Final Fantasy VII: Remake - PlayStation 4

Look, let me set the scene. It’s 1997. I’m in high school. I have a PlayStation 1 that I mowed approximately 400 lawns to buy. I put Final Fantasy VII in the disc tray, and for the next three weeks, I don't see the sun. I knew every pixel of Midgar. I knew what color Cloud’s polygon spikes were supposed to be. So when Square Enix announced this "Remake," I was the first guy in line with my arms crossed, ready to hate-play it. And let me tell you, for the first 10 hours, I hated it. I was texting my buddies in our "Old Men Gaming" group chat, absolutely roasting it. "Why is Cloud an emo boy band member?" "Why can't I just select 'Attack' from a blue menu and wait my turn?" "Why am I spending 45 minutes finding cats for a little girl named Betty? I AM A MERCENARY, BETTY. I KILL GODS. I DON'T FIND CATS." I was furious about the "Whispers"—those dementor-looking plot ghosts that show up every time the story tries to breathe. I was screaming at my TV during the robot arm puzzle in the Collapsed Expressway. Whoever designed that mechanical hand section needs to be forced to assemble IKEA furniture for eternity without an Allen wrench. It is the definition of "padding." And don't get me started on the stair climbing. Yes, you have to manually climb 59 flights of stairs in the Shinra building. My thumb actually got a cramp. It was the most realistic cardio I’ve done in a decade. But then... something happened. Around Chapter 9, in Wall Market, the nostalgia didn't just hit me; it suplexed me. The music—my god, the music. They took the MIDI beeps and boops of my childhood and turned them into a full orchestral masterpiece that made a grown man (me) tear up while fighting a literal house. I stopped trying to play it like a turn-based game and actually learned the combat system. It's not button mashing, guys. If you button mash, you die. It’s actually more strategic than the original. You have to juggle ATB bars, switch characters constantly, and stagger enemies. When I finally pulled off a synchronized limit break combo with Tifa and Aerith, I felt a rush of dopamine I haven't felt since I beat Emerald Weapon in '98. And the characters? I used to think Barret was just Mr. T with a gun-arm. In this? He’s the heart of the team. He’s a dad. He’s got layers. Even the side characters like Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge—who were basically cardboard cutouts in the original—broke my heart in this game. I care about them. I care about the pizza-loving Avalanche crew. By the time I got to the end, I realized what they were doing with the story. I won't spoil it, but those "plot ghosts" I hated? They're genius. This isn't just a graphical update; it's a conversation with the original game. It's a sequel and a remake at the same time. It defied my expectations, and honestly, it’s better for it. The Verdict: If you are a 40-something purist like me, you are going to want to throw your controller at the screen during the first few chapters. The anime grunts will annoy you. The filler side quests will make you roll your eyes. Push through it. Once you let go of "how it used to be" and accept "how it is now," it is a masterpiece. I went from 1-star hate to 5-star obsession. I am now currently trying to 100% the game on Hard Mode, and yes, I even found all of Betty’s cats. Pros: Combat is actually incredible once you stop whining and learn it. Midgar looks exactly how your brain pretended it looked in 1997. Tifa. (Respectfully). The soundtrack is the best in gaming history. Cons: The robot arm puzzle. Seriously, I hate those hands. The texture on some doors looks like it loaded from a PS2 disc. If I hear Cloud say "Not interested" one more time I might scream. Bottom line: Buy it. Play it. Cry like a baby. It's worth it.

Complete re-imagining. redesigned from ground up and not just a HD filter. There are current gen graphics with fully 3d environments instead of fixed angle camera. Graphics reminiscent of FF7 Advent Children film Note this is not the full game. Just part 1 of a multi-part series. The focus is on the Midgar section of the original's story. Despite it only being part 1 it feels like a complete AAA game. Game will last 30-35 hours. Add 10 to complete everything. When you complete the core game you unlock hard mode and chapter select. Equips and items carry over Original Midgar section lasted only 4-5 hours. They've expanded the lore and story of the game: There are more character development, and side characters are more flushed out. There are new elements to story with new story beats and cutscenes. What used to be one line text is expanded out into a lengthy cutscene. There are also in game banter while you traverse the world --Gameplay: Combat system have been revamp. you engage in combat in real time. Controls are tight and responsive. Swing sword at enemies in overworld for pre-empive attack This is not a turned based RPG with random encounters. You can turn on classic mode, but it's not as engaging and it feels like you're playing on easy mode Real time fast paced action is similar to FF7 Crisis Core but more enhanced, took elements from FFXIII (stagger system) and FFXV. During battle sequence you can lock on attack, light heavy, evade, and block Use abilities, go into tactical mode. Enter freeze frame to select special attacks/use items/spells. If you don't want to enter tactical mode you can use shortcuts by holding L2 and pressing a face button Special attacks and spells uses ATB guage/meter which charges up overtime or when dealing damage against enemies There's also a limit gauge bar which lets you do an ultimate move. meter fills up as you take damage or when dealing damage when enemy is stunned Enemies have stagger meter. once full enemies gets stunned and you do massive damage There's a materia system where you equip/upgrade gems to weapons granting it abilities Summons now fight along side you for a short duration. Can only be used on certain battle scenarios though Switch characters using d-pad. Good for taking out long vs close range enemies. Team AI won't use special moves so best to switch to them if you know they're super effective against enemies. Cloud is the all rounder, Tifa: close combat/speed, Barret: range and tank, Aerith: mage and healer There are also ton of mini games and side quests for diversions. Mini games includes Bike battles, Dancing (DDR/QTE), darts, reactor handle, robot arms, squats/pull ups (QTE), waste water pump, and whack a box Side quest sounds like lame filler, but it gives you good exp and weapon upgrades. Also it helps develop Clouds character from being a loner to a person willing to engage in a community. Overall, had an amazing time re-visting FF7 world with additional story/lore, gameplay enhancements and updated visuals

I've always considered the original ff7 to be one of the best games ever made, especially for it's time. The story, characters, and battle system were top notch. I've been excited for this remake since I first heard about it, and had some very high standards. Having just finished the game I can say it's truly remarkable. Not only are the graphics, voice acting, and soundtrack unbelievable, the story and character development are way deeper than the original. The story sticks to the original for the most part, with the changes being mostly expansions to early events. The changes until the end, affect the story very minimally. The battle system was a big fear for me going in to this as I loved the originals turn based battles. Not only did I learn to enjoy the new action based battles, I realized they were much more fun than the turn based ones. Boss battles are especially fun, and I was always looking forward to the next one. They action can get a little busy at times, but selecting spells and atb attacks slows things down. Now for the minor negatives. Some times the action lags a bit and cut scenes can be rather long. The game does have a little bloat, like optional side quests that don't do much for the overall story. Yes the game is in installments, but it took me right around 40 hours to beat, so it's a full game. No spoilers, but some may be confused or disappointed in the final chapter of the game. I personally am optimistic on how the story will continue in the next game. If you are a longtime fan like me, the nostalgia runs high in this remake. You will also find new moments and surprises from the original. If you never played the original, this is a solid game with lots of great action and story to be had.

I've been looking forward to this remake for a long time. The remake adds a tremendous amount of content that the original didn't have. While I've only put in 8 hours so far, I've been enjoying the game and the expanded backstories for all of the characters. I could take or leave some of the new characters they've added, but the new side characters don't detract from the experience enough for me to deduct any stars. If you are a hardcore ff7 fan from back in the day, this is the expanded experience you've been waiting for. If you didn't experience ff7 back in the heyday, I can't speak to how you might feel about this game. The battle system felt a little odd to me in the beginning, but after the first boss fight I started to really enjoy it. There are several options for the combat system, so if you don't like how it feels you can switch to one of the other play styles. A few reviewers have complained that the game only takes place in the first area from the original. While this is true, you have to realize that this is a massive city. FF7 original took roughly 40 hours to beat in total. The first disk took about 15-20 hours or so to beat. FF7 remake provides an easy 30-40 hours of content depending on how you play the game. I've played 8 hours and I'm still in chapter 4 out of 18. I would say that this game is worth the cost at the $60 price point. The release date for this game was pushed back repeatedly because Square Enix wanted to do right by the fans and release something they could be proud of. I think their hard work paid off. If you aren't sure about making the purchase now, maybe wait a few months. It's not like this is a Nintendo Switch game - there is bound to be a sale eventually. My only complaint is that once I beat it, I'm going to have to wait for Part 2. Oh well. :) It's a good thing I have other things to do!

Just saw some negative reviews, it make me writing one. First thing to say that I will say something spoiler, so please don’t read if you don’t want to get spoiler. I played both original FF7 (around in 2000) and the remake (after 20 years), so I think I know how someone , who has negative reviews, feel. They look like feeling they were scammed because they were took their money just for a little progress compare to original process. Although I expected that I can go to other interested places especially the Gold Saucer, the game is still long enough. And if needing a challenging, we can play more on hard mode post game. So for me, no complaint about that. It is not short at all. Also no complain about making more parts for money, honestly I enjoy it. I just would complain if they make me wait so long between those ones lol. Furthermore, I’m not sure they did catch the new story on the remake version or not when they compare to the original one. This is the remake, not remaster. The story sure is based on story from original, but it is actually different. That makes the game something interesting to wait to the next part because we don’t know what will happen yet . Something new will be on the next part, it doesn’t follow original time line from now on, I guess. Thus, we cannot say it is 1/6 or 1/5 or 25% of the game, because right now we don’t know what will go to the end. And who know, the next part can be the final part, but I hope and pretty sure not so. Anyway, I love the game and want to enjoy more and more. The game sure is not perfect. However, it’s still awesome and beautiful to me. From the new way to play, the new story, to graphic all are more than I expected. For a fan of FF7, I’m really satisfied and enjoyed any minute playing. Can’t wait to play the next one, especially waiting for the Zack Fair.

I have played through the game and done all of the quests for the most part and I have to say this game really is a treat to play. So much is very much like it was in the original as are all the enemies as well, but there are some new ones and the game also deviates a little towards the ending. Everyone has so much more life added to them and it really makes you want to see them succeed even if you know the outcome from before. As a person who truly enjoys the Final Fantasy series I can say for sure I'm looking forward to the next part of this story. I'm looking forward to seeing how Vincent, Yuffie, and Cid are represented in the next segment to the Final Fantasy VII Remake. Likes: - The new battle system is so fluid and way better than it was in Final Fantasy XV. - The graphics are incredible and really help bring the characters to life. - The frame rate is a locked and unfaltering 30fps which is great for fluidity. - The voice acting is phenomenal considering this game only had text before. - Some of the new lines added in and characters really work for this game's story. - This is way longer than the original Midgar section so it should feel like plenty. Dislikes: - Texture streaming is really low quality in certain areas, but a patch should fix this. - The fact we have to wait for the next part to release, but it should be great. The ending of this game is what most fans seem to be mixed about, but I absolutely love this remake and highly recommend it!

I'll get the first important issue out of the way. The Combat/ATB mechanics and straight to the point nature of the Materia system is to celebrated here. Finally after so many years of Square's weird struggle to make combat encounters accommodate towards current HD graphics and action heavy set pieces, Square finally did it. Combat is both fun to engage in every time and has some well thought out depth to it. Besides just determining which stance or ability to have characters like Cloud or Tifa perform, you can also decide which specific magic via Materia to unleash upon enemies. This game has honestly been the closest to actual Final Fantasy since maybe...FFXII? It's all thanks to this tactical slo-mo menu mode through the Active Time Battle (ATB) charges. The combat and progressions systems makes both FFXV's combat look insanely shallow and something like Xenoblade Chronicles 2's still insanely convoluted. These fundamental systems in RPGS (or JRPGS) should always be easy to understand, something to master/experiment with, and above all fun to play. FFVII: Remake was exactly that for me. Also, I can not express enough how much more enjoyable it was being able to switch party members on the fly with literally just a button press while in combat. You can make tactical and situational decisions, and be able to change up combat itself every-time. Much like in the Original game, Materia is once again straight to the point and easy to understand. Equip/insert it, you can use it. And just like in the original, there are support materias where you can change up how an abilities or magic perform. For example, have lighting hit all enemies, or make a party member auto follow up with a specific spell. Worried about not having a full ATB charge when you start battle, there is a materia for that. Need help gaining ATB when blocking or dodging? There is a materia for that. And yes, just like FFXII, there are summons and they ARE MAGNIFICENT to use here and actually occur MUCH more frequent. While not something you can always use for normal combat situations, when available, they actually have utility to them...unlike FFXV. I'm not going to go into super detail about the story because I rather not create or add to the already beating horse that is the internet complaint session. I will agree that with a lot of reviews (the more sane ones) that 95% of this game is purely awesome. It's awesome for fans of the original 1997 game, and for those who are finally experiencing a version of FFVII's world. Unfortunately Square created some narrative pacing problems with the dungeon like areas and some boss fights by adding too much padding. Side quests mostly felt flat or nothing too exciting. Though areas like the Shinra VR and Wall Market Colessum do stand out as fun extra activities. It's for these reasons that I can't give the game a perfect 5 star or 101/10 rating. But because of the combat, characters, and music, I agree 100% that this game is more deserving of a very high 4/5 or 9/10. I put in 47 hours into one playthrough of this game, and I already want to replay one chapter in particular and be sure to obtain a summon materia I missed out on. So the ultimate answer to the question everybody has: "was it worth the wait and the $60? Of course it was. Yes, an originally 6 hour section has been blown up to about 30-40+ hours, and has caveats to beloved narrative from 1997. However, I'll argue that most of the "faithful" reinventions to characters and their story arcs have never been better here. Cloud, Barrett, Tifa, and especially Aerith have been dramatically improved and provided so much character depth that I didn't know it was possible before. A particular chapter 9 had me at an all time high of not only appreciating the obvious hard work from Tetsuya Nomura and team's long years of hard work, but also appreciation for the original game as well. Yes, I agree the ending 2ish hours will be a divisive issue until the second part of this Remake project has been announced. But know that I personally thought it was fine, and also made me even more curious about what's to come...whenever that will be from Square-Enix. I can't help but state any review that just "claims" this is nothing more than a cash grab and only "10%" of a game, that have been drinking too much of the Mako. People, this is a full on FF release, as Square stated it was to be. It has a definitive beginning, middle, and end, you'll be wishing you had more time to spend with beloved characters before heading to the Shinra HQ to face whatever destiny has in store for our beloved characters. Don't ignore this title because of some body played a tiny bit then thought to review it for attention on here. Please, play it and enjoy the ride.

Every second you spend trying to decide if you should buy this game is one less second you have to actually play this game. Everything about this game is fantastic. It captures the spirt of the origianal but expands on it so much. NPC's in the original are flushed out and make them likeable/unlikeable. the story is close enough to the original that long time fans will recognize it but different enough to make it fresh and exciting. combat is challenging and fun. it doesn't feel like a button masher. the music is fantastic. the main characters are done well making them more than just simple "the emo guy" or "the angry guy". there are a few characters in this game that come off as weird or cartoony. there is a new villain they introduce that is basically a cartoon character of a 50's biker crossed with a comicbook mad scientist but even that is done in a fun way. The game even has a great replay value as it introduces "hard mode" which allows you to skip around to different parts of the game after you beat it but now the enemies are harder and you can't use items and rest points dont restore mp. really makes the game hard as you have to be very conservative with your magic, but also magic is the only way to heal your party. it seems like it should be frustrating but it didn't feel that way to me, just chalenging and fun. TL;DR Buy this game, play this game. thank me later.

One the best classics ever was reforged in the pits of Square Enix😁

海外版のファイナルファンタジー7リメイクは文字が英語なのは新鮮だった

Square Enix tiene mucho cariño cuando se trata de su franquicia líder «Final Fantasy», esto se nota desde la presentación que le dan a las versiones físicas de estos juegos. Final Fantasy VII Remake viene en un estuche con portada reversible, un par de folletos de productos del título y dos discos, uno de datos de instalación y el otro jugable. Final Fantasy VII Remake no es el Final Fantasy que jugaste en tus años de juventud, pues éste se aleja un poco del RPG para traer un gameplay más dinámico y veloz, aunque las estadísticas y habilidades siguen ahí, la verdad es que ya no se siente como un RPG sino como un hack and slash con pequeños toques de RPG, a su vez la historia ahora es diferente, no drásticamente, pero tiene detalles que cambian un poco las cosas y por último, lo que hizo enfadar a muchos de los fans, éste es un juego incompleto pues sólo cuenta una parte de toda la historia del juego. Dicho todo esto... Final Fantasy VII Remake es un juego maravilloso, una carta de amor al título original y aunque sí tiene sus bajones en varios aspectos, creo que es un título que todos debemos de jugar al menos una vez. La música es una obra de arte, los escenarios son increíbles, el gameplay es divertidísimo y está lleno de fanservice del bueno, tiene uno que otro detalle técnico como fondos que se notan que son JPGs o NPCs que se llegan a repetir en espacios cortos, pero aún así el juego es una belleza en todo sentido. Final Fantasy VII Remake es un juego incompleto que aún así está muy completo por sí solo, sus 40 horas de juego son sencillamente increíbles y se pasan rápidamente. Tiene un platino accesible con la práctica, por si a alguien le interesa. Un juego que recomiendo a todo el mundo...

This is an outstanding re-imagining of a classic JRPG. While yes, it does not include the entire full game like the original, it's so much more fleshed out and changed for the better in this version, based on what is here. Nostalgic yet new at the same time. If you're a fan of FF7 or a new prospective one, you owe it to yourself to give this a try. The continuing parts are going to make a heck of an experience when all is said and done, so do yourself a favour and start here.

Very nice game