We’re only a few months away from the release of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. And, while we already got the release date of the upcoming remake/sequel earlier this year, which means that the ESRB rating shouldn’t be much of a talking point anymore, alas, here we are.
Ahead of The Game Awards in December, Final Fantasy fans can’t help but contain their excitement (and emotions) after the ESRB rating all but confirmed that a pivotal moment from the original game will still happen in the remake trilogy.
Rated T for Teen, FF7 Rebirth promises to deliver an action role-playing experience filled with quintessential elements of the series. The ESRB rating highlights aspects like combat enhanced with impact sounds, cries of pain, and explosions as well as the use of swords, staffs, guns, and magic spells. Most notably, the rating mentions scenes of characters being impaled or slashed by swords, sometimes in slow motion, accompanied by splatters or pools of blood. This description has understandably led to speculation about the fate of one of the franchise’s most beloved characters, Aerith, who meets a tragic end in the original game.
The rating’s mention of characters being impaled by swords, with a particular emphasis on the vivid depiction of such a violent act, all but confirms that FF7 will stick to the original storyline, as teased earlier. In the original game, Aerith dies mid-game, impaled by the antagonist, Sephiroth. The inclusion of this level of violence is significant, as it suggests that the game may not shy away from the more impactful and emotional moments of its source material.
However, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is part of a trilogy that diverges from the original game’s plot. This means Aerith’s fate could be different in this retelling. Not to mention, the scene, which may or may not appear in FF7 Rebirth, might not necessarily reflect the actual events. It could just be a reenactment of the heart-wrenching moment. Although if this is the case, fans better prepare to wipe their tears again.
Fans of the series are eagerly waiting to see how the game will handle this iconic moment, and whether the developers will stay true to the original or chart a new path.
Beyond the violence, the ESRB rating sheds light on other mature content in the game. It mentions female characters designed with revealing outfits and suggestive dialogue, accompanied by camera panning and close-ups of characters’ bodies. One particular line of dialogue, “Just admit it. You’re obviously captivated by my bodacious beach bod,” hasn’t gone unnoticed, leading to speculation about the character responsible for this humorous boast.
Finally, FF7 Rebirth will feature scenes of characters consuming alcohol and tobacco. For example, Cloud Strife can also order moonshine at a bar and the game will show other characters smoking cigars or from hookahs. Additionally, the use of strong language, with words like “sht,” “ashole,” and “pr*ck” appearing in the game, further contributes to its Teen rating.
Square Enix confirmed earlier this year that it will focus more on proven properties like Final Fantasy. FF7 Rebirth will play a huge role in Square Enix ending FY2024 on a high note. The game will arrive on PC at some point in the future. It’s possible FF7 Rebirth will stay exclusive to the PS5, at least until Final Fantasy 16 comes to the PC alongside its promised pair of DLC content.
