Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is Remake supercharged

One of the most captivating aspects of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake was the breathtaking visuals, particularly the awe-inspiring depiction of Midgar. The towering plates, ominously looming over the slums, were finally rendered in daylight—a striking contrast to the original’s pre-rendered backgrounds trapped in perpetual night. This transformation showcased the potential of a remake, leaving players in awe.

With Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the sequel to the Remake, players can anticipate a similar sense of wonder, but this time enhanced by an open-world experience. Gone are the vague, muted colors of the overworld; what awaits is a fully explorable industrial wasteland, marred by garbage and toxic waste. The planet’s degradation is clear, yet life persists, with charming wildlife like the bunnies spotted hopping through the debris.

Above this desolation stands Junon, a military city casting a shadow over the impoverished inhabitants below. While it may not possess the iconic status of Midgar, Junon contributes to the grand sense of scale that Rebirth promises.

While it retains the essence of its predecessor, Rebirth elevates the experience, offering faster-paced and visually stunning gameplay. The graphics, sound, and cinematography are top-notch, creating moments that feel akin to playing through a cinematic experience—akin to Advent Children, but with player control.

This evolution was anticipated following the success of the Remake, which pushed the boundaries of what a remake could achieve. However, what truly intrigues is how the story has been altered and the consequences stemming from the narrative changes in the Remake, details that will only be revealed upon the full release.

A recent hands-on session with Rebirth featured two missions: The Fated Mt Nibel Mission and The Open Wilds of Junon.

The first mission was a linear quest reminiscent of the Remake, set during a flashback shortly after the party departs from Midgar. Players control a young Tifa, donned in a cowboy hat, alongside a new SOLDIER recruit, Cloud, and the legendary Sephiroth, as they journey to a nearby Mako Reactor. This iteration presents the Mako Spring with stunning turquoise energy, enhancing the visual allure.

Traversal to the Reactor has been designed with more complexity than in the original, featuring climbing sections and a dramatic sky backdrop, contrasting the colorful magic effects during battles. This quest culminates in a boss fight against a Materia Guardian, a bat-like demon that poses a challenge to the party.

What sets this section apart is the introduction of Sephiroth as a playable character. Unlike in the original game, where he merely joined the party, here he is fully controllable. Armed with his signature Masamune sword and a complete suite of Materia, Sephiroth boasts significant power, easily overshadowing Cloud and trivializing the mission.

New Materia types were also showcased, hinting at an expanded Materia system. Players can discover Autocast Materia that automatically casts spells and Magnify Materia that broadens the spell’s range, allowing for creative combinations reminiscent of the original game. The familiar mechanics, such as resting on benches for HP and MP recovery, remain intact, while some quirks from the Remake persist.

One notable addition to combat is the synergy system. While battles follow the familiar rhythm of building the ATB gauge for abilities and spells, synergy attacks introduce an exciting layer. Players can build synergy points through regular attacks, enabling them to unleash powerful combo attacks once enough points are accumulated.

While synergy attacks contribute to combat dynamics, they may feel overwhelming initially, especially for players new to the expanded mechanics. As the preview session aimed to showcase the game’s features, more time spent with the combat system would likely lead to a deeper understanding of the strategies involved.

In the next mission set in Junon, players experienced the synergy attacks between a full party, including Cloud, Aerith, Tifa, Barrett, and Red XIII. Each combination produced unique and extravagant synergy attacks, making battles visually captivating. For example, Firework Blade showcased a dazzling array of magical sword strikes between Aerith and Cloud.

The Junon mission served to highlight the open world aspect of the game, with a new crafting system allowing players to gather resources for creating items, armor, and accessories. Chocobos play a significant role in travel, boasting a new reorchestrated theme that enhances the experience. These creatures can also aid in finding hidden treasures, although some limitations in their abilities were noted.

Enemy encounters can feature additional objectives, such as time limits or specific attack methods, adding replayability to battles. The developers promise a wealth of side quests and minigames, suggesting the open world will be rich with exploration opportunities.

After joining the party at the conclusion of the Remake, Red XIII is now a playable character in Rebirth. His combat style is frantic and animalistic, distinct from other characters. His unique Vengeance gauge builds by guarding attacks, enhancing his fighting abilities when activated.

In the slums beneath Junon, players encounter familiar faces, including a young Priscilla and the formidable sea creature, Terror of the Deep, in a thrilling boss battle that showcases the refined combat mechanics. The mission encourages players to switch characters and utilize synergy points effectively, resulting in dynamic and engaging gameplay.

One intriguing twist occurs when the team must save Yuffie, suggesting her integration into the main story rather than being an optional character, as in the original game.

With remarkable visual fidelity, new combat wrinkles, and an expansive open world, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth strikes a balance between familiarity and innovation. The latest trailers reveal exciting features, including the return of the Gold Saucer with updated minigames and beloved characters, along with stunning summons.

As anticipation builds, questions linger regarding potential plot twists and the fate of key characters. The excitement surrounding Rebirth continues to grow as fans eagerly await its release.