Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the kind of game that isn't afraid to take its time.
It opens up the world far beyond the closed streets of Midgar and invites players to explore everything from lush grasslands to desert towns, with a map full of side content, activities, and minigames.
For fans who love exploring every inch of a JRPG, it's a dream come true. But as the scale grows, so does the trade-off, and it becomes harder to ignore—the game's length can sometimes work against the story it's trying to tell.
Clocking in at over 40 hours for the main story and easily reaching double that for full completion, Rebirth is among the longest entries in the series. That sounds great in theory, especially for players wanting to get the most value, but the pacing doesn't always align with the scale.
Long stretches of side tasks often separate key story moments. This gives characters room to grow and lets players bond with the party, but it also means some plot points lose their emotional punch because they show up too late or get lost in all the distractions.
Compared to Remake, which kept things tight and focused inside Midgar, Rebirth takes a more open-ended approach. The game doesn't rush players, but that flexibility comes at a cost.
Much of the optional content seems repetitive across regions—activities such as activating towers, finding lifeblood crystals, or completing intel objectives begin to overlap. They're not poorly designed, but the format feels stale after such a long duration.
Over time, what should be a meaningful exploration turns into a checklist, which can disconnect you from the story emotionally. This brings up the bigger question of how the trilogy might end. If Rebirth is already this long and packed with optional systems, what happens with Part 3?
Based on the direction Square Enix is heading, it wouldn't be surprising if the next game went in the opposite direction. The final chapter could benefit from cutting down the optional content to create a tighter, more cinematic conclusion. The story doesn't need another 100 hours if it's ready to conclude.
A more linear and focused experience might actually land better, especially after the sheer scale of Rebirth. It's not that Rebirth overreaches, but in many ways, it's an impressive achievement. The visuals are consistently strong, character development is given proper time, and the reimagined world of Gaia feels alive. But it's the structure that stops it from being as effective as Remake.
The constant pull from collectibles, side quests, and map icons makes it tough for the story to maintain momentum. If the journey is what you're after, that's fine. But if you're invested in how the story develops, the structure may start to feel too padded.
Looking ahead, the trilogy's final act will have to make some tough choices. Square Enix has already proven it can build massive worlds and pack them with content. What it hasn't proven yet is whether it knows when to scale things back.
Part 3 could become the trilogy's most impactful entry if it offers a tighter, emotionally grounded finale that cuts through the noise.
In the meantime, if you're waiting for the Nintendo Switch 2, you'll be able to enjoy Final Fantasy VII Remake on the go. Rebirth is available on PS5 and PC.