‘Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’: All Right, Everyone, Let’s Mosey

The year 1997 saw the birth of one of the most influential RPGs (in this case, JRPG), Final Fantasy VII. To this day, it retains its position as the most celebrated title in the Final Fantasy franchise. It was one of the first games that favored narrative over gameplay and contains one of the most heartbreaking scenes in video game history.

In 2020, we witnessed the second coming of Final Fantasy VII in the form of Final Fantasy VII: Remake. For the first time, we saw Cloud and the gang looking like real people instead of polygons, the streets of Midgar so graphically enhanced that it felt as you were actually walking there. A whole new generation of fans were introduced to Cloud’s tale, all the while bringing new story elements for old players.

Now in 2024, the second instalment of the Remake trilogy has landed; Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Rebirth kicks off right where Remake leaves us. There’s even a handy recap that refreshes your memory. That’s not even counting the brief trip down memory lane as told by the most unreliable narrator Cloud Strife as to what happened in Nibelheim all those years ago.

Stepping into Grasslands feels overwhelming at first. At the end of Remake, the world feels vast and open as compared to the closely congested areas of Midgar and it really doesn’t hit you until you begin Rebirth exactly how vast that world really is. There’s so much to do, to see, to experience — the sights, the sounds, the battles, the minigames. It’s as though Cloud and company have jumped from a small fishbowl to the endless ocean.

Comparing Remake to Rebirth, the former feels like a demo. The expanse of the latter builds on the familiar areas we know from memory, makes them more detailed, large and lived in, bustling with activity. As you ride your Chocobo (Red XIII in particular holding the reins of the Chocobo with his paws is a hilarious sight) through the landscapes, soaking in the environment, a sense of wanderlust overcomes you and you can’t help but tick off all the points of interest in the world no matter how insignificant they may seem. Whether you’re digging up some hidden treasure your Chocobo has sniffed out or engaging in battle with a monster for Chadley’s research purposes, they all add to the rich landscape.      

One of FFVII’s main themes is environmental conservation, draining the resources of the planet ultimately results in destruction. This theme applies to our world as well. The game’s environment constantly hammers this theme home, a desolate wasteland sits side by side with an idyllic seaside paradise. A looming cannon that towers over the landscape of a once prosperous town, as a symbol of the havoc that Shinra wreaked on the planet. Beneath the glitz and glam of the Gold Saucer lies the painful price of extracting the energy of keeping the vibrant neon lights going. The stark juxtaposition along with the characters remarking on the same drives it into your mind, the planet is beautiful but ultimately dying.

As is the case with any open world video game, there are plenty of side quests. Rebirth is no exception. The little optional missions both reward you and your companions with precious XP as well as world-building. The main quest is priority of course but it is undoubtedly in the side quests where the true beauty of the story lies. It gives you a glimpse of what it is like to live in a world so far removed from your own. There is a lot more focus given to the entire party rather than just sticking to the lead. Some of these side quests are tied to your companions and allow you to see a side of them you haven’t seen before. It’s a nice little touch, fleshing out characters we’ve known for so long. Since the original game is being split into three parts, there’s a lot more scope for interactions than before. Completing specific side quests tied to a particular character also results in the bond level with that character increasing, and if there’s anything to be learned, the power of friendship does triumph all.

There is also the Folios system where you can spend skill points to unlock various abilities for your party that might give them the upper hand in battle because you would undoubtedly need it. The Synergy Abilities in particular stand out. These devastating duo attacks can turn the tide in battle. You can use them to divert the damage from a hit to a character who can withstand it, fill in the limit gauge, apply buffs and fill that stagger gauge. The best part is that these Synergy Abilities don’t consume your ATB charges.

In the Remake we had Cloud, Tifa, Barret and Aerith, now we have Yuffie and Red XIII added to the mix. Each member of the party has a very unique skill set along with a fighting style and the game constantly pushes you to make the most of it. If you want your battles to be over swiftly, you have no choice but to constantly assess your enemy and strike at their weaknesses. No amount of blindly mashing buttons is going to see you through to the end (unless the end is the character’s death).

The combat requires focus, execution of attacks at precise moments, use of items at strategic intervals and using the summon materia at the right time. It sounds overwhelming because it is and it does take a while to get used to as there are even more variables to keep track of this time around. You can get the jump on the enemy by striking first but what use is the lock-on function when the enemy is moving around too fast to track? Sometimes when you’ve just about filled your ATB gauge you’re knocked back before you can unleash a special attack. Many a battle can only be won by meticulously planning and preparing much in advance. Combat keeps you on your toes and makes sure you don’t get bored or zone out. It’s challenging, engaging but most importantly fun.

One word of advice, get Rebirth on the same platform you played Remake in. Personally, I played Remake on the PC but got Rebirth for the PlayStation 5 (namely for the steel book) – a big mistake. Two iconic summoning materia, Ramuh and Leviathan, are forever out of reach because cross-platform saves aren’t possible. You don’t necessarily need to play Remake to play Rebirth because you are brought up to speed in the beginning of the game. Essentially it is a wholly separate game and absolutely no progress carries over from the previous installment other than the summoning materia, but still. On the bright side, Rebirth has its own arsenal of formidable summons during fights so the presence of Ramuh and Leviathan won’t be missed too much.  

Yes, the planet is dying. Yes, it is absolutely imperative that we find Sephiroth (who will and I quote: never be a memory). That doesn’t mean the journey is just fraught with combat and exploration with a side of scenic gloom and doom. There is a wealth of optional mini games to enjoy along the way. Some of these are connected to the main story while others have lore of their own. Two that stand out in particular are Piano Performance and Queen’s Blood.

Piano Performance is, as the title suggests, playing the piano. Throughout the game there are various scores of sheet music to be collected and pieces to be played. There is something so satisfying about hitting the right note and hearing that metronome fade away, allowing the music to wash over you. Piano players especially will no doubt enjoy that, when the controller vibrates in the palm of your hand you can almost feel your fingers glide over the keys. It’s not an easy minigame but getting that perfect score is so, so satisfying.

Queen’s Blood is to Rebirth what Gwent is to Witcher 3, but a better comparison would be Final Fantasy’s own Triple Triad. You start out with a base deck and build it up as you go. There’s even a tournament you can participate in. Pretty soon you get sucked in and before you know it, Cloud (i.e., you) has probably developed an addiction. Occasionally you don’t realize that you’re playing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and instead think that you’re huddled in a corner playing a card game tournament with friends.

Even though the side quests and minigames aren’t mandatory, they are so engrossing that you forget what you were supposed to be doing. That’s right.

Saving the world.

It is a pressing issue no doubt, but surely it can wait.

Or at least that’s the feeling you get between the card games, piano recitals, helping out the locals and just having a good time. The lack of a threat does indeed take away from the core element of the story. You are lulled into a false sense of security, not at all hard pressed for time, lazing about the beach in Costa Del Sol. But that is to be expected with the original game being broken down into a three-part series. Expanding each part longer than the last automatically stretches your plot, sometimes quite thin. Of course, it is always nice to see your beloved characters having fun but it takes away from the gravitas that the original certainly had. You don’t feel the tension, the race against time, even though the stakes are high, you feel as though they are barely even there. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows however, the game does remind you of that. There is grief, loss, bleakness and of course, defying destiny.

The powerful performances delivered by the voice actors really adds to that. Going into how the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy changes things from the original is spoiler territory. The ending of the first part was divisive enough so it was expected that Rebirth would follow in the same vein.  At times it feels confusing with all the timelines and your memories feel jumbled up like a certain buster sword-wielding blonde. The ending especially is like winding a ball of yarn that’s gotten tangled up by rogue Chocobos. The story definitely wanders… but it does find its way to the end. At its core the game feels the same as the original, just retold for a new generation. To quote Tifa Lockhart (best girl):

“A memory is something that has to be consciously recalled, right? That’s why sometimes it can be mistaken and a different thing. But it’s different from a memory locked deep within your heart.”

The memories we have playing the original, no matter when we played it, are something we hold very dear. The big reveal concerning a certain SOLDIER, the tragic fate of a sweet flower girl, among others, really shook you down to the core when you first experienced it. Those memories are pure and untainted. Playing a remastered edition of the same story with upscaled graphics and better combat mechanics might work for some but it isn’t really bringing anything new to the table. The If it ain’t broke why fix it? policy comes into play. Would it really make you feel the same way when you know what’s to come? Wouldn’t it be better to take full advantage of the foundations laid down by the original and build something newer, add to an already rich tale?

Retellings are retellings for a reason – they’re never going to be the same no matter what the medium. Sometimes it’s best to experience something entirely new instead of inadvertently damaging the memory of a game you’ve played before. There are a lot of things that the Remake trilogy is able to achieve that couldn’t be done in the original.

Whatever the shortcomings that Rebirth holds pales in comparison to what it stands for and what it has achieved. Rebirth reminds you why you fell in love with the franchise in the first place. The memorable companions you journey with, the good times, cheesy moments coupled with a heavy-hitting plot. The combat, the side quests, the world itself – each Final Fantasy is vastly different and that’s what makes it fun. Playing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is like getting a warm hug from an old friend you haven’t seen in a long time.