Prepare to clear some significant space on your PlayStation 5 if you’re gearing up for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth – or hope the PlayStation 5 Slim or Pro comes with a 2TB variant like the new Xbox Series X.
The highly anticipated sequel to FF7 Remake will take up a whopping 150GB of storage. This staggering file size stands out even in an era of large game installations. FF7 Rebirth will be so massive that Square Enix is dividing it across two discs, with 100GB on one and the remaining 50GB on the other. But before you have flashbacks of the original FF7’s multiple-disc gameplay, rest assured you won’t be swapping discs mid-adventure. Both discs will need to be installed initially due to the PS5’s architectural requirements, but only one will be needed thereafter to play the full game.
This enormous file size isn’t for nostalgia either, although it might remind some of the multi-disc setup of the original FF7. Instead, it’s a matter of necessity to preserve the grand vision that Square Enix has for Rebirth. The expansive, detailed world is designed to be even more immersive than FF7 Remake’s reenvisioned Midgar.
In an interview with Game Informer, the game’s director, Naoki Hamaguchi, explains that the decision to utilize multiple discst was driven by a need to keep this vision intact. A single Blu-ray disc would have imposed limitations that forced the development team to scale back on content.
In addition to the main storyline, which will take players up to the end of the Forgotten Capital (also known as the City of the Ancients), FF7 Rebirth promises nearly 100 hours of content. This includes various mini-games from the classic 1997 title and the return of Chocobos as a means of transport. FF7 Rebirth will even contain roughly twice as many side quests as main quests, suggesting that a considerable part of the game’s massive size is largely due to the additional graphics assets and audio files that make up the side content.
But the large file size and the need for two discs have more implications than just requiring ample storage space. They also signify Square Enix’s commitment to delivering a comprehensive, high-quality experience that both honors as well as expands upon the original game. This isn’t a half-hearted attempt to cash in on nostalgia; it’s a full-fledged endeavor to take FF7 to the next level of gaming possibilities offered by the PS5’s advanced technology.
FF7 Rebirth will transform the combat system with new synergy attacks utilizing multiple party members. Finally, Red XIII will join as a playable character along with Cait Sith. Unfortunately, Vincent Valentine’s role in the game isn’t as extensive as expected.
Square Enix is taking the word “massive undertaking” to new heights with the release of FF7 Rebirth. The sequel will eat your storage space and time when it finally comes out on February 29, 2024. Such a “sacrifice” is necessary for a game that seeks to push the boundaries of what’s possible, not only from a storytelling perspective but its gameplay and how we experience games on next-gen consoles.
Although the 150GB file size poses an initial inconvenience, it’s representative of an expansive, detailed, and ambitious game that aims to redefine what a sequel can be.
So, as you make room on your PS5, consider it a preparation for the grand adventure.
Either that, or you can save up for a gaming PC and wait for the PC port of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Final Fantasy 16 to arrive. Maybe by then it will get a release date on the Xbox, which, as we’ve already mentioned, is getting a 2TB version next year.
