Final Fantasy VII Remake

Dont understand how people have not give this a 9 or 10 love new version so good keeps story but with a couple of better changes fighting system is amazing loads action and a bit of emotion just gutted got to wait for part 2

I've loved FFVII since I first played it in 2014. Fortunately, I didn't have to wait as long as most for what was advertised as a remake. It seemed like it was in development forever, the first trailer was 5 long years before the game actually hit the shelves. How is it? It's good! Flawed, but good.

I mentioned that it's advertised as a remake. It's a bit disingenuous of their marketing to say that's the case. While the game is an authentic expansion/remake of about 90% of the Midgar section in the original, it does do some things quite differently (especially at the end). This will be a better experience if you have played the original. The game is designed with this in mind. Going through Crisis Core and watching Advent Children is probably recommended too.

I don't want to gate-keep though; this can be a good entry point into the universe. It's just my recommendation that playing the OG first is best if you can handle older graphics (mods help!).

The creators didn't want to remake everything 1:1, because that's boring to them. I can respect that.

Half the parts it expands upon are pretty fantastic. Many fans did not expect them to include some of the goofier stuff. Turns out, they didn't just include them. They went 500% in. Highlighted them in bright yellow ink. It's glorious.

Characters maintain their core while feeling more grounded and fleshed out. It certainly helps that they don't look like cursed Legos anymore. Not just the main characters are better though; side characters like Jessie, Biggs and Wedge come alive here in a way they never were before. The game also introduces new characters, most of which feel at home in FFVII, though only a few are memorable.

Where the game falters is its incessant padding. Sections that were a screen or two in the original are stretched to literal hours. If you enjoy the gameplay and characters (as I did), it helps these sections a fair bit, but not enough to make them good. A lot of the changes come at the cost of momentum. Midgar in the original is a roaring romp with quick ups and downs before you get out and finally breathe as the world is revealed. Here, the pacing can be rather jarring.

As for the story decisions in particular, I think I'm mostly ok with them. People are afraid that it'll become Kingdom Hearts level of convolution, but I think they need 20 games to even get to that level. I've played Kingdom Hearts, unfortunately. I know how bad it can get... I think what they're doing with the villain is actually quite interesting, but the introduction of him is worse in this entry (another reason to play the original!). It's hard to fully judge these changes. This is only part one of a giant story, and I can't really evaluate it until all three games are out. For now, I'm along for the ride.

Thankfully the rest of the game is fantastic. The music takes motifs and experiments with them more, mixing in more original and memorable tracks. A certain underground section that's really not that compelling overall is joyous to go back to just for the soundtrack. The hubs filled with people are incredibly lively; Midgar still feels huge and varied. The gameplay is a smart hybrid of old Final Fantasy battles and new.

They really just went all out with certain parts. I just wish I could experience it all in less time.

I initially played it during Covid on my PS4. It was a very strange time, driving through empty traffic lights midday to get to a workplace that was deathly quiet. I just wanted to get home and play this. It helped.

This time round, I played the DLC as well with Yuffie's introduction (it wasn't released on PS4). I liked it overall; the gameplay was slick, the narrative was great in the first half but a bit repetitive in the second. And the music was crazy. They did 6 songs for a turtle club side quest - again, that's 6 songs for a turtle club side quest - that you'll only hear about 30 seconds of each if you even decide to do the quest in the first place. All different genres. All turtley.

The DLC is a must play for anyone who likes the series, and clearly a core part of the story.

So the game is great. It does succumb to more anime tropes than the original, whether that's a good or bad thing is up to you. It does make plenty of changes. But its core, its foundation, its heart, is the same. This is the original 5 hours expanded upon and fleshed out. It mostly works. Give it a go.

This game is absolutely stunning in every way. I'm so deeply impressed by it. Incredibly immersive, to the point where I forget I'm actually playing a game. I love all the new content and side quests. It really just adds to and enriches the game and story. Playability is also flawless. The materia, limit, weapon upgrades, etc are all very easy to understand. I feel like replayability is going to be very high with this game; at least for me!

The original game means so much more to me than nostalgia- as it does to many people. When the original released there were not many games of its scope, its wackiness, its maturity or its willingness to play with themes ahead of its time. Needless to say I was worried square would mess this up after FF13 and FF15 (at release). I was even tempted to not preorder after having my faith in the series shaken since FF12.

Needless to say (as my opinion is in the title)- but this game is incredible. I will be replaying this game for a long time.

Without ruining anything- yes- it has changed things- but only for the better. Elements that needed fleshing out have been- there are no unnecessary elements (only side quests/mini games if you want them) and the finale is absolutely outstanding.

From a graphical standpoint, never have I felt so happy to have invested in a pro and a 4k tv- and this is from someone who thought that when I played God of War. It is breathtaking in every section.

The soundtrack is, again, incredible. From the intro to the outro I found myself occasionally just amazed with how well this game all fits together- and the music is the glue- I will be downloading it after writing this review. The voice acting is absolutely amazing, even from third party characters of passers by- there is nothing that annoys me more than screechy terrible voice actors constantly yabbing as you wander through an area- but in this they all talk about relevant (game) world matters and its really interesting to catch some of their conversations.

The gameplay (especially battling) has the welcome element of challenge and a really decent variety- in normal and hard. You have to actually consider equipment, skills and materia in this. It is not a button masher. There is plenty of choice of approach too- not just one method to beat someone or something- as well as varying small elements through player choice though we all meet many of the major story beats. I would akin it story path wise more to uncharted 4, than to say the Witcher- there is player choice and an interesting world to explore- but it is not open world. The story is amazing. Thats all im saying about that.

For those as familiar with the original as I am then there are so so many small and large elements to kick up your nostalgia. So many. I absolutely loved seeing what was a 2D painted environment brought into a living breathing world. Finding all it was super fun- and I am replaying now.

All in all, it is as my title says, an absolute pleasure for your eyes, your ears and your heart. If you had lost faith in square like I had started to- then please give them a chance- you wont regret it.

We all remember where we were in 2005 when the PS3 tech demo was shown to the world and we were all teased with something that few ever imagined would become a reality. Here we are, April 10th 2020, and the remake of Final Fantasy VII is a reality!! The graphics are stunning, especially if you have a 4K tv, and the gameplay is fluid and fun. I must admit that the goosebumps hit pretty hard once those first notes of music played over Aerith's face(and what a gorgeously rendered face it is!) and it felt like 1997 all over again!! Thank you, Square Enix!!!!