Final Fantasy 7 — and by that, I imply the unique, not the three-part remake — is clocking up unfavourable opinions after developer Sq. Enix re-released the sport on Steam with high quality of life enhancements that appear to have had the other meant impact.
Announced last month and launched simply yesterday (February 24), this up to date model of Final Fantasy 7 comes with a handful of latest options, together with a 3x pace mode — extra on that in a bit — the flexibility to flip off random encounters, a “battle enhancement mode” that can max out the Restrict gauge and let gamers get well HP/MP throughout battles, and a helpful autosave function.
Shortly after launch, although, it was clear there have been vital points with the brand new version, not least the quicker fight that does not match the pace of the animations or menus, plus blurry textures, together with in its essential cinematic sequences.
Sq. Enix was on the case inside hours and launched a small update simply a short time later, claiming it had “mounted the pace of sure scenes, together with battles,” and addressed different, unspecified “minor bug fixes.” What it did not deal with, nonetheless, is the compelled 4:3 decision, and whereas there’ll undoubtedly be gamers comfortable to soar in and expertise the sport in its native decision, the 2013 version that this new model replaces did let you choose different resolutions, leaving some questioning why on earth this was modified.
The issue is compounded even additional given this new model of the sport replaces the 2013 Steam version on the Steam storefront fully, so gamers trying to purchase Final Fantasy 7 for the primary time will solely have this selection accessible — solely those that already owned the 2013 version are in a position to swap between the 2.
“The battle animation speeds are WAY too excessive, even with out the 3x pace, so the sport simply performs improper and feels improper proper now. Hopefully, they repair this,” wrote one participant. “As well as, you seem to be locked right into a 4:3 show, which is sensible as the unique format, and many individuals will choose to have it that method, however even the 2013 PC model has the flexibility to stretch it to full display (which is how I choose). This must be an possibility.
“It is very laborious to suggest. Might I counsel that corporations ensure their re-releases no less than perform on a fundamental stage earlier than delisting their previous variations? That'[d] be nice,” added one other.
“I’d simply play the 2013 model with out glasses on if I needed the sport to seem like this,” quipped another person.
All in all, the problems have introduced the sport’s general Steam person score down to ‘Largely Unfavorable,’ with simply 36% of gamers leaving constructive suggestions.
As for the remake? Final Fantasy Remake Half 3 director Naoki Hamaguchi just lately mentioned the impression of increasing the platforms on which the Final Fantasy 7 Remake collection is obtainable, insisting that going multiplatform “is not going to in any method decrease the standard of the third instalment.“
“Each the Nintendo Change 2 and Xbox variations have been extremely properly obtained and generated numerous buzz on-line,” Hamaguchi mentioned. “That spotlight has additionally made me understand how many individuals are nervous about this situation. Nonetheless, our choice to go multiplatform with the FF7 Remake collection is not going to in any method decrease the standard of the third installment.”
We additionally just lately discovered that the “core sport expertise is nearly full,” and whereas Hamaguchi “really need[s] everybody to play it as quickly as potential,” the staff has now moved on to “refining and sprucing.”
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, in addition to a critic, columnist, and advisor with 15+ years expertise working with among the world’s largest gaming websites and publications. She’s additionally a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually Excessive Chaos. Discover her at BlueSky.