Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Review: A Modern Masterpiece

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a modern masterpiece that re-captures the magic from the 1997 PlayStation classic. It’s a must-play, my full review.

The Final Fantasy series is a cultural phenomenon that has inspired and shaped other games and forms of media since its inception. With millions of loyal fans and a vast array of spin-offs, adaptations, and merchandise, Final Fantasy is one of the most successful and influential video game franchises of all-time.

Taking the most beloved game in the franchise with Final Fantasy VII and rebuilding it for a modern audience is an incredibly challenging feat. So much can go wrong especially when it comes to reimaging a story that many hold so near and dear. Somehow, against all odds, developer Square Enix continues to exceed expectations with its Final Fantasy VII project.

"Somehow, against all odds, developer Square Enix continues to exceed expectations with its Final Fantasy VII project."

Following-up 2020’s stellar Final Fantasy VII Remake, Rebirth is bigger and better by every metric. It’s an experience that draws upon the sense of wonder from the original while improving upon the incredible characters, gameplay, musical score, and more to create one of the best games I’ve ever played.

It’s a masterpiece, and a full rebirth of the modern action-RPG as we know it. Square has taken one of the most iconic stories in video game history and brought it to new heights of excellence and innovation. FF7 Rebirth not only respects and honors the original but also explores new possibilities and perspectives. In this review, I’ll explore why Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a masterclass in storytelling and far and away is one of best games in the last decade.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Details

Platform: PlayStation 5

Developer(s): Square Enix Creative Business Unit I

Publisher(s): Square Enix

Genre: Action role-playing

Modes: Single-player

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

A familiar, but completely new story experience

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth picks up where Remake left off, with Cloud and his friends escaping from the city of Midgar and embarking on a journey to stop the evil Shinra corporation and the ruthless Sephiroth. The storyline of Rebirth is a masterful blend of nostalgia and taking things in a bold new direction. It follows the main plot of the original game, but also adds new twists and turns, making it unpredictable and exciting. The plot also expands on the lore and the characters, giving them more depth and personality. FF7 Rebirth also does a great join balancing action and adventure, with fantasy and realism. This results in creating a rich and immersive world that is truly captivating.

"This results in creating a rich and immersive world that is truly captivating."

The story opens in dramatic fashion with a flashback that lets you delve deeper into the story behind Sephiroth, the main antagonist, and his motivations. You will learn more about his past, his relationship with Cloud in new and surprising revelation. After this the story flashes forward to the current timeline with iconic and memorable moments from the original game, along with new, exciting expansions to the world. Of note fans get a modern take on the Nibelheim Incident and iconic areas like the Gold Saucer. It’s far from a retread as new twists and surprises keep you on the edge of your seat. Along the way, they encounter new allies and enemies, discover new secrets and mysteries, and face new threats and challenges.

The storyline of Rebirth is also enhanced by superb voice acting, expressive facial animations, with cinematic combat and beautifully executed cutscenes. All of this works in tandem bringing the characters and their story to life.

Upgraded gameplay and combat mechanics

Along with a massive open world, there are new, fresh mechanics to make it easier to navigate and battle. The new enhanced movement system allows characters to easily vault over objects, scale walls and open chests. Everything feels more natural and streamlined when it comes to moving around the world.

"Everything feels more natural and streamlined when it comes to moving around the world."

Your party is also expanded allowing you to fight alongside Yuffie, Red XIII, Barret, Tifa, Cloud, and Aerith. A few other surprise allies join you as well, but I don’t want to spoil any plot points.

Cinematic combat synergy

Another great addition to battles is “Combat Synergies” which unlock team-based abilities that can turn the tide of many confrontations. With these synergies, parts of your party team up for visually dazzling attacks that dole out the damage to your foes.

"With these synergies, parts of your party team up for visually dazzling attacks that dole out the damage to your foes."

Overall, the more active combat feels great, and faster paced than its turn-based equivalent. You still manage items, spells and more elaborate attacks through a streamlined menu system, but overall the combat feels great.

A stunning amount of side content and mini games

One of the best things about Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the sheer variety of side missions and mini games that you can enjoy throughout your journey. Whether you want to race chocobos, play an addictive collectible card game, or show off your skills in a 3-D arcade beat ‘em up, there is so much to see and do in this game. Rebirth even offers a fully playable piano much like the guitar from Last of Us Part II: Remastered. There are so many well-fleshed out side quests and mini games that it's actually intimidating to try to see and do everything.

"There are so many well-fleshed out side quests and mini games that it's actually intimidating to try to see and do everything."

Many of these activities are optional, but they do tie back into the main story or the character development of your party members. Not only are these mini-games fun and challenging, but they also reward you with useful items, materia, and trophies. Plus, they add more depth and flavor to the world and add a staggering level of replayability to the game.

Queen’s Blood

One of my favourite experiences in Rebirth’s extensive suite of side content is the highly addictive card game, Queen's Blood. It’s a trading card game where you build your own decks and face off against other players throughout the world. If you’re like me and played Witcher III’s Gwent or Marvel SNAP, you know how these games can get their hooks in you, and Queen’s Blood is just as addictive and fun.

"If you’re like me and played Witcher III’s Gwent or Marvel SNAP, you know how these games can get their hooks in you, and Queen’s Blood is just as addictive and fun."

Moving from region to region and finding players and tournaments quickly became my obsession. You'll always find new cards to add to your collection, don't be afraid to mix things up and try different strategies it can really help against more difficult opponents.

Graphics and Performance

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a stunning, visual tour-de-force from environments to characters models down to the smallest detail, everything looks incredible. The game features a vast and diverse world, with richly detailed landscapes, cityscapes, and interiors, each with their own unique atmosphere and style. It sharply contrasts the dense, urban settings of Remake that were more linear, opting for a massive, colourful open world brimming with things to see and do. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth graphics and performance are a showcase of what the PS5 can do, and is a feast for the eyes. There is the odd framerate dip and I had one hard crash while I played, but it was understandable for an experience with the level of scale and scope. The graphics and performance are dazzling, showcasing the power and potential of the PS5.

Different visual modes on the PS5

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth gives you the choice between a graphics or performance mode, letting you pick between higher resolution or higher frame rate. I personally love as many details as possible packed into my games, so I opted for the graphics mode to get the most out of my screenshots. There is a photo mode in the game at launch, and it has a decent suite of features. I have hundreds of captures taken at this point, the game, its environments, and incredible artwork always had me stopping for a picture or a dozen.

Ground-breaking music audio design

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s audio design is truly in a league of its own, taking some of the most iconic video game music of all time and improving it. The game’s soundtrack alone boasts over 400 recorded tracks with multiple versions of each character’s theme. What’s most incredible about the melodies and sound is they often tell the story on their own setting the scene, tone, and mood beautifully.

The soundtrack is composed by Nobuo Uematsu along with a team of other talented musicians, who created arrangements that dynamically adapt to the mood and situations in the game. I was very impressed how the music transitions from soft melodies while exploring to fast paced beats when in battle, without any noticeable cuts.

What’s most incredible about the melodies and sound is they often tell the story on their own, setting the scene, tone, and mood beautifully."

The game features both new and remixed tracks, which capture the essence and the nostalgia of the original game, while also adding new flavors and emotions. The game includes some of the most iconic and memorable songs from ‘97, such as “One-Winged Angel”, “Aerith’s Theme”, and “Cosmo Canyon.”

The game also features a high-quality voice acting, which brings the characters and the story to life. The dialogue is witty and natural, emotions of the characters come across as authentic, and the scenes with major plot points are expertly crafted. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth audio design is a masterpiece, and a delight for the ears.

Final thoughts on Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is an experience that I cannot recommend enough. It surpassed all my expectations, and delivered a story and characters that I won’t soon forget. The creative teams used the original material in smart ways while also innovating and expanding upon it. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is not just a sequel, but a rebirth of the action-RPG genre and a new benchmark for the PS5.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth PROS

+Amazing story that is faithful and fresh

+Engaging gameplay that is engaging and fun

+Incredible graphics

+Superb audio design and soundtrack

+Seemingly unending, modes, and content that add replay value and variety

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth CONS

-Some minor technical bugs

Overall Assessment of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

Gameplay: 10/10

Graphics: 10/10

Sound: 10/10

Replayability: 10/10

Overall Rating: 40/40 (100%)

A copy of the game was provided by Square Enix for the purpose of this review.

About the Author - Matthew "Dapper Tux" Rondina

Matthew has been involved in all things gaming since the 8-bit era. He is a veteran of the video game and tech industry who has been passionate about technology and gaming for over 20 years. Along with being the Managing Editor of dappertux.com, he has bylines with Best Buy, Cineplex Entertainment, Mobile Syrup and Walmart. Follow Matthew’s gaming + tech adventures on multiple social platforms with the handle @dapper_tux via "X", Instagram, Threads, TikTok and join in on the fun!

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