When I reminisce about Final Fantasy, I am reminded of its rich history of exceptional gameplay, stunning visuals, and groundbreaking innovation that comes with every installment. This franchise has grown and evolved with me over the years, and I share this experience with many other players who have played through its numerous games. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the upcoming release, promises to evoke that sense of shared nostalgia while also creating new memories.
Final Fantasy VII Remake revived the classic PlayStation game and updated it for the new generation of gamers, making it more accessible for new players while still providing plenty of fan service. For the best experience, it is recommended to play Crisis Core and watch Advent Children. Building on this foundation, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth expands the game world and provides players with more opportunities to explore on a much grander scale. After previewing the first two chapters of the game, I was left wanting to explore more of the world.
The beginning of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth takes players through a flashback that introduces them to a young Cloud, Tifa, and Sephiroth as they explore Nibelheim. In the first chapter, we get to know their origins and motivations, while present-day Cloud and the team discuss and compare their memories. This serves as a great reintroduction to the Remake trilogy when we meet our heroes again in Kalm and catch up with everyone.
I was prompted to try out a new deck-building card game called Queen’s Blood. The goal of the game is to have the most points at the end of the match. You navigate through the board trying to accrue more points in each row than your opponent. There are three lanes where you strategically place cards from your hand according to their power rank. You can challenge the townsfolk and win matches to acquire new cards and build a powerful deck. Playing the game, I could quickly see the challenge of facing players with stronger decks and trying to outwit them.
Let’s discuss the open world and exploration in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. This game focuses on vast free-form environments that contrast with Remake. It’s amazing to open up the map and see an entire region. Navigating through this world, we meet a cyborg researcher named Chadley who needs Cloud’s help to understand more about the world. Your first task is to unlock towers to survey the map. After that, a set of objectives unlocks new combat simulations (training arena) and the ability to craft new materia.
It was really exciting to see how much was available early on. Although you can follow the main storyline, exploring off the beaten path and creating your own adventures is definitely the way to go. There is so much to do that it can be overwhelming at times, but since this is a rather long game, taking your time is highly recommended. I enjoyed participating in combat challenges, researching artifacts, and discovering the secrets of the Grasslands.
I cannot complete this preview without mentioning the Chocobos. In the early stages of the game, you will be required to catch a Chocobo. It was an enjoyable experience engaging in some light stealth to acquire one. Chocobos play a crucial role in fast traveling throughout the world of Rebirth. They are also capable of detecting nearby treasures. I was presented with a timed training course, but I anticipate more races will be available in the later chapters. You can also customize your Chocobo at the Chocobotique, which allows you to make cosmetic enhancements to your daily ride.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is trending in the right direction and I can’t wait to see the full game when it releases on February 29, 2024. For more information, you can read more about the game’s party and combat in my first preview. Alternatively, you can watch the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth State of Play and download the demo, which is now available on PlayStation 5.
