Thread: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Review Thread
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OpenCritic - 92 average - 100% recommended

Critic Reviews


Attack of the Fanboy - Davi Braid - 5 / 5
Final Fantasy VII Remake evoked all kinds of emotions in me, made me see my low-poly childhood friends as real people, and allowed me to once again be part of a grandiose, fate-challenging, god-defying adventure that I haven't experienced since the PS1 days.


But Why Tho? - Kyle Foley - 9 / 10
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a grand adventure that, despite minor pacing issues, is incredibly engaging and exciting. There are so many discoveries waiting to be uncovered, and every inch of the game is dripping with love and care.


CGMagazine - Chris De Hoog - 10 / 10
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth delivers upon Remake's thesis, increasing a classic's scale and character tenfold to create a new modern-day masterpiece.


COGconnected - James Paley - 95 / 100
This Final Fantasy VII project is a massive undertaking of an impossible scale. A single release stretched into three games? Preposterous. And yet, so far the team is totally nailing it. The first game was a smash hit, and Rebirth runs laps around it in almost every way.


Checkpoint Gaming - Charlie Kelly - 9.5 / 10
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth defies all expectations and is the new benchmark for what a remake should be. Bold and unapologetic with something to say but also true to its roots. I've loved, I've laughed and I've cried while playing this game and if you fall into the right crowd, you very will too. Provided is an unforgettable journey, a magnetic cast, and a world that is magic and an experience that is transcending. From combat to graphics to music to side activities to writing to performances, Rebirth is one for the books and I can't wait to see where we go from here.


ComingSoon.net - Tyler Treese - 9.5 / 10
Thanks to its focus on exploration, Rebirth is a refreshing and wonderful road trip throughout Gaia. With incredible spectacle, memorable battles, and plenty of side content that flesh out its world, this is an unforgettable journey worth taking.


Console Creatures - Bobby Pashalidis - Essential
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is incredible. I struggled to complete my review because I had so much fun working through each region in a nearly 100-hour playthrough. I dread waiting another four years for the finale but put my faith in Square Enix's hands. If Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth indicates what to expect going forward then I believe in the vision. The ending will be divisive for many people, but it means as much to the developers as it does to fans, and because of that idea, I walk away content with where we left off.


Dexerto - Cassidy Stephenson - 5 / 5
This is Game of the Year material and an exceptional follow-up to a revered first entry. It handles the beloved material with care while still establishing its own new voice, making for a stellar sequel.


Digitally Downloaded - Matt Sainsbury - 4.5 / 5
Most of all, I love and adore the work that Kazushige Nojima has done with the narrative (especially the ending that, once again, challenges everything we assumed about the FFVII plot), and he further entrenches himself as arguably the most innovative and creative writer in JRPGs with Rebirth.


Digitec Magazine - Kevin Hofer - German - Unscored
"Final Fantasy VII Rebirth" is everything I wish for in a remake as a fan of the original from the very beginning. A dream, but one that is real. "Rebirth" even surpasses the original - and I've only scratched the surface so far.


Easy Allies - Michael Damiani - 9.5 / 10
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth breaks limits as one of the most ambitious RPGs ever made.


Eurogamer - Ed Nightingale - 4 / 5
Rebirth is a playful take on an emo classic that's bloated but full of character in a bid to justify its own existence.


Everyeye.it - Antonello Bello - Italian - 9 / 10
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a very good title, which once again demonstrates the enormous commitment put into the Square Enix team in the reconstruction and expansion of Final Fantasy VII.


Final Weapon - Noah Hunter - 5 / 5
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a generational RPG that exemplifies everything there is to love about the medium. Featuring a colossal open world, a gripping narrative, beautifully written characters, and an out-of-this-world soundtrack, Rebirth is a title no RPG fan should pass up on. It's improved on nearly everything from its predecessor, offering a complete and flawless combat system alongside countless other additions. FFVII Rebirth is the shining jewel of modern Final Fantasy, a prime example of the series at its best.


GAMES.CH - Sönke Siemens - German - 90%
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth lives up to its name and presents you with the rebirth of a timeless story.


GGRecon - Harry Boulton - 5 / 5
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is one of my favourite games that I've played in a long time and does so much with its narrative that feels uncompromisingly ambitious and fresh.


Game Informer - Wesley LeBlanc - 8.5 / 10
The best of Remake exists in Rebirth, but the various open-world areas surrounding it – the parts that make Rebirth unique from its predecessor – sometimes miss the mark.


GameSpot - Tamoor Hussain - 8 / 10
Rebirth keeps its narrative focus on characters while bringing a new dimension to combat, but it stumbles in pivotal moments.


Gamer Escape - Eliot Lefebvre - 8 / 10
Maybe it'd be nice to say that we all should have gotten over Final Fantasy VII by now instead of fawning over the world and its characters. But far from being the simple note-for-note reprise of the original that it could have been, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth swings for the fences to be a big and original thing that feels like a full game even while it is, functionally, the middle. It has weaknesses like combat I'm not wholly sold on and maybe a bit too much start-and-stop through gameplay, but if you've been looking forward to the game, you will not be disappointed. And if you want to experience the full story, this is a really good time.


Gamers Heroes - Blaine Smith - 90 / 100
My time through Final Fantasy VII Rebirth was profound. In one moment I was relishing in the opportunity to learn more about a world and characters I have loved for nearly 30 years. In the next, I was mourning the passing of principles and ideas that represent the very foundation of my love for the RPG genre and the Final Fantasy franchise as a whole. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth marks the very best in class across practically every element of game design for the Final Fantasy franchise, but I still couldn't help but feel I was bidding farewell to an old friend.


GamesRadar+ - Iain Harris - 4.5 / 5
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth closely follows what Remake first outlines


Gaming Nexus - Eric Hauter - 9.5 / 10
With the core team assembled, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth feels like embarking on a fantastic adventure with a gang of your best friends. More open, action-packed, and surprisingly funny, Rebirth gives players days of content and the freedom to pursue it, while still telling a wonderful and cohesive story. Every aspect of Remake has been examined, refined, and improved. This is the franchise's Empire Strikes Back, in all the best ways.


GamingBolt - Shubhankar Parijat - 10 / 10
The promise of those old, grand, globe-trotting Final Fantasy epics from the series' 16- and 32-bit heyday in AAA form has been fulfilled at last. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth finally realizes the series' central, implicit potential, looking to the past to pave the way for hopefully the start of a new golden age for the series.


GamingTrend - David Burdette - 95 / 100
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is not only a worthy successor to Remake, but to the original title. With an incredible and multi-layered open-world, outstanding combat, and a heartfelt story that takes you on a beautiful scenic route, Rebirth reaches heights you'd need one wing to touch. Rebirth is special; First-Class in a way only the best Soldiers can be.


God is a Geek - Mick Fraser - 10 / 10
Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth is a phenomenally good video game. It has a habit for self-indulgence, but earns every pause with some shocking story moments, and some of the best combat I've experienced.

IGN - Michael Higham - 9 / 10
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth impressively builds off of what Remake set in motion, both as a best-in-class action-RPG full of exciting challenges and an awe-inspiring recreation of a world that has meant so much to so many for so long.


Infinite Start - Mark Fajardo - 10 / 10
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth shines as a standout game of 2024, offering players an expansive and immersive experience that keeps them engaged from beginning to end. With a perfect mix of nostalgia and fresh innovations, Rebirth surpasses its predecessor in every way. From its stunning open-world exploration to its polished combat system and fun side activities, Rebirth sets a new benchmark for JRPGs. All these things combine to cement Final Fantasy VII Rebirth's status as a must-play game that will likely remain one of the year's best titles.


Kotaku - Claire Jackson - Unscored
Rebirth is sure to be a more divisive and debated game than Remake was. But in this deep sea of an RPG, I was thrilled by the action and the tactics, brought to emotional highs and lows through its characters, and found myself with an even greater love of FF7, the original and this return, than I thought was possible.

Noisy Pixel - Bailey Seemangal - 10 / 10
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is an exceptional sequel that surpasses expectations in nearly every aspect. It combines compelling storytelling, innovative combat, and a wealth of engaging content to deliver an unforgettable adventure. As a bold continuation of the saga, it sets the stage for the final installment, leaving fans eagerly awaiting what comes next. Square Enix has truly outdone itself, showcasing the depth and potential of the Final Fantasy VII universe.

Paste Magazine - Moises Taveras - 8 / 10
Rebirth's world is gorgeous and fun and quirky, even if the delivery of its stories can feel a bit stilted and rote, and it turns the finale of Remake into the impetus to re envision a phenomenal cast in ways I adore. Along the way, it becomes big, perhaps even bigger than Final Fantasy VII ever needed to be, but that excess provides quite a bit to love.


PlayStation Universe - Timothy Nunes - 9.5 / 10
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth takes the foundations of Remake and expands on them, adding more control to combat, more places to explore, and more ways to dig deeper into the world and the story it tells. Whether in Graphics or Performance Mode, the quality of the experience remains the same: top tier presentation with exceptional gameplay. Rebirth is an early shoe-in for Game of the Year.


Polygon - Todd Harper - Unscored
Rebirth is worth your time, but I'm not sure if it's worth as much of your time as it asks for. It's a game that does many things right and does right by its weighty legacy — but it also makes it clear that for the future final installment, Square Enix should reconsider how necessary it is for these games to be so big.


Press Start - Harry Kalogirou - 9 / 10
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is an immense and expansive middle chapter of this ambitious remake trilogy. A reimagined and redefined behemoth of a game that simultaneously plays on nostalgia and forces you to question your memories of the original. While it suffers from some rote open world elements and a few technical issues, Rebirth is another magnificent entry into the gilded halls of Final Fantasy.


Prima Games - Meg Bethany Koepp - 10 / 10
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth may just be the best video game of all time. Its fantastic story does wonders to make you care about each character while its phenomenal world is absolutely filled with endless activities to participate in when you need a break from the heartache. It's an improvement in every way imaginable, yet it never forgets the goofy charm that made the 1997 original a classic.


Push Square - Robert Ramsey - 8 / 10
If you can push through the tedium of its open world busywork and padded storytelling, there's a great sequel at the heart of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. It retains all of Remake's most important strengths, but builds on an already brilliant combat system, and excels at showcasing an iconic RPG setting. If you enjoyed Remake and you have fond memories of the PS1 original, you'll likely love every minute of Rebirth's memorable, character-focused adventure.


RPG Site - Josh Tolentino - 9 / 10
A massive game that synthesizes two distinct eras of blockbuster game design, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth feels fresh and familiar simultaneously, while forging a new path for Cloud and the crew.

RPGamer - Paul Shkreli - 5 / 5
This is the game that delivers on the promise of the Final Fantasy VII remake project. It's a fascinatingly familiar yet unknown journey that is breathtaking and unforgettable.

Shacknews - Jesse Vitelli - 8 / 10
While there is a lot to love in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, it left me disappointed in its main narrative. I wish it was more focused on telling the story set out in Remake and its constant need to push the kitchen sink into each plot beat wore on my resolve throughout the game.


Siliconera - Jenni Lada - 10 / 10
It may only be February, but I'm confident Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is going to be 2024's Game of the Year.


TechRaptor - Andrew Stretch - 9.5 / 10
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth carries on the torch from Remake and delivers another incredible experience. The world of FFVII comes alive as you venture across it with Cloud and his party. Watching the story play out with gorgeous graphics and fantastic acting elevates the entire experience. This is a must play for Final Fantasy fans.


VG247 - Alex Donaldson - 4 / 5
For better and worse alike, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is the most impressively ambitious game Square has made since FF's golden age. It's glorious, in spite of painful little flaws.


VGC - Jordan Middler - 5 / 5
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is an excellent RPG with some of the best characters in the gaming canon. While some open-world content skirts the edges, and the game's main narrative is left somewhat deflated, the time spent with Aerith, Tifa, and the gang makes this a hugely enjoyable road trip you'll be playing for hundreds of hours.


Wccftech - Kai Tatsumoto - 10 / 10
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth takes the second chapter of Cloud Strife's struggle to save the planet he calls home and surpasses the highs of Final Fantasy VII Remake in every way.
 
Wasn't very interested in playing the remake until I saw the trailers for this tbh.
 
Wasn't very interested in playing the remake until I saw the trailers for this tbh.

I had actually bailed mid-way through playing Remake until a couple of weeks ago. I saw the pre-order offer on this and thought "Why not finish that playthrough? I'll own both now if I preorder." I'm really glad I picked up where I left off because apparently I was just sort of stalling and avoiding the main story while in Sector 5. It's been really fun trucking through Remake now that I know I'll be picking right back up in Rebirth.

I honestly feel that the episodic nature of these releases are a huge negative for this remake. I understand what they've done, and I think it's going to work better for the overall delivery of the product, but knowing that after ~30ish hours you were going to be done with Remake with another long wait for Rebirth put a big damper on my first attempt at playing Remake.
 
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I had actually bailed mid-way through playing Remake until a couple of weeks ago. I saw the pre-order offer on this and thought "Why not finish that playthrough? I'll own both now if I preorder." I'm really glad I picked up where I left off because apparently I was just sort of stalling and avoiding the main story while in Sector 5. It's been really fun trucking through Remake now that I know I'll be picking right back up in Rebirth.

I honestly feel that the episodic nature of these releases are a huge negative for this remake. I understand what they've done, and I think it's going to work better for the overall delivery of the product, but knowing that after ~30ish hours you were going to be done with Remake with another long wait for Rebirth put a big damper on my first attempt at playing Remake.

I'm waiting for the inevitable 'complete collection' they'll put out eventually, in like 20 years time on the Switch 5.
 
I'm reading that spoilers have leaked, but I'm not seeing anything to suggest the game itself has leaked to the public.

Someone got ahold of copies days ago and was selling them. There's been spoilers since the weekend all over 4chan, and they got copyright claimed on reddit.

Reading people's impressions, the game is still full of unnecessary Ubisoft tier filler. The ending isn't as retarded as Remake's but still over the top and the story on the whole is still woefully bereft of subtly and tension.

Also, the shippers are going insane. Resetera malding over the male gaze as usual.
 
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Is there a review from someone who loves old FF but hasn't liked any since 10? Don't think I can trust any of the typical weeb reviewers.

There's me. And I like Remake quite a bit. It's been really good. I wouldn't call it better than the original, but in a reality where the original doesn't exist, Remake would be among the best. I will just assume that Rebirth is even better.
 
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so resolution
what is the resolution at performance mode? because it looked like 720p at performance mode not 1440p.

is this still blurry ass resolution on the release game?
 
Is there a review from someone who loves old FF but hasn't liked any since 10? Don't think I can trust any of the typical weeb reviewers.

You have to look for impressions from sites like 4chan and the like where discussion isn't hampered about spoilers. Like Remake, I'd say don't expect it to be much like old school FF at all tbh.
 
The first game was praised too and I am struggling to get through it so you can imagine how much faith I put in these reviews.

Where are you at in Remake? I bailed on it while in sector 5, but since returning to the game and allowing myself to just not care about some of the needless fluff I'm quite enjoying it. I think I have another 20% remaining but I'm completely free to charge through to the end of this thing.
 
Where are you at in Remake? I bailed on it while in sector 5, but since returning to the game and allowing myself to just not care about some of the needless fluff I'm quite enjoying it. I think I have another 20% remaining but I'm completely free to charge through to the end of this thing.

On route to topside.

I ignore the sidequests but there is still so much padding that you can't skip. Like getting from point A to point B takes forever. Like cutscenes every few steps (exaggeration but you get the point). It feels like the game is really just about going from cutscene to cutscene. Slow walking segments aplenty (that's how you know a cutscene is coming). I also don't care much for the battle system. Can't even use items without an ATB charge. Summons can be only be used when the game allows it. Getting stunned all the time really slows things down.

I just want to get through it. I have had it since it came out and I am currently further than I have ever been, may actually finish it this time. The story is fine, I am not annoyed by the changes it makes from the original and some of the cutscenes are really good but they stop to talk about nothing too often. Bloated areas thrown in just to make the game longer. Did we really need a Crystarium type ability progression system?

Modern game design annoys me a great deal.
 
On route to topside.

I ignore the sidequests but there is still so much padding that you can't skip. Like getting from point A to point B takes forever. Like cutscenes every few steps (exaggeration but you get the point). It feels like the game is really just about going from cutscene to cutscene. Slow walking segments aplenty (that's how you know a cutscene is coming). I also don't care much for the battle system. Can't even use items without an ATB charge. Summons can be only be used when the game allows it. Getting stunned all the time really slows things down.

I just want to get through it. I have had it since it came out and I am currently further than I have ever been, may actually finish it this time. The story is fine, I am not annoyed by the changes it makes from the original and some of the cutscenes are really good but they stop to talk about nothing too often. Bloated areas thrown in just to make the game longer. Did we really need a Crystarium type ability progression system?

Modern game design annoys me a great deal.

As I said somewhere else on here, this thing being episodic is a kind of kiss of death. One, you know where it ends. There's just no getting around it. The closer you get to that ending, the more you know it's coming to an end. Or else they've bloated it. I'm also working my way topside and while I know where I'm supposed to go (they told me exactly who to go see), I've had a flurry of fluff quests thrown at me.

Granted, FWIW, they've brought the world to life in a way we couldn't have experienced in 1997. The extra content is there to get us to slow down a little, grind a little for leveling, and test out some new stuff. The summons thing... well it wasn't even there in the early game for the original.

Yeah, I'm not a huge fan of Remake, but I'm ready for Rebirth. If that thing isn't much better than Remake, well at least I have a fully modded FF7 to check out when I'm done there. lol
 
As I said somewhere else on here, this thing being episodic is a kind of kiss of death. One, you know where it ends. There's just no getting around it. The closer you get to that ending, the more you know it's coming to an end. Or else they've bloated it. I'm also working my way topside and while I know where I'm supposed to go (they told me exactly who to go see), I've had a flurry of fluff quests thrown at me.

One of the quests at this point was 'please find the kids' and another was 'please find my runaway Chocobos'. I was like 'nah, find your own birds and kids, I am just passing through'. When the game tell me that if I continue I can't finish the side quests I am thinking 'You promise?'.

Granted, FWIW, they've brought the world to life in a way we couldn't have experienced in 1997. The extra content is there to get us to slow down a little, grind a little for leveling, and test out some new stuff. The summons thing... well it wasn't even there in the early game for the original.

I haven't even noticed level ups in this game. Leveling up characters and materia seems to have little to no impact. Items have been made useless since you need an ATB charge t o use them and at that point, you may as well use magic or an ability (that might miss if you aren't close enough to the enemy).

As for the Summons thing, when you did get summons in the original you were free to use them in any battle you wanted. I think it's clear that this game (in all it's parts) will continue to forbid their use unless the game allows it.

In fact, the whole materia needing an ATB charge to use as well as MP is just dumb.
Yeah, I'm not a huge fan of Remake, but I'm ready for Rebirth. If that thing isn't much better than Remake, well at least I have a fully modded FF7 to check out when I'm done there. lol

I am trying to finish Remake so I can play the intermission and then the Rebirth Demo to see if it's any better. I don't trust reviewers to align with my tastes.
 
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One of the quests at this point was 'please find the kids' and another was 'please find my runaway Chocobos'. I was like 'nah, find your own birds and kids, I am just passing through'.



I haven't even noticed level ups in this game. Leveling up characters and materia seems to have little to no impact. Items have been made useless since you need an ATB charge t o use them and at that point, you may as well use magic or an ability (that might miss if you aren't close enough to the enemy).

As for the Summons thing, when you did get summons in the original you were free to use them in any battle you wanted. I think it's clear that this game (in all it's parts) will continue to forbid their use unless the game allows it.

In fact, the whole materia needing an ATB charge to use as well as MP is just dumb.


I am trying to finish Remake so I can play the intermission and then the Rebirth Demo to see if it's any better. Don't trust reviewers to align with my tastes.

I'm not especially keen on the ATB charge, but it does at least keep things similar to the original with respect to being able to use abilities and spells. I much prefer the turned-based battle system over these live battle systems, but the ATB at least makes sense to me. I don't see why you would be able to endlessly do spells separate of the ATB charges when in the original you literally had to wait for the character's bar to fill before you could do anything, including use a spell, an item, or a summon.

I haven't really figured out when the game decides I can use a summon unless it only decides I can use it during "boss" fights. That'd be when I notice it as an option. The whole "add a summon to the battle" thing is interesting as it now joins you in the battle and any party member can now direct it to do attacks. Then it sort of finishes being part of the battle by launching some sort of crazy final attack. Yeah, this is probably how the summons are going to work for the rest of the remakes, but I like to think it might not be that way for every summon in the game.

These episodes make a neat sort of addition to the FF7 lore, though. The same way Advent Children was an addition. That's how I see it, anyway.
 
I don't see why you would be able to endlessly do spells separate of the ATB charges when in the original you literally had to wait for the character's bar to fill before you could do anything, including use a spell, an item, or a summon.
..because you can attack without an ATB charge. If you can attack without an ATB charge why can't you use magic without one. After all, magic isn't free...it costs MP. Items aren't free, they are consumable.

I don't think you understand my problem with the summons. My problem is that you can't use them at all unless the game allows it. You can't use them in smaller fights at all and in bigger fights the game won't let you use them until the game decides it's time. You wanna call a summon at the beginning of a boss battle (once you have 2 ATB charges)? Too bad, you are not authorized. Many times I haven't had the option to call a summon until the boss was almost dead. At that point, why even bother. Too many bad decisions with the battle system.
 
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..because you can attack without an ATB charge. If you can attack without an ATB charge why can't you use magic without one. After all, magic isn't free...it costs MP. Items aren't free, they are consumable.

I don't think you understand my problem with the summons. My problem is that you can't use them at all unless the game allows it. You can't use them in smaller fights at all and in bigger fights the game won't let you use them until the game decides it's time. You wanna call a summon at the beginning of a boss battle (once you have 2 ATB charges)? Too bad, you are not authorized. Many times I haven't had the option to call a summon until the boss was almost dead. At that point, why even bother. Too many bad decisions with the battle system.

So they treat spells like abilities. You only do those when you have an ATB charge.

I said I don't like the live battle system... it's just not my cup of tea. I sorely miss the days of Square making Final Fantasy games with turn-based battles.
 
So they treat spells like abilities. You only do those when you have an ATB charge.

I said I don't like the live battle system... it's just not my cup of tea. I sorely miss the days of Square making Final Fantasy games with turn-based battles.

Everything is dependent on the ATB system except attacks which makes no sense at all. If they want to make magic dependent on ATB charges, fine..get rid of MP. Magic and Items are double charged here (like income and sales tax).
 
I really want to care about this… but how many years has it been since remake? I can only remember bits and pieces of expanded FF7 story. And there is no way I playing that one again. The sewers awful with this fucking arm things.


If you played that one recently I bet this one is dope.
 
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