It’s been a long time coming, but Final Fantasy VII Remake has finally arrived on Xbox Series consoles and the Nintendo Switch 2, six years after its original debut on Sony’s PS4. This is a port of the 2021 Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade edition, so players can expect slick combat, an epic tale and engaging RPG systems from the start.
Read More: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth – All Details And Reveals Guide
From the outset, this is a stellar title and the foundation of what now appears to be a trilogy. It partly retells the classic story while putting a more daring and interesting spin on familiar events. Square Enix has delivered exactly what fans have been waiting for with Final Fantasy VII Remake. It’s a special experience, even if some long-time fans remain unhappy with how boldly it reshapes the narrative.
That reaction isn’t surprising. Retelling one of gaming’s most important cornerstones, a title that shaped how the West views JRPGs, was always going to be a monumental task, especially when trying to please everyone. To Square Enix’s credit, they’ve done a remarkable job.
Vive la Similarité
There’s very little difference between this release and Sony’s versions. The Xbox Series edition is largely indistinguishable from the PS5 version in both visuals and performance. The only notable changes are the lack of haptic feedback on Xbox controllers, slightly longer load times and the inclusion of exclusive Streamlined Progression boosters.
These boosters are optional modifiers that reduce the challenge and let players focus more on the story. They add a touch of extra accessibility, but beyond these small tweaks, this is essentially the same excellent game.
Read More: The Music of Final Fantasy VI – An Introspective Look
The entire adventure takes place in Midgar, but the city has been massively expanded. New side missions, events and characters flesh out the setting, while all the key moments from the original game are present, albeit with a few unexpected twists. The game never becomes fully free-roaming, but several areas are large enough to explore comfortably.
A first playthrough takes around 40 hours, which is impressive considering this portion of the story lasted only a few hours in the original. Once completed, Chapter Select and Hard Mode unlock, giving players plenty of reasons to return.
Intro and Inter Mission
The Intergrade edition also includes Episode INTERmission, a standalone two‑chapter expansion starring Yuffie Kisaragi. This side story runs alongside the main campaign, following Yuffie on a secret mission in Midgar, and adds several more hours of gameplay while further fleshing out the world.
Combat leans far more into action than the turn‑based roots of the original, though strategy remains essential. Basic attacks are only the starting point. Real depth comes from the command menu, which slows time and lets you choose powerful abilities once your ATB gauge is full.
Read More: The Music of Final Fantasy VIII – Drifting Through Greatness
You’ll control four distinct characters, each playing very differently: Cloud with his massive Buster Sword, Barret with his hand cannon, and Tifa and Aerith rounding out the party. You can switch between them freely in battle, making the most of their unique strengths.
The materia system returns in a refined form, opening the door to deep upgrades and buffs. It starts out simple but quickly ramps up, allowing for impressive customisation and genuinely interesting builds if you experiment.
Art Restored
Visually, the game is stunning. From bustling city streets to cold, sterile underground facilities, the environments are often breathtaking. This attention to detail extends to the cast, all of whom look fantastic, as well as the monster designs, which brilliantly bring classic foes to life.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is a superb reimagining of a beloved classic. While it’s clearly part of a much larger vision, it stands confidently on its own as an extremely enjoyable experience, offering rewarding combat and an epic story to match.
Read More: Final Fantasy XIV: From 1.0 to A Realm Reborn – A Retrospective
Good things really do come to those who wait. The only question now is how long it will be before Final Fantasy VII Rebirth reaches Microsoft and Nintendo platforms.
- Dragon Quest VII Reimagined review – Tasteful Renewal
- Resident Evil Requiem review – Reframing Evil
- Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2 review – Budget Flash
Find TechStomper’s games reviews on OpenCritic.com