Vincent Valentine FF7 Rebirth – Story, Role & Timeline
Vincent Valentine doesn’t just lurk in the shadows — he owns them. With his crimson cloak, iron claw, and brooding silence, he's become one of the most mysterious icons in the Final Fantasy world. Now, as Final Fantasy VII Rebirth hits next-gen consoles, all eyes are on this former Turk with a tragic past. Whether you played the PS1 classic or you're meeting Vincent for the first time, here’s your complete guide to his backstory, role in Rebirth, and where he fits in the FF7 timeline.
Table of contents
Who Is Vincent Valentine?
Vincent is a former Shinra Turk , a reluctant test subject, and a quiet warrior. At his core, he's a man cursed with immortality and haunted by regret. His fate is tied to Lucrecia Crescent and her son — Sephiroth.
He first appeared in the original FF7 as an optional character , hidden in a coffin in the basement of Shinra Manor . With his vampire-like look and mysterious past, fans quickly gravitated to him. Square Enix later expanded his story in Dirge of Cerberus, a spin-off set three years after the original game.
But in FF7 Rebirth , Vincent isn’t just a bonus — he’s part of the main story.
How to Get Vincent Valentine in FF7 Rebirth
In the original game , Vincent was an optional party member . But in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth , he’s a key part of the main story. Players meet Vincent in Chapter 11: The Long Shadow of Shinra , which takes place in the eerie Shinra Manor .
How to Unlock Vincent:
Complete the tutorial and move through the main storyline until you arrive at Nibelheim.
Head into the Shinra Manor and explore its basement.
Solve the puzzle door to reach Vincent’s chamber.
Watch the cutscene where Vincent wakes up.
After the short battle and some dialogue, Vincent joins your party .
Unlike the original, you can't miss him. He's not a secret this time — he's a core part of the story.
Vincent’s Background: Turk, Tragedy, and Chaos
Before everything fell apart, Vincent worked as a Turk for the Shinra Electric Power Company . He was sent to oversee Lucrecia Crescent , a scientist working on the Jenova Project.
Lucrecia gave birth to Sephiroth , the main villain of the series. Vincent didn’t agree with the experiments, but he spoke up too late. Hojo, Shinra's twisted scientist, shot him and later revived him using mako injections and genetic splicing with a being called Chaos.
That procedure gave Vincent immortality , the ability to transform, and a deeply disturbed soul.
Vincent Valentine in FF7 Rebirth
In FF7 Rebirth , Vincent is no longer a secret character. During your return to Nibelheim, he becomes a main character.
In combat, Vincent uses guns and Limit Breaks that let him transform into monsters like Galian Beast or Chaos . His inner battle with Chaos is expected to influence the game’s story and possibly affect how players interact with him.
Timeline Breakdown
Before FF7
Works as a Turk.
Falls for Lucrecia Crescent.
Tries to stop Hojo’s research.
Gets shot and is revived by Hojo.
Becomes immortal due to Chaos.
Final Fantasy VII
Found sleeping in Shinra Manor .
Joins Cloud’s group.
Seeks revenge against Hojo.
Uses powerful transformations in battle.
Dirge of Cerberus
Becomes the main character.
Battles Deepground , a secret Shinra division.
Fights Chaos inside himself.
Saves the world once again.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Joins the team in Chapter 11.
Flashbacks reveal more of his past.
Plays a bigger role due to timeline changes.
Vincent’s Combat: Limit Breaks & Fighting Style
Vincent is unique. He doesn’t just hit hard — he transforms .
Known Limit Breaks
| Limit Break | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Galian Beast | Becomes a monster that uses fire attacks |
| Death Gigas | Turns into a lightning-charged tank |
| Hellmasker | Wields a chainsaw and causes status effects |
| Chaos | Vincent’s ultimate form with heavy dark damage |
Expect these forms to return with updates and maybe even combo attacks with other party members.
Vincent and Other Characters
Cloud Strife
Vincent and Cloud understand each other. Both carry guilt from their pasts, and both fight for something more than just revenge.
Lucrecia Crescent
Vincent’s love for Lucrecia is his emotional burden. Her disappearance and his failure to save her are wounds that never healed.
Sephiroth
Vincent sees Sephiroth not only as a threat, but also as a result of everything that went wrong — a child born from science and sorrow.
Red XIII
These two connect on a deeper level. Conversations between them often explore fate, purpose, and what it means to carry history in your blood.
Why Vincent Matters
FF7 Rebirth isn’t just a remake. It’s a remix. Without the Whispers (the guardians of fate), anything can change.
Vincent could:
Reveal hidden truths about Shinra.
Introduce new dangers linked to Chaos.
Help Cloud grow into a true leader.
He might even set the stage for a future confrontation with Omega Weapon , hinted at in earlier games.
Vincent's Fan Legacy
Vincent has always had a huge fanbase. Even though he was once an optional character, people wrote stories about him, dressed like him, and saw him as the ultimate cool antihero.
His red cloak, metal arm, and quiet pain made him unforgettable.
In Rebirth , he’s getting the spotlight he deserves.
Final Thoughts
Vincent Valentine is more than a side character — he’s a living shadow of the past. He’s here for revenge, for redemption, and maybe for peace.
In Final Fantasy VII Rebirth , he’s not hiding in a coffin anymore. He’s standing in the light, gun ready, ready to write a new chapter.
Stay with us for the next deep-dive, where we’ll cover Dirge of Cerberus connections , how to build Vincent’s best loadout, and why Chaos might change everything.