Why is Final Fantasy Remake Intergrade Such A Big Deal?

Final Fantasy Remake Intergrade is coming to Xbox on January 22, 2026!

For a lot of followers this is wonderful information, however we realise there will probably be many gamers who’ve by no means skilled the world of Final Fantasy VII earlier than. You’ve in all probability heard of the sport, however chances are you’ll be questioning: why is this such a giant deal?

We are going to clarify, however earlier than we will discuss Final Fantasy Remake, we should focus on the legendary recreation that got here earlier than.

What is Final Fantasy VII?

1997 noticed the discharge of a really particular recreation: Final Fantasy VII. This RPG wasn’t only a crucial and business hit – it was a literal gamechanger. Many credit score it with popularizing the Japanese RPG throughout the West, particularly because it was the primary mainline Final Fantasy recreation to launch outdoors of Japan or North America. For a lot of gamers it was the primary JRPG they ever performed.

And what a spot to start out! Final Fantasy VII nonetheless stands as one of many best video games within the style. It had all of it – a tremendous story, sensible command-based fight, unimaginable manufacturing values, unforgettable soundtrack and a number of the most iconic characters in gaming. Even individuals who have by no means performed the sport will acknowledge the likes of Cloud and Sephiroth.

Final Fantasy VII Remake is the primary recreation in a trilogy of full-length RPGs that reimagine this beloved recreation at a scale not often seen in gaming. It provides a good deeper story, extra perception into the characters and setting, new eventualities not featured within the authentic recreation, a fast-paced, trendy fight system, an unimaginable soundtrack, and way more past.

In case you’ve by no means skilled Final Fantasy VII earlier than, it’s a tremendous solution to expertise the story and characters that modified gaming ceaselessly. In case you did play Final Fantasy VII the primary time spherical, you’ll get to expertise the world and its characters in a brand-new approach.

Director Naoki Hamaguchi explains it greatest: “Our aim with Final Fantasy VII Remake was to seize the whole lot that made the unique recreation so particular, however convey it updated with the newest expertise in order that new gamers may very well be simply as excited as gamers of the unique recreation have been when that launched.

“For brand spanking new gamers, this is the place the story of Final Fantasy VII begins. In case you’ve seen characters resembling Cloud or Sephiroth in different video games, and puzzled the place their story began, this is the sport.”

The Story That Modified Gaming Eternally

However what’s so memorable about that story? Effectively, right here’s the essential setup.

The sport takes place in Midgar – an industrial metropolis managed by the Shinra Electrical Energy Firm. This immoral organisation makes use of huge reactors to suck mako from the planet – a substance used as an influence supply to offer individuals snug lives, energy the corporate’s weapons of battle and extra.

However mako is additionally the lifeblood of the planet, and the extra Shinra makes use of, the extra it harms the world.

The story begins when mercenary Cloud Strife joins the Shinra resistance group Avalanche on a mission to sabotage certainly one of these planet-harming reactors. This harmful mission units off a sequence of occasions that may change him and the town ceaselessly – and put him nose to nose with an enemy lengthy thought lifeless: the sinister Sephiroth.

It’s an exhilarating journey, stuffed with surprises that we don’t need to break right here. However what actually makes it stand out are the characters. The primary forged of Cloud, Barret, Tifa and Aerith are a number of the most beloved in gaming, and Final Fantasy VII Remake goes deeper into their personalities than ever earlier than.

Even facet characters get richer, extra layered personalities – by the tip of the sport you’ll consider them as pals.

An Iconic Setting

Then there’s Midgar – the sport’s iconic setting. It’s a cliché to say the town is like a personality in its personal proper however… effectively, Midgar is like a personality in its personal proper.

…what? Generally clichés may be proper.

Referred to as the ‘Metropolis of Mako’, it’s an unlimited round metropolis comprised of a prime plate the place the extra well-to-do residents and Shinra staff stay, and slums beneath that are… much less nice.

Due to the highest plate masking the sky, the individuals within the slums are pressured to depend on synthetic suns for mild. Mixed with the lifeless earth attributable to the mako-sucking reactors, and mutated fiends that roam the wastelands between sectors, it’s a tough life for a lot of who stay there, however there’s life and group too.

It was an immediately memorable setting for the unique recreation’s opening act, however Final Fantasy VII Remake brings Midgar to life like by no means earlier than. With a full-length journey set on this metropolis, you get to actually discover every space, get to know its individuals, and uncover entire new elements of the town that weren’t within the authentic journey.

Hamaguchi says that it was essential that this metropolis didn’t simply look good – it additionally felt like a plausible place: “In the beginning of improvement, the sport designers and situation writers created paperwork that detailed the setting and the world, together with the financial standing of the completely different areas.

This info was invaluable in serving to us outline which components of the atmosphere may very well be shared throughout areas, and which must be region-specific – proper right down to the ratio of textual content on the posters and the appear and feel of the inhabitants in these areas!”

twenty first Century Fight

As you discover the town, you’ll encounter quite a few threats – from snarling fiends to Shinra’s ample military of troopers and battle machines.

Paradoxically, this is a superb factor as a result of it means there’s loads of alternatives to battle – and Final Fantasy VII Remake has probably the greatest fight methods on the market. It’s a hybrid system that mixes components of the unique recreation with fast-paced motion gameplay.

Right here’s the way it works: you assault, block and dodge in actual time and as you achieve this, you’ll fill your ‘ATB’ gauge. As soon as it’s full, you’ll be able to press a button to decelerate the motion and choose a command in your fighter or their allies to hold out. Alternatively, you’ll be able to set strikes to shortcuts to unleash them with out slowing down the motion. It makes for fast-paced, thrilling battles the place ability and strategic considering are each rewarded. 

“We deliberately designed the sport to be welcoming to all forms of gamers – for those who’re a fan of motion video games, or desire one thing extra tactical, there are completely different management modes that enable the sport to be performed to your desire,” Hamaguchi provides.

There are 4 playable characters (5 together with the additional episode’, and you’ll change between social gathering members immediately. Each has their very own very distinct playstyle, from Cloud’s fast and trendy swordplay, Tifa’s highly effective single-target martial arts, Aerith’s magical may and Barret’s highly effective ranged assaults.

Then there’s FF7R EPISODE INTERmission – a two-chapter story that takes place concurrently with the primary story. It focuses on ninja Yuffie Kisaragi – an excitingly agile fighter who provides one other playstyle to dig into!

As you’ll be able to hopefully see, Final Fantasy VII Remake is greater than only a easy revisitation of a landmark recreation. It’s a boldly bold, extremely high-quality and – most significantly – wildly entertaining journey that’s an ideal introduction to this unimaginable world. We will’t wait for brand new gamers to find it for themselves on Xbox – and take their first steps on an unforgettable journey.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade launches January 22, 2026 for Xbox Sequence X|S and PC by way of the Microsoft Retailer. Because of Xbox Play Wherever, you’ll be able to play the sport throughout console, PC, even the brand new ROG Xbox Ally, selecting up the place you left off every time.