As a long-time fan of Final Fantasy VII, I eagerly awaited Rebirth, hoping it would recapture the magic of the original while offering something fresh. Thankfully, Square Enix’s second entry in this anticipated remake trilogy delivers on both fronts, picking up where the first entry left off — with Cloud and his companions escaping Midgar in pursuit of Sephiroth — and offering a far grander adventure with story left to tell.
For die-hard fans like myself, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth isn't just a game; it's a pilgrimage back to a world forever etched in our memories. Square Enix boldly treads the fine line between nostalgia and innovation, offering a familiar story refracted through a new lens. Reuniting with beloved characters like Cloud, Tifa, and Barret, their voices echoing a past etched with sorrow and defiance, we explore iconic locations far beyond Midgar including the Grasslands, Junon and others rising anew with refreshed visuals and far-expanded designs.
As you embark on your adventure, the claustrophobic confines of Midgard are quickly replaced with breathtaking views of new open-world locations, vast fields and oceans unlike anything found in the cyberpunk dystopia of the first entry. Your journey starts at Kalm. Once a quaint little town in the original game, it is now a sprawling hub filled with NPCs, shops and the ever-present side quests. Everything you loved in the original game has been taken up a notch to match the details of modern RPGs, including its already-blockbuster story.
The iconic Cloud Strife grapples with his fragmented memories teased in the first part of the remake alongside the mysterious Whispers, his vulnerabilities peeking through his stoic facade. Witnessing his interactions with Tifa and Aerith, both pillars of support, sheds new light on his personality.
The looming threat of Sephiroth is a constant in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth as Cloud and his iconic party venture across diverse regions to divulge from their initial fated paths. Yes, the overall story does follow the middle chunk of the original game, but it takes a much more expansive approach whilst offering various twists and turns that should surprise long-time fans of the original game.
In Rebirth, Sephiroth’s shadow drapes across the entire narrative, sometimes feeling more stressed than in Square’s 1997 original. His influence is present with each passing moment, leading to an ultimate battle consisting of seven epic phases that will leave you panting for breath. As expected of the middle part of a trilogy, there is a huge cliffhanger to keep you intrigued for the next game in at least four years, but we dare not spoil what it involves.
Just like it does with its locales, Rebirth breathes new life into beloved characters from the original while integrating exciting newcomers. Each character is given the space to grow and evolve, fostering deeper connections with the player and each other, further enhanced by an innovative Synergy system unlocking powerful team attacks between characters that highlight their deep bond, putting a spotlight on companionship in a way that is more Dragon Quest 11 than FF7.
Just like the last game, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth makes every character unique. Cloud Strife is more of an all-rounder, whilst Tifa is a brilliantly versatile martial artist that can also unlock healing magic. Aerith Gainsborough delivers devastating magic attacks and the talking beastman Red XIII brings a uniquely diverse combat style unlike anything else in the series.
While Rebirth retains the fast-paced action combat of the original Remake, it also builds on the Synergy system, which was first introduced in the Final Fantasy VII Remake entry. This mechanic transforms combat encounters from solo struggles into coordinated teamwork; gone are the days of isolated attacks as filling your ATB bars allows you to deliver powerful Synergy moves that combine the strengths of two or more party members. Cloud and Tifa unleash their shared past in "Braver," a powerful assault that reflects their connection. Aerith and Red XIII call upon nature's fury in a devastating blast, showcasing their unique bond. Mastering these Synergy moves becomes crucial in boss battles, requiring you to understand each character's strengths and weaknesses to exploit enemy vulnerabilities. Red XIII's wild instincts pair well with Tifa's martial arts prowess, while Barret's heavy firepower complements Aerith's supportive magic.
But combat isn't just about flashy moves. The return of the Materia system allows for in-depth customization. Equip your characters with Materia specific to their roles, whether it's enhancing Cloud's swordsmanship, bolstering Tifa's combat prowess, or unlocking Aerith's hidden magical potential, to make yourself even stronger. Folios, another new addition, offer personalized growth beyond Materia. Each character has their own Folio, allowing you to specialize in specific skills or unlock entirely new abilities. Cloud can become a heavy blade master or a versatile ranged fighter, while Red XIII can focus on primal attacks or support his allies. This level of customization ensures no two playthroughs are the same, encouraging experimentation and strategic adaptation.
As expected of any Final Fantasy game, truly epic, cinematic boss battles are scattered throughout the campaign. A few are reminiscent of the original game, but they all come with a couple of twists. Once out of Midgar, Cloud and the party will face a revamped enemy in the treacherous swamp - the giant snake we know from the original game as Midgar Zolom is now known as Midgardsormr and has greatly surpassed its earlier form. This is just your first boss battle, a bombastic fight that only sets the stage for even greater encounters later on.
Following the trend of most modern JRPGs, you’ll find yourself engaging in fights with random enemies in the open world. When you’re not trotting around on a Chocobo, you’ll often encounter new battles that are always dynamic and fun, especially as you switch between the game’s ever-expanding party of characters.
Beyond the open-world battles and main story missions, Rebirth offers even more content for you to explore. For example, the game’s revamped Virtual Reality Combat Simulator. This warped reality holds unique and formidable bosses you won't encounter elsewhere, each demanding a dance of strategy and spectacle. Prepare to clash with foes like a hyper-evolved Bahamut, its scales shimmering in the digital Colosseum, or a monstrous manifestation of Sephiroth's psyche, his illusions twisting the dreamscape around you.
Mini-games are also in abundance, such as the time-consuming Queen’s Blood, a trading game. Additionally, if you’re musically inclined, there is a game that includes fun rhythm mini-games with classic Final Fantasy 7 songs played on the piano. You will find plenty of mini-games at Costa del Sol as well.
It’s clear from the start that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a lavish game, but that only truly becomes apparent the more you explore its marvellous open world. You will be astonished by how every location has been recreated, from the extremely detailed Grasslands filled with secrets and rideable Chocobos to the imposing city of Junon, an oppressive symbol of Shinra’s Power. Not only that, but there’s the vibrant Corel region, home to the legendary Golden Saucer theme park, Costa del Sol town, and its infamous prison.
The Grasslands is the first of Rebirth’s six regions and a fantastic way to introduce you to its open world, instantly making you understand the scale of this remake compared to the original. The panoramic vistas, mountain ranges, and the scale of the world have been completely reimagined from its low-poly past, and it overwhelmed my senses as a veteran of the PS1 original. While the stunning nightlife of the Golden Saucer may impress further with its eye-catching array of lights and sounds, you’ll be instantly impressed from the off. Every location has been expanded: towns that were once simple images are now fully 3D towns with their own assets, NPCs and multi-story buildings to explore. It’s truly phenomenal.
Despite being just one slice of a trilogy, FF7 Rebirth is vast. Coming in at around 45 hours, Square Enix’s RPG offers so much content just in its main story as you uncover the secrets of Gongaga, delve into the ancient wisdom of Cosmo Canyon, revisit Nibel and much more. Each location offers its own impressive story, unforgettable set pieces and more.
All of this is brought together by some of the best visual and audio presentation, an unmatched, almost-perfect experience. While there are occasionally soft visuals and a bout of texture fading here and there, these don’t detract from the overall experience. Of course, nostalgia does play a hand in some of the biggest moments of wonder to a Final Fantasy veteran, but even those detracted from the glory of the original will find themselves gaping at the beauty on hold here.
Reviewed on PS5 with code provided by the publisher.
