Final Fantasy returns with a newish entry into the storied franchise this time with a “from the grounds up” remake/reboot of classic RPG Final Fantasy 7. Like the original the game follows former soldier turned mercenary for hire Cloud Strife as he’s tasked with a job in aiding with the destruction of the evil Shinra corporation who’s using Earth’s energy or Mako for its own financial gain. While most of the game covers the original’s storyline it makes some key changes that will change the Final Fantasy 7 story and perhaps even the Final Fantasy universe as we currently know it.

Final Fantasy VII Remake is a 2020 remake and reboot of the original Final Fantasy VII from 1997. It is developed and published by Square Enix and is currently available as a timed exclusive on Playstation 4.

Editor’s Note: Near complete to complete spoilers for Final Fantasy VII Remake may be present within this review. Some spoilers for the 1997 original may be present for comparison’s sake with the new storyline. This review is done from the perspective of a first time playthrough experience of Final Fantasy VII as a whole.

A legendary RPG returns for the modern age in Final Fantasy VII Remake.

When Square Enix showed off what looked to be a revamped version of Final Fantasy VII merely to excite gamers with the possibilities of their then-new, in-house Crystal Engine for the Playstation 3 I can’t imagine they’d have thought excitement for the prospect would blow up into an actual retail project being developed. Now here we are a decade and a half later and the remake has been fully realized in retail stores and on gamer’s consoles. It’s perhaps the start of a new beginning for Cloud Strife and his friends as they take on the ever changing winds of destiny.

Revisit Final Fantasy VII in a new coat of paint.

THE GOOD: Final Fantasy VII starts just as the original game did with eco-terrorists Biggs, Wedge, Jessie, Barrett, and recently hired mercenary Cloud Strife invading a Shinra reactor. While the group move throughout the reactor they have Cloud do most of the fighting. This eventually leads to Cloud and Avalanche leader Barrett teaming up to do battle against a giant machine after setting off a bomb. Though they barely manage to escape the group begins to question themselves after witnessing the the destruction of their attack. Set on their resolve the group continue forward with their plans to eliminate Shinra to protect Earth and the Mako energy it provides along with Tifa, Aerith (whom Cloud encountered following the bombing), and Red XIII who joins the group after they invade a lab finding he was an experiment by Shinra scientist Hojo. As the story progresses Cloud begins to suffer from visions of Sephiroth; a soldier who became a legend during his and Zack Fair’s early military career. Meanwhile Barrett plans to bomb another Shinra reactor, but learn that Shinra themselves intend to drop the reactor’s plate on the city below with Avalanche taking the heat. While traversing the reactor they encounter Reno & Rude the former of the two Cloud had previously fought while protecting Aerith from their pursuit. The duo are there to ensure that the plate falls as planned, while Tifa, Barrett, and Cloud are distracted from the fight Rude sets off the self destruct of the plat succeeding and escaping with Reno. As Sector 7’s slums deal with the destruction caused by Shinra, Cloud & co. return to do what they can to help the citizens. In the midst of the chaos Aerith is taken hostage while protecting Barrett’s daughter Marlene. Upon rescuing Aerith she reveals she’s a member of a now near-extinct ancient race known as Cetra whom are connected to the “Promised Neverland” that Shinra has been using to absorb Mako. Sephiroth attacks Shinra HQ to acquire Jenova; an alien being responsible for the extinction of the Cetra people, killing the Shinra President in the process. Rufus, the President’s son assumes control of the company in wake of his father’s death. After being defeated by Cloud and his group they escape and face off against Sephiroth & the Whisperers. After separating Cloud from the others he attempts to convert him to his side, but fails & defeats Cloud in battle. Deciding to not kill Cloud he instead leaves him as Cloud and the remaining forces of Avalanche leave Midgar to stop Sephiroth. An alive Zack Fair seemingly from another dimension suddenly appears defeating Shinra soldiers and carrying an unconscious alternate dimension Cloud with him.

Final Fantasy VII trades its former strategic based combat system for a much more grounded action based combat system.

Final Fantasy VII changing from a strategic JRPG to more of an action-RPG for its combat formula feels a bit odd at firs, especially if you’ve never played any of the handful of modern mainline Final Fantasies. The slowed combat feels a bit casual at times and sort of simplifies things to a soft of embarrassing level. While it’s not quite hand holding level, it does get to a point where there’s not much heart-racing challenge until the middle bit of the game when enemies actually do require an adamant amount of time to figure out the best path to victory. Contrastingly, if you had come off of a playthrough of say Final Fantasy XV then you’ll feel right at home wit the not-so-new combat of Final Fantasy VII Remake. It’s been theorized that Square changed the Final Fantasy combat to appeal to Western audiences due to the prominent rise in action games. Given Square Enix’s own rise in the West he past decade and a half or so it makes sense for their 3D titles Kingdom Hearts become as popular as it is didn’t help the classic formula either. The story is full of emotionally driven characters with their own personal goals & determinations. Standouts for me personally were Cloud, Barrett, Aerith, Reno, Rude, and Jessie, especially in regards to voice acting. For this game to have a first-ever voice over experience (and by this game I obviously mean FFVII & not the series as a whole), the voice cast provided a wonderful performance throughout the run. The story itself has a great message about us needing to be a bit more mindful of our natural resources with pollution and what not which is a bit unique for a 90s game. It doesn’t go off the deep of being too preachy and is sensible with it’s arguments.

Sephiroth returns to break Cloud and his friends.

THE BAD: It should be noted that despite being advertised as a “remake” Final Fantasy VII…let’s say “2020” is more of a reboot of sorts for that universe of characters and potentially the entirety of the Final Fantasy franchise as a whole. While it’s naturally expected for seasoned veterans to be upset by this most of the first main chapter of the game is intact with some sure to be nit-picky parts here and there such as the introduction of the Whispers; time traveling spirits that see to destiny remaining as such and going unchanged. This understandably feels like a cop out, but if Square honestly has plans to use Cloud & friends long term post this new “remake” universe then that’s also understandable. After all they’re almost certainly the most recognizable characters in the Final Fantasy franchise currently and maybe the Final Fantasy XV universe following close behind considering how huge that game got. The new combat mechanic while welcoming to newcomers does aide in a lack of challenge in the first half of the game. Almost to being frustratingly easy, thankfully enemy difficulty rectifies this as the game goes on. Side Quests also have a bad habit of feeling like uninspired busy work. You’d think that with the evolution of side stories in these types of games Square would do a bit more to make them worth while, but if this was for the sake of authenticity & faithfulness to the original game then that’s fair.

Square Enix brings about the dawn of a new era for Final Fantasy VII.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Final Fantasy VII will have a love/hate relationship for old and new fans of the original and the series in its entirety, but for what it accomplishes as a remake I think it helps expand the Final Fantasy series keeping it’s longevity ensured. In addition to spinning off the Final Fantasy VII story into it’s own universe something Square Enix has previously attempted before with tie-in media and such. I think Square has what it takes to satisfy both sides of the Final Fantasy fandom with old and new fans, and so far this is a pretty excellent start.