Final Fantasy VII Rebirth picks up where Final Fantasy VII Remake left off, continuing the beloved tale of Cloud Strife and his companions. This expansive follow-up brings a wealth of improvements and refinements that will delight long-time fans while adding enough new elements to keep things fresh. However, despite all of its strengths, Rebirth does have a few pacing issues that can be hard to overlook.
What I Liked
1. Stunning Graphics
The graphical overhaul in Rebirth is nothing short of stunning. The game’s environments are beautifully crafted, from the bustling streets of Midgar to the sweeping vistas of the open world. Character models are highly detailed, and the animations bring the characters to life in a way that’s both cinematic and immersive. Every battle, every moment of exploration, feels like it could be part of a high-budget blockbuster movie.
2. Fantastic Combat and Gameplay
Rebirth builds on the action-packed combat system of Remake, adding new layers of depth. The ability to switch between characters in real-time allows players to experience the strengths of each party member and experiment with different strategies. The combo-based combat system feels fast, fluid, and rewarding, with a variety of attacks, summons, and abilities to keep things engaging. There’s never a dull moment during combat, and each encounter presents a fun challenge.
3. Expansive Open World with Endless Exploration
The open world is a major highlight of Rebirth. The game encourages exploration, with a wealth of side quests, hidden secrets, and collectibles spread across vast, beautifully realized environments. From dense forests to towering mountains, there’s always something new to discover. The world feels alive, with dynamic weather, day-night cycles, and NPCs that populate the various towns and cities. Whether you’re uncovering lore or just enjoying the landscape, there’s plenty to do in this massive world.
4. Deep Character Growth and Relationship Building
The emotional core of Rebirth is its characters, and Square Enix does an excellent job developing them. Whether through meaningful story events or optional interactions, each character feels more fleshed out, with their relationships evolving in both subtle and profound ways. Whether it’s Cloud’s growing connection with Aerith, Tifa, or the rest of the team, the character growth is one of the most rewarding aspects of the game. The bonds between the characters feel genuine, making the stakes feel higher as the narrative unfolds.
What I Didn’t Like
1. Pacing Issues
Despite the many positives, the pacing of Rebirth is where it stumbles. There are sections of the game where the story seems to grind to a halt, either due to long stretches of filler content or overly drawn-out cutscenes. While the narrative itself is compelling, the game sometimes takes too long to progress, which can disrupt the momentum. Certain side activities, while enjoyable, may also feel like they drag on too long, detracting from the main story’s urgency. This uneven pacing is the game’s biggest flaw, as it occasionally detracts from the otherwise captivating experience.
Verdict
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is an impressive RPG with a fantastic combat system, breathtaking graphics, a world full of wonder, and a cast of characters that continue to shine. The game truly shines in terms of exploration and character development, providing a rich and rewarding experience. However, its pacing issues do hold it back from reaching its full potential. While these lulls may be frustrating at times, they don’t take away from the overall experience, making Rebirth a must-play for fans of the series and RPG lovers alike.