lara is strong, capable, and her design prioritizes practicality while still retaining a sense of femininity.

• Life is Strange series:
  

  

  Features characters like Max Caulfield and Chloe Price, two young women with complex personalities, flaws, and fascinating relationships. Their sexual orientation is explored with sensitivity, and they’re not defined by their sexuality alone.

• Mass Effect Series:
  

  

  Commander Shepard, who can be played as either male or female, is an iconic example of strong, multi-faceted female leadership. The game gives players the full experience of being a respected, powerful hero, regardless of gender.

• Gris:
  

  

  This artistic game features a female protagonist who embodies internal struggle, emotional growth, and self-discovery. Her design and visual portrayal are metaphors for her inner journey, creating a powerful, non-sexualized experience.

These examples display, that it is not necessary to show seminude girls to portray women empowerment, nor is it necessary to indulge in fan service to attract male audience, rather an appealing story, well done graphics and good functionality can also become the USP of a game.

The Need for Change

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a symptom of a wider problem. The industry must abandon its overreliance on sexualizing women for sales. By prioritizing diverse and authentic representation, games can become more inclusive for players of all genders.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth could have been a celebration of beloved characters, but its focus on sexualization casts a shadow over the experience. It’s time for the industry, and for Final Fantasy as a franchise, to strive for better.
While the studios have a major role to play, the fans also need to call out this trend and make them accountable for what they are presenting to them.
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