FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE Reviews

Hot garbage to be frank. Beyond it being only half the game, the character writing is so abysmal I came to hate every single character withing about 5 hours. I was excited to see why some people consider this one of the best games of all time and I was incredibly disappointed.

The padding in this game is crazy, such a strong start that gets stretched out to the point of tedium. unskippable like 3 second cutscenes of tifa/barret just saying the most inane garbage that should just be played while you walk around, cutscenes for opening doors, cutscenes to pickup keycards. This is everything i've hated about final fantasy for years but ir really feels at its worst in the modern titles like ff16, ff13 series and this game. the combat system is fantastic, the music and visuals are gorgeous and the voice acting itself is great but i still cant recommend this game as it likes to get in its own way all the time.

Is it a good game? Yes, but it's not for me. The battle system is fine, but I wish there were more of it. The storyline is terrible, and it deviates significantly from the original FF7. When did games transition from extensive gameplay to 'soy boy cinema'?

I do not understand all those positive reviews and why are they encouraging Square Enix to continue this nonsense?!?! This should NOT be the direction the company should be heading. I really really want to love this game. Played the original and was super excited for this remake. I have so much disappointment for this game and is at a loss of words. I am currently at chapter 9 and I find me forcing myself to finish the game. The only things I like about the game are the fan service cutscenes and the nostalgic music. Everything is a chore....I think each chapters are created by different team with some KPI to extend the gameplay. we have cutscene with cloud jumping at least 50ft high at the start and then there are planks....1metre long ladders....more planks....tight corridors and levers which take cloud 3 seconds to pull. Oh! this location require the player to pass several times so lets put a tight corridor or a plank there! I actually was expecting them to REFINE the storyline for the game and logic to flow more smoothly. Don't they find it werid that a mako infused soldier with anime movement just fall like this after bombing of sector 5 reactor? Maybe they can show him falling because he was trying to save Tifa? Maybe instead of padding the game meaninglessly, they can show additional cutscenes of Tifa being worried about cloud? Why arent Tifa even surprised/happy when she saw cloud. Fought bike guy and he ride away, fought rude and he took helicopter away, fought abzu and it walk away... Summons used to be so cool. Every newly attained summons makes you curious about the animation. Even upgraded spells like firaga will make you want to know how different are they. Now you can't even properly see the summons because you could be interrupted by cutscenes or the camera is just blocking you. This review is getting too long and I had not elaborated on the bad combat system, upgrading of weapons and Sephiroth appearance. The cool mysterious strongest legendary soldier image is gone in this remake. Who actually approved all these. Did they even play the game? And damn… whats with the spark brightness and the environment illumination during transitioning. New players will probably be thinking why FF7 had such huge fanbase when the game is not even fun. I think they really ruined the whole ff7 franchise with this game. It seems Square Enix is confused and this game is the byproduct of undefined game direction. Perhaps, the game is just created to milk from the original 's success just like how Disney is remaking movies. I could not feel any passion from this project. Bought this game for my wife to introduce FF7 to her but I ended up playing it first with family sharing and I changed my mind. I am writing this review on behalf using her account.

As a professional and adamant Final Fantasy VII hater with all my heart and soul... This remake is phenomenal and for myself much easier to digest than the original.

As a longtime fan of the original Final Fantasy VII, I approached this remake with excitements and certain. I’m happy to say it not only meets but exceeds expectations in many ways. The real-time combat system is a fantastic evolution from the turn-based classic. It strikes a satisfying balance between strategic command-based tactics and fluid action, keeping the battles engaging and dynamic. Each character’s unique abilities and customization options add layers of depth. Graphically, the game is stunning, capturing Midgar’s atmosphere with breathtaking detail. The soundtrack beautifully reimagines classic tunes, enhancing the nostalgic yet modern feel. While breezing through the challenges are mostly smooth, some pacing moments may feel slow or certain set backs for those used to fast-paced action games. Also, if you haven’t played the original, some plot points might be a bit confusing, but the game does a solid job of explaining key elements. Overall: (9/10)

I unfortunately made the mistake of playing FFVII Rebirth before FFVII Remake. The best thing about Remake is the character models. My biggest critique of Remake is the flow. The real final fantasy series does an exceptional job at story telling and capturing emotions within the bounds of a video game. This experience left me frustrated at the game, rather than emotionally invested in the moments. This is the first FF game where I couldn't bear watching the cinematic cuts. Back to flow - during situations of high tension, you are forced to slow walk and watch cut sequences that lack urgency and an understanding of the moment. The next Rebirth game is multiple times better, I am excited for the third installment.

If this game had a turn based combat like Clair Obscure it would be a masterpiece, but its is a fine game, nothing too special, every square game nowadays is just a clumsy and lazy variation of the FFXIV battle system....

It's wild to me that Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade Part One Subsection A, Article 1 is called a remake, even if only the first installment. There’s a very meta moment where a character basically looks past the camera, straight to the player, and says: “This is our story now.” It’s a bold move, but I respect Square’s intention to retell the events of Final Fantasy VII instead of strictly remaking them. I loved the original, and Remake does nothing to tarnish its legacy—in fact, it embraces and polishes it. Make no mistake: fans of the original game are going to feel right at home in this reimagining of Midgar. All of your favorite characters make an appearance, as well as a handful of “OC do not steal” newbies—some more bearable than others. (Chadley is buns.) It’s still the story of Avalanche’s rebellion, Shinra’s overwhelming stranglehold on the Earth, and Cloud versus Sephiroth... but it’s also about fate, choice, and divergence. This isn’t a 1:1 recreation of the original Midgar arc—it’s a reinterpretation that pays homage and does its own thing in spades. If there's one area where Remake absolutely shines, it's the combat. Square took the slow, methodical turn-based system of the original and transformed it into a frantic, stylish, real-time action battler without losing the spirit of the original game's strategy. The system masterfully balances action-RPG mechanics with tactical decision-making through the ATB bar. As you dance around the battlefield—dodging, blocking, positioning, slicing—you're constantly thinking: What am I gonna do when I get that ATB charge? Do I heal? Cast a spell? Fire off a Braver or Triple Slash? It creates a constant rhythm and tension, where each ATB use feels impactful. Boss fights are also incredibly well-done. Every major encounter feels handcrafted, with phases, mechanics, and spectacle that wouldn't feel out of place in a modern FFXIV raid. It rewards smart play and punishes flailing around and button-mashing, because it wants you to think. And when it all clicks—when you find yourself racing through encounters knowing EXACTLY when you've got a charge, or when you need a heal, or when your Limit Break is up—it feels so damn good. One thing that can’t be denied: Remake had infinitely more resources and tech at its disposal than the original. Instead of relying solely on charm, mystery, and the occasional awkward polygonal hug, it has a massive boon in its favor—a phenomenal voice cast. Every major character is brought to life with nuance, and their presence holds real weight. Cloud’s aloof detachment feels less vague and more like a defense mechanism. Tifa’s warm, grounded demeanor can give way to something deeper and more haunted. Barret is still bombastic and over-the-top, but there’s real heart underneath the shouting. And Aerith is an absolute scene-stealer—on the surface she’s playful and clever, but behind it all is a quiet sadness the voice direction absolutely nails. Beyond the voice work, the expanded dialogue and cutscenes help every character feel more personable and real. Jesse, Biggs, and Wedge were characters that held all the importance of a name in the original, but each have their own arcs and importance in the remake. There's a sincerity in the character work that's rare to find in games, and I think both the writers and voice actors deserve a huge congratulations for pulling it off so well. One common criticism aimed at Remake is how it stretches the original game’s Midgar section—a few hours long in the 1997 release—into a full, feature-length game. But here’s my rebuttal: even playing just the main content and skipping most side quests, it still took me over 20 hours, and I sincerely think there was hardly a moment of wasted time. Remake doesn’t just bring its characters to life—it brings the world to life. We’re not just told Midgar is a slum; we’re shown it. We’re not fed exposition about Shinra’s evil; we watch them actively destroy lives. I genuinely enjoyed seeing this grand, fleshed-out version of a world that once only existed in low-res textures and implication. I think that Remake is an incredible demonstration of what a "remake" can be. Would I have been mad if this game was a perfect replica in every sense, with only updated graphics and music? Absolutely not. That would've also been sick. But this is more than that; it's a continuation of FF VII as a saga—an extension of the original idea, not a replacement. And I’m more than excited to see it through to the end. Cinematic playthrough: https://youtu.be/r4aqDfdsTdY

[h1] The Best 7/10 Game I Have Ever Played [/h1] Don't get it wrong, 7/10 is still a great game. If you loved the original 1997 game, you've probably already played this. If for some reason you still haven't played this, this game will do things to you. [b]TLDR:[/b] Remake is a more than fine place to start if you are new to Final Fantasy 7, maybe even the best game to start with. This is a good game that can only get better the more you vibe with it's World and Characters. Cloud may not hit right for you, initially, he didn't for me, but maybe there's more to learn of this cast of Characters than meets the eye...give it time. This is Part 1 of a Trilogy that adds context with every replay, every installment, just like trilogy movies (original Star Wars trilogy). They all tend to get better in retrospect. If you are looking for a rich world, characters, production value, music, and a fresh take on the original Turn-Based + Action Combat: The Remake Trilogy will deliver. Enjoyment may vary. These games are the most subjective, divisive games I have ever played. I love it for that. You make the most of it. [h3] WHAT IS FF7 "REMAKE" [/h3] If you are new to this Final Fantasy 7 World and it's Characters, this is a more than fine place to start. [b] While most Remakes stand on their own and ultimately play out like the original source material, knowing the original source material only adds depth of said Remake changes, this Remake does as well...and more [/b]. For the better, in my opinion, this Remake can not exist without the original story, unlike those other Remake games. While this game, and the installments after, play out more like a sequel to the original 1997 game, both new and old players of this World are left with the same questions throughout each beat of the story. [b] No one knows the ending of this story, not even the biggest fans of the original, yet a care and love for the original source material is still fully intact [/b]. Many of the developers of this Trilogy Project are from the original development team almost 30 years ago. They love this World and it's Characters just as much as the fans, fans that have also grown up to be on this project, and it shows. Just remember: this is Part 1 of a Trilogy. You'll be left with questions, questions that may not be answered until a closer look on a 2nd play-through, the second game, or eventual third and final game. Much like the original trilogy of Star Wars, each installment adds more to what came before. Replays with this knowledge can still provide enjoyment that a 1st watch could not possibly do. Enjoy the moments, the Characters, and an award-winning soundtrack. ...and hopefully, you have no issues with your PC/Laptop. Square have made strides to make their PC versions better, but it's still not great and can vary per User, even with virtually the same PCs. [h3] CHARACTERS [/h3] While there are many themes and real-world issues presented in this story, this game lives and dies by it's Characters. [b] You may ask yourself early on how so many people like Cloud, the main protagonist, of this story. You are completely in the right to question such a beloved Character. That is the crux of this journey [/b]. How these Characters develop throughout events, their pasts, their motives - all of which that may not land initially or at all for you. This is considered one of the best cast of Characters in gaming, ever, for a reason. The Remake Trilogy brings them to life like never before. The voice actors all fit this original cast perfectly. It's believable that even in 1997, where there was no voice acting, that THIS is how they sounded. The tone and emotion that could not be displayed in the original can now come together as it was always imagined to by the developers. This is a JRPG, in a world full of [b] despair [/b]and charm, so you can expect a little...[i] "anime uwu" [/i]...dialogue, grunts, and poses. I'll leave it at that because I can't believe I just typed out that last part. Don't worry, it is as classy (?) as fan service can be without feeling raunchy. [h3] COMBAT [/h3] The combat is a refreshing mix of the original turn-based combat and real-time combat. It can play like your usual Action Game with Action Shortcuts, and all they way down to a Turn-Based combat setting for those wanting to get as close to that original feel as a game like this can. This isn't a button masher, although you can get through the story doing so on the easier difficulties. For those looking for a challenge, Hard Mode, unlocked after beating the story, is my favorite version of these games. [b] You'll be strategic against enemies and their weaknesses, how each Party member plays differently, how that synergy comes together to compliment each other - all that is up to you with the Materia system to customize your Party as you see fit. Hard Mode will test what you learned and for you to tackle new challenges, all exclusive to Hard Mode itself [/b]. A boss fight in the Main Story may have new or added mechanics, for example. While there is plenty to learn and master in this Combat System, it clearly has flaws for both the first play-through and it's challenges. Air Combat can be a pain and real brake on your enjoyment. There is plenty of combos to try with the Materia system, but this first game is pretty limited in it's quality, diversity, and just how much you can equip in general. These problems are fixed entirely, and MUCH more, in the following game (Rebirth). You'll start to see the improvements and the potential of this Combat System in the Intermission DLC with Yuffie. Combat is fine in Remake. Great at times. Once you experience Intermission, Rebirth, and the eventual third and final game, it is pretty rough going back to Remake....but, that's to be expected! It's come a long way. [h3] MUSIC [/h3] [b] How does a Remake, where it's material is pulled from the original, still win Best Soundtrack? You'd think that people would be opposed to voting for it because it is not "original", right? I think that speaks for just how good this Soundtrack is [/b]. While very different from the original, it is still instantly recognizable. It's not just the original scores, either. The brand-new tracks to this Remake project dive into many genres, can be hit or miss per individual's tastes, but even then they hardly ever miss. You'll be bopping your head to genres you didn't even know you would like. I was in single digits back in the day playing the original; The story, text on the screen, combat, and it's characters all slowly came together for me as I grew up with the original. The music, though? It's just as good as the first time hearing it. Now I can appreciate it more.