Final Fantasy VII: REBIRTH Review
Final Fantasy VII REBIRTH has an odd task as the middle entry in an eventual three-part RPG series. REBIRTH, for its part, has to simultaneously bring some resolution to the lingering questions brought on by 2020’s Final Fantasy VII REMAKE, set up the final chapter in the series, while also telling a compelling story in its own right.
It’s safe to say that, after almost 80 hours with the RPG, Final Fantasy VII REBIRTH does this and much more. It’s emotionally charged character moments, story, and compelling world kept me enthralled from its first moments right up until the credits rolled, evoking wide-ranging emotions from gut-driven laughter and sloppy crying in the tenderest of scenes. It answers just enough of the burning questions I had after I finished REMAKE while leaving me asking even more after the final boss was put down.
Setting The Stage
From the first, Final Fantasy VII REBIRTH sets the stage — and the stakes. Escaping Shinra, Sephiroth, and seemingly fate back in Midgar, REBIRTH retells Sephiroth’s villain origin story: the Mt. Nibel Incident, reminding players everywhere who their enemy is from the get-go.
It’s a pretty faithful recreation of the Mt. Nibel Incident, and it acts as a mini-refresher of sorts, opening up the taps on combat and some of the new mechanics introduced by REBIRTH, namely expanding on the Synergy skills added in the INTERmission DLC. Playing as Sephiroth made me feel like I was imbued with god-like power, especially as I slowly mastered his parry mechanic, and pulling off a synergy skill early on with Cloud and his SOLDIER mentor felt incredible.
It felt easy jumping back into the action combat hybrid of Final Fantasy VII’s Remake trilogy, and the new wrinkles make it feel more impactful than its first installment. Yet the most impactful addition to REBIRTH has to be its vast new open world, begging to be explored.
Opening Up
The introduction of REBIRTH’s open world is a scene that has remained transfixed in my memory since
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