The Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth demo, now available on PlayStation 5, offers players a first look at the much-anticipated sequel to Final Fantasy 7 Remake.
The Fall of a Hero in Nibelheim focuses on the Nibelheim flashback sequence, allowing players to control Cloud and Sephiroth as they explore the town of Nibelheim and its mako reactor. The journey through this part of the game is quite linear, with limited opportunities for exploration outside the main path. Most players will likely complete the demo in about 70 to 80 minutes, although this time could extend slightly for those who take the time to interact with every non-playable character and investigate every corner of the environment.
The demo offers a glimpse into the game’s story and setting while introducing players to the updated combat mechanics. FF7 Rebirth brings back the core combat system from the first game, allowing for free movement, basic attacks, and the use of special moves and spells by way of the Active Time Battle gauge. Additionally, it introduces new Synergy Abilities, which are combo attacks performed by two characters once their respective gauges are filled, further enhancing the strategic depth of combat.
Square Enix has confirmed that a second playable demo will be released on February 21. This one will feature a section in the city of Junon. This upcoming demo promises to offer a bit of open-world exploration, which could potentially lengthen the playtime for those eager to dive deeper into the game’s expansive environment.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is set to continue the narrative from where the Remake left off, diving into the events following the party’s escape from Midgar. The game promises a richer story, including Cloud’s complex history with Shinra and Sephiroth, and aims to deliver a campaign of around 40 hours filled with exploration, mini-games, and a narrative that might deviate in unexpected ways from the original 1997 release.
Interestingly, Square Enix was able to keep leaks to a minimum this time around. Unlike the last time, when the entire demo leaked online, only the teaser trailer was revealed before the FF7 Rebirth-centric State of Play.
With the promise of further content to explore in the Junon region through an upcoming demo update, players have much to look forward to as they await the full game’s launch exclusively on PS5 on February 29.
