Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Review
When it comes to Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, I want to clarify that I have never played the original version. The first Final Fantasy game I played earnestly and seriously was the predecessor of Rebirth, called Remake. Since the 7 Remake, I have truly fallen in love with Final Fantasy, perhaps from the perspective of preferring the modern and action-oriented style of Final Fantasy rather than the traditional JRPG. So if you want to read this review, please understand that this is the viewpoint of an outsider, with little knowledge and appreciation for Square's old style of Final Fantasy, but rather a love for the fast-paced, action RPG that the 7 Remake brought.
Therefore, the idea of remaking the legendary game Final Fantasy 7 was clearly not one that pleased everyone, and even the term "Remake" here is not entirely accurate when looking at how the 7 Remake ended. However, it was enough to attract new fans like me, who have been playing games for 20 years without any interest in this famous RPG franchise. And when the 7 Remake ended to make way for the next installment, Rebirth, I was very excited because, after nearly half a decade, I was once again immersed in the cinematic adventure of Cloud and his friends. My concern, and that of many others, is whether its scale will be even larger than the previous installment, and what Rebirth will do to elevate it when Remake had already done so excellently before. Fortunately, after spending around 150 hours breathing in the atmosphere of Rebirth, I feel that if Remake was already a pinnacle, then Rebirth makes Remake seem like just a demo.
When approaching Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, I want to clarify that I have never played the original version. The first Final Fantasy game I played earnestly and seriously was the predecessor of Rebirth, named Remake. Since Final Fantasy 7 Remake, I have truly fallen in love with the franchise, perhaps due to its modern and action-oriented style rather than the traditional JRPG format. Therefore, if you want to read this review, please understand that it represents the perspective of an outsider with little knowledge and appreciation for Square's old style of Final Fantasy, but a strong preference for the fast-paced, action RPG that the 7 Remake offers.
Thus, the idea of remaking the legendary game Final Fantasy 7 was clearly not one that pleased everyone, and even the term "Remake" here is not entirely accurate when considering how the 7 Remake ended. However, it was enough to attract new fans like me, who have been gaming for 20 years without any interest in this famous RPG franchise. And when the 7 Remake concluded to make way for the next installment, Rebirth, I was very excited because, after nearly half a decade, I could once again immerse myself in the cinematic adventure of Cloud and his teammates. My concern, and that of many others, is whether its scale will surpass the previous installment, and how Rebirth will elevate it when Remake had already excelled. Fortunately, after spending around 150 hours breathing in the atmosphere of Rebirth, I feel that if Remake was already a pinnacle, then Rebirth makes Remake seem like just a demo.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth begins with a shock and then spends the rest of the game taking players from one surprise to another. Now, the main characters have left Midgar, understanding that what happens next will no longer be confined to that small city, but their influence has spread across the entire planet of Gaia. This is when they realize they must track down Sephiroth, the strongest and most dangerous being on this planet. Of course, this journey becomes increasingly complex with numerous unpredictable developments, such as a dramatic increase in new characters, alongside the schemes and ambitions of those with grand designs. As a result, this adventure marks the first time in the remake trilogy that players will explore a truly open world with numerous locations that serve both the storyline and gameplay. Like Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Rebirth follows the storyline and pacing of the original Final Fantasy 7 from 1997. However, as mentioned above, the term "Remake" no longer implies a 1:1 remake, and Rebirth continues this trend by introducing elements clearly absent from the original.
As someone who hasn't played the original and doesn't intend to anytime soon, I am not affected by these deviations. OG fans might have certain complaints, as memories from nearly 30 years ago still linger, but for me, the presence of new elements in the storyline adds a fresh twist to the journey.
Basically, Cloud and his teammates, aside from seeking Sephiroth, will encounter numerous characters, both old and new, including those no one expected to appear. This includes the surprising and confusing presence of Zack Fair, whose fate is well-known to anyone who played the original. However, his survival and direct impact on the storyline make for an intriguing twist. I won't delve into his role, but he certainly lives up to being Cloud's sworn brother. Additionally, the schemes of Wutai and the ambitions of Shinra's president, Rufus Shinra, add depth to the storyline, preventing it from focusing solely on Sephiroth in a monotonous way.
Therefore, I think that long-time fans who dislike the remake trilogy may also struggle to appreciate Rebirth. Although Rebirth takes us to familiar places and characters from the 1997 original, they and their surroundings have undergone changes, true to the spirit of the Remake. Even Square Enix has stated that Rebirth continues from Remake and follows the game's intended direction. Hence, this next installment may not be a friendly starting point. Okay, hearing this, you might be skeptical about the quality of the storyline, but I want to assure you that this is one of the best RPG storylines I've ever experienced. In summary, you need to understand what you're getting into with Rebirth because to analyze the events and characters fully, you must be familiar with this world. Therefore, the Rebirth storyline will only truly shine if you are entirely in sync with the previous Remake, as I am.
Delving into the storyline, we see Cloud beginning to explain his history with Sephiroth and Tifa in his hometown of Nibelheim. This history fundamentally narrates why Sephiroth transformed from a hero into a mad monster. However, everyone must move on because Sephiroth is still out there. Thus, with the only clue being the mysterious people in black cloaks mumbling about a “reunion,” the journey begins. These cloaked individuals are like devout followers who revere Sephiroth as a pope. They await what they believe to be a "bright" turn for the planet Gaia, but Cloud and his team realize that it’s not brightness at all, but doom. Therefore, following them is the best way to lead them to Sephiroth.
In this adventure, Cloud, Tifa, Barret, Aerith, and Red XIII will meet new allies including Yuffie, Cait Sith, Vincent Valentine, and Cid Highwind. Two out of these four new allies are playable characters. But whether they are playable or not, the main cast has expanded significantly. In fact, with everything that has happened, I am quite relieved that not every character is playable. This avoids the gameplay being forced and potentially overwhelming, inadvertently detracting from the storyline. Hence, with some allies appearing only towards the end of the game, not being able to play them helps their narrative arcs to be presented more comfortably, without any rush, feeling like a teaser or trailer for what’s to come in the final part of the trilogy. I believe they might be playable in the final installment.
Thus, the pacing of the storyline has been handled impressively by Square. Of course, its pacing also greatly depends on how you play the game. If you rush through the main story instead of engaging in side quests and other activities, it will feel very different from someone aiming for 100% completion. However, regardless of your approach, each chapter in the game feels necessary to me. There are very short chapters and some very long ones that can feel tedious, but overall, they all play crucial roles, so nothing feels superfluous. Especially with the longer chapters, I never felt tired because most of these chapters help us understand the characters in Cloud's team better. This is also when the game breathes easier, not always requiring action but allowing moments to relax and see how the team is bonding.
These chapters also delve into the backgrounds of the characters, revealing that each of them has a dark past and it’s not easy for them to open up. These elements contribute to the characters’ development being tightly constructed and convincing to players. As someone who has never played the original, I was genuinely surprised to learn about the background and origins of the burly, dark-skinned man, Barret. He always carries a righteous smile and great confidence, being a crucial emotional anchor for the team. Square has delicately portrayed the typical open-hearted humor of a person of color. In Barret, we always see joy and safety. Although Cloud is the leader, in reality, the team has long been considered the terrorist group Avalanche, and Barret is the leader of this terrorist group.
Yet, a righteous, humorous, and strong Barret hides a dark past that we must play through to understand. Even he cannot forgive himself for certain things. Admittedly, the segment passing through his hometown in the remote coal-mining village of Corel deeply moved me. It is the only chapter in the entire game that brought me to tears. All emotions—anger, sadness, optimism, confidence—are experienced through betrayal, struggle, deceit, and camaraderie. It is a chapter dedicated to men who appear strong but are deeply vulnerable due to a harsh past, rising up to move forward and fight for a better future.
Then there’s Red XIII, who also gets a chapter explaining his origins, lineage, and noble purpose. Initially captured and experimented on by the mad scientist Hojo, Red XIII endured an incredibly harrowing time. Upon returning to his hometown in Cosmo Canyon, we learn more about his true identity. New characters such as the spirited ninja Yuffie from Wutai also appear. Having played Yuffie in the Intermission DLC and having rated it 9 out of 10 three years ago on Phá Đảo, her return immediately caught my attention. Yuffie adds a vibrant dynamic to the Avalanche team, particularly contrasting with Cloud's taciturn and dark demeanor. Then there’s Cait Sith, controlled by Reeve Tuesti, who, despite not having much to describe about this robotic cat, brings a small plot twist to the story, keeping players intrigued. Finally, the mysterious marksman Vincent and the pilot Cid Highwind appear towards the end of the game. The storyline doesn’t delve deeply into their characters initially, setting the stage for them to have more significant roles in the final part of the trilogy.
Yet, discussing all the characters without focusing on the central trio—Cloud, Tifa, and Aerith—would be incomplete. Overall, the character development of these three is meticulously crafted. If one must be precise, it feels like this game centers around Aerith and her friends rather than Cloud and his friends. The narrative indeed revolves around Aerith, making her the focal point of the story. OG fans might anticipate certain events, but instead of spoiling anything, I believe Aerith deserves this spotlight. While Cloud was the standout character in the Remake, Aerith takes that role in Rebirth. I have a feeling Tifa will shine in the final part. But, rather than speculate about the future, let’s focus on the current storyline.
I won’t delve into the romantic speculations or the love triangle that fans often discuss. The most crucial aspect here is the bond among these three characters, which has strengthened significantly, making them the emblem of the Avalanche team. Cloud, who has started to open up more, now willingly shares with not just his childhood friend Tifa but also Zack’s former lover, Aerith. There are moments of affection, misunderstandings, and intimate gestures between him and the two leading ladies. Regardless, we see Cloud striving to protect them and help them reach their best selves.
This shows that Cloud isn’t merely a stoic figure as depicted in the Remake. He emerges as a more assertive leader, fighting for what’s right. This strength reminds Aerith of Zack and makes us realize that Cloud isn’t just a shadow but a character capable of more. Tifa, too, sees that Cloud, having left his hometown early to become a high-ranking SOLDIER and now an ex-SOLDIER, has endured a great deal. Cloud now faces not only mental struggles but also PTSD nightmares left by Sephiroth, leading him to fight an internal battle. What he ultimately gains from this struggle is the ability to protect Gaia and, more importantly, those he loves.
Hence, looking at Cloud, we see how significant Tifa and Aerith are to him. Tifa, strong, charismatic, and sensuous, contrasts with the gentle, graceful, and elegant Aerith. Tifa, still bearing a grudge against Shinra for orphaning her, remains a steadfast companion to Cloud, even when he loses himself. She’s a genuine friend who could become something more. Meanwhile, Aerith, who steps into this second part shining both literally and figuratively, is the protagonist of Rebirth. Her beauty is more radiant as her innocence and charm have matured into a pure, alluring elegance. Aerith isn’t just a weak, weepy girl; she emerges as someone who sheds her anxieties to prove she’s strong and not a burden to the team. Her humility in the Remake has transformed into a confidence that commands the spotlight and draws everyone's attention.
Square Enix seems to have favored Aerith by giving her the most screen time, allowing her to truly shine. Consequently, we now see not only how gentle and caring she is with Cloud, but also her beauty manifested through her talents in music and dance. This demonstrates that her poetic nature is far from simple. The journey ahead for Cloud's team is fraught with danger and challenges, but Aerith is there to remind her friends that life is filled with optimistic colors, and its worth is undeniable. Perhaps that's why, no matter how stoic Cloud tries to be, he can't resist the positivity Aerith radiates. She is there to make him realize how beautiful Gaia is, and why Sephiroth must be stopped—because Aerith is deeply connected to him, and Cloud must protect her at all costs. People often say the most beautiful thing about a woman is her smile, and no game has ever made me feel as deeply connected to a character as Final Fantasy 7 has with Cloud, making me feel a burning desire to protect Aerith's smile. She is the treasure of the entire planet, a precious gem that must not be tainted.
Aerith's character development also ensures she is no longer one-dimensional to the point of doubting whether her innocence, coupled with a touch of coyness, is genuine or not. Instead, we find ourselves truly admiring her charm. Therefore, when it comes to Rebirth, Aerith might be just a piece of the enchanting puzzle, but turns out no one can deny that she is the most crucial piece.
Turning to Sephiroth. Usually in games which heavy on plot, I would discuss the main bosses or villains. However, this time it's different because I don't see Sephiroth as a mere villain. This character is a symbol of the entire gaming industry, known even to someone like me who hadn't played Final Fantasy before. So after playing the Remake, the DLC Intermission, and now Rebirth, I still don't see Sephiroth as just a villain—he is much more than that. Simply put, he transcends the definition of an antagonist. His goals and ambitions aren't just about plunging Gaia into dust. The brilliance of the trilogy, particularly in Rebirth, lies in how Cloud and his allies follow his footsteps to portray his grandeur. He doesn't need to show his face for us to see how formidable he is; others naturally exalt his majesty. Of course, Sephiroth's depth comes from the fact that the Remake, and more precisely Rebirth, has significantly altered his storyline, giving him different ambitions and schemes compared to the original. I don't know if OG fans appreciate this portrayal, but I do. It showcases his terrifying power, making him the true final boss worthy of facing the Avalanche team, if not even beyond their capabilities.
Therefore, even though he doesn't dominate the screen time, his presence is felt throughout the game. That's how you portray a great villain—someone whose influence is ever-present. He's akin to Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter, fitting the mold of "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."
Ultimately, Sephiroth's compelling portrayal wouldn't be complete without his own sorrows. He lived his whole life in a world full of lies, manipulated into becoming the perfect killing machine, with destiny forcing him to become a villain. The irony is that he became the most esteemed SOLDIER figure, commanding universal respect, yet when he discovered his true past, he realized he was merely a tool. From there, his ambition became unstoppable. Thus, we see Sephiroth as cool and badass, but have we ever truly understood his inner turmoil? People always ask where Sephiroth is, but never asks how he feels.
In conclusion, Rebirth's storyline has matured to perfection, from character development to setting creation. Every narrative element intertwines seamlessly, creating a harmonious symphony of emotions. Tears and laughter are guaranteed, and don't be surprised if you find yourself deeply moved by the end of Rebirth's journey, eagerly anticipating the final part of this magnificent trilogy to discover the fate of Cloud and his team.
When it comes to gameplay, it's not drastically different from the previous Remake. Most of the improvements and innovations stem from adding new playable characters or introducing new abilities, while the core combat system remains true to what the Remake established.
By moving away from traditional JRPG mechanics in the Remake, Rebirth delivers smooth, high-speed gameplay that is perfect for players like me who find the slow-paced nature of traditional JRPGs exhausting. This year, I was pleasantly surprised by Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, which managed to make JRPG gameplay more dynamic and entertaining. However, I must admit that Rebirth's gameplay is exactly what I have been looking for.
The gameplay of the previous Remake and the current Rebirth is arguably the biggest reason I decided to try the Final Fantasy series, and it inadvertently won me over. Essentially, it's an action RPG with a bit of JRPG, but I can confidently say that casual gamers will treat it as a pure action game rather than a JRPG. Unlike Final Fantasy 16, which sparked debates last year for having too much action and almost no RPG elements in its gameplay, Rebirth clearly retains plenty of RPG elements. It leans heavily towards action, and those familiar with Western action RPGs won't take long to get used to the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy in general or Rebirth in particular.
The characters' attacks have been simplified into button presses akin to hack-and-slash games. For instance, Cloud's sword slashes can now be executed with the Square button on the PlayStation controller, but he can also combine combos through the shortcut system. Once the ATB gauge is full, he can use special abilities, ensuring that combat flow is never interrupted. This system applies to all characters. Tifa, with her gauntlet attacks, is best suited for slow-moving ground enemies. Barret and Aerith are effective against aerial enemies or for dealing wide-area damage, as they can attack from a distance. Red XIII, similar to Tifa and Cloud, engages in direct combat. Ninja Yuffie and robot Cat Sith are versatile, capable of both ranged and close combat.
If I had to pick a character I control the most, it would be Cloud and Yuffie. Cloud is indispensable in the lineup, and using him continuously is almost inevitable. Therefore, Square has invested in making his combat system incredibly badass. It's not just mindlessly spamming the Square button; you can customize his attack system. Controlling Cloud feels more satisfying than ever, and he deserves to be as cool in combat as Dante from Devil May Cry in this fast-paced action setting. I'm no longer surprised by Cloud's strength, as the previous Remake already familiarized me with his combat style, but the satisfaction remains undiminished in Rebirth. He can quickly switch between Operation Mode for faster, less damaging attacks, and Punisher Mode for slower, more powerful attacks that cannot parry. This makes combat diverse and adaptable to various strategies. Moreover, Square has improved aerial combat, making Cloud a nearly perfect warrior. After dodging an attack, holding the Square button allows him to immediately close in on enemies and execute a Rush Attack to finish them off. With skill, you can continuously juggle enemies in the air, leaving them no chance to retaliate.
Yuffie, with her versatile melee and ranged attacks, almost always occupies a slot in my starting lineup instead of being benched. Her strength lies in her ability to handle any type of enemy. Against aerial foes, she can throw her boomerang and use ninja techniques to attack from afar. For ground enemies, she engages in close combat without hesitation. She also has a smoke escape move to easily evade enemy attacks. Another character I frequently use is Tifa, whose direct combat abilities allow her to unleash deadly combos like Cloud. She is particularly useful for launching enemies into the air and chaining non-stop combos, giving AI-controlled allies space to attack from different positions. Thus, my main combat trio consists of Cloud, Yuffie, and Tifa.
Barret and Aerith also have their strengths. Barret, with his gatling gun, can quickly build up the enemy's stagger meter and has the highest HP in the team, making him a great choice before boss fights. Aerith, if built properly, could be the strongest character in the game. However, I don't use her much because her support-heavy combat style focuses on healing and aiding allies. She excels in analyzing enemy weaknesses, adding an ATB bar, and restoring health and mana.
When it comes to JRPG elements, the game allows you to slow down time when opening the command menu. At this point, you can select characters and choose their actions against any enemy. This feature, introduced in the Remake, strikes a harmonious balance between classic and modern gameplay, allowing both fast-paced and slow-paced action to coexist. However, even with the command menu open, enemies continue to act, albeit in slow motion, so you still need to think quickly about your moves. In practice, I don't use the command menu much because I prefer my combat to be as smooth and fast-paced as in Devil May Cry, and the shortcut system has become an invaluable tool. I immediately set shortcut keys for the characters' skills, including Limit Breaks, ensuring my combos are uninterrupted. Even Synergy attacks can be integrated into shortcuts, keeping battles at a breakneck pace. The addition of new characters has significantly expanded the repertoire of cooperative attacks, allowing players to adapt quickly to changing battle situations. Frequent use of these attacks positively influences Cloud's relationships with his teammates, which can be useful for those side quests where you take Cloud on dates.
Another crucial combat element is the use of materia and summons. While not entirely novel, these elements are indispensable for character builds. I typically focus on materia that increase health and mana, rather than those that deal elemental damage or inflict status effects. Summons are extremely useful in long battles, such as boss fights or encounters with overwhelming enemy numbers, as their high-damage attacks provide additional strategic options.
The beauty of combat in this game is that button mashing leads to failure. The game heavily invests in skills, special moves, materia powers, summons, and most importantly, Synergy attacks, encouraging players to explore and master these elements. These are all tied to the ATB gauge, which rewards players for thoughtful use of its charges. The system prevents spamming and ensures that combat is never mindlessly simple but always strategically engaging, staying true to RPG roots.
With such visually stunning combat, the bosses also need to be impressive. Indeed, Rebirth features a significantly increased number of bosses, ensuring constant action. The diversity of bosses is commendable, with each offering unique challenges and keeping players excited and engaged.
Combat aside, Rebirth's gameplay doesn't stop there. The game presents a distinct atmosphere compared to the Remake, with its open-world design. Whether it's truly open-world or more of a semi-open-world hub, the game offers an expansive and interconnected world. Gaia's entire planet is reconstructed into several mini open worlds that are seamlessly connected without loading screens. This hub world design allows for expansive exploration, making it one of the most impressive open-world designs I've seen.
However, this seamless integration also has its weaknesses, as it tends to lean towards the Ubisoft style or the typical Japanese completionist approach, with repetitive open-world tasks. These tasks often follow a generic pattern, requiring players to seek them out for completion, with only the environmental aesthetics providing variation. For example, tasks like activating transmission towers or defeating various types of monsters. Personally, I lack motivation to complete these open-world exploration tasks because the character Chadley, who oversees them, appears too frequently. The only positive aspect of Chadley's involvement is that it incentivizes me with rewards such as new materia or summons. However, I find myself drawn to open-world exploration for its scenic beauty rather than its gameplay elements. Having played open-world RPGs like Dragon’s Dogma 2 or Elden Ring, I feel somewhat hesitant towards RPGs with checklist-based exploration. These tasks aren't necessarily bad; they just diminish the element of surprise and can feel somewhat coercive, pushing players to follow a predetermined path rather than sparking curiosity.
But with combat shining brightly and the open world presenting a weakness, does Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth need something to bolster its gameplay? Fortunately, side quests and minigames have emerged as saving graces. While they may not be the main focus of gameplay, they have unexpectedly become topics of discussion among gamers, especially the minigames.
I was pleasantly surprised by Square Enix's investment in the card game Queen’s Blood. It's a minigame with surprising depth, which seems to elevate it beyond the typical scope of minigames. The rules are simple—you place cards, and by the end, the total points in three rows must exceed your opponent's to win. However, in practice, defeating your opponent is far from simple. The ease of introduction coupled with the difficulty of mastery makes this game addictive and might even cause you to momentarily forget about the main storyline. Other minigames like playing the piano, riding dolphins, or the pinnacle being Chocobo racing, add to the diversity of the game's minigames, making it almost unparalleled in the RPG world. What's great about these minigames is that they never feel like obstacles or nuisances; you can choose to ignore them or participate willingly. As such, they are always there as an option whenever you feel like taking a break from the main story.
Additionally, the side quests, while not particularly outstanding, are at a moderate level typical of Japanese-designed games. The good thing here is that completing them contributes to Cloud's reputation with the ladies in the game, providing some motivation for players, especially if they're interested in using Cloud to woo any of the female characters.
Overall, the gameplay of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is extensive yet never overwhelming. It demands players to invest their time seriously, and it's best to do so thoughtfully. From there, it helps players realize that the most important thing is the experience of the journey rather than just reaching destinations. Despite the open-world elements that sometimes feel unnecessary in the form of checklist tasks, the game remains engaging, making Gaia a planet worth getting lost in.
I have to tip my hat to Square Enix for their meticulous work on this game. It truly is one of the most visually and aurally pleasing games ever made. First, let's talk about the graphics. At first glance, one might think Unreal Engine 4 is a bit outdated, and indeed, some scenes in Final Fantasy Rebirth do look somewhat last-gen due to textures not being rendered perfectly. However, this is only noticeable if you scrutinize too closely to the point of nitpicking. Essentially, for me, this game has some of the best graphics ever. The fact that it doesn't need Unreal Engine 5 to look this good is commendable for Square Enix. It's not easy for an open-world game made with Unreal Engine to run so smoothly, but I'll discuss performance later.
In this game, we get to visit many regions on the planet Gaia, and in every place, the magical beauty is ever-present. Right from the beginning of the game, I was immediately awakened by the introduction of the Glassland region. A warm sunny sky, and a coastal area, everything looks like a perfect natural painting. In previous game reviews, when talking about graphics, I have often shared that I prefer summer over any other season, and any scene depicting summer almost certainly scores points with me. And with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the Glassland region didn't take long to immerse me in its picturesque scenery. It's like a Mediterranean vegetation carpet, and this is only Unreal Engine 4; I can't imagine how beautiful it would be with Unreal Engine 5. Saying goodbye to Glasslands, we have Junon, closer to the sea with rich civil constructions, creating a bustling port and military camp. Then there's the Corel region, divided into two areas: the beautiful Costa del Sol beach, no less splendid than the Glassland, and the rugged mountains that are Barret's homeland. Cloud's hometown lies in Nibel, reminiscent of a cold northern mountainous area, like being in Switzerland.
But the most impressive are the two regions, Cosmo Canyon and Gongaga. These two regions have designs that feel distinctly different from the others. Cosmo Canyon evokes the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA. The canyons in Cosmo Canyon seem to have been eroded by flowing water, exposing striking red-orange rocks with distinctive lines, resulting in a majestic view. Gongaga, on the other hand, is a tropical rainforest, with various animals, waterfalls, lush vegetation, creating a diverse ecosystem, serving as Gaia's lungs. And that's just the beauty of nature; Rebirth also shines in its architectural works. From interiors to exteriors, everything feels handcrafted. Each region shows a unique architectural style, avoiding monotony. All of this creates a diverse planet Gaia, much like Earth itself. There are still a few places yet to appear in this Rebirth version, like Yuffie's homeland Wutai, so I'm eagerly anticipating being amazed in the final part of this trilogy when we get to visit the remaining parts of Gaia.
Moving on to the music, it's no surprise that legendary composer Nobuo Uematsu continues to score for Rebirth. He, along with his collaborators, has delivered a deeply emotional soundtrack with many classic melodies as well as new tunes never heard before. Besides the iconic tracks from the original FF7, now covered to fit modern times, what I appreciate most is the smart arrangement of the soundtrack. Especially since the game has transitioned to an open world, many tracks are composed specifically for exploration, not only sounding great but also looping cleverly to ensure a smooth experience. The new tracks also excite me because they have a Hollywood-esque vibe, making them feel like blockbuster action movie scores rather than typical Japanese game music. This shows that cinematic quality is a hallmark that cannot be lost with this famous franchise.
Additionally, the voice acting and character animations are top-notch, and worthy of AAA status. I don't play with the English voice-over but stick with the Japanese, so I can't comment on the English voice acting, but the Japanese voice work is undoubtedly my top choice. If you're familiar with my previous reviews, you know that the Megaman X series is my favorite. The voice actor for X, a close friend of Zero, is Takahiro Sakurai. I have always loved X's voice and didn't realize that Takahiro Sakurai also voiced Cloud until I played the FF7 Remake four years ago. So, it's like hearing my idol voicing the badass protagonists of Japanese games. Other characters also deliver perfect performances, especially the three ladies Tifa, Aerith, and Yuffie, who give performances that will resonate with long-time anime fans. Overall, if you enjoyed the previous Remake, you will not be disappointed with the music and voice acting in this game.
After all, visual and audio elements would be meaningless if the game's performance couldn't present them stably, and it turns out this game runs so smoothly that I find it hard to believe, given its vast scale. In reality, even without Unreal Engine 5, Unreal Engine 4 is still a relatively heavy engine if fully utilized. Even for current-gen consoles, it's a significant challenge to run it. So, I was a bit worried about Rebirth becoming open-world. Remarkably, my worries were unfounded as the game runs exceptionally smoothly. One of the classic weaknesses of Epic's engine is frequent shader stuttering, and to optimize, the game often prompts players to load shaders to 100% before starting to ensure no stuttering. However, I didn't experience any shader stuttering in this game, running smoothly throughout my 150 hours of gameplay. This is even more impressive considering it's an open world, where transitioning from one area to another without loading screens makes the absence of stuttering a commendable technical achievement.
Japanese developers typically prefer using domestic engines over Western ones, but I have to respect the developers at Square Enix. Rebirth is not only an outstanding game in terms of content but also technically excellent. It truly is one of the most enjoyable games in every aspect. Especially in 60FPS mode, I barely noticed any frame drops, and the seamless transition from gameplay to cutscene enhances the smooth, impressive experience. With the high-speed SSD of the PS5, loading save files or starting a new game takes only about 2 seconds, making returning to the game effortless and delightful. In summary, regarding the presentation, Rebirth deserves praise for its meticulous detail, ensuring a visually and aurally satisfying experience for gamers until the very end.
VERDICT
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a magnificent game in nearly every aspect that you can experience. The vast open-world exploration, the smoothly designed and addictive combat gameplay, the engaging character interactions, the innovative storyline with perfectly paced delivery, and the excellent side content all contribute to this. Cloud and his familiar companions' journey feels theoretically the same but practically fresh, making it an unforgettable masterpiece. It easily outshines the previous Remake. This game is also bold, embracing a grand ambition in both narrative and gameplay, ensuring that this remake is not merely a carbon copy but a creative endeavor that shines in its own right.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a game I wholeheartedly recommend without hesitation because it sets a benchmark that future RPGs should aspire to. It exemplifies respecting and preserving a legacy while elevating the game to a new level. It's so terrific that it leaves me with just one disappointment: having to endure the long wait, possibly up to half a decade, for the final part of this beautiful trilogy. To discover the fate of Cloud, his friends, and the entire planet Gaia. But perhaps, for a perfect conclusion to this ultimate fantasy, it is well worth the wait, isn't it?
