Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Review-in-Progress: Exploring the First 15 Hours

I’ve embarked on a journey through the immersive world of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth as we leave the metal skies and delve into the open world. Read on as I express my initial reactions based on the first 15 hours of the game, focusing on the game’s open world and all the fun activities that populate the second game in this remake trilogy.

*This is a review-in-progress and will have multiple entries before the final review that will summarize what we think about Final Fantasy VII Rebirth after experiencing everything this game has to offer. Expect more entries as I get closer to finishing the game. 

Steel skies no more

From the moment you boot up the game, Square Enix thrusts you into the heart of the action, reuniting you with familiar faces and introducing you to new twists in the storyline. As someone fresh out of replaying Final Fantasy VII Remake, I found myself simultaneously immersed and intrigued by the narrative direction, blending familiarity with fresh surprises. The initial minutes of the game left me confused and eager to find out more. A great sign as I love how they approached this remake’s narrative.

The transition to an open-world setting offers both excitement and trepidation. While initially overwhelmed by the plethora of side activities and tutorials reminiscent of Ubisoft's open-world formula, I soon found myself drawn into the rich tapestry of the game world. With each region teeming with activities and challenges, from combat trials to quirky mini-games, there's no shortage of content to explore. The initial region didn’t really sell me to the game’s open world at first, but the second region hooked me in as before I knew it, I actually did a 100% completion.

Despite initial reservations about the formulaic nature of the open world, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s open world is gradually winning me over with its endearing characters and engaging activities. The English voice acting breathes life into the absurd yet captivating storyline, while the expanded combat system invites experimentation and strategy.

Bless Queen’s Blood and Fort Condor

Now 15 hours into the game, I'm eager to uncover every secret and complete every mini-game the world has to offer. Whether engaging in intense card battles in Queen's Blood or reliving nostalgic activities like Fort Condor, each activity proves to be a delightful diversion.

As I journey further, I'm struck by the sheer charm and whimsy of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. From its lighthearted banter to its unexpected plot twists, the game embraces its inherent silliness while staying true to the spirit of the original. This is still the game where Cloud is assisted by a dolphin to reach an unreachable platform, and Red XIII pre

My initial impressions of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth are overwhelmingly positive. With each passing hour, the game continues to surprise and delight, promising an unforgettable experience for fans old and new. It is what I expected — Remake’s gameplay jammed into an open world setting with the original game’s narrative serving as the blueprint for the journey. And so far Square Enix is doing justice to the 1997 classic.

One thing I did notice is the inconsistency between the game’s open world visuals and the cutscenes. They are definitely not of the same quality as one is far superior to the other. I’ll be looking more into this as get more hours in, witness more cutscenes, and explore other areas. Stay tuned.

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