Final Fantasy VII

Ancient Era
The Cetra inhabit the Planet
The Cetra, an ancient people connected to the Planet and the Lifestream, live alongside the natural world. They possess the ability to communicate with the Planet and understand its cycles.
Ancient Era
Jenova arrives on the Planet
An extraterrestrial organism known as Jenova arrives from space through a catastrophic impact event. The Cetra later refer to it as the Calamity from the Skies.
Ancient Era
Jenova deceives and infects the Cetra
Jenova uses its ability to mimic lifeforms and identities to infiltrate Cetra communities. The Cetra civilization is devastated by Jenova's influence.
Ancient Era
The Cetra stop Jenova
The surviving Cetra manage to defeat and contain Jenova. Over time, the Cetra population declines until only a few remain.
Shinra Research Era
Shinra discovers Jenova
Shinra discovers Jenova's remains and incorrectly identifies it as a Cetra. This mistake becomes the foundation of future experiments.
Shinra Research Era
Professor Gast studies Jenova
Professor Gast leads Jenova research for Shinra. Later discoveries reveal Jenova is not actually a Cetra.
Shinra Research Era
Gast leaves Shinra and meets Ifalna
Gast leaves Shinra after discovering the truth about Jenova. He meets Ifalna, one of the last surviving Cetra, and they eventually have Aerith.
Shinra Research Era
Lucrecia and Hojo begin the Jenova Project
Scientists Lucrecia Crescent and Hojo conduct experiments involving Jenova cells and an unborn child.
Character Origins
Sephiroth is born
Sephiroth is born as the result of Shinra's Jenova experiments. He grows up unaware of his true origin and becomes Shinra's greatest SOLDIER.
Character Origins
Vincent is experimented on by Hojo
Vincent Valentine confronts Hojo regarding Lucrecia and becomes a victim of Hojo's experiments, gaining supernatural abilities.
Character Origins
Zack Fair joins SOLDIER
Zack joins Shinra's SOLDIER program and rises through the ranks, eventually becoming a SOLDIER First Class.
Character Origins
Cloud leaves Nibelheim
Cloud Strife leaves his hometown hoping to join SOLDIER and become a hero like Sephiroth. He fails to qualify and becomes a Shinra infantryman.
Nibelheim Incident
Sephiroth, Zack, Cloud, and Tifa travel to Nibelheim
Shinra sends Sephiroth, Zack, and Shinra infantry forces to investigate problems at the Nibelheim Reactor. Tifa acts as their guide.
Nibelheim Incident
Sephiroth discovers the truth about Jenova
Sephiroth discovers Shinra records describing Jenova and his creation. He begins to believe Jenova is his mother and that he is different from ordinary humans.
Nibelheim Incident
Sephiroth burns Nibelheim
Sephiroth rejects his humanity, destroys Nibelheim, and attacks those who oppose him.
Nibelheim Incident
Cloud defeats Sephiroth
After Zack and Tifa are defeated, Cloud confronts Sephiroth despite being only an infantryman. Cloud survives being impaled and throws Sephiroth into the reactor.
Shinra Experiments
Hojo captures Cloud and Zack
Shinra covers up the Nibelheim incident. Hojo captures survivors and begins experiments involving Jenova cells and mako exposure.
Shinra Experiments
The numbered Reunion subjects are created
Nibelheim survivors are experimented on by Hojo and become the numbered black-robed figures later seen during the Reunion.
Cloud's Identity Crisis
Cloud becomes mako poisoned
Cloud suffers severe psychological damage from Hojo's experiments. His memories become fragmented and unstable.
Zack and Cloud Escape
Zack escapes Shinra custody with Cloud
Zack breaks out of captivity and carries Cloud toward Midgar while Cloud remains severely impaired.
Zack and Cloud Escape
Zack's final stand
Shinra forces catch up with Zack and Cloud near Midgar. Zack is killed protecting Cloud, leaving Cloud with the Buster Sword.
Cloud's Identity Crisis
Cloud creates a false SOLDIER identity
Cloud's damaged mind combines his own memories, Zack's experiences, and his desire to become a hero into a false belief that he was SOLDIER First Class.
Before FF7
Tifa finds Cloud in Midgar
Tifa finds Cloud near Midgar and recognizes him from Nibelheim. She notices inconsistencies in his story but does not confront him immediately.
Main Story
Cloud joins Avalanche
Cloud begins working as a mercenary and joins Avalanche's bombing mission against Shinra.
Main Story
The Reunion begins
The numbered Jenova experiment subjects begin moving toward Jenova and Sephiroth. This gathering process becomes known as the Reunion.
Main Story
Sephiroth manifestations appear
Jenova-related manifestations appear as Sephiroth while the true Sephiroth's body remains elsewhere. Sephiroth's will influences these manifestations.
Main Story
Sephiroth obtains the Black Materia
Sephiroth pursues the Black Materia to summon Meteor and create a wound in the Planet.
Main Story
Cloud's identity collapses
Cloud discovers that his memories of being SOLDIER First Class are false. His sense of identity breaks apart.
Main Story
Cloud discovers the truth of Nibelheim
With Tifa's help, Cloud reconstructs his memories and understands Zack's role in his past.
Main Story
Aerith activates Holy
Aerith uses the White Materia to summon Holy, the Planet's defense against Meteor.
Main Story
Sephiroth is defeated
Cloud and the party defeat Sephiroth and stop his immediate plan to destroy and absorb the Planet.
FF7 Remake
The Whispers appear
Mysterious entities called Whispers intervene throughout Midgar, apparently attempting to preserve events matching the original timeline.
FF7 Remake
The party defeats the Whispers
The party breaks away from the force attempting to preserve destiny, suggesting future events may diverge from the original timeline.
FF7 Remake
Zack's survival is shown
A scene shows Zack surviving the event that originally killed him, suggesting an altered timeline or reality.