Holster your Buster Swords and prepare your Materia, because Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth finally has a release date.
Capping off the latest PlayStation State of Play showcase, Square Enix and PlayStation worked together to reveal more details about the middle-child of the in-development Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
After getting an official trailer earlier this year, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth now has an official launch date and it’s soon.
Set to release on February 29, 2024, exclusively for the PlayStation 5, the sequel’s latest trailer unveiled a treasure trove of new information, showcasing beloved locations, rendered in all their modern glory, and a bunch of characters from the original game.
It treated players to initial glimpses of fan-favorites like Cait Sith and a fleeting glance at Vincent Valentine’s enigmatic back. It also displayed scenes of Cloud and the rest of the party traveling towards the small town of Kalm and traversing iconic locations like Junon and The Golden Saucer. Lastly, the trailer highlighted the return of minigames, hinting at the vastness of The Golden Saucer’s attractions, including the frenetic Chocobo races.
Perhaps, most important of all, FF7 Rebirth will expand its horizons after the events of its predecessor. After confining us mostly to Midgar, the follow-up is embracing the expansive overworld map that was a staple in the original game.
Based on the trailer, we can assume that FF7 Rebirth will give considerable freedom for players, including the return of the buggy and Chocobos gracefully gliding across fields.
However, fans aren’t just excited about revisiting familiar locales and characters; they’re intrigued by the now-evident deviations from the original storyline. One particularly intriguing scene showcases both Cloud and Sephiroth – usually adversaries – as part of the same party. This significant departure, among others, reflects Square Enix’s commitment to offering fresh narrative twists in this retelling, keeping even the most ardent of fans on their toes.
Perhaps future trailers will drop more crumbs for fans to follow, hopefully ones that will help confirm the earlier rumors of a new protagonist taking the lead by the end of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
Who knows? Just like that iconic unaliving moment from the original, maybe Square Enix will twist the narrative further by having players take control of Sephiroth at the game’s conclusion and the early goings of the threequel.
Amidst all the excitement, speculations are running wild. Are we going to see the return of Chocobo breeding, seen in the different-colored Chocobos teased in the footage? What about Cid Highwind? Will he be reserved for the trilogy’s concluding entry? Finaly, what of the “new comrades” that Square Enix has been teasing? Aside from Sephiroth and Zack Fair, who else could it be?
In any case, Square Enix seems intent on ensuring the accessibility of the game to newcomers. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth producer, Yoshinori Kitase, emphasized that the game can be relished as a “standalone adventure. For those who might have missed the first game, a recap will be provided, ensuring everyone can jump in without feeling lost. However, for those who insist, Square Enix already has a twin pack available for pre-order, bundling both FF7 Rebirth and the upgraded version of its predecessor, FF7 Remake Intergrade.
The commitment to quality is evident not just in the narrative but also in the technical aspects. FF7 Rebirth promises an experience that fully utilizes the capabilities of the PS5. The visual enhancement from the first installment is apparent, signaling a true next-gen gaming experience that will be both visually stunning and deeply immersive.
Ultimately, FF7 Rebirth is set to be a colossal adventure, spanning two discs and offering nearly 100 hours of gameplay. Square Enix has yet to unveil where this installment will conclude concerning the original’s storyline, but we can already tell that it promises to be a journey filled with nostalgia, unexpected turns, and groundbreaking visual splendor.
More than just a retelling of a classic tale, FF7 Rebirth is shaping up to be a reimagining, redefining the legacy of one of gaming’s foremost icons for a new generation of gamers while offering longtime fans a fresh experience.
Square Enix’s financial struggles cast a looming shadow over the release of FF7 Rebirth. It remains to be seen if Cloud, Sephiroth, Zack, and the rest of the gang can help save Square Enix from its current financial predicament.
