Review

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

In 2020, Square Enix launched the first part of the Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy. The original game, released in 1997, was reimagined with modern graphics and gameplay, telling the story of Cloud and his friends as they battle the Shinra Corporation. The remake became a hit, pleasing both longtime fans and newcomers to the series.

Four years later, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth continues the story directly from the first part. It’s one of 2024’s most anticipated PlayStation 5 exclusives. After completing the game and exploring its features, let’s see if it builds upon the first part and delivers a worthy experience.

Story (Spoiler-Free)

The first part of the remake focused on Cloud and the Avalanche group fighting Shinra Corporation to stop them from exploiting the planet’s Lifestream. Along the way, they discover Sephiroth’s return and shift their focus to stopping him from destroying the world.

In Rebirth, the story picks up as Cloud and his friends escape Midgar to pursue Sephiroth and thwart his destructive plans. Alongside exploring new locations, the game delves into the backstories of the main characters, answering many questions while delivering surprising twists.

The game features 14 chapters, each offering unique environments and challenges. Completing the main story takes around 50 hours, with additional content available through side missions and exploration. The bosses are a standout feature, requiring strategy and character-specific skills to defeat.

Overall, the story is one of the game’s strongest elements, filled with memorable moments, emotional character interactions, and shocking twists. However, some parts feel unnecessarily prolonged, which may impact the pacing.

Gameplay

As a continuation of the first part, Rebirth retains its fast-paced hack-and-slash combat system, allowing players to switch between three characters during battles. Each character has unique abilities and weapons, providing variety and strategic depth. Commands can also be issued during combat via a pause menu for tactical decisions.

The game introduces a skill tree system, enabling players to enhance stats and unlock cooperative abilities called Strategy Abilities. These abilities allow two characters to execute powerful team-based attacks, adding another layer of strategy to combat.

World Design

Unlike the linear design of the first part, Rebirth introduces an expansive open world divided into eight regions, each with distinct environments such as deserts, forests, beaches, and Shinra-controlled cities. Players can explore these areas using Chocobos with unique abilities like climbing or gliding.

While the main missions are engaging, side quests often feel repetitive and lack the quality of the core content. However, the inclusion of mini-games adds variety and encourages exploration.

Graphics and Audio

Rebirth improves upon the already impressive graphics of the first part, particularly in character models and cinematic scenes. However, some environmental details, like wood or rocks, lack texture depth even in high-resolution settings.

The audio design is outstanding, with excellent voice acting and a dynamic soundtrack that adapts to the gameplay and environments. The sound effects, especially during combat, further enhance the immersion.

Final Verdict

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth delivers an exceptional experience, improving on its predecessor in many ways. With a compelling story, fast-paced gameplay, and stunning visuals, it’s one of the best games of the year. While minor flaws like repetitive side content exist, the overall package makes it a must-play for RPG fans.

8.5/10