All of us knew Closing Fantasy 7 Remake was just the start, however we had no concept how lengthy we must anticipate the subsequent half and even what number of elements this extremely formidable challenge would find yourself spanning. Since followers have been begging Sq. Enix to remake what is sort of probably the most well-liked and most essential JRPG of all time for years, there was clearly a number of stress on the studio to get it proper. Whereas there was loads of skepticism concerning the primary half altering a lot concerning the core method, as soon as we had it in our fingers, it grew to become virtually universally praised.
After Remake, there was subsequent to no information on when Cloud and his ragtag workforce’s journey would proceed. That’s, not till the 25th anniversary of the unique PlayStation 1 recreation when Sq. Enix dropped a ton of information on us abruptly. The most important information was clearly the official reveal of Closing Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the second half in what we now know to be a trilogy of titles. Since then, we’ve collected all the information drops as they’ve occurred. Right here’s all the pieces we find out about Closing Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
Be aware: There might be spoilers all through for each Closing Fantasy 7 Remake and the unique Closing Fantasy 7.
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Launch date
Closing Fantasy 7 Rebirth will launch on February 29, 2024.
Platforms
That is one other attention-grabbing side of the entire Closing Fantasy 7 retelling trilogy. All of us bear in mind the primary half, Closing Fantasy 7 Remake, being a PS4 unique at launch, then later getting a PS5 improve in addition to a PC model. Nonetheless, that recreation has nonetheless not but come to some other platforms. Closing Fantasy 7 Rebirth, no less than so far as the reveal trailer signifies, will comply with the identical method, although skipping the PS4. When it comes out, you possibly can solely play this recreation on the PS5 for the primary three months no less than. After Might 29, 2024, the sport can come to some other platform.
Trailers
Our first take a look at Closing Fantasy 7 Rebirth was in a fast trailer that exposed the sport through the Closing Fantasy 7 25th anniversary occasion in 2022. It opens with Aerith stating that whereas the previous could also be set in stone, the longer term might be modified, even when it has been “written.” This clearly references the final recreation, the place notable modifications to the story weren’t simply made however have been really a plot level that we’ll go into later.
We get a shot of the long-lasting meteor crashing into the planet with the easy query posed, “What is going to turn into of the planet?” From there, we see Cloud for the primary time strolling with Sephiroth towards a forested space as he states that “he needs to complete what he began — reclaim his birthright and rule over the planet with Jenova at his aspect.” This scene is nearly definitely from the flashback that happens proper after Cloud and his workforce depart Midgar, and he explains his previous with the villain in his hometown.
As the 2 proceed strolling, we hear extra conversations, with Cloud most probably speaking about how he thought Tifa was already lifeless after Sephiroth went mad, burned down their hometown, and tried to steal Jenova from the reactor. Tifa stops him and asks what he means and if he thinks she’s an imposter. That is closely foreshadowing the twist that Cloud’s recollections of this occasion usually are not correct, completely main into the subsequent block of textual content asking, “What’s reality and what’s fiction?”
Subsequent, we see the change that might have essentially the most main implications for this new timeline going ahead: Zack. We see Zack carrying Cloud towards Midgar as an alternative of Cloud making his method on his personal after Zack died to guard him. Cloud says, “You have been right here with me … 5 years in the past. The place are you? What occurred to you?” This raises many questions on when this line is delivered for the reason that unique Cloud didn’t understand he and Zack have been completely different folks till after he fell into the lifestream a lot later within the recreation. Aerith stating, “I’m attempting so laborious to search out you,” makes rather more sense since she by no means knew Zack had died at this level, and the 2 have been in a relationship earlier than assembly Cloud. Zack’s solely line, which might very nicely be to both Cloud or Aerith, is, “Sorry … really feel like I failed you.” Then, we reduce to the brand new title of Closing Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
We don’t wish to go too deep into what occurred in Closing Fantasy 7 Remake, particularly not theories right here, however there are some things value noting that might be essential for Closing Fantasy 7 Rebirth. First, the one gameplay we see is Cloud and Sephiroth apparently on their method to the city or reactor within the mountains of Nibelheim. This means that the occasions of this flashback gained’t change — not as a result of Sephiroth, or one other drive, can’t or gained’t intrude with what occurred there, however as a result of that is Cloud’s incorrect recollection of these occasions. This story is instructed within the first metropolis you go to after leaving Midgar, Kalm.
The Launch Date Announce Trailer provides us much more to chew on. Other than the locations and occasions we count on to see, we get a bit extra of Cloud and Sephiroth’s journey in Nibelhiem through the flashback sequence. Most significantly, Sephiroth is confirmed to be a celebration member for this part and thus may very well be playable. We are saying “might” right here as a result of within the unique, regardless of being in your social gathering, you had no direct management over Sephiroth throughout this part.
Zack is the opposite main participant to think about. His survival may very well be the largest change to the story but and significantly affect the narrative and character relationships. The second trailer solely briefly exhibits extra of his story, the place he and Cloud are simply arriving, and he asks a brand new character to the sequence, Kyrie, to take care of a nonetheless unconscious Cloud. The place Zack goes or what occurs to him past this level remains to be unknown.
Cait Sith is lastly proven in motion, and we even see the key character Vincent make an look, however surprisingly, there’s no sight of Cid simply but. He’s the ultimate social gathering member within the unique recreation that we’ve but to see.
After all, there’s the massive query: Will Aerith survive this time round? That is unimaginable to reply proper now and will simply go both method, which is thrilling in its personal proper to not know what’s coming. Since we all know that this sequence might be three elements lengthy — primarily based on storytelling methods, anyway — the second half is often the place our heroes are at their lowest level, so whereas it might not occur to the identical particular person or in the identical method, odds are that one thing will occur on the conclusion of this recreation that places Cloud and the others at that low level.
So far as the place the story will go, we will solely guess primarily based on the unique recreation, however as a result of they’ve primarily damaged freed from the bounds of that recreation, who is aware of how a lot issues will change. For followers of the unique, that’s maybe a very powerful a part of this new telling of occasions.
One of many questions answered on the official Closing Fantasy Twitter account mentions that the workforce “made preparations in order that gamers who didn’t get an opportunity to play the primary recreation can absolutely take pleasure in Closing Fantasy VII Rebirth.” Whereas there could also be some form of recap, the final trailer did finish with an commercial for a Twin Pack preorder set that features each Closing Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade and Closing Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
Closing Fantasy 7 Rebirth made its last 2023 look at The Sport Awards with a mind-bending trailer that solely raised extra questions. By way of new issues we noticed, a very powerful is the looks of Cid for the primary time. We knew he and Vincent (additionally proven once more) can be included right here, however that is our first take a look at the pilot and the Tiny Bronco. Bugenhagen was additionally briefly proven in what seems to be the sequence in Cosmo Canyon the place Crimson XIII learns about his mother and father. As soon as once more we see extra of Zack in no matter timeline or alternate universe he finds himself in the place he survived the ending of Disaster Core. On this Midgar, Cloud remains to be comatose; all members of Avalanche are lifeless save for Bigs, and Aerith additionally seems to be unconscious. The kicker is when Marlene tells Zack that “when she wakes up, a scary man goes to kill her.” That is, after all, in reference to the pivotal second that’s being teased all through the advertising of Aerith’s destiny within the Forgotten Capital.
An enormous chunk of the Golden Saucer was proven in cuts, with all of the completely different zones showing, plus the jail beneath the place you’ll encounter Dyne.
Gameplay
The preliminary gameplay trailer left virtually all the pieces up within the air, however we’ve seen much more since then.
The one clue about this was from one other query the builders answered about touring outdoors of Midgar. Its reply was that “Gamers will be capable to journey throughout the huge and multifaced world with a excessive diploma of freedom, experiencing a myriad of various tales alongside the best way.” To date, we’ve seen Chocobo using, plus the buggy, and even the Tiny Bronco, however there is no such thing as a correct airship.
By way of fight, the next trailers gave us fast photographs however sufficient to get a grasp on what to anticipate within the primary sense. Cait Sith will formally be part of the social gathering, and fight itself seems to be largely the identical. One addition seems to be an enlargement of the synergized assaults launched within the Yuffie DLC for Closing Fantasy 7 Remake Intermission. These enable two characters to associate up for a particular, extra highly effective assault.
The Golden Saucer was a given to look, however now we all know no less than a number of of the minigames we will count on. Chocobo racing is again, in addition to the boxing recreation that options fashions of the characters resembling their blocky PS1 graphics and a motorbike fight recreation.
Whereas Cid and Vincent will each be new social gathering members, you gained’t be controlling them on this entry. They may act as Crimson XII did in Rebirth, the place he’ll combat alongside you as an AI companion, however can’t be straight managed.
Preorder
Closing Fantasy 7 Rebirth is approaching quick, and there are a number of editions you possibly can already reserve on the official Sq. Enix retailer.
Digital Deluxe Twin Pack – $90
- Digital model of Closing Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Remake Intergrade
- Digital Artbook
- Digital Mini Soundtrack
- Reclaimant Choker accent
- Orchid Bracelet armor
- Magic Pot summoning Materia
Digital Twin Pack – $70
- Digital model of Closing Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Remake Intergrade
Digital Deluxe Version – $90
- Digital model of Closing Fantasy 7 Rebirth
- Digital Artbook
- Digital Mini Soundtrack
- REclaimant Choker accent
- Orchid Bracelet armor
- Magic Pot summoning Materia
Digital Customary Version – $70
- Digital model of Closing Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Collector’s Version – $350
- Bodily model of Closing Fantasy 7 Rebirth
- Closing Fantasy 7 Rebirth static arts – Sephiroth
- Unique Steelbook
- Hardback Artbook
- Mini Soundtrack CD
- Reclaimant Choker accent
- Orchid Bracelet armor
- Magic Pot summoning Materia
- Moogle Trio summoning Materia
Bodily Deluxe Version – $100
- Bodily model of Closing Fantasy 7 Rebirth
- Unique Steelbook
- Hardback Artbook
- Mini Soundtrack CD
Bodily Customary Version – $70
- Bodily model of Closing Fantasy 7 Rebirth
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