DF's Final Fantasy VII Remake 2020 Unpublished Review + spoiler thoughts

An Important Note: I feel it is prudent to tell my readers some past experience with this game and it’s predecessor from which the game essentially bears its name. “Remake.” I played and finished the original Final Fantasy VII on the Nintendo Switch in the tail end of 2019. This review for Final Fantasy VII Remake will primarily be for that game only. I will try to keep out any bias I have for the original game and keep comparisons between the two to be unconsidered. I realize such a task may be almost impossible. But, for reasons of my own I’d like to detail to my readers this review can be considered for newcomers. Though old veterans can still delight in my review as well. Regardless, thank you for reading this note.


[h1]A Mercenary Takes on a Eco-Terrorist Job for Money... [/h1]
Basic premise/Story

Producer:  Yoshinori Kitase

Directors:
Tetsuya Nomura(Concept Design)
Naoki Hamaguchi(Co-director, Game design/Programming)
Motomu Toriyama(Co-director/scenario design)

Story/Scenario Writer & Event Planner: Kazushige Nojima

Music:
Masashi Hamauzu
Mitsuto Suzuki
Nobuo Uematsu

From developer studio, Square Enix. And directed by a lot of returning veterans of the Final Fantasy franchise. Final Fantasy VII Remake is a grand return of a 1997 story updated, remade, overhauled, with some slight and major modifications in all aspects. You play once again as Cloud Strife. Who signs up with Avalanche for an eco-terrorist job to hurt Shinra. A Mega corporation who uses Mako to better the lives of the citizens of the city of Midgar. Cloud takes this mission for money. But soon finds himself embroiled in something much bigger than he would’ve asked for…

[h1]A Crossbreed of Old & New Final Fantasy Over the Decades.  [/h1]
Unique Gameplay to be aware of

One of the most immediate qualities about Final Fantasy VII Remake is how different and new the combat system is compared to older entries. With the exception of XII and XV the franchise has primarily been a turn based combat system. Yet, this game holds steadfast onto the real-time action based combat in order to keep the action fresh and exciting. ATB for short. Active Time Battle. Such a drastic change will depend on whether you enjoy turn based or action. I myself liken the combat as a mix of turn-based due to the command system slowing down the time in real time combat to input commands like “Spells, Items, Abilities, etc.” This only becomes usable if you reach a certain threshold in the ATB gauge below your health allowing you to select any of the above commands.

You play as Cloud and two other companions throughout the game, each character has their own unique attack commands aside from their basic attacks. And that’s not including the special abilities one can learn from the many weapons each character is specialized to equip. Once learned they can switch to a different weapon and use the special skill offered by the selected weapon. This is an interesting take in mastering proficiency of using a weapon you’ve never used in order to become accustomed to it. It’s even more incredible in utilizing each of these unique weapon abilities you can obtain for the rest of your characters in the game.

Final Fantasy VII Remake has a mix of linear and open level designs. With several chapters allowing you to complete side quests at your leisure or explore the more open areas of some towns in Midgar. It’s a nice balance of the linearity coupled with open ended areas in town to mow down some side quests along the way while the player recuperates after slaying through the main story.

Each weapon is usable and reusable. Each weapon you attain as a reward, finding in a chest, or buying from a weapon shop has the ability to become viable from the beginning, middle, and late game. The weapon grows with the player allowing it to gain weapon levels which unlock a small skill tree. You gain weapon skill points every time you level up, allowing the player to continually upgrade the chosen weapon again and again with different stat upgrades. Each weapon has their own different skill tree to let the player customize and choose which weapon is right for them under the right circumstance or situation. Each skill tree provides different benefits such as: Atk +5, increase maximum mana points by +5, Hp +100, adding in an extra materia slot, and more.
Thereby allowing the player to not disregard old weapons because of their lackluster stats, making them viable and usable throughout the whole game.

Coupled with the combat system and the weapon skill tree system is a nifty little but great system alongside it. Called Materia. These small orbs are essential in changing the tide of battle. They can add active skills or passive skills to the player. It can range from adding Hp boosts, adding luck up, increasing magic, allowing the player to increase their ATB gauge at the start of battles, allow the usage of elemental attacks or spells, situational spells of buffing allies or debuffing enemies. There is a staggering amount of Materia to collect. The caveat is you’ll need to work for it. Each materia has their own experience gauge which will slowly increase as you defeat enemies. Granting you AP. or action points from which any materia you have equipped will increase their experience. Reaching a certain threshold will let the equipped materia upgrade or evolve into a better materia. For example: If I equip the fire materia and battle some enemies, after reaching a certain threshold number, it will upgrade itself to a Fira spell. Allowing the character to use a more upgraded version of the spell. This may seem grindy at first depending on how much threshold you need to pass for that certain materia to evolve. Although, it is important to note each materia has their own tiers from which they will evolve. It’s manageable yet fair at the same time to prevent the player from becoming way too overpowered at the start of the game. As you grow in levels so too does your materia grow with you!

However, last but not least is the addition of the stagger and limit break system within the combat system. Where hitting an enemy will gradually grow a second bar in the bottom. This is the stagger bar, and when you hit the maximum gauge of the bar by either repeatedly hitting the enemy with physical or spells. The enemy will become staggered and a triple digit number will appear below. Any attacks you sustain onto the staggered enemy will receive more damage now than before they were staggered. Even better because the enemy will temporarily become stunned allowing the player and his party to wail on the poor soul. Aside from weapon abilities are unique character ultimate attacks I like to call them. Whenever an enemy attacks you or you successfully stagger an enemy. You will build a small or medium amount of limit power next to the ATB gauge. Once filled you can initiate a character specific ultimate ability. Usually these attacks dish out loads of punishment onto the enemy or for some characters can provide great defensive capabilities. It’s a small feature, but I quite like you can summon a super ability under great duress.

One of the reasons I adore the combat system in the remake is how dynamic the combat becomes when swords swing and bullets fly. Like switch party members during combat isn’t awkward, rather resulting in a pretty fast transition while slowing down the in game combat to adjust your surroundings to the other character’s position and situation. I was able to switch out Cloud into Barret who deals in long range attacks with his minigun attached to his arm. Then I could switch to Tifa who focuses like a fast melee fighter using her fists with fast combos.

Bosses are an interesting encounter not only are they intimidating for some larger than life sizes. But how they can enter new phases based on how much health they’re currently missing provides an interesting flair for desperate and more high stakes battles to enter. Making battles against bosses feel threatening. One boss had me utilize the environment in order to adapt and use cover for strategic retreats or recovery from a devastating attack. It’s these instances creating combat situations of dynamic adaptability to the player and how they counter such measures. Testing their mettle and proving their worth in a sense.

You even have the power to summon creatures into battle like an extra companion. They don’t have a hp bar, rather they are on a time limited gauge. Once it dissapates the summon will launch a final super attack at your enemy. You can even use up an ATB charge or more to command your summon to use one or another special ability onto the enemy. It’s cool and awesome having your normal party and a summon along especially in rough engagements when you need a summon to help balance the scales. It’s not required to have a summon on hand when fighting enemies. But, by golly they sure help uplift the massive burden of fighting a challenging enemy. It’s also nice to appreciate the eye-candy of how monstrously powerful these summons are. Not to the point of winning battles single handedly, but allowing the player to tip the scales in their favor in a pinch.

Overall, I found the overall gameplay to be extremely enjoyable. I had a lot of fun switching to different characters to suit my battle situations. Choosing different summons, managing different materia loadouts in order to maximize grinding for materia along the way. Felt my blood pumping drastically when boss encounters come into play and you narrowly, yet almost could’ve lost the match without some backup via summon or a critical moment I could use my limit break or weapon ability. The short reprieve from completing story chapters is very appreciative to explore Midgar’s towns and complete some sidequests; helping citizens along the way. There’s a fine balance here, I feel the developers tried to walk a tightrope in keeping the amount of information the player receives in the world-building, lore, npc chatter, sidequests, main party banter, antagonists point of view and more. Coalescing into a massive experience new and returning fans can enjoy.

[h1]From the Ashes, Rise Phoenix! [/h1]
The Graphics

The graphic fidelity the Unreal engine boasts throughout the Remake is honestly quite astounding. If someone asked me how videogames have progressed to this point, I’d honestly be stumped for quite some time in detailing an apt answer. Regardless, Final Fantasy VII Remake’s graphics are an impressive showcase as well as disappointing in some areas. Let’s start with the disappointment first. The texture pop ins. Throughout my 45+ hour playthrough I experienced some weird texture pop-in during in game cutscenes and during my times roaming the world. This can break the immersion of playing due to how detailed some environments can look only to be dismayed how the wall next to it wasn’t given the same level of detail. It’s like watching a fresh coat of paint on a well done house, only to turn around and look at the same house and notice half of it has used some low quality paint in comparison. It’s distracting and can break a player’s immersion. This coupled with some low texture models like some characters you meet and some environments you tread through create a divisive showing of both impressive texture detail alongside some gnarly texture work to look at. And while it’s not like fifty to fifty in being like a two-face character from DC comparison. These moments happened I’d say five to 10 percent at the most. And 10 percent is already a stretch to say.

On the flip side everything the remake has to offer via it’s somewhat linear chapters and semi-open chapters for sidequests are truly gorgeous. The Technofantasy that is Midgar oozes with corporate power with Slum life underneath. It’s people from npc’s and certain individuals marr all the spectrums from good to evil with aesthetically pleasing character design. Don’t get me started on the sequences when the game transitions from gameplay to cutscene and back again. It’s truly a marvel for such seamless transitions as well as gorgeous set-pieces within the gameplay I had to do a double spitake to slap myself silly and remind myself “This is a video game!”

[h1]New and Old Dynamic Transitions [/h1]
The Usage of Sound And Music.

The music by the three composers is a precious soundtrack. Let’s start with the music. It’s bloody incredible. From the various battle themes keeping my ears from bleeding in euphoric blast between tension, anxiety, excitement, and more. I didn’t tire of the battle themes and welcomed more, keeping me engaged into the combat. Even more so were the transitions in battle themes which were noticeable, yet resulted in smooth transitions fading at just the right moment to introduce a new music track or reignite my ears with a new battle theme. The various other themes visiting other towns were appreciative as well as collecting music discs in the game to listen to old final fantasy tracks as well as new music tracks were a nice touch for music lovers to collect. Even better where when the music transitions into something from a variety of feelings when cutscenes emerge or when a new scene erupts resulting in a different change in tracks to match the setting, tone, and message of the cutscene or gameplay sliced in.
Listening to sweet melodies filled with tranquil keys from a piano, or the slow beats of a ramping to a climax track, perhaps fancy those slow tunes of a jazz machine coupled with sprinkles or rock and classical instruments. I could gush more, but I think you all understand some semblance where I’m going with this?

For the voice actors who play the characters in Final Fantasy VII Remake. And looking at some of their background I was surprised at how most of the main cast has no other major game history voice acting. Making this installment their blockbuster debut if you will. And they succeeded for the most part in this remake. Hitting the right tonal elements not to create abrupt changes out of characterless or without crossing over the suspension of disbelief towards the tryhard category. These voice characters brought to life the characters in a video game as if you were watching a tv show with humanizing elements in their body language, their facial expression and how they pronounce their phrases. Especially, gratifying to see a certain character go full on speech mode to deliver some heartfelt scenes in the game I didn’t quite expect from in the game itself. Going above and beyond handling with care in certain scenes of humor and seriousness and balancing these elements to bring to life these main characters is a precious and priceless treat I still can’t believe or marvel. At how these voice actors come off as their first debut in a major video game franchise. This might be biased from my old experience in wanting to hear voice acting from the original Final Fantasy VII, so I sincerely apologize if I am embellishing the hyperbole too much. Suffice it to say the voice actors have done a marvelous job humanizing and creating characters so related to our own human lives I found to be most striking. It also helps the dialogue was top notch and animations in body language and facial expression also help to cohesively bring to life many of the main casts.

[h1]The Weight of the Buster Sword Reaches Unknown Heights [/h1]
Final thoughts/Ruminations

Let’s start with the not so great parts of Final Fantasy VII Remake. The texture pop ins. And low res textures the game suffers from. This would be in the uncommon amount of times these issues would crop up during my playthrough. While it wasn’t a huge impact it still was noticeable yet didn’t detract from the overall experience too much.

I found the artificial intelligence of my companions could be better. Multiple times I caught them just guarding when the enemy was essentially doing nothing. They could be attacking! Not slacking off! To be fair these instances didn’t happen often and rarely occurred. Yet, it was noticeable to some degree. On the other hand my a.i. Was competent enough to hold groups of enemy attention in order for me to initiate commands to heal one of my characters. So it would be prudent to say my companions were both competent and half reliable. Yet still proved to be better allies than worthless allies.

What really grinds my gears sometimes is the buggy greetings with npc’s sometimes taking five seconds or more before the game will process Cloud talking to npc’s or quest givers. This is odd to place on how many times such occurrences happened in my playthrough. But, I’d estimate it occuring between 30 to 50 percent. At the time of writing this review on version 1.00. Such waiting for the npc’s or Cloud to initiate dialogue stretching awkward silences for some time is plain ol breaking the immersion, but also takes the seriousness or humor out of the equation because of dealing with these pauses in silence. I feel as though I could pinpoint it on the game engine trying hard to calculate many background processes or scripts to select or maybe I’m just shooting blanks towards the reason. Regardless of the true reason such these were the only main gripes I have with the game. The rest well…

-Boss encounters and limitbreaks. Why did I just waste a good limitbreak only for a cutscene to start midway. I wasted the extra damage and need to stockpile limit break again. What’s more aggravating is when you do a good chunk of damage only for the boss to stop the extra damage from going into the next section of the boss hp. “As if to tell the player NO NO you can’t go into this hp zone yet until the cutscene finishes!”

It’s minor note in the scheme of things.

It’s brilliant. The gameplay on the combat system is while using the old Final Fantasy VII materia system as a foundation while touting new real-time action combat coupled with changing party members, summons, limit breaks and ATB abilities. Makes for a very satisfying crunch and beat towards defeating and winning hard fought battles. That isn’t to say the whole game is super challenging. I found some fights easier than others and some fights challenging than the rest. This is purely up to the player’s adaptability and skills I would say. So for me to label this game as just right difficulty could be more difficult or easier for others. In this instance it’s more apt to label the difficulty as ‘your mileage might vary’ depending on the author’s experience. With this in mind, it should also be stated how after 45 hours with the game I felt I grasped enough of how to manage my characters to make them stronger and still learning more than I expected. In terms of experimenting and handicapping myself to challenge enemies with weaker builds on my characters to see if I could still win. Such level’s of experimentation is a personal matter, but this allowance in game design further accentuates further player freedom. In allowing the player full customizability in the materia system within the game as well as equipping their main weapon and or accessories. One could hypothetically, grind out more materia while at weaker levels at greater risk of a more drawn out fight. Or replace their materia loadout with maxed materia to swipe the battle in your favor. Such a tendency to customize your preference is appreciative as well as not really all that complicated to do.

The linear and semi-open world segments to complete side quests is a nice balance to deescalate the seriousness of the main story chapters. And while some chapters overstayed their welcome, I felt in the end most if not all chapters served their purpose in order to give more attention to the characters, plot, and relevance to the antagonists. It’s difficult to gauge a perfect view of a fine balance between the two, but from my experience I felt very engaged from start, middle, and end. So it’s safe to say in my honest opinion the pacing felt very fine and well tuned.

In the end I felt as though someone bathed my soul in new waters in a hot spring rejuvenating my soul and experiencing a new whole method of relaxation and satisfaction.

The graphics are phenomenal. And while I wish it could be in the all around greats with no flaws. The game does hit some rough edges along the way in terms of texture pop ins and some low resolution textures. However, it doesn’t detract from the incredible moments when the visual fidelity shines so brightly. Where the Unreal engine comes to maximizes it’s engine to its absolute limit during critical moments in the game. These are the moment to moments I truly appreciate. Sure, there were some backdrops along the way, luckily those instances didn’t occur in a vital part of the story. I should also note the amount of detail on human expressions and animations in this game. Compared to the old game the additional body language and other real life animations bring to life many characters from the original game that were given enough screen time or context. It’s breathing life into an old artform I deeply appreciate and provide extra sense into the game. And not useless padding onto the characters existing biography.

The sound design in this installment is incredible. For the voice acting. I was deeply moved by how each of my main cast interacted with one another, the party banter had me in stitches, moved me in ways I didn’t expect, surprised me countless times by the sheer volume of dialogue spoken with a fine balance of gravitas and humor. Making a videogame party feel like a true party full of larger than life characters is hard to create and even harder to maintain. Yet, this game I feel like manages to do so very nicely like fine wine continuing to grow even tastier as time passes. So too does my party continue to grow on me further and further along my playthrough.

The music in the game by the three composers is nothing short of edging towards the heavens of bliss and downright classic timeless, priceless and so many other synonyms I would like to put, but would rather say so succinctly. The music derives on touching different types clearing inspired, remixed, some new, some old tracks bleeding through within the game. The sheer influence of Uematsu’s work is undeniable nor the certain feelings that come about each time certain tracks come through. Yet, when the new music tracks roll right on I become instantly laser focused on my ears to hear. For there is a story in these lyrics. Telling a somber tale while traversing the slums. Or the peaceful ambient qualities of melodies when I reach a place of otherworldly peace. Or when I enter a state of combat to blast my ears with tunes and beats of rock and roll and synths and classics mixed in to enamor my ears. For fans of the old you won’t be disappointed, and for new fans of the music I envy you for hearing new tracks for the first time.

From developer studio, Square Enix. And directed by a lot of returning veterans of the Final Fantasy franchise. Final Fantasy VII Remake is a tour de force. Nothing short of excellence through and through. Managing to keep players guessing for old fans on what to expect while keeping a tight leash on not being too on the nose or too determined to surpass just to satisfy a checklist. The remake understands the lofty ambitions it sets forth, yet takes bold risks to stride to meet both new and returning fans. It’s gameplay, while not turn-based managed to turn me into a believer of the real time action based combat while still retaining the essence of what came before such as the materia system and other well-known systems in place. The sound design especially really set forth some great new pieces I didn’t expect, certainly greatly appreciated the new tracks to supplement the old tracks remixed. It stays original while paying clear homage and inspiration for Uematsu's work. The voice acting is nothing short of brilliant due to how the voice actors play off one another like a true party or synthesize and work off one another as if I was a party member! Simply, magnificent. Sure there are some downsides, especially graphical hiccups, but when the game shines during critical moments in the story is where the engine shows its mettle and isn’t afraid to flaunt it’s graphical powerhouse. The cutscenes especially I found to be a real treat. *Swooning intensifies* By the time the end credits rolled I still couldn’t believe this is a video game! It’s too early to say whether this game will be setting some ground breaking records, but by golly it has a very impressive headstart for a beginning.

Total Times Beaten: 1
Score: 9.5/10
(Score is based off how much I enjoyed the game)
Date Finished: 5-8-20
Date Reviewed: 5-11-20
Hours Played:
45hrs + to beat the game on normal mode
75.30hrs + to beat the game on hard mode + 100% all achievements
30+hrs to beat hard mode, skipping some cutscenes except the final boss.
Date Started:
5-3-20 to 5-8-20 for normal run
5-8-20 to 5-17-20 for hard mode run


Spoilers below - Only for those who finished the remake in its entirety along with differences from the original a bit.
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Cloud Strife - Wow lots of character context we didn’t know, Sephiroth visions, meeting Aerith. Maintaining being a stoic, somewhat amnesia, hardass but can be a kindass

Barret Wallace - father who tries to be there for Marlene + being an Eco-terrorist leader. Wow hella context with this guy delivering speeches of why SHINRA needs to be stopped

Tifa Lockheart
I Want to rekindle friendship with Cloud.
Hint with five years as in she’s playing along with Cloud and his supposed Amnesia that he hasn’t brought up.

Biggs - love the new info. Where he worries a lot, and can’t help overthinking things.

Wedge - Love the new info.
Where he’s pretty innocent, and wears his emotions on his sleeve. But wow his antics for helping his comrades like playing decoy to help Cloud in Ch. 4 only to get his butt bitten was comedy gold! >:D
Also, when he and Cloud have a bro moment. And Cloud becomes Wedge’s Bro AYE!
Love his lines like “WELL MIDGAR SPECIAL(reference to Jessie’s mom making epic pizza during Jessie’s job in ch. IV), LET’S SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO!”

Jessie
Love the extra context into her character where Biggs says’ she used to be an actress. But since her dad went into a sort of coma she fell in with Avalanche in order to find some way to help her dad T_T. JESSIE UWAAHHHHHH MY HEART CRIES FOR YOU
She’s also a massive tease and flirt with Cloud. Drama queen as exemplified during motorcycle chase of Ch. IV

Roche coming back from playing rebirth did not endear at all. And made me realize he’s just a filler character to give the protagonist someone to fight. Sure he helps us from time to time but at the end of the day i didn’t learn anything meaningful from his encounters except being a gadfly incessantly in our way when we least expect it. Oh in a pickle? Roche Time. Oh obvious trap waiting? A Roche will appear!

Final Fantasy Differences/New Changes from old game

FMV’s from the old days are now cutscenes and seamless transitions into gameplay moments. Really nice callback to using FMV’s back in the day

Lots more contextual as well as character interactions and development especially AVALANCHE meeting Cloud and their secret missions. Like Chapter 4. Being a robber to Jessie’s house, as well as a motorcycle chase and fighting a SOLDIER named ROCHE who seems like the frenemy? O_O

Combat changed from turn based to action which seems like a mix between FFXV combat with FFXIII Stagger system as well as weapon upgrade via crystals :D

Music a mix of old, remixed versions of Uematsu’s battle themes and new ones
MINI-GAMES LIKE:
Wack a Mole
Dart


HELLA more interactions with citizens of Midgar especially in Slums. Back in the old game there weren’t a lot of citizens. And this time they’re telling their own perspectives of the events playing out throughout the game. For example, The citizens react when AVALANCHE destroys a reactor blaming them for the bombing when it was SHINRA who caused the massive explosion hurting civilians and infrastructure.

LOVE THE NEW LORE with Biggs, Wedge and Jessie. Incredible party banter all round even with Barret and Tifa too.
^Had me dying in laughter especially in chapter 4.
Nice references to Fire emblem three houses with gatekeeper to kid saying “Nothing to report!”

Stan Lee nod with “True Believers line”

Love the new additions remake has in part to Cloud having trouble remembering his past. With relapses in memories of before like his promise with Tifa, going to SOLDIER, following Sephiroth.

Lots of quests in slums during ch. 3 in order to get new materia from Chadley as well as new gear and weapons

Lots of open areas to explore than the previous game of linear pathways. Here like the Slum area in Ch. III its HUGE! To explore with quests, npc’s and mini-dungeons area to complete quests.

Changed the robot arm section from the old game which is straight linear into a robot arm obstacle. Where you have to operate the big arm to place large containers and carry Aerith LOL.

High-five moments with Aerith XD

Honey Bee Inn and events that play out - WOW - Dance Minigame - Aerith, Cloud, Tifa dresses based on decisions you made in Ch. 3, 8, and 9!

Incredible expansion and modification of Honey Bee Inn events, so fleshed out further.

HOLY HELL WHEN THE PLATE DROPPED…. THAT CINEMATIC. THE HORROR OF THE PLATE PEOPLE. THE TRAGEDY. LOSING BIGGS, JESSIE Q_Q.
OMFG THE STAIR SEQUENCE!!! LOL FAITHFUL ADAPTATION AND THE IMMERSIVENESS OMG HAHAHHAHAHA

-OMFG 5+ times to finish off the last combat simulator, which is basically all summon fights + Bahamut summoning Ifrit then Pride and Joy prototype. Probably took 2 hrs+. So worth it to learn about Chadley being a Cyborg O_O