General Information
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a highly anticipated remake of the iconic 1997 game that has captivated gamers for decades. Developed by Square Enix, this action-RPG offers a fresh take on the beloved story while staying true to the essence of the original. In this comprehensive review, we will delve into the world of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and explore its gameplay mechanics, stunning visuals, compelling narrative, and the overall experience it offers to players.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth takes players on a journey through the dystopian city of Midgar and beyond, as they join the protagonist, Cloud Strife, and his allies in their fight against the oppressive Shinra Electric Power Company. Standing on the edge of Midgar's expressway, the game immediately evokes a sense of awe with its stunning visuals and expansive world. The developers have successfully reimagined the low-poly world of the original game, transforming it into a breathtaking landscape filled with vibrant environments and intricate details.
The scale of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is truly impressive. As soon as players set foot onto the Grasslands, the first of six regions that make up the game, they are greeted with a sense of wonder. The open regions are meticulously crafted, offering a plethora of optional activities and side quests that enrich the player's experience. Exploring each corner of these regions unveils the resilience of life in a world ravaged by the destructive effects of Mako energy. From the desolate wasteland of Corel to the vibrant beachside of Costa Del Sol, each location tells a story and adds depth to the overall narrative.
One of the highlights of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the way it breathes new life into the beloved characters from the original game. Cloud, Tifa, Barret, and Aerith are brought to life with impeccable detail, both in terms of their visual representation and their personal stories. The grandeur of their personal journeys and pivotal moments is enhanced by the game's stunning cinematic stylings and top-tier voice performances.
Barret, in particular, receives a significant amount of attention, with his backstory being portrayed in a raw and emotional manner. The voice actor, John Eric Bentley, delivers a powerful performance that adds authenticity to the character's struggles and resolutions. The relationship between Aerith and Tifa is also explored in greater depth, showcasing their growth and providing a more believable connection between them as they confide in each other and bear the burden of Cloud's complex past.
The combat system in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth strikes a perfect balance between action and strategy. Building on the already impressive blend of action and turn-based RPG combat from the original game, the developers have introduced new mechanics and party members that breathe fresh life into the gameplay. Each character has a distinct fighting style, and players are encouraged to experiment and bring out the best in their party members.
The returning Pressure and Stagger systems add depth to the combat experience. Players are required to understand enemy vulnerabilities and exploit them strategically, rather than relying on simple button mashing. Assessing enemy weaknesses and planning offensive pushes at the right time are essential for success. Boss battles, in particular, pose a significant challenge, forcing players to juggle multiple tasks while building up their ATB (Active Time Battle) gauges.
The Materia system, a staple of the Final Fantasy series, makes a triumphant return in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. This system allows players to customize each character's abilities, spells, and passive skills, providing a level of flexibility that significantly impacts gameplay. The addition of Folios, which unlock new perks and abilities, further enhances the depth of character customization. Synergy Abilities and Synergy Skills add another layer of complexity to combat, rewarding players for strategic use of their ATB bars and making battles more satisfying.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth introduces a new card game called Queen's Blood. This outstanding addition to the game offers players hours of entertainment and a captivating side story that unfolds as they progress through the main game. Queen's Blood starts as a grid-based game of territory control but evolves into a cutthroat tactical exercise, where players must manage power level multipliers, attack cards, and unique conditions to gain an advantage over their opponents. The game's rules and varied card functions, combined with the side story, make Queen's Blood a ton of fun to play.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth embraces an open-world design, splitting the overworld into sprawling regions filled with optional activities, side quests, and hidden treasures. While this approach may feel overwhelming at first, the game manages to strike a balance by providing engaging content and incentives for exploration. The optional tasks range from fighting tough enemies to uncovering Divine Intel locations or completing ongoing side quests. Each activity contributes to the overall gameplay experience, ensuring that players are rewarded for their efforts.
The side quests, available at each major town's Community Noticeboard, offer a more complete picture of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth's reimagined open world. These quests not only provide additional context and character development but also increase the players' Bond level with each party member. The side quests often present multiple objectives that take players across regions, encouraging exploration and offering compelling stories that uplift the human element of Final Fantasy VII.
Despite its many triumphs, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth does have a few shortcomings. The pacing of the game can sometimes feel off, with a significant focus on minigames and diversions that distract from the main story. While these activities add levity and showcase the game's humor, they can sometimes overshadow the core elements that players care about the most.
The game's ending, while ambitious in its attempt to create a new timeline for Final Fantasy VII, can be convoluted and undefined. The execution of the events and their aftermath can leave players scratching their heads, robbing the conclusion of its intended impact. The story's cryptic nature and nuanced meanings may be appealing to some, but there are moments when clarity and directness would have been more effective.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth impressively builds upon the foundations set by its predecessor, Final Fantasy VII Remake. The game excels as both a best-in-class action-RPG and an awe-inspiring recreation of a world that holds immense significance for fans. The stunning visuals, engaging gameplay mechanics, and deeply emotional storytelling make this remake a must-play for both newcomers and longtime fans of the series.
While Final Fantasy VII Rebirth does stumble in a few areas, such as pacing and the execution of its ending, these minor flaws are overshadowed by the game's many strengths. The extensive open world, captivating side quests, and character development offer a rich and immersive experience that will keep players engaged for hours on end.
In conclusion, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth delivers an epic journey that is both thrilling and unexpectedly impactful. It successfully captures the essence of the original game while introducing new elements that make it a standout title in its own right. Whether you're a fan of the original or a newcomer to the series, this remake is a testament to the enduring legacy of Final Fantasy VII and a worthy addition to any gamer's collection.
A World Worth Fighting For
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth takes players on a journey through the dystopian city of Midgar and beyond, as they join the protagonist, Cloud Strife, and his allies in their fight against the oppressive Shinra Electric Power Company. Standing on the edge of Midgar's expressway, the game immediately evokes a sense of awe with its stunning visuals and expansive world. The developers have successfully reimagined the low-poly world of the original game, transforming it into a breathtaking landscape filled with vibrant environments and intricate details.
The scale of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is truly impressive. As soon as players set foot onto the Grasslands, the first of six regions that make up the game, they are greeted with a sense of wonder. The open regions are meticulously crafted, offering a plethora of optional activities and side quests that enrich the player's experience. Exploring each corner of these regions unveils the resilience of life in a world ravaged by the destructive effects of Mako energy. From the desolate wasteland of Corel to the vibrant beachside of Costa Del Sol, each location tells a story and adds depth to the overall narrative.
The Magic of Character Development
One of the highlights of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the way it breathes new life into the beloved characters from the original game. Cloud, Tifa, Barret, and Aerith are brought to life with impeccable detail, both in terms of their visual representation and their personal stories. The grandeur of their personal journeys and pivotal moments is enhanced by the game's stunning cinematic stylings and top-tier voice performances.
Barret, in particular, receives a significant amount of attention, with his backstory being portrayed in a raw and emotional manner. The voice actor, John Eric Bentley, delivers a powerful performance that adds authenticity to the character's struggles and resolutions. The relationship between Aerith and Tifa is also explored in greater depth, showcasing their growth and providing a more believable connection between them as they confide in each other and bear the burden of Cloud's complex past.
Combat: A Perfect Blend of Action and Strategy
The combat system in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth strikes a perfect balance between action and strategy. Building on the already impressive blend of action and turn-based RPG combat from the original game, the developers have introduced new mechanics and party members that breathe fresh life into the gameplay. Each character has a distinct fighting style, and players are encouraged to experiment and bring out the best in their party members.
The returning Pressure and Stagger systems add depth to the combat experience. Players are required to understand enemy vulnerabilities and exploit them strategically, rather than relying on simple button mashing. Assessing enemy weaknesses and planning offensive pushes at the right time are essential for success. Boss battles, in particular, pose a significant challenge, forcing players to juggle multiple tasks while building up their ATB (Active Time Battle) gauges.
The Materia system, a staple of the Final Fantasy series, makes a triumphant return in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. This system allows players to customize each character's abilities, spells, and passive skills, providing a level of flexibility that significantly impacts gameplay. The addition of Folios, which unlock new perks and abilities, further enhances the depth of character customization. Synergy Abilities and Synergy Skills add another layer of complexity to combat, rewarding players for strategic use of their ATB bars and making battles more satisfying.
The Heart of the Cards: Queen's Blood
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth introduces a new card game called Queen's Blood. This outstanding addition to the game offers players hours of entertainment and a captivating side story that unfolds as they progress through the main game. Queen's Blood starts as a grid-based game of territory control but evolves into a cutthroat tactical exercise, where players must manage power level multipliers, attack cards, and unique conditions to gain an advantage over their opponents. The game's rules and varied card functions, combined with the side story, make Queen's Blood a ton of fun to play.
Embracing the Open World
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth embraces an open-world design, splitting the overworld into sprawling regions filled with optional activities, side quests, and hidden treasures. While this approach may feel overwhelming at first, the game manages to strike a balance by providing engaging content and incentives for exploration. The optional tasks range from fighting tough enemies to uncovering Divine Intel locations or completing ongoing side quests. Each activity contributes to the overall gameplay experience, ensuring that players are rewarded for their efforts.
The side quests, available at each major town's Community Noticeboard, offer a more complete picture of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth's reimagined open world. These quests not only provide additional context and character development but also increase the players' Bond level with each party member. The side quests often present multiple objectives that take players across regions, encouraging exploration and offering compelling stories that uplift the human element of Final Fantasy VII.
A Few Missteps Along the Way
Despite its many triumphs, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth does have a few shortcomings. The pacing of the game can sometimes feel off, with a significant focus on minigames and diversions that distract from the main story. While these activities add levity and showcase the game's humor, they can sometimes overshadow the core elements that players care about the most.
The game's ending, while ambitious in its attempt to create a new timeline for Final Fantasy VII, can be convoluted and undefined. The execution of the events and their aftermath can leave players scratching their heads, robbing the conclusion of its intended impact. The story's cryptic nature and nuanced meanings may be appealing to some, but there are moments when clarity and directness would have been more effective.
The Final Verdict
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth impressively builds upon the foundations set by its predecessor, Final Fantasy VII Remake. The game excels as both a best-in-class action-RPG and an awe-inspiring recreation of a world that holds immense significance for fans. The stunning visuals, engaging gameplay mechanics, and deeply emotional storytelling make this remake a must-play for both newcomers and longtime fans of the series.
While Final Fantasy VII Rebirth does stumble in a few areas, such as pacing and the execution of its ending, these minor flaws are overshadowed by the game's many strengths. The extensive open world, captivating side quests, and character development offer a rich and immersive experience that will keep players engaged for hours on end.
In conclusion, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth delivers an epic journey that is both thrilling and unexpectedly impactful. It successfully captures the essence of the original game while introducing new elements that make it a standout title in its own right. Whether you're a fan of the original or a newcomer to the series, this remake is a testament to the enduring legacy of Final Fantasy VII and a worthy addition to any gamer's collection.
