Mm a thought, Cadet Cloud being into video games. Really into them. Finds out about them once he makes it Midgar. Plays them all the time. Probably bonds with a few of his fellow cadets over them. Finds a way to be social.
No they don’t have a lot of free time, but its something easy they can gather around. Zack joins them on occasion when he has time. Its a big deal whenever that ‘First Class SOLDIER dude’ shows up.
End of FF7 rolls around and Cloud picks of a video game for the first time in ages and its just not the same. He doesn’t get the same excitement out of it. Its not fun anymore and its kinda painful.
For two reason though.
One, obviously he’s reminiscing about the old days. But that’s not the big issue.
Mostly he’s just angry about realism. He’s like, literally I can lift xyz, why can’t this super soldier video game character do it. OMG just RUN FASTER. I fall off a PLATE and live why can’t you jump ten feet to the ground??
He starts a game night up but everyone knows you’re a fool if you attend. He eventually gives up on it.