Square Enix has finally announced the second installment of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake project, although it is no longer called a remake.(*7*)
Officially introduced as Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, it will be released in winter 2023 as a PS5 exclusive. We got our first look at the title during Final Fantasy 25's 7th anniversary celebration, which ended with a currently unnamed third party. living room. (*7*)
The short snippet of the game showed us Cloud Strife, Zack Fair, and Sephiroth. You can also hear a voiceover from Aerith, hinting at key events from the original PS1 game. It's a very famous moment in Final Fantasy 7 and there's no guarantee it will happen again in Rebirth, but it might be uncomfortable for some. If that's not a problem, you can watch the trailer below:(*7*)
Otherwise, the 25th anniversary broadcast has a few more surprises in store. After six months of exclusivity on the Epic Games Store for PC, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade launches today on Steam. Even better, it's also compatible with the Steam Deck.(*7*)
Finally, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion was also announced, with a late 2022 release. Coming to all major consoles and PC, Square Enix is remastering this once PSP-exclusive prequel, which focused on Zack Fair. . Giving it a visual upgrade, Reunion includes new 3D models, full voice acting for all dialogue, and a newly arranged soundtrack.(*7*)
(*7*)(Image credit: Square Enix)
Is Rebirth what the fans really wanted?
At this point, it's no secret that Final Fantasy 7 Remake took a drastically different approach and there will be spoilers in the next paragraph. (* 7 *)
While Remake starts out like the PS1 game, we soon learn that events take a drastically different turn. However, Remake simultaneously acknowledges what originally happened through Ghostly Whispers, who tried to preserve the original timeline. With their defeat, our group of heroes defies fate and sets the course for a new timeline with no restrictions on continuity. (*7*)
Remake was ultimately well reviewed and while I personally loved that approach, it left some fans divided. After years of wanting a straightforward remake, Square Enix obviously wasn't content to rest on its laurels from the original Final Fantasy 7. So it's no surprise that Rebirth continues this approach, so removing the word "Remake" from the name of the second part is quite appropriate.(*7*)
Right now, anyone looking for a straightforward remake of Final Fantasy 7 might be better served by Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis. Keeping the Active Time Battle system from the original game, this chronicles the most extensive compilation of Final Fantasy 7, so expect this to adapt the original PS1 game, Advent Children, Before Crisis, Crisis Core, and Dirge of Cerberus.(*7* )
However, Ever Crisis doesn't appear to cover the entire Final Fantasy 7 build, just its key events. It's also mobile-only, and thanks to its free-to-play episodic model and loot box support, I wouldn't say it's a perfect alternative either. Still, if you're curious to give it a try, the 25th anniversary broadcast has confirmed a beta version of Ever Crisis later this year.(*7*)