| Final Fantasy VII Rebirth | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gameplay & Story | Release Date | DLC & Pre-Order | Review |
| Release Date | |
|---|---|
| February 29, 2024 More Details |
|
| Genre | |
| Action-Adventure, RPG, Open-World | |
| Platforms | Price (MSRP) |
 |
$69.99 |
| Developer | Publisher |
| Square Enix Creative Business Unit I | Square Enix |
| Number of Players | Age Rating |
| 1 | ESRB Teen |
| Time to Finish | Cross Platform Play |
| 50-100+ Hours | No |
| Official Website | Official Website for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth |
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Latest News
⚫︎ Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is one of the 55 games Sony listed as enhanced for the PS5 Pro in their Official PlayStation Blog. The game received a 1.050 update on November 4th to prepare for its PS5 Pro release. This update addresses various issues and introduces Versatility Mode, which combines the best of Graphics and Performance Mode. This mode aims to provide 4K, 60 frames-per-second (FPS) experience.
⚫︎ The Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Poster Collection became available for pre-order in June of 2024, with an expected release date of March 18, 2025, according to its listing on Amazon
⚫︎ In an episode of Insider Square Enix back in May of 2024, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s director Naoki Hamaguchi and his co-developers talked about how the game would evolve the series by offering players "even more freedom." than the previous entry. They also intend to build upon the foundation laid in the previous installments for the third part of the trilogy.
⚫︎ In the lead-up to the game's February launch, FF7 Rebirth Creative Director Tetsuya Nomura reminded players in a letter posted to the game's official Twitter account to post "spoiler warnings" on social media posts about anything related to the game's story. He urged players to avoid spoiling the experience for those who hadn't played the game yet.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Overview
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (or FF7 Rebirth) is the second installment in Square Enix’s reimagining of the classic PS1 game, Final Fantasy VII. Building on the success of Final Fantasy VII Remake, Rebirth continues the story of Cloud Strife and his companions as they journey beyond the confines of Midgar and confront larger threats to their world. Their ultimate goal: to stop Sephiroth from unleashing Meteor and destroying the planet.
The game largely follows the events of the original game’s Disc 1, though with significant changes that reshape the narrative. The party continues to face powerful foes, including the Whispers, which represent the concept of fate that seeks to control the actions of the characters. These entities appear to steer the group towards an inevitable conclusion that they struggle to resist.
Remake's ending also sets up Rebirth's opening with the reintroduction of Zack Fair, the main protagonist of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. Once limited to flashbacks in the original, Zack now embarks on his own path, running parallel to Cloud and the main party's journey. But there is a lingering question: How can Cloud have already escaped Midgar with the group if Zack is simultaneously carrying an unconscious Cloud to safety?
Initially released on February 29, 2024, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is currently a PlayStation 5 exclusive. While no official ports have been confirmed, it’s possible that the game may eventually be released on other platforms, following the precedent set by Final Fantasy VII Remake and Final Fantasy XVI.
| PlayStation |
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| Price | $69.99 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Gameplay
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is an action-adventure RPG that builds on the foundation set by the previous entry. However, unlike the more linear streets of Midgar in Remake, players now have the freedom to explore a more open world. From the grassy plains near Kalm and the rocky valley leading to Junon, to the mountains of Nibelheim, FF7 Rebirth’s world is full of new locations that rival the original’s overworld. With an expanded world, the game’s traversal mechanics have also been significantly enhanced, with them now allowing players to scale cliffs, zip across terrains, and even ride Chocobos to reach far-flung destinations.
Rebirth’s combat takes what Remake introduced and expands upon it. The real-time battle system returns, with Active Time Battle (ATB) gauges that are filled through normal attacks and can be spent to use items, abilities, and spells. These abilities are unlocked via weapons and Materia—glowing orbs that tap into the Planet’s Lifestream to harness its power, which are then equipped to weapons and armor. Each character brings their own combat style to the fray. Additionally, players can use Synergy Skills, unleash Limit Breaks, and summon powerful creatures to turn the tide in battles.
In addition to combat, Rebirth strengthens the bonds between party members through special side quests and odd jobs. Tasks such as helping Aerith gather flowers or assisting Yuffie with Johnny’s Seaside Inn deepen the connection between Cloud and his companions. These interactions offer a break from the main action, providing moments of respite, and may also unlock special character interactions based on Cloud’s affinity with each party member.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Characters
Cloud Strife
Cloud Strife is the main protagonist of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Despite his stoic exterior, Cloud is driven by complex motivations and tormented by his past encounters with Sephiroth. As he ventures beyond Midgar, Cloud seeks to stop Sephiroth’s cataclysmic plans while unraveling the truth about his own identity and its link to the villain.
Zack Fair
Armed with dreams of becoming a hero and a Buster Blade strikingly similar to Cloud’s, Zack seems to possess knowledge of Cloud that the latter lacks in Rebirth. Like Cloud, he was a former member of SOLDIER, an elite military unit. However, the circumstances surrounding Zack's departure from SOLDIER remain unclear.
Sephiroth
Sephiroth is the main antagonist of the Remake trilogy. His ultimate goal and why he wishes for the destruction of the world remains unclear, but this version of Sephiroth seems to be several steps ahead of Cloud and his friends, knowing more about the narrative’s unfolding than he reveals.
Aerith Gainsborough
Aerith is the ever-optimistic flower seller from the slums of Midgar. Beneath her cheerful exterior, however, lies a heavy truth: She is the last remaining Cetra, an ancient race believed to be the planet's caretakers. Despite the weight of her destiny and the burdens she carries, she faces danger head-on, often being the first to lighten the mood by playfully teasing Cloud along their journey.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Reviews
Almost Perfect Scores Across the Board
Game8 awarded Final Fantasy VII Rebirth a score of 96, marveling at how a 1997 narrative that spawned numerous spin-offs, movies, and even books could still captivate old fans with fresh twists and changes. The game was praised for its impressive scale and the evident love and care put into its development.
IGN gave the game a 91, commending the developers for building upon the solid foundation laid by the Remake and lauding the expansion of the beloved game, much cherished by fans. The Guardian also gave it a near-perfect score of four stars out of five for nearly the same reasons. However, the reviewer criticized the numerous side quests and mini-games, which they argued slowly became obstacles to advancing an otherwise engaging plot.
On Metacritic, the game holds a 92/100. Critics acknowledge some pacing issues and unnecessary content within the already massive game but commend its sheer size. And many users seem to agree, as the game boasts 9.0 User Rating on the said platform and a 4.7-star rating on the PlayStation Store, with players praising how the game’s combat—though changed to real-time—is still reminiscent of the original.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Announcement Trailer
Announcement Trailer
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s First Look Trailer, released in 2022, offered a glimpse into the game’s opening moments. The trailer showcased Cloud and Sephiroth teaming up in Mt. Nibel, followed by a poignant scene of Zack Fair carrying an unconscious Cloud to safety in Midgar. The trailer gave the game a "next winter" release window, which ultimately aligned with Rebirth’s official launch date of February 29, 2024.
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