A moody piece of fan art imagines a reality where Final Fantasy VII hero Cloud attempts to survive the brutal world of Dark Souls 3.The stunning piece, illustrated by artist @IsNino66, depicts Cloud, equipped with his iconic Buster Sword, drawn in the style of the Dark Souls 3's box art. His armor has been adapted to fit the fantasy setting of FromSoftware's beloved RPG franchise, but various elements like his single shoulder-pad are still recognizable. Mimicking the pose of the Ashen One, Cloud stares into the camera, letting a handful of ash slip through his fingers. His cloak sports a collection of burns and sears while the spires of Anor Londo are seen in the background.
@IsNino66 is a talented artist working out of Paris, France. Their ArtStation page states that they specialize in concept art and illustration, evidenced by a quick glance through their expansive portfolio.
If any character from Final Fantasy VII would survive within the world of Lothric, it would likely be Cloud. Players assume the role of the cold-blooded mercenary in Square's beloved RPG as he becomes embroiled in a plan to destroy an evil corporation known as Shinra. As the game's story unfolds, Cloud comes to appreciate and love the ragtag group of friends who surround him while also confronting his dark past as a creation of S.O.L.D.I.E.R.
Final Fantasy VII was originally released for the PlayStation One in 1997. Square's seminal turn-based role-playing game, which mashed elements of dieselpunk and cyberpunk aesthetics, immediately earned a dedicated fanbase for its stylish graphics and compelling narrative. The game featured a cast of lovable characters supported by deep writing and a combat system that made full use of the original PlayStation's hardware. A ground-up remake was eventually released in 2020 for the PlayStation 4, receiving similar levels of praise for its complete reimagining of the game's mechanics and story. Final Fantasy VII Remake was recently launched for PC via the Epic Games Store.
As for Dark Souls 3, FromSoftware's conclusion to its iconic and influential action-RPG series received similar levels of praise. The franchise is largely known for its oppressive atmosphere and punishing combat, requiring players to study and learn enemy patterns rather than rush in blindly. The notoriously difficult game is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.
Source: Twitter