Better than Remake? What do the reviews say about Final Fantasy VII Rebirth?
The first reviews for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth have begun to surface. With an average score of 93 out of 100 on OpenCritic, the installment is quickly becoming one of the most highly-praised games in recent years.
Rebirth takes the characters and world reintroduced with Remake and does a better job at scaling it all up. Instead of one single metropolis, Midgar, this time, it’s a world tour.
Key Statistics at a Glance:
- Average score: 93 out of 100 on OpenCritic;
- 100% of critics recommend it;
- 89 reviews taken into account.
The Story Plot
The story of Rebirth follows protagonist Cloud and the rest of his party as they chase antagonist Sephiroth, getting sinister mega-corporation Shinra riled up along the way.
Highlighted Pros of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth:
- Impressive combat system;
- Immersive bond with the characters;
- Engaging side quests, notably the Queen’s Blood card game;
- Musical score.
Criticism and Downsides:
- Main story pace is sometimes disrupted by mini-games and side quests.
- Character developments overshadow main plot depth, with an ending that hints at a continuation into a third part — leaving some longing for a more conclusive finish.
- Sparse environments, contrasting with the detailed character models.
Some of the Journalists’ Reviews:
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the culmination at all levels of the current Action RPG. An immense, brave and ambitious work, capable of giving the best possible homage to the original classic while introducing its own vision.
IGN Spain (10 / 10)
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.
Video Games Chronicle
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.
Game Informer
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.
Polygon
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is set for an exclusive release on PlayStation 5 on February 29th.
While initial marketing indicates exclusivity until at least May 29th, 2024, there are hints that the game may eventually reach other platforms in the future.
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