REVIEW: FINAL FANTASY 7 REMAKE

Final Fantasy VII Remake is one of those titles that transcends the medium. Even today, FF7 is known by almost everyone, regardless of whether they actively play video games. They may not even know the name. It’s just that dude with the spikey hair. The characters, music, and imagery have embedded themselves into pop-culture in a way very few games ever manage. Because of that, FF7 Remake had impossibly large shoes to fill.

Right from the opening moments, it becomes clear that Square Enix understood exactly what was at stake. The opening sequence is instantly recognisable and deeply nostalgic for those of us who played the original, while also being visually stunning for anyone experiencing Midgar for the first time. It strikes a near perfect balance between honouring what came before and confidently presenting something new. Even now, in 2026, it is remarkable how well this game holds up. Despite Remake’s original release in 2020, this game has held up really well.

Much of the early discussion around Remake focused on the decision to split the story into multiple parts. While that concern is understandable, it quickly becomes clear that this entry is not a partial experience. This is a full standalone title, with enough depth, narrative and complexity to feel complete. Modern AAA games simply demand more detail and expansion than the original could provide, and Remake embraces that fully.

From the moment gameplay begins, the experience feels immediately familiar, yet refreshingly modern. Stepping onto the station platform and engaging Shinra introduces a combat system that feels incredibly fluid and natural. This hybrid approach blends real time action with classic turn-based decisions. Weapon variety and the Materia system are intuitive and easy to understand, offering enough depth without overwhelming players. Combat never feels like a compromise. Instead, it feels like the series confidently finding a new standard in a modern era.

Narratively, the game stays fairly true to the original while giving itself room to expand. Familiar story is adjusted, new elements are introduced. Some players appreciated these changes more than others, but overall, the story arc is strong. It’s a given that certain adjustments, probably went a step too far. Not every narrative choice will land for everyone, but the willingness to explore new ideas rather than simply recreate the past is commendable, and for us, mostly successful. Excluding what happened in the Presidents office…

Characters is where Final Fantasy VII Remake truly excels. The cast is, truly, exceptional across the board. The decision to fully recast the characters rather than rely on previous voice actors was the correct one, allowing these portrayals to feel definitive rather than tied to earlier interpretations. Performances are consistently excellent, bringing depth and humanity to iconic characters. Cloud, Tifa, Barret, and Aerith feel fully realised, while side characters like Biggs, Wedge, and Jessie benefit enormously from expanded roles. Their development adds genuine emotional weight and makes the events in Midgar far more impactful and relatable.

Visually, the game is stunning. While the original PlayStation 4 version did show its limitations in places, with occasional low-resolution textures and static elements, the overall presentation was still breathtaking. Looking up at the plate for the first time remains a standout moment. Midgar feels vast, oppressive, and alive. Some players felt the environments were too narrow or corridor focused, limiting exploration. That criticism is understandable, but even within those constraints, the city leaves a lasting impression and successfully conveys its immense scale.

The soundtrack deserves special recognition. Seriously. This is not simply a nostalgic comeback, but a masterful reimagining. Classic tracks are reorchestrated beautifully, with a modern twist, while new compositions fit alongside them. In our opinion, this is, without a doubt, among the strongest soundtracks in the series.

Side content in Remake is present in meaningful but restrained quantities. While we would have liked to explore more sectors or revisit additional areas within Midgar, what is included complements the main experience rather than distracting from it. That sense of scope was later strengthened with the release of Episode INTERmission as part of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade release. The Yuffie-focused content added valuable backstory and perspective, helping to reinforce one of the most important narrative beats in the game while also tying Remake more firmly into the wider stories and events surrounding Final Fantasy VII.

While the original PS4 release is much harder to recommend today, the newer Intergrade versions offer clear improvements. Portability on newer platforms is impressive, and both the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series and Switch 2 versions are perfectly enjoyable ways to play. That said, in our opinion, if you have access to a powerful PC and the ability to push frame rates north of 90 frames per second, that is the definitive way to experience Final Fantasy VII Remake. The added smoothness elevates combat to another level entirely, making an already fluid system feel exceptional. But, if you are not an FPS buff, you will still be very happy with the current releases.

Final Fantasy VII Remake is a confident, ambitious, and an emotional reimagining of a legendary game. It respects its legacy without being constrained by it, and even years after release, it remains an outstanding RPG that fully earns its place among the modern greats.

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Learn more about the scoring here.