I s’pose the almighty beings at Square (!!!) decided some sort of completely obvious, plot "twist" was needed to ensure Cloud & Co. go after Sephiroth, but surely they’d do that even if Aeris hadn’t just got skewered (hee!!!) simply because he’s made off with the Black Materia(TM)
I’dve thought Aeris would’ve got a bit more of a send off surely, rather than Tifa pretending to cry (yeah, cause she’ll be HEARTBROKEN now Aeris’ gone!!) I was expecting to feel at least a little emotional that one of the main characters’ has just been killed…. no, wait a sec… this IS the most disappointed I’ve been with any game in the series, so I’m not too surprised I guess!!
Personally, Aeris, and FFVII in general for being nowhere near as good as the other games in the series I’ve played. well… maybe it’s MARGINALLY better than IX, but only ’cause it’s reasonably challenging.