Final Fantasy VII is one of the most beloved games of all time. Now more than 25 years old, the original remains iconic and influential when citing the JRPG genre. Following the release of Final Fantasy VII remake in 2020 and then the PS5 version (Intergrade), the second instalment in the remade trilogy – Final Fantasy VII Rebirth – launches at the end of the month and is the current frontrunner for Game of the Year. PlayStation held a State of Play today to further demonstrate the power and excitement of the title across more than 20 action-packed minutes, and we were left in awe.
With Remake receiving positive reviews and renewed fanfare for the next generation of gamers, one of the only limitations was that the title took place exclusively in Midgar (a grey, oppressive sector that was only the beginning of the original game). But following the in-depth look at Rebirth, we are now released into an open world that appears nothing short of massive. The sheer amount of content available dwarfs that of Remake, with an assortment of mini-games, card games, odd-jobs and romance options available in what is cited as 100+ hours of gameplay with a 40-50 hour story. Graphically, the game uses the full power of the PS5 in multiple modes to create beautiful and haunting lands, seas and enemies. The soundtrack, which was stated to have 400 (!) new tracks, has many of the original tunes that have been updated and re-designed. In basic terms: the game looks and sounds as good as possible, even in the most chaotic moments.
The State of Play emphasises a greater focus on character relationships, gameplay and synergy. While Cloud was the only playable character outside of combat in Remake, there are now half a dozen characters that can traverse the world with their abilities. They also combine for folio skills, which are unique to the relationship of character pairs. All character combinations have skill trees in establishing further depth to the already expansive gameplay. Romance options have also been added, with the State of Play showcasing Cloud and Tifa going on a date while mentioning that you can ‘pick which character you would like to take’.
The cinematic aspect of the game is referred to heavily, stating that ‘no other game’ will make you feel for the characters at this level. The storyline will have surprises for fans of the OG, but how much this differs will be anyone’s guess and is best left until the full game is released. The State of Play ended with the announcement of a demo – available now – that will include an early level focused on both Cloud and Sephiroth (choose your playable character). Many may choose to avoid the demo considering the proximity to launch, especially as the State of Play did more than enough to solidify Final Fantasy VII Rebirth as the gaming event of the year.
