Final Fantasy VII Remake continues to have a mixed legacy with fans, even after the release of its sequel, Rebirth. While these games will never damage the reputation of that PS1 original, many players have been vocal about the odd story changes made and some of its gameplay mechanics. Simply put, this title has all of the tropes that have plagued many AAA games.
Although I'm aware of this game’s flaws, I can’t help but love it. That’s not to say this game is above any criticism, because some of these AAA tropes can be egregious and dull. But despite these faults, there’s a charm to this game that makes me want to replay it again when it comes out on Switch 2 later this year.
Keep Moving Forward
One annoying aspect found in Final Fantasy VII Remake and other AAA games is the forced “cinematic” sections where players just have to move forward. From moving through cracks or thin walls in areas, to certain story sections limiting your movement to walking, these sections aren’t great. We understand that some of these moments are done to immerse the player, but they just come off as pretentious and annoying.
This writer does appreciate how Remake wants fans to connect more with Midgar’s residents, and these moments can be effective. Seeing them panic after that initial bombing is jarring stuff, showing the consequences of their actions. It’s all appreciated, we just wish the game didn’t force you to slow down when these moments are happening.
Bloated Content
Since Final Fantasy VII Remake mostly covers the Midgar portion of the original game, new sections were added to add more to this town’s setting. For the most part, it works, as doing those side missions to make the town feel safer does give Midgar some personality. Even with all of that, it’s hard to defend how bloated some of this content feels.
Because there’s a lot of original stuff added, they tend to drag the game’s pacing down. The Honey Bee Inn section is a ton of fun, but forcing Cloud to do side quests while waiting for Aerith’s dress feels like the game is dragging its heels. Getting to know Jessie, Wedge, and Biggs more is also nice, but it can feel like filler.
Don’t even get us started on the Whispers. We respect that Square Enix treats the original FF7 with reverence, but having literal plot ghosts around to make sure certain events play out right is eye-rolling territory.
That Combat Though…
It’s amazing how I can look past all these annoying AAA tropes once Final Fantasy VII Remake starts focusing on that combat. Simply put, this is some of the best-feeling combat in an action RPG, and it never gets boring. Cloud’s sword always feels heavy and strong, Tifa’s combos are frenetic and fun to pull off, Barrett feels like a long-range powerhouse, and each character is so fun to use.
Couldn’t find space to compliment Aerith, but her spell-based fighting style is also pretty neat.
Whenever those annoying side quests led to a big boss fight, my lips would drool with excitement. If Chadley’s there with new summon simulations to fight, my heart starts pounding. This might not be as in-depth as, say, Devil May Cry 5, but it feels good, and that’s just a fact.
Avalanche of Emotions
Even with the annoying whispers ruining things, it’s hard not to love the characters of Final Fantasy VII Remake. Aerith remains her bubbly and street-smart self, Tifa has that shy kindness to her, Barrett is all about taking the system down, and our boy Cloud is still trying to act tough when he’s really just a dude deep down.
These aspects were in the original game, and it’s hard not to keep loving these characters when they’re presented so well.
Would it have been nice to have this same level of writing in a more straightforward remake? Sure, but that game is still readily available to audiences, and it won’t be going away. Its sequel, Rebirth, is doing something unique with this story, which has my respect.
Let’s hope that third game nails the landing.
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