Final Fantasy VII Remake

THIS GAME IS GREAT, but it is not perfect.

This is not really an RPG in the sense you don't really get much opportunity to level up since it follows a fairly traditional action game (stage 1, stage 2, etc...). In the places that you are given a choice to "grind," it is not worth it since the enemies give so little experience points and you have to leave areas and return for the enemies to revive.

There is still some customization involve but it mostly deals with material as opposed to stats, since stats are generally gain to a certain extend. I wish you had more opportunities to explore the city but you don't really get that. ONCE YOU LEAVE AN AREA, THAT IS USUALLY IT. You don't get a chance to go to that area anytime you want.

The camera is ok for the most parts but some battles can get really clunky, especially if the enemies are in a small area or if they are flying. The camera will just go all over the place.

The biggest issue is that the story really doesn't go anywhere, it is just a setup. The Midgar section in the original FF7 was around 3 - 4 hours long only, there is not much story there, just a set up. Square Enix took that and turned it into a fun 30+ hour game. It is not a spoiler but it literally ends when you leave Midgar so yup.

9/10

This game is absolutely stunning in every way. I'm so deeply impressed by it. Incredibly immersive, to the point where I forget I'm actually playing a game. I love all the new content and side quests. It really just adds to and enriches the game and story. Playability is also flawless. The materia, limit, weapon upgrades, etc are all very easy to understand. I feel like replayability is going to be very high with this game; at least for me!

I've loved FFVII since I first played it in 2014. Fortunately, I didn't have to wait as long as most for what was advertised as a remake. It seemed like it was in development forever, the first trailer was 5 long years before the game actually hit the shelves. How is it? It's good! Flawed, but good.

I mentioned that it's advertised as a remake. It's a bit disingenuous of their marketing to say that's the case. While the game is an authentic expansion/remake of about 90% of the Midgar section in the original, it does do some things quite differently (especially at the end). This will be a better experience if you have played the original. The game is designed with this in mind. Going through Crisis Core and watching Advent Children is probably recommended too.

I don't want to gate-keep though; this can be a good entry point into the universe. It's just my recommendation that playing the OG first is best if you can handle older graphics (mods help!).

The creators didn't want to remake everything 1:1, because that's boring to them. I can respect that.

Half the parts it expands upon are pretty fantastic. Many fans did not expect them to include some of the goofier stuff. Turns out, they didn't just include them. They went 500% in. Highlighted them in bright yellow ink. It's glorious.

Characters maintain their core while feeling more grounded and fleshed out. It certainly helps that they don't look like cursed Legos anymore. Not just the main characters are better though; side characters like Jessie, Biggs and Wedge come alive here in a way they never were before. The game also introduces new characters, most of which feel at home in FFVII, though only a few are memorable.

Where the game falters is its incessant padding. Sections that were a screen or two in the original are stretched to literal hours. If you enjoy the gameplay and characters (as I did), it helps these sections a fair bit, but not enough to make them good. A lot of the changes come at the cost of momentum. Midgar in the original is a roaring romp with quick ups and downs before you get out and finally breathe as the world is revealed. Here, the pacing can be rather jarring.

As for the story decisions in particular, I think I'm mostly ok with them. People are afraid that it'll become Kingdom Hearts level of convolution, but I think they need 20 games to even get to that level. I've played Kingdom Hearts, unfortunately. I know how bad it can get... I think what they're doing with the villain is actually quite interesting, but the introduction of him is worse in this entry (another reason to play the original!). It's hard to fully judge these changes. This is only part one of a giant story, and I can't really evaluate it until all three games are out. For now, I'm along for the ride.

Thankfully the rest of the game is fantastic. The music takes motifs and experiments with them more, mixing in more original and memorable tracks. A certain underground section that's really not that compelling overall is joyous to go back to just for the soundtrack. The hubs filled with people are incredibly lively; Midgar still feels huge and varied. The gameplay is a smart hybrid of old Final Fantasy battles and new.

They really just went all out with certain parts. I just wish I could experience it all in less time.

I initially played it during Covid on my PS4. It was a very strange time, driving through empty traffic lights midday to get to a workplace that was deathly quiet. I just wanted to get home and play this. It helped.

This time round, I played the DLC as well with Yuffie's introduction (it wasn't released on PS4). I liked it overall; the gameplay was slick, the narrative was great in the first half but a bit repetitive in the second. And the music was crazy. They did 6 songs for a turtle club side quest - again, that's 6 songs for a turtle club side quest - that you'll only hear about 30 seconds of each if you even decide to do the quest in the first place. All different genres. All turtley.

The DLC is a must play for anyone who likes the series, and clearly a core part of the story.

So the game is great. It does succumb to more anime tropes than the original, whether that's a good or bad thing is up to you. It does make plenty of changes. But its core, its foundation, its heart, is the same. This is the original 5 hours expanded upon and fleshed out. It mostly works. Give it a go.

The original game means so much more to me than nostalgia- as it does to many people. When the original released there were not many games of its scope, its wackiness, its maturity or its willingness to play with themes ahead of its time. Needless to say I was worried square would mess this up after FF13 and FF15 (at release). I was even tempted to not preorder after having my faith in the series shaken since FF12.

Needless to say (as my opinion is in the title)- but this game is incredible. I will be replaying this game for a long time.

Without ruining anything- yes- it has changed things- but only for the better. Elements that needed fleshing out have been- there are no unnecessary elements (only side quests/mini games if you want them) and the finale is absolutely outstanding.

From a graphical standpoint, never have I felt so happy to have invested in a pro and a 4k tv- and this is from someone who thought that when I played God of War. It is breathtaking in every section.

The soundtrack is, again, incredible. From the intro to the outro I found myself occasionally just amazed with how well this game all fits together- and the music is the glue- I will be downloading it after writing this review. The voice acting is absolutely amazing, even from third party characters of passers by- there is nothing that annoys me more than screechy terrible voice actors constantly yabbing as you wander through an area- but in this they all talk about relevant (game) world matters and its really interesting to catch some of their conversations.

The gameplay (especially battling) has the welcome element of challenge and a really decent variety- in normal and hard. You have to actually consider equipment, skills and materia in this. It is not a button masher. There is plenty of choice of approach too- not just one method to beat someone or something- as well as varying small elements through player choice though we all meet many of the major story beats. I would akin it story path wise more to uncharted 4, than to say the Witcher- there is player choice and an interesting world to explore- but it is not open world. The story is amazing. Thats all im saying about that.

For those as familiar with the original as I am then there are so so many small and large elements to kick up your nostalgia. So many. I absolutely loved seeing what was a 2D painted environment brought into a living breathing world. Finding all it was super fun- and I am replaying now.

All in all, it is as my title says, an absolute pleasure for your eyes, your ears and your heart. If you had lost faith in square like I had started to- then please give them a chance- you wont regret it.

I am a die hard fan of the original FF7 game, so I was both thrilled as well as nervous about this remake. I mean, how can you top one of the best games ever made? Also, how do you manage to satisfy the lovers of old school 'turn based' action, as well as the next generation? Well, they actually managed to pull it off! Not just in terms of gameplay or graphics, but also the effort to go much more in depth with each character and side character. I am truly impressed by the creativity of the developers, who managed to stay true to the original plot, as well as surprise those who know the story so well.

Although the story only covers the Midgar part, FF7 Remake has all the characteristics of a full game and much, much more!