Final Fantasy VII launched in 1997 and took the world by storm. A remake has been requested ever since Square Enix showed off a tech demo for the PS3 in 2005, misleading fans to think it was going to happen. Well, at long last the promise has been made, sort of.
This isn't the complete remake fans had probably wanted. That said it should also satisfy them, mostly. There are some things it does better than others as is the case with even the best games. And do not worry, there are NO SPOILERS for this one.
10 Best: Cinematic Battles
The combat system is not only better since it switched over to action rather than turn-based battles, but now they are more cinematic as well.
Okay, maybe not ordinary battles although executing special abilities does have some flair to it. The boss battles are very cool with some of the late game stuff particularly standing out. It learned from Kingdom Hearts, but it has bested the master.
9 Worst: Tactical Combat
That said the non-controlled AI partners leave something to be desired. They are smart, sure, and being able to issue orders by pausing the menu is nice.
That said it would have also been great if players could tell team members to focus on certain aspects like telling Barret to focus on healing. Again, players can issue direct orders this may not be necessary, but it would have made an already robust battle system just that much better.
8 Best: Return After Quests
Tired of getting a quest done and then having to run all the way back to town, or whenever the NPC is? Well, after a quest is done the game will ask players if they want to immediately warp back.
The first time it happened was surprising like it was a one time deal. Fortunately, it works for every side quest. This implementation is a new standard for RPGs.
7 Worst: Filler Content
That said, the side quests amount to nothing more than filler. Go get this thing, defeat this monster, and so on. There is very little story to care about despite that some of the new characters are fun to interact with.
It's not just side quests either but main scenarios had stuff added to them. The worst area is Hojo's lab inside Shinra HQ. Without spoiling anything let's just say it drags on needlessly when things were ramping up.
6 Best: Genuinely Funny
Who knew that Cloud's stoic attitude would be the perfect comedy vehicle? His dry wit is a source of genuine laughter in the game.
It's not just his comments either but everyone is charming and has funny stuff to say. Well, except Wedge who can be a little much, but for the most part the comedy bits work.
5 Worst: Whispers
One aspect of the story that doesn't work and feels incredibly shoed in are the Whispers. This is the official name given to the Dementor looking things from the trailers.
Without spoiling exactly what they are, let's just say they aren't needed and just convolute not only the original plot, but this revision as well. They honestly don't make sense.
4 Best: Dynamic Music
The PS1 original had some of the best music of the era and for the series as a whole. Hearing it again fully orchestrated was great, but it goes so much more beyond just remaking the music.
The music itself is dynamic meaning it quiets down outside of battles and picks up tempo when in the heat. It also does a great job of mixing multiple themes together depending on the situation like standard boss music mixed with the Turks theme. Surround sound, or headphones are a must.
3 Worst: Level 50 Cap
The original game let players level up to 99 before capping it. This time it is limited to 50 which is strange considering no matter what mode one plays it on, players will probably be in the high 30s by the end of the game.
This means that characters can only level up another ten, or so times in the next playthrough. This makes the boost in experience, times two, feel a little useless.
2 Best: Other Systems To Level Up
Thankfully there are other system to grind besides a character's level. Weapons now level up with their own experience.
Plus points can be assigned to grant stat boosts and or unlock more Materia slots. Speaking of, Materia, as was the case before, also levels up. There is always something to do in the game is the point.
1 Worst: No Photo Mode
Come on, Square Enix. It is 2020. Where is the photo mode? For a game with as flashy of combat as this, it is imperative this gets patched in.
Final Fantasy XV had it so what is the deal? On top of that it would also be nice to have some sort of in-game option menu to watch the movies without having to reply the game again.