Since launch Final Fantasy VII Remake In 2020, fans of the original were wondering what the next part of the game would be like. Square EnixThe re-imagining of 1997’s groundbreaking play will capture many iconic set moments, surprises revealed and surprises yet to come. Nibelheim Incidentconcentrated around Cloudy‘s return to his homeland five years ago created especially fertile ground for speculation. The original game and its many spin-offs revisit this mission repeatedly to show different perspectives of the key players. This is a common analogy, but the Nibelheim Incident is actually FF7equivalent of Rashomon murder scene. With each slightly different retelling we get a little closer to the truth.

FF7‘s story of saving the world wasn’t revolutionary in 1997, and it certainly isn’t today. But there’s a sense that something is “wrong” with Cloud and his mentor-turned-enemy. Sephiroth transforming it into something much more memorable and lasting. For most of the game, the fate of the planet kind of takes a backseat to figuring out what the deal is with these guys. At the same time Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Developers at Square Enix face the daunting task of attracting newcomers to the second part of the trilogy, namely those who first knew Cloud and Sephiroth as cool badasses with fun hair. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate list.

When I booted up the game at a recent media preview event, Chapter 1 Final Fantasy VII Rebirth It immediately begins with Cloud telling his version of what happened in Nibelheim. Rebirth It throws you in the deep end and offers high stakes from the start – and that’s exactly what longtime fans want and newcomers need.

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Deja vu again

I played a smaller part of this episode at a concert. preview of the event from a few months ago, but this slice was more focused on combat and traversal. Full version, staying true to the original game RebirthThe Nibelheim incident is a relaxed evening where the friends calm down after a slow-burning, frantic escape from Midgar. Present-day Cloud follows her through this extended interactive sequence where you play as her younger self, and the storytelling is punctuated by interruptions from Barrett, Tifa, and Aerith. Many of these conversations are lifted from the original game, and it’s nice to see them return here to add some sense of kindness and camaraderie to Cloud’s intriguing and bleak story.

RebirthHis take on Nibelheim remains largely faithful to the original FF7. (Mostly.) The reason for Cloud and Sephy’s mission is the same: They’re sent to investigate a malfunctioning mako reactor on Mount Nibel and deal with the monsters that get in their way. We get a clearer sense of Sephiroth’s fame and renown—we’re mostly told, not shown in the original—as the townsfolk breathlessly gossip about him and jostle for photos. As before, you get the chance to control Sephiroth in battle while climbing, and he’s incredibly powerful and fun to play.

Rising Mount Nibel serves as a light education for children RebirthNew traversal mechanics including jumping and climbing. It’s nothing complicated, but it does show that Mount Nibel is dangerous enough to need the help of a better guide than in the original game. Speaking of guides, we see more of young Tifa in this episode. Rebirth (Nibelheim is his hometown, after all), complete with cute cowboy outfit. And there are some A lot This has interesting consequences that I won’t go into here.

In this context, in Chapter 1 Final Fantasy VII Rebirth A real bonanza full of jaw-dropping spoilers for those who haven’t played the original game. Even though I didn’t know exactly what was going to happen at certain moments, I was mesmerized by the flawless visuals and environmental design. And as it is remakeWhen Rebirth‘s music is firing on all cylinders, capable of giving goosebumps down your arms. As the flames rise and the music quakes like a frightened heart, suddenly I’m 11 again, sitting cross-legged on the floor next to my older brother in front of a CRT with a skateboard sticker on the side. say something else Wow.

A brand new world

After Cloud gives his friends a summary of what happened with Sephiroth in Nibelheim, we continue the story in the present in the city of Kalm. And gosh, how shiny it is. in 1997 FF7, the town was little more than an RPG gas station; A place to buy some potions, cheap equipment, and a quick nap at the inn. Having moved on elsewhere, there was little reason to return. This time, its cobblestone streets, overgrown flower pots and rabbit herd layout exude a calm charm that befits its name.

You won’t spend too much time here Rebirth Both provide a chance to meet, but with a few new gameplay additions. The most notable of these are party relationships and party level, which allow you to strengthen your bond with your teammates through dialogue choices and optional activities. Original FF7 there was a less elaborate version of this that resulted in the infamous Gold Saucer date, and it’s nice to see the developers finding new ways to let players spend more time with their favorite characters.

The innkeeper in Kalm will introduce you to the Queen’s Blood. RebirthHis answer to card games like Witcher 3Gwent and FF8‘s Triple Trio. I can already tell that many people will be completely obsessed with this mini-game, but unfortunately I am not one of them. (Happy for you, though!) This section also gives a quick rundown of skill trees, weapon upgrades, and item crafting. I’m not convinced of this Final Fantasy 7 I needed a production system and didn’t get much opportunity to use it during my demo. I can see how it could be useful for some optional fights later on, but I’m hoping it’s more of a “take it or leave it” mechanic.

But we can’t stay in Kalm for long, and soon it’s time for our merry band of oddballs to hit the road in search of adventure, pocket money and, eventually, Sephiroth. RebirthThis version of the original game’s vast open world is bigger and more beautiful than I expected, with plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. You’ll have access to both menu-based fast travel and chocobos immediately after leaving Kalm, mercifully reducing the 1997 game’s heavy backtracking. Instead of large empty spaces for random encounters, there are now small farms, hamlets, and ruins between cities and dungeons. This makes Rebirth‘s open world feels like a natural expansion of scope rather than a concession to fan expectations. Once you reach the Chocobo Farm you are free to explore for a while, but when you are ready to return to the main story Ghost of Tsushima-esque green Mako trail will appear to propel you towards your goal. It’s a thoughtful design choice that avoids the immersive “map game” vibe that’s become a little too commonplace in open-world design.

Naturally, there will be some fighting when you step out into the wide world. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth adds another layer remakereal-time combat system and I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about it. You’ll have more than three party members to choose from at any given time, and each unique duo or trio can combine for a unique special attack. On paper it looks like this Chrono Triggerwhich is great. It feels like there’s too much to keep track of in practice. remake‘s combat had a satisfying pace when it came to managing cooldowns to perform spells, heals, and special attacks. But in the early hours Rebirth, even ordinary fights have a noticeable stop-start feel. I hope to settle into a flow eventually, but I’m also wondering if all of this would feel better in a classic, turn-based mode instead. (Fortunately, this is an instantly usable pass for the entire game.) Quibbles aside, I’m still enjoying the combat, and the demo left me hungry for more. Pro tip: Red XIII is strangely Sonic Spinning Top Moveset is extremely fun to play.

The big question goes like this: Rebirth and its unnamed successor: Can it recapture or even surpass the magic of the original game? There’s something left to see. But so far the first three episodes bode very well for the future.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth It launches on PlayStation 5 on February 29.

Pre order Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Amazon | best buy | Aim

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