Final Fantasy VII Remake
A real-time reimagining of the classic Final Fantasy VII opening.
Final Fantasy VII Remake is an action role-playing game that came out in 2020, developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 4. It kicks off a planned trilogy that reimagines the 1997 classic Final Fantasy VII. An enhanced version hit the PlayStation 5 and Windows in 2021, with ports for the Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S arriving in 2026.
The story takes place in Midgar, a dystopian cyberpunk city. Players take on the role of Cloud Strife, a mercenary who works with AVALANCHE, an eco-terrorist group fighting the megacorporation Shinra. Shinra drains the planet's life essence—called Mako—for energy. The game swaps the original's turn-based combat for a real-time system mixed with role-playing elements.
The remake was officially announced in 2015 after years of rumors. Many key staff from the original returned: Tetsuya Nomura directed, Yoshinori Kitase produced, Kazushige Nojima wrote the script, Motomu Toriyama co-directed, and Nobuo Uematsu composed the music. The character designs were updated to strike a balance between realism and stylized looks.
Critics gave the game positive reviews, highlighting its graphics, gameplay, story, and music. The expanded narrative and revamped battle system—which kept strategic depth while adding flashy visuals—were praised. However, some criticized the linear progression and repetitive side quests. It sold over 3.5 million copies in its first three days, making it one of the fastest-selling PlayStation 4 games, and reached more than 8.7 million copies by March 2025. The second part, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, launched in 2024, and the third, Final Fantasy VII Revelation, is slated for 2027.
**Gameplay**
This game covers the opening section of the original Final Fantasy VII, set entirely in Midgar. Players control Cloud, a former Shinra soldier turned mercenary who joins AVALANCHE to fight Shinra's exploitation of the planet. Everything has been rebuilt with real-time polygonal graphics instead of the original's pre-rendered backgrounds. The story expands character development and adds new plot elements.
Exploration and combat happen in real time, similar to Final Fantasy XV. The Active Time Battle (ATB) system returns but works differently: the bar fills slowly on its own or faster with attacks. When it's full, players can pause the action to use magic, items, or special moves.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Final Fantasy VII Remake
- Developer
- Square Enix Business Division 1
- Publisher
- Square Enix
- Director
- Tetsuya Nomura / Naoki Hamaguchi / Motomu Toriyama
- Producer
- Yoshinori Kitase
- Designer
- Naoki Hamaguchi · Teruki Endo
- Programmer
- Naoki Hamaguchi · Daiki Hoshina · Satoru Koyama
- Composer
- Masashi Hamauzu · Mitsuto SuzukiOriginal Final Fantasy VII music and the main theme "Hollow" were composed by Nobuo Uematsu.
- Artist
- Shintaro Takai · Roberto Ferrari
- Writer
- Kazushige Nojima / Motomu Toriyama
- Series
- Final Fantasy
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Final Fantasy VII Remake was announced in 2015 following years of speculation. Several key staff from the original game returned, including Tetsuya Nomura as director, Yoshinori Kitase as producer, Kazushige Nojima as writer, Motomu Toriyama as co-director, and composer Nobuo Uematsu. The staff redesigned characters to balance realism and stylization. The game covers the first section of the original, set entirely in Midgar, with major expansions to character development and notable plot additions. Exploration and battle mechanics take place in real-time, using an altered Active Time Battle system that fills gradually or faster with attacks. Players can halt action to use special abilities, assign shortcuts, and switch between party members. Each character has individual skills, such as Cloud's close-quarters melee and Barret's long-range attacks. Magic, summons, and Limit Break gauges are also present.
Reader's Guide
Final Fantasy VII Remake received positive reviews, praised for its graphics, gameplay, narrative, and music. Critics highlighted the expanded story and updated battle system for strategic elements and visual flourishes, though linearity and repetitive side-quests drew criticism. It was one of the fastest-selling PlayStation 4 games, selling over 3.5 million copies in three days and more than 8.7 million by March 2025. An enhanced version released for PlayStation 5 and Windows in 2021, followed by ports for Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S in 2026. The game is the first in a planned trilogy; the second, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, released in 2024, and the third, Final Fantasy VII Revelation, is scheduled for 2027. Its significance lies in revitalizing a landmark title for a new generation while expanding its narrative and gameplay systems.
Did You Know?
- The game sold more than 3.5 million copies in its first three days.
- It was announced in 2015 after years of speculation about a remake.
- The story includes ghost-like entities called Whispers that ensure destiny is not altered.
- An enhanced version was released for PlayStation 5 and Windows in 2021.
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