There’s no doubt that fans are excited for Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, and everything we’ve seen from the demo and previews have added to the hype. But not all publicity is created equal, and Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth has had one of the most wide-ranging ad campaigns in recent memory.

Some brand collaborations make sense when you’re marketing a new game, and none of us would be surprised to see Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth merch popping up in stores as we head towards release day. Yet the marketing team behind letting us know we’re about to return to the world of Final Fantasy VII has made this their year of yes, with plenty of unexpected collaborations as part of the hype train. I’ve made it my duty to watch this wide-ranging and occasionally bizarre ad campaign, and now I’m bringing you the most unexpected of them all.

Related: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Editions: Should You Get Deluxe, Collector’s, or Standard?

Red Bull Gives Sephiroth Wings

Red Bull Gaming posted a short video in the iconic Red Bull ad style, featuring Cloud and Sephiroth in battle. Naturally, Cloud gains the upper hand by drinking a Red Bull, as we all know folks in the Final Fantasy universe tend to do.

Honestly, if you wanted our attention, you got it with this unexpected pairing that just kind of makes sense. People have missed the “Red Bull gives you wings” tagline and Sephiroth has wings (well, wing). When it fits, it fits.

Insomnia Cookies Already Knows We’ve Planned an All-Nighter for the FFVII Release

Maybe it’s just because I had a love affair with Insomnia Cookies in my early 20s, but this is the collab that lives rent-free in my head. Cookie company Insomnia Cookies, best known for offering late-night cookie deliveries near college campuses, now has limited-edition collectible Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth boxes.

Customers can order a box of cookies and receive a box with characters from the game plastered on it. There’s even a special Cloud ‘Lil Dipper which is just my favorite phrase of 2024 so far. Of course, I have questions about the true collectibility of boxes that will arrive full of fresh baked cookies and their grease. But since Insomnia Cookie doesn’t deliver to me, that’s for other fans to figure out.

The Final Fantasy VII Cast Learns to Seize the Awkward

I’m all for encouraging folks to be more open in talking about mental health, but I have to admit I didn’t expect to see an ad combining the Seize the Awkward campaign with Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. And yet, this PSA campaign featuring clips from the game does in fact exist.

It’s an unexpected pairing, for sure, but it makes a lot of sense when you think of everything those characters go through.

That Time FFVII Took Credit for A Comet

Yes, this one was a joke, but also, yes, it’s a weird one. @LittleARcanine_, part of the Square Enix team, sent out this tweet suggesting that the marketing team came up with this comet as part of promotion for FInal Fantasy VII: Rebirth.

I don’t know about you, but I didn’t have “take credit for a comet” on my list of ways I expected anyone to promote a new video game.

Game Better with Butterfinger

Alas, this sweepstakes has already ended, so you can’t enter it anymore, but at this point, Butterfinger collabs with Final Fantasy are a bit of a tradition. Previous games in the Final Fantasy franchise have also teamed up with the “Game Better with Butterfinger” campaign to promote combining candy with gaming. It sounds like a good idea, until you get melty chocolate all over your PS5 controller.

This campaign featured a “Butterfinger Ultimate Gaming Bundle” which included some FFVII: Rebirth merch, a copy of the game, and of course, Butterfinger branded gaming gear. I’m just trying to picture Cloud taking a break for a Butterfinger, and it’s bringing me joy.

Remaking a beloved game is a daunting project, and few franchises come with as much loyalty, dedication, and nostalgia as Final Fantasy VII. The second installation of the Remake trilogy for VII takes this challenge and soars, with Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth delivering fantastic plot, iconic characters, and a reworked world that inspires exploration and curiosity.

While the game’s combat system isn’t without its hurdles, fans are in for a treat as they follow Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, and Barret into the next edition of the reworked story. The open-world maps offer dynamic level-grinding opportunities, while secrets tucked within the world’s lore blend iconic moments with discoveries.

Related: FFVII Fans Speculate PS6 Part 3 Release With PS5 ‘Entering the Latter Stage of its Life Cycle’

FFVII: Rebirth Made Me Fall In Love With Characters All Over Again

JRPGs are only as strong as their characters, and Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth has taken beloved personalities from the original story and made them stronger – fleshing out backstories, relationships, and motivations with a combination of cinema-style cutscenes and detailed writing. I have always loved the quirky cast from Midgar, but FFVII: Rebirth makes every story feel brand new, even with the overlap from the original narrative.

I thoroughly enjoyed the way Tifa and Aerith’s friendship blossoms throughout Rebirth. The pair come to rely on each other, despite the insinuated love triangle centered around Cloud. I love seeing the pair work together, instead of shredding each other down in pursuit of a male character’s attention.

Excellent writing and seamless cutscene transitions make the game as much a movie as an RPG adventure and showcase each character in a way that wasn’t possible when the original FFVII released. It’s delightful and propels players through the open world areas to the next plot point.

My only frustration with the writing comes down to the romance. At times, the implied love triangle with Cloud, Tifa, and Aerith feels heavy-handed and unnatural. As someone who never saw any of these characters getting together, I found it obstructive to my enjoyment of the story. In the original FFVII, the implied romance is light and doesn’t create cringey, anime-like moments. It also allowed fans to draw their own conclusions about character relationships without distraction from the plot.

I am all for a little romance, but the cheesy, forced relationship drama seems to cater specifically to a traditionally male audience, with Cloud left to fumble through conversations sporting the “too oblivious to get it” trope that doesn’t resonate with modern relationship portrayals. This romance subplot may not connect with female and LGBTQA+ players, and for me, it didn’t feel needed whenever it came up.

Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth Uses An Open World To Deliver Lore

Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth has reimagined the world outside Midgar in a series of open-world locations. From the start of the game, players will have the opportunity to explore vast maps filled with challenging battles, hidden secrets, and special crafting items.

These open-world locations are a blast to investigate, and I particularly loved finding the Materia Springs located around each area. When scanned, players can learn about the location’s history, how Shinra impacted culture, and how it coped following the takeover.

Chocobo stops were my favorite part of Rebirth’s open-world locations, and I took care to stop and fix every broken signpost for the baby Chocobos whenever I found them.

These large maps add content to the game, especially for the collectors and completionists diving into Rebirth. However, after several maps, I did find myself ignoring these large areas to hurry on to the next plot point. Additionally, later areas are tough to navigate, with the overworld map doing a poor job of showing players where to cross or pass through to plot-necessary areas.

I am excited to go back to each map after finishing the story to complete every location and discover all the secrets tucked into cliffsides and groves of trees.

The ATB Gauge Is A Big Struggle For FFVII: Rebirth Combat

Combat in Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth is not as simple as hitting an enemy or casting a spell. Instead, special abilities, magic, and items are locked behind charges on the ATB gauge. Players must hit the opponent to charge the meter, with two to three charges available at any given time. This feature was present in Remake, but feels a lot less forgiving in Rebirth.

While the boss fights present a solid challenge, and regular enemies are tough enough to provide satisfying combat, I found myself resenting the limitations of the ATB gauge. I wanted to try items like the grenade, but doing so could spell disaster if an overpowered enemy attack crushed the HP of the party. There were times I would neglect Abilities to ensure that I had enough ATB to heal, especially in later chapters when bosses took on a Soulslike quality.

I sincerely wished that items were not tied to the ATB gauge. It would have offered more freedom with strategy and created a space where all the abilities available could have been more useful. It would also have been nice to have more ATB gauge slots right from the start, to encourage dynamic ability combos as FFVII: Rebirth progressed.

Synergy Moves Are A Highlight of Combat, But Only When Available

Synergy attacks in Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth are amazing, and worth the effort of setting up. These special combos charge up as players battle opponents, allowing two characters to team up and deliver a themed attack. When timed with a Staggered opponent, they are the perfect way to end a battle. However, players will find these moves limited by a predetermined party set-up that shuffles throughout the game.

Unlike the original FFVII, Rebirth players won’t have as much control over the make-up of their active party. At many points of the game, characters become separated, limiting player access to abilities and attacks.

While this was likely done to ensure that characters were correctly lined up for cutscenes, increasing story immersion, it also made my personal playthrough miserable at points. A Combination of Cloud, Barret, and Red XIII left my party without a healer, while a combination of Tifa, Aerith, and Yuffie strangled battles that needed a heavy hitter. Additionally, Synergy moves unlocked for certain character combinations were unavailable, making strategy when unlocking new abilities a puzzle.

Despite my frustrations, I enjoyed how placing characters in specific slots created a seamless storytelling experience, even if it meant retrying battles multiple times due to a rough party make-up.

Mini-Games Are Hidden All Over FFVII: Rebirth

Fans of mini-games will find no shortage of them in Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. From riding a Dolphin to Taming a Chocobo, there are plenty of challenging, tutorial-inducing activities. Chocobo racing was one of my favorites, and one I spent a bit too much time practicing in order to nail the drift for going around corners.

Players will have the chance to Play Queen’s Blood, Jump into a Rock-’em Sock-’em fist fight, tame a Chocobo, Ride a fake Motorcycle, and more as they work their way through each location. However, this means that at no point in the game will fans be finished with tutorials.

This onslaught of extra content is great for extending gameplay hours. However, there were times when the steady addition of new elements felt overwhelming, and I found myself wondering if I would ever have a grasp on every new mechanic being thrown my way. There were times where I hit mini-game fatigue, wishing to simply progress through the story without the need to plug cables into generators or win a match of Queen’s Blood.

Despite this, the shining star of the mini-game roster is Tifa’s piano rhythm game. I wish it would be released as its own title, because I would play every song for hours. The controls take a bit to get used to, but once I figured it out, I sat and replayed each song just to get better and enjoy the music. I honestly wish it had come into play much earlier in the story, as it was a delight to discover.

Verdict

Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth is superior to Remake in every way, with a story that gripped my heart and a perfectly reworked version of a world that has filled my imagination since I was a kid. Square Enix succeeded in a feat that is very hard to achieve with a remake – it felt as if I was playing the story for the first time.

While there are some technical elements that were frustrating from a gameplay perspective, I found myself hungry to get at the controller every day after work and was delighted by every secret and new mechanic I uncovered. It was a joy-ride of a game, even when boss battles were beating me into the ground. I can’t wait for the world to get ahold of this title, as Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth is sure to impact fans in the same devastating, amazing, emotionally debilitating way the original game did so many decades ago. It’s a thrill ride, a treat, and a gameplay experience I won’t ever forget.

The time has come for players to explore the Junon area in the Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth demo. The official Final Fantasy VII Twitter/X has finally given us a date and time so get ready to power on your PS5.

The Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth demo is releasing in two waves, with the first being the Nibelheim Incident. Players were left with a notice in the demo stating that the Junon area would be released at a later time. Game director Naoki Hamaguchi announced on his official Twitter/X that the second half of the demo will be released February 21, 2014, and a new tweet from the official FFVII account has confirmed the time.

Related: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Editions: Should You Get Deluxe, Collector’s, or Standard?

Release Date for Dawn of a New Era Junon FFVII: Rebirth Demo

The release for the Junon area of the Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth Demo is February 21, 2024, at 4 AM PST/1 PM CET. That release is just around the corner.

Players won’t want to miss playing the Junon part of the demo as developers have stressed that there will be unique content which are specific to the demo that players won’t want to miss. Additionally, there will be a visual improvement for Performance Mode. Players have discussed the underwhelming performance of the visuals in the first part of the demo. Hopefully, the improvement will offer a cleaner, more visually stunning expirience for PlayStation 5 enthusiasts.

Many Final Fantasy VII fans are excited to see what the open-world gameplay will be like in Rebirth. I am certainly ready and hopeful that this time around, Square Enix will improve their open-world capabilities from when they released Final Fantasy XV. Judging by early previews, it seems that the world will be packed with things to do and opportunities to explore.

Players have been ramping up for the release of Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, and the wait has nearly come to an end. To help ease the anticipation, players now have the opportunity to explore a new segment of the early-access demo.

Recently, Square Enix surprised fans with a Demo featuring a journey through Nibelheim as Sephiroth, Cloud, and Tifa. While the short peak into gameplay was a perfect way to get excited for the rest of the release, many have been hopeful additional content might be added – and now fans can jump into new exploration-geared gameplay ahead of release.

Related: FFVII Fans Speculate PS6 Part 3 Release With PS5 ‘Entering the Latter Stage of its Life Cycle’

When Will the Junon Section of the Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth Demo Release

Naoki Hamaguchi, the game director of FF7R has announced on his Twitter/X that the second part of the demo “Dawn of a New Era in Junon” will be released “tomorrow.” Per early previews, players can expect to learn about the open-world outside of Junon, the battle systems present in these areas, and additional details about new gameplay mechanics. Fans might even bump into a baby Chocobo or two.

Currently, there isn’t an exact time window for when players can expect to access the new content for the demo. However, according to the tweet, “Tomorrow” should indicate access during February 21, 2024. Hopefully, it will drop early in the day, ensuring fans get plenty of time to jump into the new location.

Per Hamaguchi, players should definitely give the demo a go before the game releases in full to experience the gameplay and battle system. I, for one, will definitely be in that demo doing everything I can before the game comes out. Other fans are also having a positive reaction to the news with many looking forward to exploring the area to tide them over for the next week until the full version of Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth launches.

The second part of the Final Fantasy VII: Remake trilogy, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth is almost here – but Sony’s announcement that the PS5 is “entering the latter stage of its life” has fans anxious. Many are wondering if the third installment will be released on yet another console.

Sony has recently commented on the drop in PS5 sales stating that the gaming console is entering its later half of its life span, making those who have recently gotten their hands on one more than a bit frustrated. Sony has also stated that they “do not plan to release any new major existing franchise titles next fiscal year.” While no news of a PlayStation 6 has been made, PlayStation gamers are wondering if there will be talks of a PS6 within the next few years. Final Fantasy VII fans are now starting to guess what this means for the game’s future.

Related: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth & Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis Crossover – When & How To Participate

Fans Express Worry Over Possible PS6 Announcement

When the first part of the trilogy, Final Fantasy VII Remake, was released it came at the end of the PS4’s life span and just a few months before the release of the PS5. This left many frustrated as fans were forced to buy the new console if they wanted to play the DLC that was soon to follow. Combined with the fact that finding a PS5 to purchase at the time was equivalent to finding the Golden Ticket to Wanka’s Chocolate Factory, gamers were upset and frustrated. At least the PS4 players could get a free PS5 digital upgrade of the game if they could get a hold of a PS5.

Players are now speculating that history will repeat itself, the a possible PS6 launch requiring players to shill out more cash to finish the new FFVII storyline. Mike_Wahlberg on Reddit shares the same sentiment with most players with them hoping “they will do what they did with Remake having a PS4 and 5 versions and just release it on PS5 and PS6 with a free digital upgrade eventually for the PS5 disc owners.”

Additionally, players such as Reddit user air_flair have expressed buying “a PS4 for Remake and a PS5 for Rebirth.” The bottom line is that no one really wants to buy a new console for the last game of the trilogy or have to fight scalpers to get a hold of a console to play the last game – especially if they were just barely able to get a PS5. For now, FFVII fans are bracing themselves and are hoping for the best outcome.

Did you have Final Fantasy VII Rebirth collaborating with cookie delivery chain Insomnia Cookies on your 2024 bingo card? Probably not, but if you did, you’re in luck because Insomnia Cookie announced a line of exclusive FFVII Rebirth promo boxes, and no, we’re not joking.

This unusual collaboration includes several different collector’s boxes with images from the game as well as sweepstakes to win a copy of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, free cookies, and, most importantly, a Chocobo plush. Unsurprisingly, fans broke the website trying to order these items because the only thing better than a box of cookies is a box with Aerith’s face on it.

Related: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth & Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis Crossover – When & How To Participate

Insomnia Cookies: Now With 100% More Cloud

Shortly after Insomnia Cookies announced the collaboration on X, fans reported that they couldn’t access the website because, naturally, too many people were trying to place cookie orders.

Thankfully, the website overload issue was short-lived, and fans have taken to sharing which box they got with their order in the comments. It’s not entirely clear how many different versions of the 12-pack box there are, but so far, it looks like those pictured in the promo may be the only options.

The limited-time-only collection includes a variety of boxes with character designs featuring Cloud, Aerith, Tifa, Barret, and more. You can also get a “Cloud Lil’ Dipper” or “Cloud Big Dipper,” a smaller box of dippable cookie bites in a Cloud-themed box. Honestly, this whole thing feels like a fever dream, and yet it is very much real.

Insomnia Cookies locations are popular near college campuses, and a few faculty sounded off in the comments with promises to order these for their class during upcoming exams. What a way to win Professor of the Year.

While the overall reaction has been excitement, many fans have expressed disappointment that the limited edition boxes are only available for in-store pickup or delivery and cannot be shipped. Others are begging to know when the promotion, which so far appears to be available only in the US, might come to other Insomnia Cookies locations around the world.

If you don’t live near an Insomnia Cookie but are located in the US, you are still eligible to enter the Sweepstakes. The winner will get a physical copy of FFVII Rebirth, a gift card for Insomnia Cookies, and a knitted Chocobo Plush. I’m not saying I’d enter just for the plush, but I’m also not not saying it.

Whether or not you have plans to snag these collectible boxes, one thing’s for sure – this is a pairing none of us expected, and the phrase “Cloud Lil’ Dipper” will be living rent-free in my head until future notice.

The release of the much anticipated Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth is quickly approaching, and Square Enix is hyping it up. This time, Square Enix is creating a crossover event between the new game and Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis.

FFVII: Ever Crisis is a game released in 2023 that retells the stories of FFVII and FFVII: Crisis Core, along with a new story centered around everyone’s favorite one-winged angel, Sephiroth. It combines the old and new, bridging the old games and their remakes. The game has received mixed reviews since its release, but Square Enix doesn’t want to give up on it yet. It was announced that there will be a crossover event with the upcoming FFVII: Rebirth.

Related: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Editions: Should You Get Deluxe, Collector’s, or Standard?

When Is The Final Fantasy VII Rebirth & Ever Crisis Crossover Event

Players will be able to play the prologue chapter of FFVII: Rebirth, Fall of a Hero, in FFVII: Ever Crisis, but with a few gameplay tweaks. Play through the story of Cloud and Sephiroth investigating the Nibel Reactor. The crossover event was announced to launch on February 15 at 6:00 PM PST by the official Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis Twitter/X account. The event will last until March 3, 5:59 PM PST.

How to Participate in the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth & Ever Crisis Crossover Event

For those who don’t want to miss out on the Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth Demo but don’t have a PS5, then this is the perfect solution. Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis is a free-to-play game available on Steam and mobile devices. The Prologue chapter will be updated in the game via the Ver. 1.6.0 update. Download the game, and players will automatically have access to the demo once it has been updated into the game.

Players will be able to play through the story but with the combat and mechanics of FF7: Ever Crisis. Those who participate will be able to play through event-exclusive quests and receive exchangeable items such as Planet’s Blessing and Moogle Medal that can be traded for luxurious items at the exchange in the game.

During the recent State of Play, fans got an in-depth look at Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, with gameplay and cinematic previews to get us hyped. While there was much to look forward to in the preview, many of us had just one couple on our minds: Cloud and Tifa.

There is no shortage of opinions when it comes to romantic entanglements in Final Fantasy VII, but the State of Play previews certainly showed plenty for shippers of Cloud and Tifa. In fact, “Cloud and Tifa” became a trending topic on X shortly after the State of Play, as fans couldn’t resist showing screengrabs of all the little moments between the two.

Related: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Preview – More Than Fans Can Imagine In The Best Way Possible

Cloud and Tifa Shippers Are Ready To Take Them on a Date

The State of Play preview let us know we’ll have plenty of romance options in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, with our choices impacting who Cloud takes on a date to the Golden Saucer. This is an expansion of a mechanic from the original game, with more options and better control over who you wind up with. But the real takeaway from the evening is that the footage of said date was all about Tifa, and fans took note. And by note, we mean screenshots. Lots and lots of screenshots.

As @nitezintodreamz makes clear, #Cloti fans can’t wait to hit the foreshadowed date scene:

Shippers are sharing every last Cloud and Tifa moment from the preview, pointing out the sweet looks the two characters exchange and even clips of them fighting side by side as evidence that these two are the one true pairing for Final Fantasy VII.

One poster points out the intensity of their eye contact, while another notes the adorable shyness in that date clip we got to see. And that moment as they step into the elevator and he catches her? Priceless.

A few posts even throw it all the way back to images from the original FFVII as a reminder that this love story has been around for a long time. The graphics may have changed, but clearly, the love for Cloud and Tifa’s relationship has not.

I am all the way in on a friends-to-lovers romance, and while I’m not sold on the ship name “Cloti,” these tweets do have me looking forward to watching their relationship unfold in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. That is, if I can even choose who to take on that pivotal date because there will be a ton of romance options on the table, and if Baldur’s Gate 3 has been any indication, I won’t be able to decide!

We’re less than a month away from the highly anticipated release of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, which means gamers can now choose which version to preorder. Square Enix has given us plenty to choose from, with a Standard, Deluxe, and Collector’s Edition of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.

If you’re as excited for this game as we are, you may be weighing your options when it comes to which edition of the game you should buy. Is the Collector’s Edition worth it, or should you go for Deluxe? Or maybe you should just stick with Standard? We know it’s a difficult choice, especially for longterm fans, so let’s break down what you get with each to help you decide.

Related: How to Download & Play the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Demo

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Standard Edition

Players can choose between a digital or physical copy of the Standard Edition for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, with both priced at $70 USD. With this purchase, you get the game, and that’s pretty much it, which is what you might expect.

That said, fans who preorder the digital version of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will receive a special pre-order bonus in the form of Moogle Trio Summoning Materia. Those who opt for the physical version won’t receive this bonus, but they will get a physical two-disc edition of the game.

I should also mention that if you’ve yet to play Final Fantasy VII Remake, there’s a Twin Pack available which includes both games for the same price of $70 USD.

What’s Included With Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Deluxe Edition

The Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Deluxe Edition is also available as a Digital Deluxe or Physical Deluxe Edition, priced at $90 USD.

For your extra coin, players who purchase the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Deluxe Edition in either physical or digital formats will receive:

• Digital Mini Soundtrack or Soundtrack CD
• Digital or Physical Art Book

Those who purchase the Digital Deluxe Edition will also get the following DLC items, which are not included with the Physical Deluxe Edition:

• Magic Pot Summoning Materia
• Reclaimant Choker Accessory
• Orchid Bracelet Armor

If fans preorder the Digital Deluxe Edition, they’ll also get the Moogle Trio Summoning Materia pre-order bonus. For some reason, this bonus and other other digital DLC items do not appear to be included if you preorder the Physial Deluxe Edition, so unless having the physical copy in your collection is a priority, I’d go with the digital version here.

What’s Included with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Collector’s Edition

All right, hardcore Final Fantasy VII fans, this one might just be for you. The Collector’s Edition of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is available as a physical edition only with pricepoint of $350 USD. It is a Square Enix store exclusive, and it’s not yet available for preorder.

This edition includes everything from the Deluxe Edition, as well as a 19 inch sculpted Static Arts statue of Sephiroth. Given the difference in price points between this and the Deluxe Edition, it must be one heck of a statue. In all seriousness, though, these Static Arts figures usually retail for $200 on their own.

The Collector’s Edition is a physical copy of the game that also includes the digital DLC, something you won’t get with the Physical Deluxe Edition. But it will cost you, so I’d say this version is really best suited for a truly devoted fan who has a mighty need to display a Sephiroth statue in their collection.

Which Edition of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth You Should Buy

So, which version of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth should you buy? It depends a little bit on what you value most as a gamer and fan, so here are some different scenarios and which game I think you should buy in that situation.

If you haven’t played Final Fantasy VII Remake… get the Digital Twin Pack. It’s the same price as the game and includes both, but I wouldn’t throw your dollars at the Deluxe if you haven’t played the first remake yet.

If you’re a fan but don’t care about digital DLC… opt for the Standard Edition. The Deluxe Edition mostly deals in digital DLC so if that’s not your jam, stick with the basics.

If you love a physical copy… go with the Physical Deluxe Edition. No, you won’t get the digital DLC, but you’ll get a hard copy of the game, soundtrack, and artbook. Perfect for the fan who likes to hold the things they buy.

If you love to collect every available item... get the Digital Deluxe Edition. The extra summoning materia, armor, and items are a great perk if having access to more in-game resources is part of your gameplay priorities.

In my opinion, the Digital Deluxe Edition is the best deal if you want extra content, since it comes with the most DLC while still having a somewhat reasonable pricepoint. That said, this game is chock full of content based on what we saw at the State of Play, so you’ll have plenty to do if your budget only affords the Standard Edition.

Anticipation is on the rise for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and with good reason. The second installation of the remake series for FFVII sees the crew of Avalanche finally escape Midgar, reimagining the pixelated world map of the original and breathing new life into a story that has shaped gamers around the world for decades.

Gamepur had the privilege of joining Square Enix for an early preview of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth ahead of its launch on February 29th, 2024. After our first short glimpse of the story in October, I was extremely excited to dive back into what the team behind Rebirth would have to offer – and to say I was blown away would be an understatement.

Related: Where to Watch The Final Fantasy VII Rebirth State of Play – Date, Time & Stream

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Integrates Suspense Into Gameplay

I have been a die-hard fan of Final Fantasy VII since my childhood. When Remake released, I was quite critical of the game, mechanics, and narrative changes. I wasn’t prepared to see a story I knew front-to-back modernized. I wasn’t sure how I felt about changes to certain characters and their personalities. I’m very glad I struggled with these elements, as it has allowed me to appreciate the Rebirth‘s changes in a completely different way.

The first thing I noticed when starting this demo was how beautiful Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is; gone are the almost plastic-like skin shaders of Remake. The characters’ faces are tender and expressive, and the overly wet, oily visuals have been exchanged for complex textures.

We started in Nibelheim, in a flashback told by Cloud and Tifa. For anyone who has played the original FFVII games, or taken on FF7 Crisis Core Reunion, this flashback sequence is an emotional roller coaster. Revisiting a younger, less insane Sephiroth is complicated by the knowledge that not everything Cloud remembers is how it occurred.

However, what staggered me, was the way the development team at Square Enix integrated critical moments of narrative with actual game mechanics. The low, anxious pulse heartbeat audio accompanied by the slow, manual turning of a valve using the bumpers on the PS5 controller, the way Cloud slowly stumbles out into the burning town after Sephiroth loses his mind, create a complex atmosphere. I was simultaneously aching to jam the analog stick forward to run and captivated by the painful suspense the devs had managed to convey. It was an agonizing, magical torment that left me shuddering and misty-eyed by the time the chapter concluded.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth has done something extremely difficult to achieve. It has transported the player into the position of the character, providing both an immersive gameplay and cinematic experience that captivates the audience entirely. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since I held the controller in my hands.

An Open World Loaded With Opportunities to Dilly Dally

In our first preview of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, we had a chance to sample a few aspects of the open-world maps players will be able to explore. This included Chocobo riding, fixing Chocobo stops, battling enemies, and collecting hidden items on the map.

In this demo, I had another opportunity to go exploring through the Grasslands outside of Midgar, and the map is loaded to the brim with content. Players can explore ruins, find caches, and collect materials that spawn in the grassy fields.

I was admittedly nervous that the map would be nothing but a space to grind levels. Mercifully, I am delighted to say that not only are these sprawling maps an amazing place to explore, but they add a level of wonder and lore to the world that wasn’t possible in the original game. I could see myself dumping hundreds of hours into these roaring hills and beautiful vistas, finding every possible surprise tucked between buildings or hidden inside rocky outcroppings.

A Bigger Team For More Choices

The addition of Red XIII and Yuffie is a huge plus for fans looking for a more diverse breakout in combat teams. While I love the dynamics of Barret, Tifa, Aerith, and Cloud – the fighting style of Red XIII is unique and adds much-needed variety. Red sports a “Rouge” fighting style, getting in close to deal damage while staying fast enough to dodge attacks from opponents.

In my first demo, I wasn’t able to add Yuffie to my team (I was embarrassingly trashed by the boss in that gameplay), but her inclusion only makes me more excited to see what role she will play in the story moving forward. I am hoping she’ll provide another melee, distance combat option who is a bit faster at dodging than Barret.

These first few glimpses at Final Fantasy VII Rebirth have me convinced this will be a stand-out game in the series. There is even the possibility this might be the best project from the franchise yet, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the game will hold for fans. I can confidently say, be excited, pre-order your copy, and make sure you have those tissues handy before launch day. This game is going to be brilliant, and I am ready to sink hours into every inch.