When I first played Final Fantasy VII Remake, I was impressed by how it balanced classic elements with updated gameplay. Square Enix now had the challenge of continuing that success with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. This sequel picks up right after Remake and takes Cloud and his team beyond Midgar into a larger world.
This new chapter brings open-world exploration, improved combat, and expanded character development. The stakes are higher, and the story offers new twists while respecting the original game. As someone who enjoyed the first part, I wanted to see if Rebirth could keep the momentum.
Now available on PC, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth reaches more players, including those new to the story. Whether you’re returning to Gaia or starting fresh, this RPG has plenty to offer. Exploration, gameplay improvements, and visuals combine to create a memorable experience.
Square Enix builds on what Remake achieved, expanding the series with bold ideas and improvements. With its PC release, Rebirth opens the door for more players to experience its reimagined world. Let’s break down how this sequel holds up.
A Journey Beyond Midgar
The story of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth picks up immediately after the events of Final Fantasy VII Remake. You follow Cloud and his party as they leave Midgar, diving deeper into their fight against Sephiroth. The opening hours, set in Kalm and Nibelheim, set the tone by blending emotional backstory with engaging character moments. Watching Cloud recount Sephiroth’s betrayal and the destruction of Nibelheim felt powerful, especially with the game’s cinematic visuals. These flashbacks brought deeper meaning to the journey, highlighting just how personal this conflict is for Cloud.
One of my favourite early moments was leaving Kalm and stepping into the open world for the first time. The expansive fields and new exploration opportunities gave me a clear sense that Rebirth was pushing beyond what Remake offered. The story adds new events and introduces new twists to familiar moments, keeping both newcomers and longtime fans curious about what’s next.
Cloud’s relationships with the group are a strong point. His struggles feel personal, and his connections with Tifa and Aerith grow naturally. Quiet moments, like campfire discussions, bring emotional depth to the journey. For newcomers, the game explains key story events clearly without making anything feel overwhelming.
While Rebirth respects its source material, it confidently changes the narrative in meaningful ways. The game’s exploration of themes like identity, destiny, and free will makes the story feel fresh even for veterans of the series.
Dynamic Combat and Expansive Exploration
The gameplay in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth builds on the foundation of Remake while introducing meaningful improvements. The combat system stands out, combining real-time action with strategic elements. Switching between characters mid-fight feels natural, and each character’s unique abilities make every battle dynamic. I found myself relying on Tifa for quick combos, Barret for ranged attacks, and Aerith for healing during tougher encounters.
During one battle, I faced a giant serpent in the open world. Managing my team’s synergy attacks and juggling Materia abilities made the fight feel alive and rewarding. These battles never felt repetitive, thanks to the variety of enemies and the depth of the combat system. The addition of new synergy attacks required more coordination, keeping me focused during every encounter.
Exploration also feels much more open this time around. Moving through expansive environments, uncovering hidden Materia, and completing side quests felt more open and free compared to Remake. Restoring Chocobo Stops was one of my favourite side activities, as it unlocked fast travel and made exploration easier.
The game also introduces a skill tree system through the Folio, offering deeper customization for Materia builds and character abilities. Experimenting with different setups kept gameplay interesting, especially during challenging boss fights. While some side quests felt like filler, the rewards were often worth the effort, adding useful items or abilities to my arsenal.
Stunning Visuals and Smooth Performance
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth looks great, with detailed environments and characters that stand out on modern PCs. The PC version improves visuals with higher resolutions and better textures than the PS5 version. On a good setup, the game runs at up to 120fps, making combat and exploration feel smoother.
The PC version lets you adjust graphics settings like resolution, shadows, and anti-aliasing to improve performance. Even on mid-range hardware, the game runs smoothly, with stable frame rates and impressive visuals. Load times are much shorter on PC, which helps the game flow better and keeps you in the action.
The audio is excellent, with a reworked soundtrack that mixes classic tracks with updated versions. Songs like “One-Winged Angel” sound more powerful with orchestral arrangements. The voice acting fits the story well and makes important moments more impactful.
The PC version occasionally has frame rate drops during scenes with lots of action or detailed visuals, but they’re rare and don’t affect gameplay much. This is something Future patches could address, but the game already runs well.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a Seamless Bridge to the Trilogy’s Finale
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth continues what Remake started, improving its gameplay and expanding the story and exploration. The larger world, refined combat, and deeper character interactions create an experience that feels both exciting and familiar. For longtime fans, the balance between honouring the original and introducing new ideas keeps the story interesting. Newcomers will also find the narrative easy to follow, thanks to its thoughtful storytelling.
The PC version improves the experience with better graphics, smoother gameplay, and shorter load times. You can adjust settings to suit different setups, making the game widely accessible. Frame rate drops happen occasionally but don’t interfere much. Future updates might improve performance further, but the game runs well as it is.
Exploration feels rewarding, with open environments that encourage discovery and plenty of side quests to tackle. Combat stands out with its mix of real-time action and strategy. Synergy attacks and Materia options add variety to fights. Some side quests, however, feel repetitive and may disappoint those seeking more engaging content.
With its thoughtful improvements and expanded scope, Rebirth bridges the gap between past and future, leaving you eager for the trilogy’s conclusion. Whether you’re revisiting Gaia or experiencing it for the first time, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth delivers an unforgettable chapter that sets the stage for the final act. For PC players, it’s a polished and accessible way to enjoy one of the best RPGs of the year.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth PC
Summary
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth expands on Remake with refined gameplay, a bigger world, and deeper character interactions. The game’s improved visuals, engaging combat, and thoughtful story make it appealing to both fans of the original and newcomers. While some side quests can feel repetitive, the polished experience and exciting world make it a standout RPG. The PC version offers better performance and smoother gameplay, making it the ideal way to experience this chapter.
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