After watching Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade’s beautiful opening cutscene on Switch 2, I instinctively reached for the PlayStation 5 controller sitting on my espresso desk as an alternative of my Switch 2 Professional Controller. That’s to not say VII Remake seems to be precisely pretty much as good on Switch 2 because it does on the beefier PS5, however that is a formidable port that’s simply up there with the perfect third-occasion video games we’ve seen to this point within the Switch 2’s first yr, and I’m nonetheless not used to video games trying this stunning on my Nintendo console.
That sturdy first impression held up as I blasted by way of the acquainted first hours of Cloud’s journey in Midgar – which stays one in every of my favourite RPGs of the last decade – with stable efficiency each handheld and docked. Digging by way of the menus additionally revealed tons of choices to streamline development for newcomers trying to see what all of the hype is, or for returning followers who simply need to blast by way of the epic journey at a faster tempo on the go. Regardless of your expertise with prior editions of VII Remake, the brand new Switch 2 model checks just about each field you may ask for from a transportable model. If you happen to’re a Nintendo-solely gamer who’s been ready for this one for some time, you shouldn’t hesitate to dive in.
What we mentioned about Final Fantasy 7 Remake in 2020
The expectations round Final Fantasy 7 Remake are sky excessive, and it principally manages to ship. Its fight is prime notch, its enemy selection saved me always entertained, and seeing this snippet of story fleshed out with actual emotional arcs and the beforehand hidden humanity behind Midgar stuffed me with pure pleasure. The boring RPG filler and Kingdom Hearts-esque convolution that was inserted in between did cease my ear-to-ear grin from being fixed, however by no means lengthy sufficient to kill the temper utterly. That leaves this remake as one that also delivered on letting me relive (a part of) a basic in stupendous vogue, whereas additionally standing as an excellent RPG all its personal. – Tom Marks, April 6, 2020
Rating: 8
Learn our full Final Fantasy 7 Remake overview.
FFVII Remake on Switch 2 Appears to be like Nice When Docked
When enjoying on my TV, VII Remake on Switch 2 impressed throughout all points: cutscenes, exploration, and most crucially, its quick-paced fight. It’s a small disgrace that it runs at 30 fps each handheld and docked, however I didn’t discover a single dropped body throughout gameplay. It would’ve often hiccupped throughout cutscenes, however I solely seen whereas analyzing it with a hypercritical eye for the needs of this analysis. It’s fairly secure to say that when docked, you may count on extraordinarily constant efficiency. It might not be 60 fps like on the opposite consoles, however it felt completely playable and responsive always.
I’m impressed with the little particulars I bear in mind loving in VII Remake again in 2020 which have carried over right here: the way in which the sunshine displays off Cloud’s Buster Sword as you run round nonetheless seems to be very nice. It targets 1080p whereas docked, lacking out on the Switch 2’s highest capabilities however nonetheless trying actually good nonetheless, with detailed character fashions and environments. Some NPCs popped within the distance once I was exploring the Sector 7 slums, however to my reminiscence, that’s the way it was on PS4 as properly. And whether or not I used to be combating a swarm of Shinra safety officers or the hulking Scorpion Sentinel inside a Mako reactor, VII Remake at all times saved up with the motion, even when swapping between Cloud, Barrett, and Tifa to carry out flashy talents and Restrict Breaks. Professional tip for Professional Controller customers: I mapped the left and proper d-pad to the GL and GR backpaddles on my controller, utilizing them to conveniently swap between characters in fight.
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Handheld Is a Completely Affordable Approach to Play
Taking part in in handheld is equally spectacular, however all the minor complaints I famous about docked mode are barely magnified. It’s nonetheless a stable 30 fps for essentially the most half, however I seen extra dips throughout cutscenes particularly. However that doesn’t influence the fight, which at all times felt actually clean and completely enjoyable. The decision additionally takes a success as you’d count on, and I seen sure particulars like Cloud’s hair regarded rather a lot blurrier. However when every part is in movement, VII Remake nonetheless seems to be good on the Switch 2’s small display screen, and it’s a very viable approach to play by way of it. It’s eye-catching to see trendy AAA video games run this properly on a handheld machine, and I believe this period of video games that initially got here out on PS4 are the perfect match for actually stable ports to Switch 2. Final Fantasy VII Remake, in addition to issues like Avenue Fighter 6 that we noticed final yr, are third-occasion video games which have devoted variations on each PS4 and PS5, which have usually appeared to scale properly to Switch 2.
Intergrade’s DLC Growth Is Right here, Too
In contrast to Nintendo, which continues to be promoting Breath of the Wild’s 9-yr-outdated DLC content material individually from its new Nintendo Sw itch 2 Version, Sq. Enix has included every part within the Intergrade bundle for $40. Meaning you additionally get Episode INTERmission, an extra chunk-sized marketing campaign starring Yuffie, an optionally available occasion member from the unique Final Fantasy VII who’s now a central a part of the Remake mission. It takes about 5 hours to succeed in INTERmission’s credit, and it’s a very stable followup to the principle marketing campaign.
Streamlined Choices for Informal Gamers or Double Dippers
There’s rather a lot right here that makes a full replay fairly attractive. First, you may quick-ahead by way of cutscenes at both 1.5- or 2-occasions velocity, making it a snappier revisit for individuals who already know every part that occurs however nonetheless need to see it play out. And, the model-new Streamlined Development menu provides choices you’re most likely used to seeing in trendy remakes and remasters of outdated-college RPGs, just like the HD-2D Dragon Quest video games and even the newest model of the unique Final Fantasy VII itself. Accessing issues like fixed most well being and magic factors, an infinitely full Restrict gauge, or the flexibility to deal 9999 harm on each hit allows you to tailor your playthrough nevertheless you’d like, and it’s actually cool to see these choices come to a contemporary sport. There’s additionally a nifty Head Begin mode that palms you excessive-stage characters and loads of cash, gear, and skills proper from the start. I’d by no means advocate somebody performs with these activated for his or her first playthrough, however it’s undoubtedly enjoyable to revisit outdated favorites by the use of a frictionless energy journey that permits you to see all of the sights once more. It’s value noting these options aren’t unique to Switch 2, Sq. Enix additionally up to date the PS5 and PC variations with the identical choices, and every part is included within the new Xbox Collection X|S launch as properly.
This Isn’t the Final Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy VII Remake is simply half one in every of Sq. Enix’s at present unfinished Remake trilogy, with 2024’s Final Fantasy VII Rebirth representing the center chapter, and a 3rd and closing entry but to be formally revealed. If you happen to’re fearful about beginning the sequence with only one entry on the platform to this point, Sq. Enix has already dedicated to bringing Rebirth to Switch 2 and Xbox Collection X|S, in addition to the in-growth third sport. So you may leap in fear-free: the total story will finally make it to Switch 2, and this primary port is an effective way to get issues began.