Final Fantasy VII Remake – PS4 Review

The original release of Final Fantasy VII on the PlayStation had a profound and far-reaching impact on the gaming industry. It propelled the series to unprecedented heights and transformed the landscape for Japanese role-playing games in the Western market. However, when Square Enix unveiled a full-scale remake in 2015, it was met with a mixture of excitement and apprehension, especially when it was revealed that this remake would be released in multiple parts. The decision sparked considerable controversy and debate. Regardless of where you stand on Square Enix's choice, there's no denying that Final Fantasy VII Remake stands as an exceptional reinterpretation of a cherished classic.

In the sprawling city of Midgar, Shinra, a formidable megacorporation, siphons the life force from the planet, leaving the land desolate. Amid this bleak landscape, a chance encounter with a flower girl in a dark alley sparks a glimmer of hope. As the camera pans out, we witness the vast expanse of the metropolis, with towering Mako reactors dominating the skyline. The scene quickly transitions to a train screeching to a halt, setting the stage for a daring plan to destroy one of these towering reactors. This is the breathtaking introduction to Final Fantasy VII Remake, a reimagination of the iconic 1997 JRPG masterpiece. The first installment in an episodic series, this remake soars to heights that transcend the original.

The narrative follows Cloud, a former soldier turned mercenary, who is recruited by Avalanche, a rebel group determined to thwart the multinational juggernaut Shinra and its ruthless exploitation of Mako, the planet's primary energy source. Initially motivated solely by financial gain, Cloud gradually becomes entangled in the group's cause. Along the way, he experiences enigmatic visions that will slowly unravel their mysteries. With the assistance of his childhood friend Tifa, the charismatic Avalanche leader Barret, and the enigmatic florist Aerith, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery and a mission to thwart Shinra's sinister plans.

Final Fantasy VII Remake takes the first nine hours of the original game and transforms them into a sprawling 40-hour adventure set entirely within the vividly reimagined Midgar. This iconic and imaginative cityscape has long been a location fans yearned to explore more deeply. Additionally, the remake grants an expanded role to the members of Avalanche, including Biggs, Wedge, and Jessie, who were pivotal but brief characters in the original. The transformation of these secondary characters into integral figures in this iteration, particularly the character of Jessie, showcases the narrative's enhanced depth and refinement.

While the classic Final Fantasy entries featured turn-based combat, this remake adopts a more modern action-RPG approach. The result is thrilling gameplay that sets a new standard for the franchise. Combat unfolds in real-time, with attacks executing immediately upon your command, maintaining the strategic essence of earlier titles. Pressing the "X" button brings up the "Commands Menu," offering options for abilities, spells, and items. This tactical pause allows you to make calculated decisions, selecting attacks or items to match specific enemies or situations. The "ATB (Active Time Battle)" gauge governs the execution of commands, filling passively and with each action, with two bars to fill. This dynamic system encourages an offensive playstyle, enhancing the rhythm of each battle.

Combat in Final Fantasy VII Remake never grows monotonous. Each character brings a unique playstyle to the table, with distinct abilities. For instance, Cloud boasts the "Punisher Mode," emphasizing high damage output at the expense of agility, contrasting with his versatile "Operator Mode." Barret, with his mechanized arm, excels as a ranged fighter, armed with the "Overcharge" ability, a devastating attack. Tifa, an agile and technical brawler, executes rapid, successive blows, further enhanced by increasing her "chi level." Aerith, a mage-type character, excels in ranged damage and can unleash "Tempest," a magical attack that grows in power as more energy is charged. With such diverse characters, you'll constantly experience exhilarating, varied playstyles.

Character progression proves engaging. In addition to automatic character level-ups based on earned EXP, your weapons gain "Proficiency" in their unique ways, allowing access to new abilities as you use them. These unlocked abilities can then be employed with other weapons. Weapons can be upgraded using the "SP (Skill Point) Pool," a straightforward system that allocates points for stat boosts and additional "Materia" slots. Materia plays a pivotal role in accessing new spells, stat enhancements, and summons for combat assistance. These Materia can also be upgraded through the use of "AP (Ability Points)," enhancing their effectiveness.

The initial section set in Midgar is, for many, the most beloved part of Final Fantasy VII. The opportunity to explore this cherished location, rendered with cutting-edge technology, is a visual spectacle. The city's vistas are nothing short of breathtaking, making you feel small in this towering industrial metropolis. The designers cleverly utilize the contrasting atmosphere between the upper and lower city levels to create a powerful visual and thematic juxtaposition. The topside neighborhoods, where the privileged reside, exude a sense of emptiness with a somber color palette. In contrast, the slums beneath the upper plate bask in sparse sunlight. As you wander these impoverished areas, rays of sunlight occasionally pierce the "steel sky," symbolizing hope in a beautifully artistic manner. The city's inhabitants are brought to life, each going about their daily routines, creating a genuinely lived-in atmosphere. You can engage with groups of citizens, listening to their dialogues, providing commentary on the ongoing story or mundane daily conversations.

Within the slum sections, you can explore shops and undertake various quests, ranging from simple fetch missions to monster hunting. Completion of these quests rewards you with items or precious "Gil (money)." It's a poetic twist that the remake of an RPG that influenced Western RPGs now embraces questing reminiscent of games like Horizon: Zero Dawn and Final Fantasy XV. However, the storytelling depth often associated with side quests is not as prominent here. Instead, these side tasks are simple and frequently humorous but immensely enjoyable. Passive objectives come in the form of "Battle Intel" tasks, given by a young scholar named Chadley, who offers access to new Materia in exchange for completing specific requirements.

Exploration is well-implemented, featuring a Skyrim-like compass guiding you to quest objectives. If that doesn't suit your preference, you can switch to a mini-map or turn off maps entirely. Delving deeply into each area pays off, as there are numerous secrets to discover. "Discoveries" mark locations that are initially inaccessible or require special interaction, offering significant rewards such as new Materia or trophy unlocks. Chests and crates are scattered throughout, housing new weapons, accessories, potions, and "Moogle Medals," a unique currency for item exchange. Notably, you can collect music discs from vending machines, merchants, and other sources. These discs can be played on a Jukebox, offering jazz, classical, or electronic renditions of beloved tracks.

The legendary composer of Final Fantasy VII, Nobuo Uematsu, returns to rework his musical masterpiece. His new score strikingly balances electronic sequencer chords from the original with full-blown symphonic orchestral arrangements. The result is a profound synthesis that continues to evoke the same emotional resonance as the 1997 version. Tracks such as "Flowers Blooming in the Church" and the main theme retain their ability to stir deep emotions. Both new and classic compositions leave an indelible impact, thanks to elegant string sections and sweeping harmonies. In battle, a stem-like system dynamically evolves the arrangement, complementing the fast-paced action. Overall, this score stands alongside the original as one of the most exceptional JRPG soundtracks.

The creative team behind the original game has returned to redefine their masterpiece for a new generation. Adapting scenes originally meant for text-based storytelling into fully-voiced dialogues was a monumental undertaking, but the results are mostly pleasing. Iconic scenes are handled with reverence and executed even more flawlessly. The original's cinematic qualities have been elevated, with more natural dialogue, deliberate camera angles, and nuanced character expressions. The seamless transition of the beloved cast is evident, and the timeless characters remain as compelling as ever. Cloud's character gains depth as his growth unfolds like a coming-of-age story. Aerith, in particular, remains one of the most exceptional heroines in gaming, radiating innocence and providing a guiding light on Cloud's journey of self-discovery. The subtext of the narrative offers insightful commentary on themes such as grief, class struggle, and the nature of heroism.

Final Fantasy VII Remake is an astonishing accomplishment, uniting the original's creative vision with contemporary gaming standards. This remake heralds a new era, promising to reshape the gaming landscape. For now, Final Fantasy VII Remake stands as one of the greatest modern RPGs ever made, whether as a remake or an entirely new experience.

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