In a recent live panel discussing the development of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, director Naoki Hamaguchi revealed that the upcoming and final Final Fantasy VII Remake installment will be “even bigger” than the other two games. “When I think about the third and final game in the Remake trilogy, it really does fill me with excitement, and I have such great expectations toward it as well,” he said. “I really hope the fans can have great expectations toward this game, and we will meet those expectations. We will definitely expand on and make the world of Final Fantasy 7 even bigger than it is now.”
Hamaguchi also noted that work continues on the third installment and expects it to beat expectations and expects it to be one of the most popular games in the history of video games. “The development team is hard at work as we speak, and we’re going to make the game something that even beats any of the expectations that you have towards the game,” he added. “I am absolutely confident that the third game in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake series will be one of the most loved, most popular games in the whole history of video games once again.” Final Fantasy VII Rebirth launched on February 25 and is available now for PlayStation 5.
The game’s details:
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake project, which retells the story of the iconic fantasy game that redefined the RPG genre in three distinct games.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth picks up with iconic heroes Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Aerith and Red XIII after they escape from the dystopian city Midgar and sees them embark on a journey in pursuit of Sephiroth, the vengeful swordsman from Cloud’s past who was thought to be dead.
In this standalone adventure, players will explore an expansive world, all brought to life with a new level of graphical fidelity, developed specifically to leverage the power of the PlayStation 5 console.
As players unravel a gripping narrative rich with mysteries to uncover, they will also witness the personal journey of each party member and strengthen their bonds to work together and face off against powerful enemies.
Our Midgar-raised, spellcasting Flower Girl is pretty handy at this whole magic business. Equipped with the right staff, Aerith can not only ascend to cause dramatic devastation for your enemies, but she can also keep your party healthy via her limit breaks and very high magic stats.
One of the joys of the original Final Fantasy VII is unlocking everyone’s limit breaks and finding all of their weapons. But one character needs to gather all of her best stuff before she departs the party for good, that being our beloved flower girl, Aerith (or Aeris, as we’re talking about the original game here).
Over the weekend I spent a fair bit of time playing Stellar Blade, enjoying the action while doing my best to ignore the Discourse™. But that fun was killed when the game asked me to start moving around random boxes to complete elementary school math puzzles. And not just once, but multiple times in various areas…
A new month means a new Final Fantasy VII calendar, with Square Enix making Cid Highwind the star of the ones for May 2024. It features his new appearance and design from the remake trilogy.
As usual, the two calendars are available in PC and mobile versions. So whether you need a landscape or portrait one, you are set. It also follows the tradition of marking birthdays of important characters on it. So we can see Tifa’s birthday highlighted on May 3, 2024.
Here are the two Cid Final Fantasy VII calendar options for May 2024:
Cid made his debut in the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy in Rebirth. He isn’t a playable character. Rather, he and the Tiny Bronco help us get around and fast travel between regions after a certain point in the game. It is expected that characters like Vincent and him will become playable in the third installment.
However, the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Ultimania guide book did offer some insights into his latest appearance. The game worked in details from one of the supplemental novels. As such, it suggested that Cid met Ifalna and Aerith when he worked for Shinra. That pulls from the supplemental book Final Fantasy VII Traces of Two Pasts.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and its demo are available on the PS5, with the exclusivity arrangement ending on May 29, 2024. FFVII Remake is available for the PS4, PS5, and PC. There’s no release window for the third entry in the trilogy yet.
There are 25 games leaving the PlayStation Plus subscription service next month, including some of the best Final Fantasy games.
They are: Final Fantasy 7, Final Fantasy 8, Final Fantasy 9, Final Fantasy 10 and 10-2, Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age, and Final Fantasy 15: Royal Edition. There's also spin-off World of Final Fantasy.
The 25 games will all leave on 21st May and includes the brilliant Abzu, The Artful Escape, The Messenger, Jotun, and more.
Like the original Final Fantasy VII, Rebirth lets you play some tunes on a piano. And as is to be expected with Rebirth, it’s a far more elaborate mini-game this time around. With pianos spread throughout the world and rewards to earn, you might be wondering whether or not it’s worth investing your time into mastering…
There are 25 games leaving the PlayStation Plus subscription service next month, including some of the best Final Fantasy games.
They are: Final Fantasy 7, Final Fantasy 8, Final Fantasy 9, Final Fantasy 10 and 10-2, Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age, and Final Fantasy 15: Royal Edition. There's also spin-off World of Final Fantasy.
The 25 games will all leave on 21st May and includes the brilliant Abzu, The Artful Escape, The Messenger, Jotun, and more.
It's evident in one of the very early scenes, a flashback where two children (the central character, Cloud, and another main character, Tifa) sit by their village well at night and make a promise together as stars shine overhead. A woman named Elmyra cries at her kitchen table, reading a letter that tells her that her husband has died in a war. Two former friends, Barret and Dyne, try to talk over the trauma of their loss in a prison. A serene gondola ride during a date, fireworks exploding outside while Cloud and a flower girl, Aerith, peer out through the window. 'I want to meet...you,' she tells him, even though they have already travelled together for a while. He doesn't understand, and he won't until it's too late.
There's the death of a main character too, one that resonated to the point of almost defining the legacy of the entire game in itself. Tetsuya Nomura (the character and battle visual director, and the person who made the call to kill said character) explained that he wanted to convey how it feels to hurt, to suffer loss. As a nine-year old watching the scene at night while my older sister played the game, I don't think I really grasped that hurt completely, even though I still found it saddening. Perhaps, like Cloud on the gondola, I wasn't ready to understand.
Final Fantasy 7, which was made by Square before their merge with Enix, is still a masterpiece. The surprisingly deft storytelling contains one of the best examples of unreliable narration in the video game medium. The music resounds with character, tender and soft in 'Flowers Blooming in the Church', exhilarating in 'Still More Fighting', while 'You Can Hear the Cry of the Planet' is somehow both ominous and soothing. The pre-rendered backgrounds have a real sense of atmosphere and character; there is the honeycomb warmth of Costa del Sol, for example, and Cosmo Canyon is the colour of autumn leaves.
Square Enix’s epic RPG Final Fantasy VII Rebirth isn’t short on activities to do outside of its main story. Each region is home to a number of side-quests you’ll come across by talking to NPCs and checking each town’s job board. But which ones should you play?
What if the real “final fantasy” was the friends we made along the way? Final Fantasy VII has the most memorable and adored RPG cast of all time, with fans even falling in love with the optional characters that were a pain to recruit in the original 1997 game. If there’s one thing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth gets right,…
Like many other epic RPGs these days, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth isn’t over when the credits roll. Though the game doesn’t have a traditional New Game Plus mode as seen in other games, it does offer you the option to go back and replay any part of the story. If you’re looking to revert back to the perfect time to finish…
Almost everything I do in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth involves interacting with or talking to Chadley. I’m not even done with Square Enix’s massive RPG sequel yet, and I’ve had enough. I’m done. Stop this Chadley-stravaganza, I want to get off.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s in-universe card game Queen’s Blood has taken players by storm. Whether it’s the thrill of the hunt for a new card, or besting your opponent with a broken deck, the Final Fantasy series has another standout card game to go alongside Final Fantasy VIII’s revered Triple Triad and Final…
Updated: 3/6/2024, 4:40 p.m. ET:Washington Post reporter Gene Park has amended his interview with FF7 Rebirth producer Yoshinori Kitase to state that only the first two games in the trilogy are confirmed to be PlayStation console exclusives. “It was a mistake on my part to write the sentence like that. The entire…
The Final Fantasy series is built upon a treasure trove of excellent moments. With a legacy lasting over 35 years, Final Fantasy is one of the longest-running RPG series in gaming history. It’s a series noted for its constant evolution and innovation. No game is like another, and this is especially true on the story axis. We all have our favorite Final Fantasy moments, but here are the 10 wildest moments that only the series could pull off.
Garland’s Time Loop (Final Fantasy I)
Image Source: Square Enix
If you think modern Final Fantasy stories are deviating from the classics with their convoluted time travel and dimensional shenanigans, think again. The very first Final Fantasy game featured time travel as a core plot element. Yes, that’s right, the classic medieval Final Fantasy games of yore had their fair share of sci-fi wonkiness in them, and it wasn’t always easy to understand either.
Is the update at all related to Final Fantasy? Hmmm, no. It doesn’t look like it. However, for some reason, the team decided to release a trailer alongside it that is a shot-for-shot remake of the 1997 Final Fantasy VII trailer. Well, as shot-for-shot as they can manage with Vampire Survivors.
https://youtu.be/koUnycR7a64?feature=shared
What? Well, according to the press release I received, an insides says, “Because we had the original trailer on a PlayStation demo disk and watched it on loop so now it’s scored into our brains. Plus the team is extremely hyped for Rebirth. What better way to celebrate than with a trailer of our own?”
As for the actual update, I don’t think you’re going to be seeing any buster swords. It looks to be more sci-fi-themed. This is what Poncle has highlighted for the Space54 update:
7 New Achievements
2 New Characters:
Bat Robbert – When falling below 20% health, he gains +16 MaxHP (max +400) and recovers 30% health. This ability recharges every time the character is fully healed.
Space Dude – Every few seconds fires all weapons regardless of their Cooldown. The cooldown of this ability is affected by the Cooldown stat.
New Weapons:
Pako Battiliar – May retaliate when losing health.
Up front: I have never played Final Fantasy 7. I'm one of those unbearable hipsters who has only played 12, and won't shut up about it. But with the new game out, I've discovered that I have fond memories of FF7, this massive game that I have never played. Also: although I didn't play it, there was a period, around its release, when I was super into the idea of it. And I watched it a lot once it was out. And these memories and how odd they are have made me realise that games have changed a lot over the years, and FF7 marks one of the really big changes.
I played computer games as a kid and video games quite a bit as a teen, but I checked out somewhere in the 16-bit era because there were other things going on. This meant when I went to university in 1996, I was flung together with games again: people in halls had battered SNESs, and a few had PlayStations. I didn't get back into games, but as someone interested in film at the time, I found these early 3D games completely fascinating just as artefacts that I watched unfold themselves as other people played.
Listen: this is all distant history to me now, and I'm not going to go back to untangle the chronology, so apologies if I have games and their releases in the wrong order. What follows is how I remember it, and the first PlayStation game I remember making a big impact on me - again, I didn't play it at the time - was Tomb Raider.
2024's most anticipated game is finally here, and the further adventures of Cloud Strife and his besties has launched on PS5. Final Fantasy VII Rebirthexpands and enhances the middle section of the 1997 classic, and there’s a big, beautiful world to see. If you’re looking to spend a few dozen hours in Square Enix’s…
Most of the Kotaku staff is spending their time playing, replaying, and just constantly thinking about Final Fantasy VII Rebirth right now in the wake of its release. For those of us who are avid fans of Square Enix’s long-running franchise, it’s a great time. But there is one particular staffer who is not having a…
There’s a whole lotta world out there to see. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth reimagines the map of the original 1997 game on a massive scale, breathing new life into iconic locations. While the world itself has plenty to offer, the real highlight of the journey is the towns, with each one given thoughtful care and detail.…
Choosing which party members to take into combat is always an important part of a Final Fantasy game, and that’s especially true in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. The just-released RPG offers intense, action-packed combat and gives every character their own signature fighting style. While you may have old favorites from…
As a fantasy RPG, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth provides characters with all sorts of unique abilities. One of the main ways you gain new powers in Rebirth is through materia, magical orbs found throughout the game’s world that grant characters with spells, new powers, stat boosts, and the ability to summon powerful…
As a massive RPG, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth has an extraordinary number of ways to grow and customize your characters. One of Rebirth’s newest additions to character building is the Character Folio, a network of abilities and stat boosts that make your characters even more powerful as you invest points in them.
Final Fantasy VII has always been an extremely weird game, from the impromptu snowboarding excursion to fighting a Triceratops fused with a truck. That sense of weirdness seeps into every aspect of the game and often rears its head as a strange—and, more often than not, janky—minigame. The 1997 game takes a “throw…
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is out today. If you’re a big fan, you’re probably already playing it and aren’t looking at this article. If you’re a casual fan or onlooker who is mainly just interested in how it handles certain events of the original game, you’re probably wondering what happens to Aerith in the Remake retel…
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Square Enix’s latest RPG, is an enormous game. And like any huge adventure, there are dozens of subsystems, features, and layers to navigate. If you’ve played the first game in the new trilogy, Final Fantasy VII Remake, you already have a good handle on the basics of modern FF7. But whether…
Let me be clear: I have never played a Final Fantasy game. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth may be out very soon, and the series may be one of the most influential in the history of video games, but I have never touched one. Aside from tangential knowledge gleaned against my will via the internet and coworkers, and what I’ve…
Due to a manufacturing error, physical editions of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth in Japan contain discs that are misprinted. This could cause problems for folks trying to play the highly-anticipated Square Enix RPG as they will likely end up inserting the wrong disc into their console.
In 1997, few games were tackling the kind of themes that Final Fantasy VII does. Even by today's standards, not a lot of RPGs address and bring mental health to the forefront like Final Fantasy VII did. Final Fantasy VII stands out as a pioneer in addressing trauma in video games, particularly through the character of Cloud Strife. It also weaves a narrative surrounding grief and the nature of life directly into it's gameplay, forcing you to think about and react to death. The game's portrayal of trauma and healing is significant and set the standard for not just RPGs, but the whole industry moving forward.
Before delving into the topic, I want to make it clear that I'm not a mental health professional, nor do I intend for this to be a comprehensive analysis of mental health. However, I will discuss how Final Fantasy VII addresses weighty themes like grief and post-traumatic stress. With that in mind, let's explore how Final Fantasy VII navigates the complexities of trauma.
Screenshot by Siliconera
Cloud is arguably one of the earliest video game characters to showcase symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). His backstory, including his tenure as a SOLDIER, the traumatic Nibelheim Incident, and his time in captivity, all contribute to his enduring mental health struggles.
During the Nibelheim Incident, Cloud's world is shattered. He witnesses the destruction of his hometown, the loss of his friends, and the apparent death of Sephiroth. After this, he is held captive and experimented on by Hojo for four years. This extended period of captivity and experimentation with Jenova cells further exacerbates Cloud's trauma, leaving him with deep psychological scars that continue to haunt him throughout the game.
These traumatic events lead to Cloud subconsciously developing a false persona, merging pieces of his identity with that of Zack Fair. This complex psychological phenomenon is a testament to the depth of Cloud's trauma and the profound impact it has had on his psyche.
Throughout the game, Cloud grapples with his identity and memories, often experiencing flashbacks and hallucinations. It's as if he's haunted by his own past. These symptoms align with those of PTSD, including intrusive memories, avoidance of triggers, and negative changes in mood and cognition.
Cloud's journey to recovery is a central theme of Final Fantasy VII. With the support of his friends and through confronting his past, he gradually comes to terms with his true identity and the events that shaped him. His story highlights the importance of seeking help and support for mental health issues, even in a fictional setting.
The game's portrayal of Cloud's struggles with PTSD is groundbreaking for its time. It shines a light on the psychological toll of trauma and the journey to healing. The game's themes of life, death, and the interconnectedness of all beings are underscored by its treatment of trauma and healing.
Screenshot by Siliconera
Hironobu Sakaguchi, father of Final Fantasy and producer of Final Fantasy VII, lost his mother during production of Final Fantasy III. This personal loss influenced the development of Final Fantasy VII, leading to the concept of the Lifestream. This thematic foundation laid the groundwork for the game's exploration of life and the connection to the planet.
The game deeply intertwines its narrative with the idea of the Lifestream, which metaphorically represents life itself. This concept is further explored in the game's treatment of death and grief. Final Fantasy VII features several emotional deaths, but none are as shocking and impactful as Aerith's.
Aerith was no side character; she was a mainstay in your party. You invested in her gear, making it seem like she was here to stay. Until she wasn't. Her sudden death was a gut-punch in 1997. The absence of a boss theme in the subsequent fight, replaced instead by Aerith's theme, underscores the emotional weight of her passing. It's as if we, the players, are in shock, unable to fully register the boss fight.
The party mourns, and players felt it too. Over the years, countless players have sought ways to keep Aerith alive through various in-game actions, of course unsuccessfully. It's fascinating to see how people respond to it; it's almost as if this digital death has affected players in a real-life way, leaving a lasting impact.
In the end, Aerith's death strengthens the game's overarching theme of life. Although she has physically departed, her memory and spirit live on, serving as a reminder of both the fragility and resilience of life itself.
In conclusion, Final Fantasy VII's exploration of trauma is a testament to its narrative depth and emotional impact. The game's themes of life, death, and the interconnectedness of all beings are underscored by its treatment of trauma and healing. As a groundbreaking work in the realm of video game storytelling, Final Fantasy VII continues to resonate with players and critics alike, setting a high standard for addressing complex themes in the medium.
Final Fantasy VII is available on the PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC. Final Fantasy VII Remake is available on the PS4, PS5, and PC. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will launch on the PS5 on February 29, 2024.
Before you even set off to scale Mt. Nibel with Sephiroth in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s demo, there are a number of settings you should consider tweaking. While many of the base settings are fine to leave alone, some, like the graphics option, really demand your attention before you dive in (yes, we still recommend…
Update: 2/14/24, 3:30 p.m.:Last week’s demo for the hotly anticipated RPG Final Fantasy VII Rebirth hit digital shelves and although public perception remains positive, there has been some concern over the visuals, specifically when using the game’s high frame rate “Performance” mode. That’s hopefully going to change…
Spoiler Warning: The following article features major spoilers for Final Fantasy 7 and potentially for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, which likely recreates several aspects of the original.
Final Fantasy 7 features one of the most iconic video game moments of all time, a moment set to be remade in some form …
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Spoilers ahead.
