Among numerous accolades, flawless ratings, and unreported sales figures, Square Enix’s “Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth” was one of the most impactful games of the previous year. As the long-anticipated sequel in the “Remake” series, its importance even surpasses that of the latest mainline game. Although anticipation reached astronomical levels, it generally met expectations and was a strong contender for end-of-year awards (hadn’t a certain space robot taken the spotlight). However, this doesn’t mean that “Rebirth” didn’t spark some debate or excel in every category; after all, it wouldn’t be a “Final Fantasy” game without a bit of controversy.
Approaching the one-year mark since its initial release for PC, here we are! If you’ve been hesitant about diving into the PS5 version for various reasons, there’s some exciting news. In many aspects, playing “Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth” on a PC can offer an even more immersive experience. Despite persistent flaws that remain as bothersome as ever, this platform presentsly offers the optimal way to enjoy this game.
As a devoted admirer, I’d say that this remake delves deeper into several key storylines and settings from the original, with some enhancements that tug at my heartstrings, while others might not resonate as strongly. Interestingly, certain plot points have been reorganized or omitted altogether in this version.
In essence, the narrative unfolds around Cloud, Tifa, Barret, Aerith, and Red XIII, as they embark on a journey beyond Midgar in pursuit of Sephiroth, who remains an intriguing enigma. The original storyline has undergone substantial alterations, leading to captivating character transformations. Tifa becomes more transparent with Cloud while trying to help him confront his inner turmoil. Barret emerges as a more complex character and forges a deeper connection with Cloud. These changes can be seen as exploring previously hinted-at aspects or venturing into uncharted territory – regardless, they feel authentic and strengthen the relationships within the party in a fresh yet familiar manner.
Discussing change inevitably involves talking about the narrative itself. The remake broadens certain scenes and settings from the original, some of which are endearing enhancements while others might not be as successful. Some elements have been reorganized or eliminated altogether. Personal opinions may differ on these alterations, but it’s clear that the speed can sometimes slow down (and I must admit, the original had a more engaging first hour).
Later on, we have the last few sections where fresh twists and elements appear, deviating from the initial storyline but still not exactly, if you get my drift. I’ll save my opinion until the end, although it’s clear that some readers might find the ending of “Rebirth” unsatisfying.
It’s great that this aspect doesn’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the game. I had a blast building relationships with my allies during side missions (and there are an incredible number of them). The voice acting is superb, making it possible to tolerate some less than perfect dialogue and conversations. Additionally, even though the game has many humorous scenes, it handles the emotional moments quite well.
The significant change lies in the layout and structure of the environment, blending open-world zones with traditional linear paths. This design enhancement showcases the novel movement techniques, while incorporating a variety of content such as locating Summon Shrines, activating Remnawave Towers, finding Lifesprings, collecting resources, and completing various tasks. Additionally, an array of engaging mini-games are included in the experience.
Beyond the usual talents, spells, Limit Breaks, and Summoning options, there’s another useful feature called Synergy Skills. These skills are beneficial as they aid in managing Active Time Battle (ATB) gauges and maintaining a steady rhythm in gameplay.
Queen’s Blood: Card Battler could stand on its own as a solitary activity, but Rebirth surpasses expectations by offering a wealth of diversity, and that’s even before you reach the Golden Saucer. Granted, there are moments when they may disrupt the flow or seem unnecessary to the storyline, yet I found myself appreciating them more than criticizing them most of the time.
For those who enjoy strategy and battle, there’s plenty to explore as well! Similar to the game Remake, each character possesses distinct skills. For instance, Cloud uses Punisher Mode, Tifa employs Chi Levels, and Barret specializes in long-range fire. The latest additions to the team, such as Red XIII with his Vengeance Mode, offer new tactical options. Additionally, Yuffie excels at dealing damage with her Throwing Star and wielding elemental ninjutsu.
The combat system in the Combat Loop resembles the gameplay of Final Fantasy 7 Remake since it plays out in real-time (particularly during Active Mode). You access the Commands menu to choose various options, and the Active Time Bar determines which powers can be used. In this mode, you aim to overwhelm enemies and cause them to stagger by applying pressure. As needed, you switch between party members. Beyond abilities, spells, Limit Breaks, and Summons, there are also Synergy Skills available for use.
Based on the group involved, some members might join forces to launch potent assaults. This feature is beneficial when constructing ATB systems, providing support and maintaining a steady rhythm. The Folio system oversees your access to new skills, stat enhancements, and Synergies, and it’s quite user-friendly. The Party Level incentivizes exploring the diverse areas and growing closer to teammates, primarily for the purpose of becoming stronger.
Despite the occasional lapses causing frame drops, the graphics remain sharp and serve to underscore just how stunning these landscapes, character models, cinematics, and other elements can actually appear.
If you’ve previously enjoyed playing ‘Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’ on PS5, this discussion may seem familiar to you. The main point here is: How does the PC version perform? To put it simply, it performs quite well. My system isn’t particularly powerful, but I was able to maintain a steady frame rate even when playing with all settings set to High. There might be some minor frame drops during busier scenes that feature heavy particle effects, smoke, and detailed environments, but these weren’t too severe in most cases. During combat, the action generally ran smoothly without significant glitches or hiccups.
As a gamer, I’ve got to say that the enhancements in graphics on the PS5 version are undeniably worth the cost of entry. Previously, one of the main complaints about this game was its image quality, even after taking into account feedback from the demo. Despite occasional frame drops, the visuals are sharp and really showcase just how stunning these landscapes, character models, cutscenes, and so much more can truly be.
In some cases, the settings may seem unusual. To alter the resolution, you’ll need to switch to Windowed mode, choose your desired setting, and then go back to Borderless Fullscreen (although a thin line at the top of your screen will appear if you prefer not to). Regarding DLSS, you can activate it for Anti-Aliasing. Unfortunately, there’s no option to customize it based on Quality, Performance, or any intermediate settings.
Actually, there’s no way to enhance performance beyond its current level, similar to FSR, which might be confusing for those seeking improved performance. However, it’s not a major concern for me. But for those who are particular about performance, it could be puzzling. On the positive note, the keyboard and mouse controls seem decent, and the ability to rebind actions is available. Moreover, you can assign functions to mouse buttons, which is beneficial.
If you’ve been waiting to play “Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth” and don’t wish to invest heavily in a PS5 Pro, consider diving into its PC version as it’s definitely a worthwhile investment.
To crown it all, Nobuo Uematsu’s iconic soundtrack takes center stage, arguably his most expansive work yet. Every melody teems with character and appeal, be it your journey through the game on Chocobo or engaging with your companions. It seamlessly aligns with the game, carving a distinctive path ahead while maintaining the original’s mood and ambiance.
Regardless of certain storytelling and tempo oddities, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth remains a remarkable role-playing adventure, boasting impressive visuals, captivating combat, immersive exploration, and compelling character development. Witnessing the growth of these cherished characters in unforeseen ways, encountering fresh challenges, swiftly vanquishing foes, fine-tuning Materia configurations – there’s a plethora of engaging activities that deepen the narrative.
Some parts of the game might not resonate with all players, and its open-world exploration may not offer much new or groundbreaking content if you’re not fond of that style. However, the enjoyable aspects of the game are more appealing than the less enjoyable ones.
Regarding the PC adaptation, it’s fantastic to now have an avenue that showcases the game’s high-quality visuals. I’m eagerly awaiting improvements from Square Enix, including enhanced optimization and more customization options. To put it simply, if you’ve been hesitant about Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for a while and don’t want to invest in a PS5 Pro, the PC version is certainly worth considering as a viable alternative.
This game was reviewed on PC.
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2025-01-22 17:11