Minerva (Warning: CC spoilers)

My Character Profiles · April 2, 2008, 3:53 AM

I was just wondering...I did a forum search and I haven't found another thread like this. And this question is only for those of you who have actually reached the stage in the game where you actually see this "presence"...

(tried to word that with the least spoilers possible; in case someone accidentally clicks this...)

Well I was kind of...confused when I saw "the goddess", "Minerva", after you defeat Genesis's first form. She looks a lot like a Norse goddess, or even a Valkyrie. See concept pictures and in game shots below:

Concept Design

In game Appearance

I guess I'm a little bit confused because...as far as I know, there is no mention of this being anywhere in the FFVII compilation. Although...I've never played Dirge of Cerberus, so if Minerva is mentioned in DOC, I wouldn't know...
I've even done an ff wiki-search (which is also where I got the pictures), and...there's not much more information on her their either.

My first theory was that Minerva wasn't a real entity; that she was just a personification of Genesis's so called "Goddess" that he preaches of (in regards to his favorite poem, Loveless).
But then that theory was shot down when I realized that Minerva is an actual Boss in one of the last missions in Crisis Core...she isn't just a personification after all...

So...what are everyone's thoughts on this character?

April 13, 2008, 4:16 AM

ugh.. this is tough. For one they (SE) don't ever mention her anywhere in anyother final fantasy, most importantly in a compilation title. The only clue is that Genesis sort of acknowledges here as "The Goddess". So you are left to assume that this is "The Goddess" and that the goddess is not just a personification of the earth "Gaia". But then again your assumption isn't always true and odds are we were just meant to assume this, and that maybe minerva is just another WEAPON like chaos diamond, ultima, omega, ruby and emerald. That could mean she is the guardian to earth "Gaia". And that "Gaia" is "The Goddess". Also i would like to point out that Minerva sort of rejects Genesis, instead of embraces him because he is not ready. So this can also mean that Minerva (if she is a weapon) might have more influence then the rest of the weapons, She Picks and chooses who receives "The Gift of the Goddess".

I dunno just me thinking aloud. That's just my 5 minute theory. Now we just wait for further theories on this.

April 14, 2008, 2:48 AM

I imagine that they will incorparate her into whatever comes after DOC, seeing as how I have not seen any mention of her in other titles either.

@Dreamer, I thought that Minerva actually did accept Genesis because Zack helps him regain his SOLDIER honor, so he decides that since Angeal and Sephiroth are dead, it is up to him to protect the planet from the next threat. Minerva then deems him worthy of this task, and cures his degregation with the lifestream.. And I thought that was the Gift of the Goddess, which she gives to him..

Unless I missed the whole point of what you were saying, in which case just ignore the above.

April 19, 2008, 4:11 AM

Well if you look at the rest of the main monsters of Final Fantasy VII, most of them are taken directly from Norse Mythology (Odin being an exact example). And Square likes Valkyries (Valkyrie Profile).

Minerva can't be a WEAPON. The WEAPONS, boldly and blatantly attacked the player on multiple occasions. In all likelihood, the WEAPONS are likely just a big planetary reflex. A bunch of beasts on auto-pilot who attack indiscriminately to eliminate the "threat." Not exactly in line with the great and benevolent Goddess, who has a personality of her own. Minerva's basically an entiety who works in accordance with the will of the Lifestream.

The main difference between her and the WEAPONS is that the WEAPONS are like "Wake up, kill the bad guy, go back to sleep." That's all. Minerva, on the other hand, does whatever the Lifestream wants, which isn't necessarily the same thing.

Another thing I'd like to explain, Jenova was a calamity from the sky, a goddess who travelled space and destoryed planets. Minerva is just like Jenova, except the fact that Jenova is corrupt, and Minerva isn't.

Minerva kinda works behind the scenes... Like how Jenova gave Sephiroth a rather large amount of her power (granted he was biologically mutated with her, Jenover cannot really control the planet, something that Minerva can), Minerva did the same thing to Cloud. Let's actually think about this; Sephiroth, the best swordsman, SOLDIER 1st Class, strongest being in the FFVII universe (it's confirmed already, so don't scream fanboy) defeated by a weak no body? Defeated by someone who wasn't even in SOLDIER (only some unreputable ShinRa infantryman)? Minerva most likely used the Lifestream to grant Cloud the power to defeat Sephiroth, who is being controlled by Jenova. So in the larger sense, it's Minerva (Goddess of white and pure) against Jenova (Goddess of black and destruction). God vs God isn't an uncommon thing in FF games, so this makes sense.

Jenova used to be the goddess of some other planet, became corrupt, and then travelled planet-to-planet, destroying each one in her path. The she comes across Minerva, who is the same as her, pretty much, except for being on the opposite side of the table.

This is what I believe.