Desert Rush Challenging Mode Guide and Rewards

Desert Rush is a minigame available in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (FF7 Rebirth). Read on to learn how to unlock Desert Rush and its Challenging Mode, how to play, tips to complete Rank III Desert Rush and reach 55000 points, as well as the rewards for both Standard and Challenging Modes.

Desert Rush Rewards

All Minigame Rewards

The rewards you acquire from completing the minigame will depend on the points you've accumulated throughout the arena.

Desert Rush Rank III Tips

How to Beat Desert Rush Rank III
Increase Your ATB Charge Rate Use Cloud's Punisher Stab on Small Boxes Dodge and Dash to Move Around Use Wind Slashes to Destroy Isolated Boxes Destroy Shock Boxes Attack the Gears to Move the Lift Use Triple Slash on Large Boxes

Increase Your ATB Charge Rate

If you have the Speed Demon Keychain accessory, you can equip it on Cloud to recover his ATB gauge after using a Weapon Skill, allowing you to use abilities frequently to destroy the boxes.

There are also other accessories as well as Materia that can help increase your charge rate and spam abilities!

Other Items that Boost ATB
Item	Type	Effect
Whistlewind Scarf	Accessory	Slightly fills the ATB gauge at the start of the battle.
Aureate Pinion	Accessory	Increases speed by 10.
First Strike	Materia	Increases how full the ATB gauge is at the start of the battle.
Skill Master	Materia	Slightly fills the ATB gauge when multiple ATB commands are performed.

Increasing the speed stat increases ATB charge rate.

Use Cloud's Sweep Attack on Small Boxes

Sweep Attack (Operator Mode)	Hold

If you see a group of boxes grouped up, you can use Cloud's Sweep Attack while in his Operator Mode to destroy a bunch of boxes within one attack.

Dodge and Dash to Move Around

Dash Attack (Operator Mode)	, Hold

Instead of simply walking towards the next pile of boxes, you can press the dodge button then hold the attack button to perform a quick dash attack. This will make Cloud airborne, so you'll have to land first before destroying the boxes around with a Sweep Attack.

Take note that dashing to move around is only recommended when there are boxes nearby. Moving to a different area is much faster by simply walking.

Use Wind Slashes to Destroy Isolated Boxes

Dash Attack (Operator Mode)	,

Some boxes (usually Time Boxes) are placed on isolated parts of the map, making them hard or impossible to reach with melee attacks. These can be destroyed by dodging and tapping the attack button to release ranged wind slashes.

Destroy Shock Boxes to Dispose Gear Boxes

Gear Box	Shock Box

You will notice that some large boxes with lightning emblems plastered on them are obstructing your path in the arena. These boxes are called Gear Boxes, and they can only be destroyed if you break Shock Boxes in the area.

Some Gear Boxes require you to destroy more than one Shock Box, as indicated by the number of bolts on the Gear Box. Once you've destroyed all Shock Boxes, you will then be able to destroy the Gear Box.

Attack the Gears to Move the Lift

To use a lift in Desert Rush, simply attack the gears in the middle to move it! Make sure to move it all the way up or down before getting off.

Use Triple Slash on Large Boxes

When you find a Large Box, it can be easily destroyed by using Cloud's Triple Slash ability thanks to its wide range and increasing damage on each strike.

We recommend that you prioritize destroying large boxes when playing the minigame, as they substantially give more points than the little boxes you encounter along the way.

Set Triple Slash on a Shortcut

It is also recommended to set Triple Slash to one of the command shortcuts so you can quickly use it during the minigame instead of selecting the ability from the command list everytime.

You can set command shortcuts through the Combat Settings screen.

How to Play Desert Rush

Destroy Boxes Along Your Path

The objective of Desert Rush is to accumulate as many points as possible and earn a high rank by destroying the boxes you find along your path. Make sure to destroy the boxes quickly and navigate your way to the arena strategically.

The Desert Rush Minigame is very similar to the Shinra Box Buster Minigame from FF7 Remake Intergrade's INTERmission, wherein you will have to destroy as many boxes as possible during the allotted period.

How to Unlock Desert Rush

Reach Chapter 8 in the Main Story

You can unlock the Desert Rush minigame by progressing through the main storyline and reaching Chapter 8. From there, proceed towards The Dustbowl and head towards Settlement - Ground Level.

Chapter 8: All That Glitters Walkthrough

Unlock Challenging Mode in Chapter 12

Once you reach Chapter 12 of the main story, you unlock Challenging Mode for the Desert Rush minigame. Challenging Mode is a more challenging difficulty than Standard Mode, and offers better rewards when completed.

Chapter 12: A Golden Key Walkthrough

FF7 Rebirth Related Guides

List of All Available Minigames

All Minigame Guides

All Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Minigames
Piano Minigame	Hustle de Chocobo
Moogle MIschief	Dolphin Show Minigame
Junon Parade and All 7th Infantry Locations	Fort Condor
Cactuar Caper and All Cactuar Locations	Run Wild
Card Carnival (Costa del Sol Queen's Blood Challenges)	Pirate's Rampage
Wheelie Rendezvous	Minecart Adventure
G-Bike Minigame	Desert Rush
Galactic Saviors	3D Brawler
Chocobo Races	Musclehead Colosseum
Jumpfrog	Crunch-Off
Glide de Chocobo	Cactuar Crush
Gears and Gambits	Gold Saucer Queen's Blood Challenges