Final Fantasy VII Remake: everything you need to know before starting to play. From the essentials to the best tips and tricks March 2021.
It all started with a bang. Reducing the first of Midgard’s reactors to rubble intertwined the fate of the cold, secretive and enigmatic mercenary Cloud Strife with that of the eco-terrorist organization Avalanche . And, in the process, Final Fantasy VII made a profound mark on video game history.
A cult classic that is reborn through Final Fantasy VII Remake, this being much more than an update of the milestones reached by the legendary Squaresoft of the 90s. And they were not few: the emotions, the cinematics and the great moments lived on the original PlayStation, they continue to resonate strongly.
Decades later, Square Enix invites us to relive the original experience from a new perspective and, in the process, deconstructs, synthesizes and reassembles the whole so that, as in 1997, sentencing enemies through the deadly sword remains a cutting-edge experience.
There are plenty of reasons to embark on this long-awaited remake. The characters, the story, the exquisite technical and artistic section, their way of merging the classic gameplay with that of the current JRPGs. And, of course, their appearance among the PS Plus incentives and their PS5 version are the unmistakable sign that it’s time to tackle Final Fantasy VII Remake.
Precisely for this reason, in VidaExtra we have prepared a very special guide, dedicated both to those who know the original Final Fantasy VII by heart and to those who have never given the saga a chance or, for any reason, have left this remake started or half.
Without further ado, this is all you need to know before you start playing Final Fantasy VII Remake.
What is Final Fantasy VII about?
The planet dies, and not by natural circumstances. His life energy, the mako , is extracted by the Shinra megacorporation through eight reactors. Its purpose is to produce and control the energy supply and it will not notice the consequences of this. However, not everyone is willing to sit idly by.
The Avalanche group , an eco-terrorist organization led by the irascible but very determined Barret Wallace , has set out to destroy all of Shinra’s reactors, and its ace up its sleeve is Cloud Strife, a young mercenary excessively moderate in words and emotions, but with an exceptional talent for combat.
Cloud doesn’t seem to care about the cause of Avalanche or the fate of the planet. His childhood friend, Tifa Lockhart, served as a link between the mercenary and Barret’s purposes. But for him, destroying the reactors is just a job. An especially risky one, but also very well paid.
However, fate has bigger plans for Cloud: after destroying the first of Shinra’s reactors, the mercenary ends up meeting a ghost from his past and, shortly after, meeting a very rare florist: Aerith Gainsborough. What neither of them suspect is that this chance encounter will end up defining the fate of the world itself.
The first is the first. This may be your first foray into the Final Fantasy universe of universes, but don’t worry: just because multiple installments are numbered doesn’t mean they have to be played in a specific order. In fact, Final Fantasy VII was the series’ first foray into Europe.
That said, Final Fantasy VII is a story that has several themes very well spun. There is a strong redemption undertone, of course, but Square’s hero’s journey also includes strong messages about loss, overcoming, nature, and above all else, the central theme of the game: life.
Ahead, Final Fantasy VII Remake offers a story divided into 18 chapters, with secondary missions and new content created for the occasion. Being, in turn, the beginning of a much larger story arc that will continue to take shape over the next few years.
Why is there so much buzz around Final Fantasy VII Remake?
The original Final Fantasy VII, released in 1997, is one of the most influential video games in history. The largest blockbuster produced in its time was the definitive promoter of JRPGs in the West and one of the first exponents of the degree of maturity reached by the medium itself in terms of ambition, presentation, themes and artistic quality.
Precisely for this reason, when its remake was announced back in 2015, fans of the Final Fantasy saga and the video game in general exploded with joy: after several reissues, Square Enix would give new life to one of its greatest classics, adapting and accommodating the essence original to what should be a game of the new millennium. Preserving the original avant-garde and transgressive spirit.
Final Fantasy VII left a very special mark on players through its story and characters, and living up to its own legacy requires more than just blockbuster visuals.
However, as we will see, Square Enix has not only turned the settings into realistic environments and reimagined the characters, villains heroes and lesser enemies, with a believable and sensational appearance, but it has also expanded the story and rethought its gameplay, both in fighting as in exploration.
However, and despite the new stories created for the occasion, Fantasy VII Remake does not cover the entire plot offered in Final Fantasy VI. This is the first part of an indeterminate series of titles -without a release date- that will address the feat of Cloud, Tifa, Aerith and the rest of the characters. And yet, despite the above, a complete game in its own right.
Who’s who in Final Fantasy VII
At this point, it is worth dedicating a brief space to each of the characters who will have a major role throughout the events of Final Fantasy VII.
Cloud strife
A young man of great skill and few words . Previously, Cloud worked with Shinra as a First Class Soldier. Today he survives as a soldier of fortune and his latest assignment is serious business: destroying the generators that extract the vital energy of the planet.
Barret wallace
The Avalanche leader has very clear ideas, great determination, and very limited patience. Barret combines his clandestine activities at the head of the anti Shinra group with his responsibilities as a father and a member of the neighborhood police in sector 7.
Tifa lockhart
The young owner of the El Séptimo Cielo bar is also one of the Avalancha group’s greatest assets. Cloud’s childhood friend, her exceptional combat prowess and fierce determination against the Shinra corporation contrasts with her kind and sensitive nature.
Aerith gainsborough
Since she was a child, Aerith has been closely watched by Shinra: her connection to the planet and her ability to use matter make her exceptional . Florist by profession, her chance encounter with Cloud will change the fate of the world.
Network XIII
Appearances are not everything. Feline-looking and enormously powerful, Red XIII has been the subject of numerous experiments by Shinra’s science and development department. Avalanche’s actions against the powerful megacorporation will be your best chance to escape.
Yuffie kisaragi
Childish and cheerful, Yuffie is a commodity hunter and special agent for the new government of Wutai, a town that has lost its original glory. She shares objectives with Avalanche and despite her fragile appearance, she is a formidable fighter with ninja reflexes.
President Shinra
It could be said that the head of the industrial mega-corporation Shinra is also the one who has absolute control of the planet . At the end of the day, not only does he have vital resources, he also has no scruples when it comes to manipulating public information.
Sephiroth
The original Soldier and maximum antagonist of Final Fantasy VII and its remake. Sephiroth was the standard bearer for the Shinra Corporation and the inspiration for countless young people to enlist in the Soldier program. For Cloud, her mere presence awakens painful memories and reopens wounds from the past.
What changes are there compared to the classic?
So far we have approached Final Fantasy VII and its remake as if they were the same game experience with the improvements of the systems in which they were released. However, there are too many elements that differentiate them from each other and, at the same time, make them unique.
Final Fantasy VII Remake is a great JRPG in episodic format
Although the Final Fantasy VII of the first PlayStation was so ambitious that it was presented on several discs, the scale of its remake is even greater, so that the original plot has been divided into several games. That said, the duration and content of each of these parts is equivalent to a complete game.
More missions, scenes and characters
With the foregoing ahead, Final Fantasy VII Remake has taken the opportunity to offer a deeper treatment of the characters and the story itself according to what is expected of a current game.
- Sometimes integrating new cutscenes or extended versions of the scenes we know, but also completely original moments.
- On the other hand, giving us the possibility to accept or participate in new jobs and secondary missions beyond the main story line.
- In addition, the content extension of Final Fantasy VII Remake opens the door to the appearance of new characters. Two examples of this are Chadley, a researcher with the appearance of a youngster, or Roche, a Third-class Soldier and fearless motorcyclist created for the occasion.
Big changes in history
As we discussed, Final Fantasy VII Remake is much more than a visual update of the original experience: Square Enix has deconstructed, reinterpreted and reassembled the classic and that leads to extensions and deviations of its own plot.
As can be seen in several Remake trailers, there are some entities, whispers, which – in their own way – bind the essence of both games. However, beyond the extended story, players of the classic will run into surprises and also a broader view of the original universe.
Without going into revealing details, a subtle example of this is that Avalanche goes from being a small group of rebels to a large organization, with Barret being responsible for one of its teams. A team, by the way, especially troublesome.
Turn-based fighting versus tactical action
While Final Fantasy VII was transgressive when it came to its approach to combat, its mechanics were classic: encounters with minor enemies are random and attacks are turn-based. Logically, there are several nuances that give identity to the combat management itself.
The remake unceremoniously embraces the concept of ARPG through a real-time combat system in which each character has a specific role. Thus, Cloud uses his sword at short distances and Barret stands out at a distance with his submachine gun.
However, there are tactical elements that have strong ties with the original Final Fantasy VII.
- From the start, despite the fact that in combat we will control a single hero, at all times we can alternate between any character on our team.
- In addition, each hero has personal and unique abilities. As we will see, simply using the same button we will not go too far.
- On the other hand, and in a very similar way to the classic, little by little we will be loading some bars that will allow us to access skills and magic. What’s more, we can drastically slow down time, integrating them in a similar way to turn-based combat.
- However, instead of following the turn scheme, we must move through the combat terrain and, following the Action RPG mechanics, the characters gain the ability to dodge and block.
All in all, Final Fantasy VII Remake knows how to adapt to any fan by offering several options from the beginning and settings menus so that the battles themselves are not an impediment to enjoying the game’s story.
Virtual combat and the Don Corneo Coliseum
The revamped combat system is one of the strengths of Final Fantasy VII Remake , and Square Enix not only gives us outstanding reasons to put it to the test or hone our skills, but also rewards our prowess.
- Virtual combats are encounters that we can access by talking to Chadley, one of the new characters, after completing Combat Reports; in the Shinra Building or after the main story is finished.
- The Don Corneo Coliseum is located in close proximity to Don Corneo’s mansion, in the Mercado Muro, once you have reached Chapter 9 (approximately the halfway point of the game)
In both cases it is about combat with very specific conditions. Some of them are required to continue the story, but most are optional challenges whose difficulty is proportionate to the reward obtained.
13 tips and tricks for Final Fantasy VII Remake
Ready to start playing? This series of simple tips and tricks will scare you to get the most out of the game.
Choose a difficulty to your liking, you will have time for great challenges
At first, Final Fantasy VII Remake offers three difficulty options
- Classic , characters attack and dodge automatically and difficulty is easy
- Easy, perfect for tackling history without complications
- Normal, the fighting is intense but really manageable
There is one more degree of unlockable difficulty . However, you can freely switch from the game options. Our advice is that if you resist any part of the adventure, lower the level and adjust the game to your liking and you will have time for new challenges: as you will see below, only in hard mode is it possible to access all the contents.
Shortcuts will be your ace up your sleeve
In Final Fantasy VII Remake we control one character at a time, although we can freely alternate between all those we have on our team. In this aspect, the most efficient is to use the shortcuts to manage everything comfortably.
- On the one hand, by pressing L1 plus one of the four main buttons we can quickly select various actions. Make sure one of them is healing.
- On the other, we can give specific orders to other team members from the actions menu itself without having to switch characters.
- Finally, by pressing the PlayStation touch panel we will see useful information about the enemies . In this aspect we recommend that you have the ability to analyze.
Arrange the map to your liking (and explore every corner)
The settings in Final Fantasy VII Remake are packed with details, including hidden boxes and secrets. Feel free to explore freely unless you have a timer and you will find additional treasures and commissions that will always come in handy.
If we unfold the map we will see each section section by section, which will come in handy. Ultimately, your teammates will be heading to where the story continues but there is a lot to see.
In this regard, we recommend that you switch from the compass to the minimap simply by pressing the L2 trigger on the controller. You will have a better view of the explorable areas if you feel like exploring.
Be clear about the role of each of your characters beforehand
Unlike the turn-based fighting in classic Final Fantasy VII, the remake’s turn to action gives each character a greater playable identity, with some performing better in melee and others at a distance.
The key to fighting efficiently is to reinforce the abilities of each character individually. Encourage heals and summons and fight strategically before the game even begins. Great battles are won before they start.
Limits are to be spent
When taking damage or leaving an enemy vulnerable, the Limit bar fills up and we can execute a devastating attack. Although it should be used at the right time, it is not worth not using it: at the end of the fight the bar will be empty again.
The subject should be one of your first priorities
Matter and its management are hugely important in Final Fantasy VII and its remake. Our double priority, from the beginning of the game, should be to raise its level and bet heavily on obtaining new slots for both weapons and armor.
It is highly recommended to have healing materials. However, the game is designed so that each player must adapt the subject and its possibilities to their own style . Even when it comes to stealing weapons that are impossible to obtain otherwise with the material to steal.
Optimize your team, you will get great results
Make it a habit to regularly update the equipment of each of your characters. However, you don’t have to go out of your way to improve everything you have in your inventory: always prioritize what works best for your heroes, their combat style and the way you play.
Health is as important (or more) than offensive ability
We agree that the new style of combat requires us to dodge and protect ourselves. However, healing will become increasingly important as the story unfolds.
- Automatic healing is highly recommended on all of our allies. It is more reinforce it as much as possible in Aerith and Barret. Dispose of healing matter.
- Press the L1 Button before healing to affect all characters on your team.
- Finally, use the game’s rest areas whenever possible . They will fully recharge your health and magic points on all difficulties (only health on Hard) and save you more than a potion and a disgust.
Get lots of money easily
Need some extra Giles? Here are some simple and very practical tips:
- Equip yourself with lucrative Matter , you will find it by completing the challenges of the Shinra Simulator (Group of two vs. aerial fighters) and you will earn much more.
- Improve your luck with the Lucky Matter. You can get it as a reward for completing the Squat Duel in Chapter 9.
- While Shinra’s crates contain a number of random items, some side quests are highly paid and certain locations, such as Don Corneo’s Stash, tend to offer better items. If we save the game at the right time we will see how the open boxes will have reappeared.
- Repeat the most lucrative chapters through the level selector. Definitely the most efficient way to get rich.
Take advantage of discounts
If you see a yellow indicator when reviewing the price table in a store, do not overthink it: this is a sale and, depending on the article, a golden opportunity.
Enemy Tokens are more than a collectible
As we play and defeat other enemies we will see that a glossary is completed in our main menu. In it we will not only see 3D models of these and information from the story, but also their attributes and weaknesses.
Through this information we can understand what kind of spells are more effective or what is the best way to combat them.
Let’s talk about optional missions and challenges
At this point it is worth making a special section: Final Fantasy VII has optional challenges, secondary missions and content that expand the original plot. We can board them or pass them by, but they will always be rewarded.
Given the design of the Post-game, it is likely that you are more interested in finishing the main story and completing all the content with the hard mode and the selection of chapters already unlocked. However, keep in mind that the resources and experiences obtained in these will make your progress much easier.
Chapter 16 is tremendously replayable
Once you complete the game itself and have the chapter selector, it is quite likely that you will visit Chapter 16 : the enemies that appear in the first area will allow you to get a lot of Exp. And money in not too long . Above all, with the extra that is offered in the post-game. Don’t be afraid to repeat the process as much as you want.
Round of frequently asked questions and concrete answers
You may not have something clear before launching to play Final Fantasy VII Remake. Without revealing specific details for you to enjoy the comprehensive experience, here are a series of quick and frequently asked questions about the game answered directly:
How long is Final Fantasy VII Remake?
The approximate duration of the 18 episodes of Final Fantasy VII Remake is 40 hours of gameplay. If we go to How Long Takes to Beat we can give more specific data:
- The average duration of the game is 33 hours and a half (according to 600 players)
- If we are completists, the duration amounts to almost 85 hours (according to 379 players)
- If we try to break a speed record, the fastest record is at 7 hours and 23 minutes.
However, in the end the duration is reduced to the adjustments we make and what we want to lose between section and section of history.
What is known about the rest of the Final Fantasy VII Remake episodes
Square Enix itself is not clear in how many parts the complete plot of the original Final Fantasy VII will arrive . It is intended to be a trilogy, but it is undecided.
At the moment, the development of the next episode is taking shape and its direction is in the hands of Naoki Hamaguchi, the co-director of the first part of Final Fantasy VII Remake.
What we know about Final Fantasy VII Remake beyond PlayStation
Officially, Square Enix has established the temporary exclusivity of Final Fantasy VII Remake on PS4 until April 10, 2021. From that date, the door opens to the possibility of appearing on new systems and consoles, although, for now, there is nothing advertised.
What we do know is that Final Fantasy VII Remake is played on PS5 thanks to backward compatibility and that, as of June 6, you will receive a new edition for the next-generation Sony desktop.
In any case, those who own a copy of the game will receive the PS5 version at no additional cost. A great detail with fine print: with the PS4 version of Final Fantasy VII Remake for PlayStation Plus members it is not possible to get the free digital copy for PS5.
What can we expect from the Next Gen versions of Final Fantasy VII Remake
Announced for PlayStation 5, the version of Final Fantasy VII Remake for the next generation consoles will offer a more polished experience in the technical and with especially suggestive news:
- Starting off, Final Fantasy VII Remake offers improvements to textures, lighting, and atmospheric fog.
- In addition, it offers two optimization factors: “Graphics” which prioritizes 4K resolution graphics and “Performance” prioritizes game performance at 60 FPS.
- Along with the above, Final Fantasy VII Remake will add a fully customizable photographic mode
- Finally, the next-gen version of Final Fantasy VII Remake will take advantage of haptic feedback from the DualSense, the PS5 controller.
What is Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade the improved version of Final Fantasy VII Remake for PS5 with an added bonus: an unreleased episode starring Yuffie.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade will be released on June 6 on PS5 through two editions:
- Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade Standard Edition includes a copy of the game for PS5 with its improvements, the new Yuffie episode and the Star Cactus weapon. Its digital price is set at 79.99 euros.
- Final Fantasy VII Remake Digital Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game for PS5 with its improvements, the new episode of Yuffie, the Cactiestrella weapon and, in addition, a digital art book and a digital mini-soundtrack. Its digital price is set at 99.99 euros.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Post-Game
If you have come this far, it is quite likely that you have finished the main story of Final Fantasy VII Remake or you are interested in resuming the juice for the new chapter of Yuffie or you simply want excuses to add hours and extra content to your game. Because Cloud definitely doesn’t run out of trouble after the inevitable fight against his own destiny.
Hard mode, the New Game + that will put your skills to the test
To begin with, when you complete Final Fantasy VII Remake for the first time, we will receive a new game mode : hard mode. The interesting thing here is that we will retain our equipment and material obtained in the original game.
In essence, what increases the degree of difficulty of the game is the aggressiveness of the enemies and two very specific adjustments: we will not be able to use our inventory in combat and we will not recover our magic points when resting.
Also, and this is important, some of the contents of Final Fantasy VII Remake can only be found in Hard mode.
The chapter selector: relive the best moments better than the first time
Like the hard mode, once we have completed the story of Final Fantasy VII Remake we will be given access to a chapter selector. Something especially convenient if we want to be complete with a couple of essential details: we can choose the difficulty before starting. Including, of course, the newly released Hard mode.
New challenges and secrets
Square Enix is strongly committed to replayability in Final Fantasy VII Remake, dressing the main game with extra content after passing the game. So that:
- If the first time we approach the game we can obtain 12 Combat Manuals, when playing in Hard mode we will be able to find or obtain a total of 56 manuals.
- In addition, once the game is completed we will see that the Combat Simulator has received new challenges of greater difficulty.
- Of course, there are many more unlockables to get . From musical themes for the jukebox that we will find throughout the game (a total of 31), to new outfits for Cloud, Aerith and Tifa. And, already put, we can also complete the encyclopedia of enemies.
- Finally, you can face the Bahamut in the Combat Simulator . An intense and highly paid challenge: your summoning matter.