Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: A Glimpse Into The Future of RPGs

1. The Journey Continues

If you had told me a few years ago that we would get a Final Fantasy VII remake that would leave me in awe, I might have been skeptical. After all, Final Fantasy VII (FFVII) is such a beloved classic. Could any remake ever truly live up to the legacy of the original? But here we are, standing on the precipice of something even greater—Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. As a fan of the original, and as someone who still carries the weight of Cloud’s journey in my heart, I can’t help but be both excited and cautiously curious about where this new chapter takes us.

Rebirth isn’t just a continuation of the story told in Final Fantasy VII Remake; it’s a bold new vision of the world that FFVII created. This game is ambitious in every sense of the word. It’s not simply about retelling the same old story, but about expanding on it, reshaping it, and offering new surprises that I never saw coming. The world is bigger, the stakes are higher, and, honestly, it’s hard to predict where things will go from here.

2. A World Reimagined

Right off the bat, the first thing you’ll notice in Rebirth is the sheer scale of the world. We are no longer confined to the tight, urban corridors of Midgar. The entire planet is now an open canvas, sprawling with diverse environments that encourage exploration in ways the original game couldn’t have dreamed of. Whether you’re journeying through lush forests, vast deserts, or ominous mountains, the scope of the world makes every moment feel more significant.

There’s something about the level of detail in the environments that makes them feel alive. The skies change from bright, sunny afternoons to ominous, stormy nights. The sounds of nature fill the air, with birds chirping and distant water flowing. And then, there’s the atmosphere of impending doom. You can almost feel the weight of the planetary crisis, the sense that things are steadily heading toward an inevitable catastrophe. Every place you visit is more than just a backdrop; it’s a reflection of the world’s ongoing struggle against forces far beyond our control.

The sense of scale is paired beautifully with the storytelling. The game doesn’t rush you through the plot. Instead, it allows for moments of reflection and wonder. Whether you’re standing on a cliff overlooking a valley or walking through a bustling town, it’s clear that the developers want you to take it all in. And the best part? You can. There’s a real sense of freedom in Rebirth that invites you to spend time with the world rather than simply pushing you toward the next main objective.

3. Characters Evolved

Anyone who’s played Final Fantasy VII knows that the characters are a huge part of what makes the game so special. Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, Barret, Red XIII, and the others are all more than just their roles in the story. They are personalities that stick with you long after the game ends. With Rebirth, it feels like those personalities have been given even more room to breathe.

Cloud, in particular, is far from the same character we saw in Final Fantasy VII Remake. He still has that brooding, mysterious vibe, but there’s a complexity to him now, a subtlety that makes him feel even more human. His relationship with his friends is growing, especially as the group ventures into unknown territories together. It’s clear that Cloud is struggling with his past, his identity, and his role in this larger conflict. But instead of being the lone wolf we might expect, he’s starting to learn what it means to lean on those around him.

Tifa, too, has seen a notable shift. Her toughness is still present, but there’s more emotional depth to her character this time around. Her loyalty to Cloud is palpable, and her inner struggles come through more than before. She’s not just the supportive friend anymore—she’s a warrior with her own motivations and complexities.

Then there’s Aerith. In the original Final Fantasy VII, Aerith’s role was crucial, but her time in the spotlight was tragically short. In Rebirth, it feels like she’s given a chance to truly flourish. The developers have made it clear that Aerith’s presence in this new timeline is integral, and you can see how her relationship with Cloud is evolving in ways that will change the direction of the story. Whether she’s acting as the voice of reason, offering a hint of hope, or confronting the darker truths of the world, Aerith is, as always, a character you can’t help but gravitate toward.

Barret and the others also get their moments to shine. I found myself really appreciating the subtle but impactful moments where Barret’s caring side comes through, revealing the layers beneath his tough exterior. Each character feels more like a person, not just a playable character, and their bonds with one another are more than just plot devices—they’re integral to the emotional core of the story.

4. Combat Reinvented

Combat in Rebirth has undergone a significant evolution from Final Fantasy VII Remake. The blend of real-time action and strategic command-based mechanics has been refined, making each encounter feel more intense and fluid. There’s no shortage of spectacular moments where you’ll unleash devastating limit breaks or pull off a perfectly timed counterattack.

The real fun, though, comes from the way you can now customize and build your party. The materia system remains at the heart of your progression, but it’s been expanded and reworked to offer more depth and flexibility. You can experiment with combinations, switch up your strategies on the fly, and find synergies between characters that make each battle feel unique.

Another exciting addition is the seamless switching between characters during combat. Gone are the days of being locked into controlling just one character for an entire battle. Instead, you can easily swap between Cloud, Tifa, Barret, or whoever else is in your party, allowing you to adapt to different situations. It makes every fight feel more dynamic, and I found myself constantly switching between characters to optimize my strategy. It also deepens your connection to the characters since you’re actively managing them during these intense moments.

Boss fights, as expected, are a standout feature in Rebirth. The developers seem to have learned a lot from their experiences with Final Fantasy XV and Final Fantasy VII Remake in creating encounters that are not just difficult but cinematic. There’s a real sense of weight to these battles, especially when you’re up against the major threats of the world. These are fights you’ll remember long after you’ve moved on to the next chapter.

5. The Story: A Twist on a Classic

If there’s one thing Final Fantasy VII is known for, it’s its story. The emotional weight of the original’s narrative, from Aerith’s tragic death to the final confrontation with Sephiroth, is something that’s embedded in the memories of anyone who played the game. With Rebirth, the developers have made it clear that they’re not just rehashing the same beats. Instead, they’ve decided to take risks and twist the familiar plot in unexpected directions.

Without diving too deep into spoilers, it’s safe to say that Rebirth isn’t afraid to mess with established canon. There are moments where the game leaves you questioning what you know about the original story. Are certain events still going to play out the way we remember? Or will this timeline veer off into uncharted territory? I don’t want to spoil anything, but let’s just say the narrative surprises are real, and they’ll leave you hooked, eager to see what happens next.

One of the most compelling aspects of Rebirth is the way it explores the themes of fate, destiny, and free will. The characters are aware that the events unfolding around them are part of something much larger, but they’re not passive bystanders. The game constantly challenges them (and us, as players) to question what they can truly control. It’s a story that invites you to think, to question the choices being made, and to wonder whether the future is set in stone or still open to change.

6. Voice Acting and Soundtrack: Elevating the Experience

A huge part of what makes Rebirth feel so immersive is the exceptional voice acting. If you were worried about the transition to voice-over performances feeling unnatural or forced, fear not. Every actor seems to truly embody their character, making the emotional beats hit harder than ever before. Cloud’s quiet vulnerability, Tifa’s fierce determination, and Aerith’s calm wisdom are all delivered with such nuance that it elevates the story to new heights.

Of course, no Final Fantasy game would be complete without an unforgettable soundtrack. Rebirth’s music is nothing short of magical. It takes the iconic themes from the original game and reimagines them in ways that feel both familiar and fresh. There are tracks that will make you nostalgic, and there are new compositions that will give you chills. The music doesn’t just complement the action; it becomes a vital part of the experience, pulling you deeper into the world and amplifying the emotional stakes of every scene.

7. Where to Play Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is set to be a cross-generational title, with releases planned for both the PlayStation 5 and PC platforms. The game’s vast world and intricate graphics require the power of the latest consoles to truly shine, and if you have a PS5, you’re in for a treat. The loading times are nearly nonexistent, and the world feels seamless as you explore it in real-time.

For those who prefer to game on PC, Rebirth will also support the latest hardware, offering ultra-wide screen support, high frame rates, and even mod

ding possibilities. If you’ve already experienced the remakes of the first FFVII installments, this new chapter will only make you more excited for what’s to come.

If you’re looking for an immersive experience, the game will also be available on platforms like Steam and the Epic Games Store, making it accessible for a wider audience. With the increase in PC gaming capabilities, it’s clear that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is designed to push the boundaries of what we can expect from RPGs in 2025.