The first AAA RPG of the year, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, hits the store shelves next week, and you’d best bet that Square Enix is doing everything it can to basically shove it down everyone’s throats. But while the marketing team are doing their job, it appears that the dynamic duo of Tetsuya Nomura and Naoki Hamaguchi did everyone a solid by making the resulting product an easy sell.
Now that the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth review embargo has lifted, the second installment in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy has garnered almost unanimous praise from the critics, celebrating its awe-inspiring action, expansive open-world exploration, and fresh take on the beloved 1997 classic
Despite facing minor critiques regarding its pacing and some gameplay elements, critics herald Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth as a masterpiece.
Critics have lauded the follow-up for its narrative focus, improved combat system, and the delicate balance it maintains between honoring the original’s legacy and charting a new course. GameSpot, in particular, who scored it an 8 out of 10, appreciated the game for rewarding players through its expansive narrative, though it certain noted moments of frustration. Inverse and VGC were among the outlets giving the game perfect scores, citing its ambitious scope and deep character engagement as standout features.
Several other sites echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the improvements it made over its predecessor and its loving tribute to its iconic cast of characters.
Here’s a round-up of the Final Fantasy 7 Reviews and their scores:
- GamingBible – 10/10
- ComicBook.com – 5/5
- Dexerto – 5/5
- Dot Esports – 5/5
- NME – 5/5
- Digital Trends – 4.5/5
- Press Start Australia – 9/10
- IGN – 9/10
- PC Mag – 4.5/5
- VG247 – 4/5
- Push Square – 8/10
- Eurogamer – 4/5
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth‘s release is one of this year’s most anticipated events, especially after following the critical and commercial success of Final Fantasy 16.
With an impressive Metacritic score of 93/100, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth has just set a new benchmark for the year, embodying the essence of what makes the Final Fantasy series so iconic. Square Enix’s commitment to expanding the lore while staying true to the original has made this title a joy for both longtime fans and newcomers.
Despite the high praise, it’s worth noting that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth‘s departure from the original narrative may not sit well with all fans. However, for those intrigued by or supportive of the changes introduced in Final Fantasy 7 Remake, the sequel offers an exhilarating journey filled with mystery and depth. The game’s ending, in particular, is expected to spark widespread discussion and speculation.
While Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth‘s place amongst all-time greats is now guaranteed, the discussion is shifting towards its potential impact on sales, especially as Square Enix gears up for a massive year.
With Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 16 achieving impressive sales figures in their first week, the industry is watching to see if Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth can surpass or match its predecessor’s success. While some skeptics question its ability to reach the sales heights of other mainstream titles, the universal acclaim it has received so far suggests that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is poised for significant success, perhaps even contend for a Game of the Year award by year’s end.
