Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Review)
Square Enix’s latest offering, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, faces the formidable challenge of not only meeting the lofty expectations set by its predecessor, Final Fantasy VII Remake but also revitalizing a pivotal chapter in our beloved heroes’ journey across Gaia.
Over our 80 hours with Rebirth, we found ourselves engrossed in the game, though it fell slightly short of the all-encompassing enchantment of Remake. Despite grappling with occasional stumbling blocks, such as an occasionally burdensome open world and uneven pacing, Rebirth manages to deliver a captivating and well-woven narrative, crowned by a breathtaking finale. The result emerges as a flawed yet deeply respectful tribute to one of gaming’s most cherished RPGs.
Venturing beyond the confines of Midgar, Cloud, Aerith, Tifa, Barret, and Red XIII embark on an odyssey across continents to thwart Sephiroth’s nefarious plot to obliterate the planet. The city of Kalm, meticulously reconstructed from its polygonal origins into a vibrant town, serves as the starting point.
The nostalgia of revisiting familiar locations, now seen through the lens of 2024, remains a delightful experience throughout the game. While iconic locales like Junon, Cosmo Canyon, and Nibelheim continue to awe, some technical glitches, like asset pop-ins and abrupt lighting changes, momentarily distract from the immersion. Despite recent patches addressing some issues, these concerns persist.
Surrounding these locales are expansive open areas teeming with side quests, combat challenges, card games, treasure caches, intel towers, and scavenger hunts. Initially exciting, the realization that each open-world area in Rebirth mirrors the same objectives grows somewhat disappointing over time. The game’s combat and strong ties to Final Fantasy VII’s world and lore carry the repetitive tasks, but a touch more variety would have elevated the overall experience outside the main storyline.
The game’s highlights, such as the engaging Queen’s Blood card game and special Summon Shrines leading to potent materia, maintain their appeal despite repetition across the world map. Side quests, ranging from forgettable to fantastic, inject levity and eccentricity into our Cloud and his companions’ world. While traversing the landscape can become tedious, especially in areas requiring specific Chocobo mechanics, the rejuvenation brought by new and familiar story elements, along with exhilarating combat, compensates for the shortcomings.
Square Enix adeptly navigates most story beats, expanding the lore in unforeseen ways while remaining true to the original narrative. However, a few chapters feel needlessly overloaded, disrupting the flow. If Remake exposes the destruction wrought by the villainous Shinra Electric Power Company in Midgar, Rebirth delves into how this corporation jeopardizes the entire world. The game skillfully utilizes various regions to showcase Shinra’s impact on the planet, from the dazzling Gold Saucer to the devastated Corel region.
The evolving relationships among characters take center stage, intertwining seamlessly with combat. New Synergy Abilities enhance the action, providing substantial boosts and introducing dynamic elements. The sparse appearances of Sephiroth heighten the terror, building up to a climactic final act that challenges both combat prowess and our understanding of Final Fantasy VII.
The closing act, tailored more for fans than newcomers, delivers a wondrous experience, matched by Rebirth’s stellar score featuring tear-inducing arrangements, jazz-fusion tunes, and a blend of new compositions and nostalgic favorites.
While Final Fantasy VII Rebirth expands the horizons of this beloved world, offering new ways to explore, it is not without drawbacks. The open-world checklist’s monotony occasionally hampers Rebirth’s brilliance, but the allure of playing as cherished characters tempers the frustration. The essence of Remake shines through in Rebirth, yet the distinctive open-world elements sometimes miss the mark, preventing it from achieving perfection.
Rating: 8.5
