Super Smash Bros. Ultimate director Masahiro Sakurai has detailed more information on Sephiroth and upcoming Mii Fighter costumes.
THe Mii Fighter Costumes Round 8 were discussed first. These included Barret (Gunner), Tifa (Brawler), and Aerith (Swordfighter) from Final Fantasy VII, and the Chocobo Hat from the FInal Fantasy series in general. There is also the Geno (Gunner) costume from Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.
As previously reported, Sephiroth is the main antagonist if Final Fantasy VII, and one of the strongest members of SOLDIER- a super-soldier program enhancing the subject’s physical capabilities through Mako.
When Sephiroth learned of his origins however, he was driven mad. He became hellbent on calling down Meteor, creating enough damage to the planet to tear-open the lifestream and become a god.
In Smash Bros., Sephiroth uses his long sword for exceptional reach, but his tall height and low weight make it easier to get hit and launched. His attacks also tend to be a little slow, and leave him open. His slashing attacks do the most damage from the middle of the blade, while stabbing attacks deal more at the tip.
When he has sustained a lot of damage (depending on how many stocks he has to his foes), he enters his winged form. This grants granting increased speed, an additional jump, and super armor on smash attacks. Once Sephiroth is KO’d (or he KO’s a foe) the form is lost.
His front air attack can also use the sword to cling to walls by stabbing it in. From there, Sephiroth can jump up and “climb” the wall by stabbing; ideal for recovery and deceptive plays. His down air is the all-too-familiar Hell’s Gate; where he falls to the ground with his blade pointed straight down.
The neutral special changes depending on how long the B button is held; Flare, Megaflare, and Gigaflare. They are traveling balls of explosive magic that can be modified to travel further or have more damage, radius and launching power.
The side B is Shadow Flare, a narrow and fast shot. Once it strikes a foe, dark fireballs orbit the foe (which can also harm other foes). After a short time, they all crash into them at once.
Up B is Blade Dash. Much like Fox’s Fox Fire, it can launch Sephiroth in nearly any direction. When charged for a short time, this becomes Octaslash, dealing more damage and going further, but with less control.
Down B is Scintilla. This creates a counter-shield in front of Sephiroth that explodes into sparkling light. The more damage the shield blocks, the greater the sparkles are. However, powerful attacks can break it.
Sepiroth’s Final Smash is Supernova. Much like his attack in Final Fantasy 7, an impressive scene on a galactic scale plays out; though it is mercifully shortened for Smash Bros. Foes who survive the attack also suffer a random status effect (such as Flower, reversed controls, shield break), or launched further.
Cloud’s even numbered costumes (based on Final Fantasy VII Advent Children) also have a slightly different Final Smash; Omnislash Ver 5. However, the power and effects of it are the same as usual.
Sephiroth’s stage is the Northern Cave. A platform flies above the Promised Land and the Northern Cave, while the Highwind flies around. As the stage descends into the heart of the planet, Mako energy causes debris to float in the background, before seeing Holy in its sealed state. It erupts, and you witness Meteor and Holy colliding.
While joking, Sakurai stating “That’s not to say the events will play out the same in Final Fantasy VII Remake;” referring to how the Northern Cave shows major events from the original game.
Unlike the Midgar Stage in the base game, the Northern Cave adds multiple songs from Final Fantasy VII, and Advent Children. This includes 9 tracks, and four new arrangements, and can appear in the Midgar Stage.
Sakurai mentions how he knew fans wanted more music from the game, but that the team were “met with some challenges.” This was met with a chuckle by the broadcast team.
“For example, if a character is featured in a different game or appears in another game as part of a collaboration, there are some cases in which songs from the original game aren’t included.
We need approval from all the copyright holders in all regions. In some cases, we only need approval from one company. In other cases, however, the copyright is shared among multiple companies. Or, depending on a country, the copyright holders may vary. We only include the songs in the game after all of these issues are resolved.”
It is entirely possible that Final Fantasy VII Remake, Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, the Final Fantasy Dissidia series, or nearly any other game Final Fantasy VII music has been used in may have caused licencing issues.
In regards to audio, Sephiroth will also only use his Japanese voice. In addition, the variations on Battlefield can now play music from the My Music playlist selection. Sephiroth’s Classic Mode pits him against the game’s various bosses; much like a traditional Boss Rush.
In addition, the limited time Sephiroth Challenge has been added to the game, where players may fight against Sephiroth as though he were a boss character (complete with a Final Fantasy Style menu). Easy, Normal, and Very Hard modes are included; with Very Hard being an extreme challenge.
Early plans had it so players who beat the mode on Very Hard mode would be able to play as Sephiroth early; but this idea was scrapped. The Sephiroth Challenge mode is available now until December 22nd (to those who have bought the DLC).
You can find the full presentation below.
Sephiroth and Mii Fighter Costumes Round 8 launches December 22nd 2020, and will also be part of the Fighters Pass Vol. 2 along side Min Min and Steve.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available now for Nintendo Switch. In case you missed it, you can find our thorough review for the game here (we highly recommend it!)