Here’s How to Make Sense of All the New Final Fantasy VII Games
Final Fantasy is one of the most influential video game franchises of all time, and while every game in the series has its fans, Final Fantasy VII is by far the most popular – even 25 years after its original release on the PlayStation 1. Plot Cloud, Aerith, Tifa and their companions as they seek to save their planet from Shrina’s evil energy company and the superhuman warrior Sephiroth have introduced a new generation of JRPGs, and its environmental message is as relevant as ever.
Over the years, the popularity of Final Fantasy VII has led to many spin-off games such as Dirge of Cerberus for the PlayStation 2, Crisis Core for the PlayStation Portable and the (now defunct) mobile game Beyond Crisis , as well as a PC movie titled Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children .
However, in 2020, Square Enix responded to fan calls to modernize the original game with the Final Fantasy VII Remake series. Yes, the series – there are currently several remakes of Final Fantasy VII that are in various stages of development. Even the spin-off games and the movie are now getting remakes as well as new spin-offs.
There’s a lot of Final Fantasy VII in store for us over the next few years, and while it’s exciting for existing fans like myself, it’s probably overwhelming for curious new players and former fans looking to relive one of their favorite games. So let’s take a look at the many new and upcoming Final Fantasy VII titles to help you figure out where to start and which ones to play.
Remake of Final Fantasy VII
Even though Final Fantasy VII Remake was released back in 2020, it’s worth including in this review as a starting point. This massive remake of the original Final Fantasy VII features new graphics suited to today’s consoles and PCs, a redesigned combat system, new game mechanics, and a much more polished storyline. To accommodate the larger scale, this game is the first part of a planned trilogy set entirely in the city of Midgar.
Quite frankly, Final Fantasy VII Remake is not so much a one-on-one re-creation as it is a reimagining or (minor spoilers) maybe even a sequel to the original FFVII on PS1 (yes, it’s confusing, but that’s how Square Enix works). In any case, the story is intended more for existing fans of Final Fantasy VII , rather than beginners, and should not be seen as a replacement for the original. However, Final Fantasy VII Remake is worth playing if you enjoyed the original game.
Final Fantasy VII Remake is available on PS4, PS5 and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. There’s also a bonus DLC chapter called “Intermission” available for the PS5 and PC versions, where you play as the courageous ninja Yuffie, and contains additional clues as to where the next games in the Remake series will go.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second chapter in the Remake series, set to release on PS5 “next winter”. This could mean any time between December 2023 and March 2024, and we’re betting that this will be closer to early 2024.
As for what the game will be like, the new combat system from the Remake will most likely be back and we expect the gameplay and structure to be similar as well, hopefully more open environments to explore and new characters joining the party. While the trailer showed some of the locations and potential plot twists that Rebirth , based on the events of Final Fantasy VII Remake and the Intermission DLC chapter, will cover, we expect Rebirth to deviate a bit from the source material.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3
Although no details were provided, Square Enix confirmed during the Final Fantasy VII 25th Anniversary Livestream that the Final Fantasy VII Remake series will be a trilogy. Considering that there is at least a year and a half left before the release of Revival , the third part is most likely still a few years away. But according to Remake series director Testua Nomura, development on the third installment has already begun, so hopefully it wo n’t be long.
In the meantime, we can only guess about the subtitle of the third part. Given the nature of the FFVII Remake trilogy and how it handles the storyline, I’m betting on Reimagined. Otherwise, we have no idea what events or characters from the vast Final Fantasy VII universe will appear, although the game will most likely be released on PS5.
Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core: Reunion
Crisis Core: Reunion is a remake of Crisis Core , an RPG exclusive to the PlayStation Portable. Like the original, this is a prequel that takes place just before the events of Final Fantasy VII and focuses on Zack Fair, an extremely important character in the world of Final Fantasy VII , despite the fact that he did not receive much screen time in the original game.
Crisis Core: Reunion will feature improved graphics, new voice acting, and a redesigned exploration environment. So far, the remake seems like an accurate retelling of the original Crisis Core, although it’s always possible that this new version will change some things to better fit the new remake canon. Either way, it’s worth playing if you’re a fan of the original Final Fantasy VII or the new Remake trilogy; The characters and events of Crisis Core not only flesh out the story of FFVII as a whole, but also play a key role in the upcoming Final Fantasy VII Rebirth .
Crisis Core: Reunion will release “this winter” on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, which could happen any day between December 2022 and March 2023.
Final Fantasy VII: Eternal Crisis
Billed as “another remake opportunity”, Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis is another remake of Final Fantasy VII , set to release later in 2022. But unlike Final Fantasy VII Remake ‘s bold reimagining, Ever Crisis is a more accurate game. The graphics of the outside world resemble the proportions of chibi characters from the PS1 game and the static background, but with higher resolution textures and more detailed models. However, the combat graphics are more similar to the visuals of Final Fantasy VII Remake, although Ever Crisis will stick to the turn-based role-playing battles of the original.
However, Ever Crisis is not just a retelling of Final Fantasy VII . The opening chapters will cover events from Crisis Core and the original Final Fantasy VII , but later chapters will eventually remake the entire Final Fantasy VII compilation, including Beyond Crisis , Dirge of Cerberus and The First Solder , as well as the Advent Children movie. – in classic RPG style. The only games Evert Crisis doesn’t cover are the new Remake trilogy.
Ever Crisis will release on iOS and Android in 2022 . An open beta is planned for the coming months, with a full release expected shortly thereafter. While some console players may be disappointed by the mobile-only availability of Ever Crisis , be aware that many mobile games can be played on a TV with a controller using devices such as Apple TV, Chromecast, Nvidia Shield, and more.
Final Fantasy VII: First Soldier
The First Soldie r is a free-to-play multiplayer battle royale shooter for iOS/Android set in the Final Fantasy VII universe. It combines competitive third-person shooting gameplay with the magic, swords, and fantasy beasts of Final Fantasy. The game takes place 30 years before the events of Final Fantasy VII , and each player is a candidate for the infamous Shinra “SOLDIER” program.
While there is history here, it is not the focus. Like other popular free-to-play battle royale shooters like Fortnite , The First Soldier ‘s main hook is unlocking (or purchasing) skins and other cosmetic items to personalize your character. Fortunately, the First Soldier storyline will appear in the upcoming Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis , so you can safely skip this part if you don’t like battle royale shooters. However, this game is already out on Android and iOS , so give it a try if the concept interests you.
Okay, but what if I just want to play the original Final Fantasy VII today?
Despite all these remakes and spin-offs, the original Final Fantasy VII remains the best way to get into the Final Fantasy VII Compilation – and the most important game in the series.
Final Fantasy VII Remake might be the newest and brightest, but it’s not so much a “remake” as much as a “reimagining” (or even a “sequel”) as I mentioned earlier, and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth looks to be even bigger. departure from the original. And who knows what the third part will be.
Another remake, Ever Crisis, could end up being the perfect way to experience much of the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII storyline, but this game hasn’t released yet and its story will be published chapter by chapter over the coming months and years, so that’s yet to come. to find out.
The thing is, Final Fantasy VII Remake , Rebirth , and various spin-off games like Crisis Core: Reunion simply won’t succeed (or make no sense) if you lack the context of the original Final Fantasy VII story. .
Fortunately, playing the original Final Fantasy VII in 2022 is very easy. Obviously, if you have a PS1 copy, you can play Final Fantasy VII on any working PS1, PS2, or PS3 console.
However, there is also an “HD” version available for PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC (via Steam), Android, and iOS. The HD version is pretty much the same as the PS1 game, only with improved graphics that look better on modern TVs and some extra “cheats” like maxing out money, disabling Random Battles, and making your party invincible. This is by far the best way to experience Final Fantasy VII for the first time and return to the classics of the 90s on modern devices.