Introduction
Basic information
- Developer Name: Square Enix
- Full Name: Final Fantasy VII Remake
- Release Date: April 10, 2020
- Released on: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC
- Cross Play: Not Available
Initial thoughts
As a huge fan of the original Final Fantasy VII, I had high hopes for the remake. Zack Fair has always been my favorite character, and I relate to his journey on a deep level. Zack’s story of doing the right thing and facing the consequences, despite being honest and loyal, resonates with me personally. His sacrifice was a core element of my connection to the game, and I was eager to see how, or if, he would play a role in the remake. To top it all off, I met my wife through our shared love of his game, so diving into this remake was something we both looked forward to.
Story and setting
Plot overview
Final Fantasy VII Remake focuses on the first part of the original story, primarily covering the events in Midgar. While it stays true to the core narrative, there are enough twists and expansions to make it feel fresh, even for die-hard fans. The game fleshes out characters and settings that were only briefly touched upon in the original, adding new layers of depth and intrigue to the story.
World building and immersion
The city of Midgar has never felt more alive. The Remake brings the gritty, industrial metropolis to life in a way the PS1 simply couldn’t, from the bustling streets of the slums to the towering presence of Shinra’s headquarters. The sense of scale and detail is breathtaking, making Midgar feel like a real, lived-in city.
Character development
The character development is a major highlight. Cloud’s inner struggle after the events of Crisis Core, Aerith’s charm and despair, Tifa’s strength and confusion, and Barret’s fiery resolve all get ample time to shine. Each character feels more real and relatable than ever, with expanded backstories and interactions that go beyond the original.
Emotional impact
The emotional beats hit harder than ever. Whether it’s through intimate character moments or the overarching threat of Shinra, the game excels at making you care deeply about these characters and their world. The ending, in particular, leaves a lasting emotional impact, and while I won’t spoil it, let’s just say it teases something big—an exciting new direction for the series that had me absolutely floored.
Rating for story and setting
I have visited multiple aspects of the story and after some thought and objective thinking, I rated the story and setting with a 10
I was absolutely flabbergasted by the ending.
Gameplay and mechanics
Core gameplay mechanics
The gameplay is a perfect blend of modern and classic Final Fantasy elements. The real-time combat feels dynamic, but there’s still a tactical aspect thanks to the ATB (Active Time Battle) system, which allows you to pause the action to issue commands, use items, and cast spells. It’s the best of both worlds, keeping the action fresh while paying homage to the strategic depth of the original.
Difficulty and balance
The difficulty is well-balanced, offering a good challenge without being frustrating. Boss fights are thrilling and require a mix of strategy and skill, but they never feel unfair. The game offers various difficulty modes, making it accessible for players of all skill levels.
Pacing of the game
For the most part, the pacing is spot on. The game has a natural flow between action-packed sequences, exploration, and quiet, character-driven moments. However, certain side quests do slow down the momentum in a few areas, but they’re generally optional and add to the world-building.
Innovation and uniqueness
The game brings innovation through its hybrid combat system and expanded narrative, while staying true to the heart of what made the original so beloved. It strikes a delicate balance between innovation and nostalgia.
Controls and user interface
The controls are responsive, and the user interface is clean and intuitive. Switching between characters in battle is smooth, and managing abilities, equipment, and materia is simple yet satisfying.
Microtransactions
Fortunately, Final Fantasy VII Remake doesn’t include microtransactions.
Rating
After combing through many of the mechanics, the pacing and other factors of this game, I rated the gameplay and mechanics with a 9.5.
A perfect combination of old school, and newer generations.
Graphics and art style
Quality of graphics and art direction
Simply put—Holy Moly, what a difference compared to the PS1 version! The level of detail in the character models, environments, and cutscenes is stunning. Square Enix has outdone themselves with the graphics, bringing Midgar and its characters to life in ways I couldn’t have imagined back in 1997.
Technical performances
The game runs smoothly with minimal performance issues. On the PlayStation 5, the frame rate is silky smooth, and load times are almost non-existent.
Environment and design uniqueness
The environmental design is not only true to the original but also enhanced with so much detail that it feels fresh and new. From the undercity slums to Shinra’s high-tech laboratories, each location is finely crafted and visually impressive.
Rating
It took me some time to give the graphics and art style an objective rating. There are many things to consider, but ultimately, I rated this section with a 10.
This is peak graphical perfection for the year it came out.
Sound and music
Music score and how it contributed to the game
The music is simply perfect. Nobuo Uematsu’s classic compositions have been reimagined with orchestral depth, and every new track fits seamlessly into the game. Every moment is heightened by the incredible score, with themes like Hollow standing out as particularly impactful.
Sound effects quality
The sound design is crisp and detailed. Whether it’s the clanking of machines in Midgar or the satisfying swoosh of a well-placed sword strike, the sound effects draw you deeper into the world.
Voice Acting
The voice acting is exceptional. The cast brings the characters to life with emotional, nuanced performances, making it easy to connect with Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, and the rest of the crew. And the ending scene… the voice acting, paired with the music, sent chills down my spine.
Rating
After a lot of consideration, I rated the sound and music section with a 10
It is not often I am this blown away by music in games as it resonates within me.
Replayability
Game Length and content volume
Final Fantasy VII Remake offers a solid 30-40 hour main story, but the real fun comes in after beating the game. The ability to jump from chapter to chapter makes it easy to go back and find new quests, hidden content, and missed items.
Extra Content
There’s plenty of additional content, from side quests and collectibles to secret bosses and hidden items. Each chapter feels packed with things to discover, adding significant replay value.
Replay value
The game’s chapter select feature makes replaying sections a breeze, and for completionists, there’s more than enough to keep you coming back. Whether it’s to unlock new abilities, take on higher difficulty levels, or just re-experience the thrilling story, the replay value is high.
Rating
After thoughtful consideration, I decided to rate the replayability and game length of Final Fantasy 7 Remake with a 9.
There is a lot of replay value!
Suggestions and comparisons
Suggestions and feedback
- It would’ve been nice if Red XIII were a fully playable character rather than joining as an NPC toward the end of the game. (For the post game you could choose to use him or not)
- The side quests, while adding depth to the world, could have been a bit more varied and impactful on the overall story.
Comparisons
Compared to the original, Final Fantasy VII Remake does an excellent job of reimagining the classic for modern audiences. It improves on the original’s visuals, gameplay, and storytelling while staying true to its roots. When compared to other recent RPGs, the hybrid combat system and the world-building stand out, making it a strong contender for one of the best remakes of all time.
Personal experiences and anecdotes
The ending of this game left me utterly speechless. Without spoiling anything, the way the timeline fractures opens up endless possibilities for the future of the series. It felt like the developers had taken what bothered me the most about the original game and fixed it, making way for something even more profound.
Zack’s journey hit home for me on a personal level. Like him, I’ve faced situations where doing the right thing didn’t lead to a positive outcome but instead brought unexpected consequences. It’s a harsh reality, and the game captures this tension beautifully—showing that while stories often reward the hero, real life can be more complicated. This added a layer of emotional depth to Zack’s character that resonated with my experiences. Final Fantasy 7 Remake builds upon his experiences.
Watching this story unfold alongside my wife, who shared this emotional journey with me, made it even more impactful. We were both floored by how well this remake honored the past while paving the way for the future.
Rating
Taking in all the personal experiences with Final Fantasy 7 Remake, I give it a personal rating of 10.
Doing the right thing is always shown to be the best option in games, but in the real world, often times, the right thing to do will be punished or used against you. This story builds on Zack Fair’s journey who did the right thing, and he got punished for it.
Last words
Pros
- Beautifully reimagined story with expanded character arcs
- Stunning graphics and incredible attention to detail
- Perfect blend of real-time combat and strategic elements
- Memorable music score that heightens every moment
- Fantastic voice acting that brings characters to life
- Smooth, responsive controls and intuitive interface
- High replay value with chapter select and extra content
- Emotional ending that sets up exciting possibilities for the future
- Strong pacing and a good balance of action and character moments
Cons
- Red XIII is not fully playable in this installment
Final Fantasy VII Remake is a masterful reimagining of a classic, blending nostalgia with fresh new elements that make it feel like a whole new experience. From its stunning graphics to its innovative gameplay and memorable music, it’s a game that both old fans and newcomers can appreciate. With an emotional and exciting story that sets up a bright future for the series, it’s a must-play for anyone who loves RPGs, as it lived up to my expectations! The only downside? We have to wait for the next part!
Final Rating
9.5
Please let me know what you think of Final Fantasy 7 Remake in the comments!
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