Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth - Review
The work that lay ahead for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth was challenging. to uphold the high standards set by the fantastic Final Fantasy 7 Remake, to be equally moving as its predecessor while still remaining sufficiently subdued to allow for a terrible denouement. It walks the fine line between being the second act of a great trilogy and coming across as a triumphant, sorrowful, and gorgeous adventure with a slower, more emotionally rewarding plot full of stylistic flair.
Rebirth lowers the action down a notch and adds more levels of poignancy to each stage of the trip, whereas Remake sets the scene by presenting the game's core cast at a blazing pace. It also takes some time to infuse the story with a playful sense of absurdity, as comedic elements give Rebirth a more relatable and gentle emotional underbelly.
Cloud was once a stoic, reclusive hero, but in Rebirth, he softens the edges of his rough edges by focusing on his past and his suffering. Although he stays stern and aloof, Rebirth builds a bridge to reveal more about his personality and interpersonal connections, emphasizing the ties that bind Cloud to those who are closest to him.
These ties serve as the foundation for Rebirth's main objective, which is centered around saving the world and emphasizing the value of friendship. Events in the game begin right after Remake, with Sephiroth, who intends to destroy the planet in order to rescue it, being pursued by Cloud, Aerith, Tifa, Barret, and Red XII.
His path passes through several areas, including Nibel, Corel, Gongaga, and others, all of which contain hints about Sephiroth's schemes. Even though he stays elusive for most of the gameplay, he always has an impact—either through the enigmatic appearance of individuals wearing cloaks or through his gradual mental decline on Cloud.
Sephiroth's shadow, which follows Cloud and his companions on their adventures, is what gives Rebirth its lengthy journey its start. Cloud is also plagued by memories of his past, including his friendship with fellow soldier Zack Fair and the people the Avalanche crew lost along the way, including Biggs, Jessie, and every other freedom fighter who was slain by Shinra.
Although Rebirth's reflections on the past may cast a somber shadow over the quest, skillful writing ensures that the sadness is counterbalanced with a much lighter touch. It plunges deeply into hopelessness and emerges from it with a stronger sense of optimism as well as an absurd sense of joy.
In several parts of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Cloud and Tifa undergo frog transformations. There are scenes in which Cloud rides a dolphin and in which Vincent Valentine, Cloud's gothic friend, refers to a scary house as "cozy." Even while the game has its sad moments, there are always oddities and amusing asides to look forward to.
The Gold Saucer is a location that highlights Rebirth's strategy and is mainly crucial to the game's plot. You may play a ton of strange little mini-games in each of its Disneyland-esque venues, such as fights where you control a low-poly version of Cloud, but you can also take some time to hide away and get to know your pals better.
Aerith, Tifa, and your more recent pals, Cid, Vincent Valentine, and Cait Sith, will all grow closer to you. You'll even get the opportunity to enjoy an opera at the Gold Saucer. Although it may seem like an odd addition at first, Cloud will find it to be a peaceful and entrancing time to consider his relationships, fallen allies, and the battle against Sephiroth. Such interludes require a deft hand to extract meaning and powerful emotion, but Square Enix does a fantastic job at it in Rebirth.
Because this chapter takes place right in the middle of the current Final Fantasy VII trilogy, there is a slight sag in the game's overall journey. You'll spend a lot of time solving puzzles and completing mini-games, but the longer length allows for more reflection, and the slower pace feels intentional. It allows the whole ensemble time to develop and become more like family.
Rebirth's incredible endgame spiral, which combines years of plot and character development in a winding, continually surprising last act—and inevitably keeps the door open for one last chapter—is earned by traveling the long route.
Given that Rebirth essentially follows the middle act of Final Fantasy 7, it would be simple to predict where the game is headed, but there are plenty of magical surprises in store for players thanks to branching paths and new concepts that rise from the ruins.
Ultimately, this chapter feels so unique because of the heroes that make up the game's primary cast. Rebirth does a great job of managing its ever expanding ensemble, giving each one a brilliant moment to shine. You genuinely care about each and every one of them, and you find it difficult to support them during their hardships.
A good game accomplishes that. It elicits feelings. It provokes thought. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth constantly provides you reasons to care, to sit on the edge of your seat, wide-eyed, wondering what lies ahead, with its magnificent set pieces and compelling narrative turning points. Despite the foundation that the first game set, there's a feeling that anything can happen and that the future is still up in the air.
Every stride carries a permeating sense of hope.
That hope shines through all of the strangeness and misery of Rebirth's journey. Though it's a very different beast from Remake, it nevertheless manages to guide Cloud and his team into perilous, uncharted territory with a perfectly matched levity to its theme of light versus darkness.
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