FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH

The Big Question: What are your tips for FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH's Queen’s Blood?

We asked you to share your tips and scores for FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH’s amazing card game. You certainly delivered!

By Duncan Heaney

It’s no secret that Queen’s Blood is pretty great.

We recently posted some tips and tricks for FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH’s endlessly compelling card game (read them here), and when we asked your own, you delivered.

It’s a testament to the game that there was so much viable Queen’s Blood advice submitted, from awesome cards to entire strategies. Here are just a few of our favorites:

Kemiia has an interesting strategy for those of you with a destructive streak. Tonberry King increases in power by 2 for every card destroyed and Skeeskee increases by 1. So, if you cull those cards, you’ll see your score skyrocket!

When territory management is key, the utility of the humble Security Officer cannot be overstated!

Sometimes you just find that card that makes it all click. Ironically, there’s a lot of love for Loveless.

This is great advice. It’s not always about power - it’s about how your cards work together! Belramyo gets it.

LevvyXIII calls out the power of replace cards - and how you don’t have to win every lane to win the match. And yes, Titan is a great card!

The Chocobo & Moogle card increases in power by 1 for each other enhanced card - very useful if you’re about boosting your strength. It’s a great card, and you can get it very early in the adventure by completing the ‘A Rare Card Lost’ side quest.

Also, it’s super adorable.

Some good advice here - you don’t have to take the first move. Sometimes it’s an advantage to let your opponent play the first card and see what they’re up to.

More good advice. Sometimes to achieve victory, sacrifices must be made. Your most powerful cards won’t always be your best. Destroying them in the game can be painful, but if it gives you more territory or boosts other cards, it can be worth it.

Perhaps the best tip of all. Never give up - victory is always within your reach!

Super scores!

Some of you have achieved some incredible scores in Queen’s Blood, some even breaking triple figures!

Here are some impressive feats:

What do you mean ONLY 124?

Goblin up those points. Impressive!

Welcome to the hundred club… um… well, you’re an unknown gamer so we dunno.

A destruction-focused Tonberry King player strikes hard!

Ramy prefers to buff cards - and the results speak for themselves!

Thanks to everyone who submitted their tips and scores. Queen’s Blood is a game of impressive depth, and we love how many ways there are to play, from high-tension matches in towns across FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH’s world, to complex challenges and puzzles in the Gold Saucer and Costa del Sol.

If you’re yet to try it out for yourself, you should check out FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - available now for PS5!

And be sure to follow us on social media for more news and updates about your favorite games!

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FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH: Flashback to the flashback part 2 - Fall of a Hero

Director Naoki Hamaguchi explains what went into making Sephiroth playable, Cloud’s improved combat skills, and recreating one of the most iconic scenes in gaming.

By Duncan Heaney

Welcome back to our deep dive into FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH’s iconic Nibelheim incident!

We recently sat down with the game’s Director, Naoki Hamaguchi, to explore this beloved part of the game. Previously, we looked at how the team rebuilt the village of Nibelheim and gave it more life than ever before. You can check that out here if you missed it:

Part 1: Building Nibelheim

Today, we explore the rest of the flashback up to the iconic scene where a fallen Sephiroth disappears into the flames of the village. Hamaguchi-san talked us through the journey to the reactor and beyond, but we started by discussing Cloud and the future one-winged angel himself…

SOLDIER First Class

Unlike the original FINAL FANTASY VII, this new game gives you full control of Sephiroth in battle - and as you’d expect he feels every bit the experienced SOLDIER he is. From the start of development, the team knew they wanted to let players control the character.

Director Naoki Hamaguchi says: “The way Sephiroth appears in the Nibelheim incident is one of the most famous parts of the original game, and we know that many players had wondered how it would be done in the Remake series.

“I think that when you consider what people would want to see, and perhaps even what they’d expect, it would be disappointing if you didn’t get to play as Sephiroth in battle. So, making him playable was a natural decision.”

Of course, Sephiroth appears in the opening sections of the game - in fact he’s one of the first characters you control in combat. That means the developers had a lot to consider about how they designed his moveset.

“Bear in mind, this is essentially first part of the game, so we felt we needed a character who was easy to control,” says Hamaguchi-san. “You should be able to use him fairly intuitively, without even watching a tutorial or seeing anything - he should just feel good.”

But ease of use wasn’t enough. Sephiroth is meant to be the best of the best - as Cloud himself says in the game, “He was in a different league to the rest of us.” That meant that the team faced the challenge of getting that across in the gameplay.

Hamaguchi-san says: “He had to feel strong. We had to give the impression that was fighting on another level to Cloud, so we made his moves really powerful and also very flashy to convey his much greater strength and experience.”

The strife of Cloud

Of course, Sephiroth doesn’t do all the fighting. As you ascend up the mountain, an enthusiastic Cloud takes the lead. But fans of the original game may notice that he seems more powerful and effective than he was in the original game’s flashback.

As it turns out, this was a conscious decision. “Making Cloud more capable was done deliberately,” explains Hamaguchi-san. “People who have played the original FINAL FANTASY VII story understand that the version of Cloud who appears in that scene is not entirely the character that people know.

“He’s misremembering certain aspects, and you can see that in the way he talks, the way he acts, his body language…”

If you’ve played the original game, you know why this is the case, but the Hamaguchi-san and the team wanted to signal to new players that something is amiss.

“People who don’t know the story should pick this stuff up - we definitely want to communicate to them that this doesn’t seem quite right. Why is he behaving so differently to the Cloud we know from FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE, for example?”

That dissonance wasn’t limited to the cutscenes though - in fact, it’s why the character feels stronger than he is in the original. Hamaguchi-san explains:

“We made some deliberate choices in terms of presentation, but we also wanted to reflect it through gameplay too. He is deliberately much stronger than fans may remember because it’s not just Cloud’s strength.”

Clearly, we’re dancing rather inelegantly around spoilers here, so Hamaguchi sums it up:

“Everything was done to make it feel paradoxical - like this isn’t the character you remember. And it was intended to communicate what’s happening in Cloud’s mental state.”

Suck it up, SOLDIER!

Cloud and Sephiroth’s journey to the reactor takes them through an abandoned Shinra facility. Amidst the monsters, the team also has to deal with additional hazards like a toxic mako gas leak. In order to progress and unlock the lift, Cloud must suck up the gas and make the area safe to traverse.

“There are various reasons we put interactive obstacles or mechanics like the gas extractors in the game,” says Hamaguchi-san. “Sometimes it can be to give the player a puzzle or a challenge that’s outside normal gameplay. That helps them think in a different way.

"With the gas extractors, however, it was more about giving players a hands-on experience of the world itself. To get them to interact in a way that helps them get a secondary look at the lore or setting of the game.“

This short section sees Cloud push a large machine, which inhales the pockets of gas - something added to convey important information to the player.

Hamaguchi-san says: “This section of the flashback sets up how mako is dangerous to the human body and what type of company Shinra is. For example, before it was abandoned, the employees would have to use these type of safety mechanisms to lower the gas level to where it’s safe to work.

“By letting players suck up the gas themselves, it directly shows what kind of substance mako is and what Shinra is like. It throws them into the world much deeper than if we just told them about it because they get to touch and experience it themselves.”

It’s only a short section, but even a brief mechanic like using the extractor required significant effort from the team. Hamaguchi-san says:

“We put in a lot of work to make the act of sucking up the gas feel satisfying. We had lots of different tests in terms of the visual effects, the sound, the level of vibration and so on. It took a lot of polishing in order to get right.

"In fact, this section originally had a lot more gas coming out than the final game. There were six points on the ground that you had to clean up - and it was this way for most of development. Then, about two weeks from final master, I was looking at it and thought, ‘it might be stressful if the player had to such up so many,’ so I knocked it down to three!“

The Materia Guardian unleashed

After the rope bridge leading to the reactor snaps, our heroes plummet into the raging river below. In addition to a regrettable loss of a companion, it also forces them to take a diversion through the mountain.

This leads them into a cave full of natural materia and ultimately a creature that protects it: the Materia Guardian. People who played the original game may recognize it as the Materia Keeper - a fiend that appears much further on in the story. So, why bring this boss forward into the flashback?

Hamaguchi explains: “We felt that to make that a nicely balanced section in terms of gameplay, we needed a boss fight at the end of it. That meant we had to make a decision: do we create a new enemy type, or is there something we could bring back from the original FINAL FANTASY VII?

“We very quickly realized that we wanted something from the original because it would delight fans to see something recognizable as the first boss.

“As we looked through the Mt. Nibel area, we felt like the Materia Keeper - or Materia Guardian as it’s named now - was the only real option, even though it originally appeared later in the game.

"It worked so well thematically - you have the reactor where mako is processed, and the lifespring before that, so the idea of a creature that protects the lifestream from intruders felt like a really great option.“

For the team it felt like a logical choice but were some caveats - particularly when you consider the game that had come before: FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE.

“We did have concerns,” admits Hamaguchi-san. “The first boss of REMAKE was the Scorpion Sentinel, and even though the Materia Guardian is a living creature rather than a mech, they do look quite similar. They’ve both got that arachnoid or insectoid body, for example.

“To get around those comparisons, we made a lot of effort to ensure that even if it looked similar visually, the new boss felt very different to the Scorpion Sentinel.”

Boss logic

With the enemy decided, the team set to work at making it a fun battle. It was an important fight to get right because the Materia Guardian is the first boss you face in the game - and that means it has a lot to do.

Hamaguchi-san says: “A good first boss works as an opportunity to really test the player on everything they’ve learned so far.

“The idea is that you have various battles that lead up to the boss, and they tutorialize you on the different battle mechanics, and the different things your characters can do. Then, you get an opportunity to try them all out.

“As an example, the Materia Guardian puts you in different situations and encourages you to use the different mechanics to get out of them.

“There are parts of the fight where the boss climbs on the ceiling. That encourages the use of the enhanced aerial movement that characters have and helps players to familiarize themselves with these new abilities. Or there are times where the Materia Guardian restrains a character, encouraging you to switch to the other and free them.”

But as well giving players a test, the Materia Guardian also provides lessons of its own: Hamaguchi-san says: “We use the Materia Keeper to introduce the Synergy Abilities, where two characters can fight together - in this case Cloud and Sephiroth.

“Placing that lesson within the first boss makes for a really memorable moment for players, as they realize what this new system can do. It also gives them the motivation to really dig into Synergy Skills and Abilities from Chapter 2 onwards, when they can use in other battles.”

Mother’s Day

When Cloud and Sephiroth arrive at the reactor, they make a startling discovery - one that seems to throw Sephiroth for a loop. Upon their return to Nibelheim, the silver-haired SOLDIER locks himself in the Shinra Manor, where he pores over tome after tome.

“I think this is one of the moments I’m proudest of in the whole flashback,” says Hamaguchi-san. “That scene where you see Sephiroth reading through all the old books and documents and coming to the conclusion that he was created from Jenova.

“This whole sequence shows the changes in Sephiroth, so it’s really important. The way it was portrayed had to be perfect - and we worked really hard to ensure that it was.”

One thing that the team wanted to achieve was a far more naturalistic feeling than the original. Hamaguchi-san says: “There were moments in the mansion in original game that always looked a little comical to me. For example, there’s a moment later in the story where Sephiroth flies up into the air, spins around and flies through a corridor!

“So, getting everything to feel more natural in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH was important to me.”

House renovations

The Shinra Manor is a particularly memorable location in the original game, and it’s been recreated in extreme detail in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH. However, the team did discover that they would have to make some changes from the original design. For example, you now descend into the basement via an elevator, rather than with a spiral staircase.

“We did actually try to make the spiral staircase and incorporate it into the game,” recalls Hamaguchi-san. “The problem was that it just didn’t feel right.

“When we tried to do it at the realistic scale of the building, it become very steep and very narrow. When you tried to go down it, the camera flew everywhere - it just felt really odd!

"We tried out a few things, but ultimately thought that if we were to go with realistic proportions, it just doesn’t work. That’s why we ultimately made the decision to switch to using the elevator.“

The basement of the Shinra Manor was also given special attention - particularly given that a rather popular character is power-napping down there.

“We paid quite a bit of attention to the door to Vincent Valentine’s room,” says Hamaguchi-san. “People who have played the original game know that he’s resting there, and we wanted to draw attention to that - make it obvious where that door is.

“I think it’s a fun moment for fans to try to interact with the door and see it’s locked, because they know who’s in there. It builds anticipation for later!”

That moment

When Cloud revisits Sephiroth in the mansion, he finds a changed man. After a brief altercation, which doesn’t go well for poor Cloud, Sephiroth leaves the mansion. What happens next is one of the most famous scenes in gaming - as Sephiroth burns Nibelheim to the ground and walks into the flames.

“This is such an iconic scene, and it was the major focus of that section of the game,” says Hamaguchi-san. “Everything we did was to make sure we could depict that scene where Sephiroth disappears into the flames in the most dramatic way possible.”

One of the key decisions that the team made was that this section would be playable - although that wasn’t always planned. Hamaguchi-san says:

“When we got the first draft of the script from (Story and Scenario) Kazushige Nojima, the whole sequence of events, from Sephiroth discovering who he is, through to when he disappears into the flames, was done as cutscenes. And to be honest, it would have worked on a certain level.

“But what we really wanted to achieve was that feeling that Cloud, or the player, is desperately pursuing Sephiroth into the flames. To create that kind of emotional reaction.

“That’s why we added extra scenes of Cloud desperately, painfully going through the burning village, worrying about his mother and her safety while still keeping an eye on Sephiroth.

“By making it all playable, I do think it elicits the right feeling we wanted for the scene - it does have emotional impact.”

The shot of Sephiroth disappearing into the flickering flames remains as affecting as ever - a testament to the care and attention that the team has put into the Nibelheim incident - and FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH as a whole.

You can experience it all for yourselves in the full game - available now for PS5.

Alternatively, if you want to try before you buy, a free demo is available. It allows you to play through a large part of the Nibelheim incident, including all the scenes discussed in this series, and also freely explore a part of the Junon region.

Everything you need to know about the demo

Many thanks to Hamaguchi-san for sharing his insight with us. We hope you enjoy the series and the game - be sure to check the Square Enix Blog regularly for more articles about FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, as well as other Square Enix games.

Square Enix Blog

And be sure to follow FINAL FANTASY VII on social media for news and information about the game:

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FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH: Flashback to the flashback part 1: Building Nibelheim

We dive deep into the Nibelheim Flashback with Director Naoki Hamaguchi to discover the secrets behind recreating iconic scenes.

By Duncan Heaney

FINAL FANTASY VII’s iconic Nibelheim incident has always been a revelatory experience.

It explains what led a noble war hero like Sephiroth to fall into darkness. It reveals what happened in Cloud and Tifa's hometown and the traumatic events that forged them into the characters we know today.

In other words, it’s a hugely important part of the story… which makes it the perfect place for FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH to start! The incident forms the first chapter of the game and sees SOLDIER operatives Cloud and Sephiroth head to the small village of Nibelheim on a seemingly routine mission.

Obviously, things don’t stay routine for long.

The scene was already iconic, but the new game makes it even more impactful than ever before. So much so, that we thought it would be interesting to dive in deep and explore this chapter fully.

To that end, we recently sat down with the Director of the game, Naoki Hamaguchi, to go beat by beat through FINAL FANTASY REBIRTH’s take on the Nibelheim incident and discover what went into remaking it for a new generation.

In this first part (of two), we started by talking about the setting itself…

Homecoming

After a thrilling introduction in which Sephiroth makes short work of a monstrous fiend (we'll talk about his combat more in part 2), the group arrives at their destination: the small village of Nibelheim.

As mentioned, it’s a location that’s very important to the FINAL FANTASY VII story. It’s not only the scene of some pivotal story beats, but also the hometown of Cloud and Tifa - a place with great emotional resonance for the characters and the fans alike.

In other words, the REBIRTH team could not afford to get it wrong.

Fortunately, they had a small head start in building the area to fit the new realistic scale of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

“We didn’t have to do much to redevelop Nibelheim,” says Director Naoki Hamaguchi.

"We’ve gone back to the village several times, including in CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII-, so over the years it’s slowly been expanded out.

“What we did have to expand massively, though, is the level of detail.”

That didn’t just mean creating more detailed buildings and scenery for the higher fidelity of the game - though the team did do that, of course. But it was also about giving the village a greater sense of life than previous versions achieved.

Hamaguchi says: “If we just did a one-to-one replica of the original FINAL FANTASY VII, or even CRISIS CORE, it probably wouldn’t resonate with people the way it should. So, we had to add that extra level of detail.

“In order to recreate the Nibelheim as people remember it and give this part of the story the same feeling as the original, we had to add many extra details. We had to show things in a much more comprehensive way."

This dedication to detail can be seen in that opening section, as you are let loose to wander around the settlement, meet its people and explore Cloud’s past.

Tourist attractions

There’s a lot you can do in Nibelheim. You can visit Cloud’s mother, Claudia, reminisce on the water tower, head into Tifa’s room to play the piano or examine her wardrobe and more. Many of these may be familiar to fans of the original game.

“Obviously people have a lot of memories about some of the interactions you can find,” says Hamaguchi-san. “We wanted to include those in there to give the authentic experience.”

But the team didn’t stop at recreating moments from the original - they also added new elements for players to discover too.

Hamaguchi-san explains: “The reason why we added these things into Nibelheim, and the game in general, was not because of a desire to add something. It was very much a case of: how do we make this village more real? How do we make it feel lived in and give it its own atmosphere?

“For example, there are little interactions, such as Zangan’s exercise class – that’s something that felt real, and right for the village itself. It conveys the idea that people are actually living their lives there.

"And actually, when you return to the village in the present day, you’ll see that exercise has been carried on in a certain way.”

The little details

This focus on giving the village and its people life and character wasn’t just limited to interactable elements. The village is full of little details and environmental storytelling that help give it a sense of place and authenticity - and some of them even set up things that happen later in the game.

“For example, there’s an empty lot at the back of the village where loads of cats just hang around and gather together,” says Hamaguchi-san. “Later on, when you come back, one of those cats even has a part to play in a quest.

"By adding these things, and even involving them in quests, we felt that it really tied together this feeling that this is an organic place - a living, breathing village. That’s how we want the player to perceive it.”

Fan service

In Tifa’s room, the eagle-eyed among you may have spotted a poster featuring the silhouette of a certain bequiffed martial artist - one who may look familiar to players of FINAL FANTASY VIII.

It’s one Zell of a reference, and just one example of how the team has paid loving homage to the FINAL FANTASY series in Nibelheim and beyond.

“We set out to put as much of that stuff as we could into the game,” says Hamaguchi-san with a grin. “Certainly, you’ll spot plenty of references to the Compilation of FINAL FANTASY VII titles, as well as the wider FINAL FANTASY series.

“You’ll find plenty of stuff that we added just to make dedicated fans smile.”

In other words, fans should pay attention to posters and other details throughout the game!

Expanding Mt. Nibel

While Nibelheim was well-established, the area around the village was far less defined. After all, fans had never really been given the opportunity to explore it before.

As Hamaguchi-san points out: “The important thing to remember about the journey from Nibelheim to the reactor is that most of that section wasn’t playable in the original FINAL FANTASY VII.

“It was told through cutscenes up to the part where the party falls down from the rope bridge. So, while memorable, none of that was an explorable area.”

The team realised that reusing this structure for FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH wouldn’t lead to a satisfying experience - and would go against the philosophy of the game itself.

“One of the main concepts for the whole of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is to allow players to experience the actual scale of the world,” says Hamaguchi-san.

“We thought that if we replicated this section from the original, from arriving in the village through to the rope bridge, it just wouldn’t communicate that sense of scale.

“You also wouldn’t get the geography of the region - how far Mt. Nibel is from the village itself, where the mako reactor is in comparison and so on. That’s why we added lots of extra playable sections in there - to give you a feeling of how big it’s supposed to be.”

The team built the Nibel Region to communicate that sense of realistic scale, and let you walk from the village to the bridge in real-time. When creating the area around Mt Nibel, the team looked at some existing sources from previous titles in the FINAL FANTASY VII series.

Hamaguchi-san says: “As well as scale, we also wanted to ensure connectivity with other games in the series. For example, there were some parts added to the Nibel area in CRISIS CORE. We wanted to pull from those in order to make the games feel consistent.”

Credits where they’re due

While there are plenty of threats on the way to the Mt. Nibel reactor, the first section of the journey there is surprisingly peaceful. In fact, it serves as an introduction to the game, as the camera pulls back, a wonderful new arrangement of the main theme plays, and credits display on the screen.

Why add the credit crawl here? Hamaguchi says: “In most FINAL FANTASY games, you have an opening movie, which typically includes the logo, and sometimes credits. It’s been handled in that traditional fashion for quite a long time.

“For this game, we wanted to do it a bit differently - not as a cut scene but instead have the credits over the screen while people were actually playing. That was one reason we decided to do it this way.”

But it wasn’t just a desire to be different that led to this evocative sequence. Hamaguchi-san explains:

“There was another reason, too. When I first saw (STORY & SCENARIO ) Kazushige Nojima’s storyline for that section, we worked out that there’s this journey from the village of Nibelheim through to the reactor - that’s about a kilometer of distance, so travel takes up a fair amount of time.

“We thought that rather than just fill out the area with battles, it’d be a nicer pace if we just had players experience the scenery, the nature around Mt. Nibel to see what kind of area it actually is. We also thought we could have some conversations between characters and start setting the scene as well. Adding the credits over the top of that let us do all that in a nice and balanced way.”

The final sequence is very effective - the combination of visuals, music and dialogue create a feeling of anticipation for the mission ahead of our heroes. As Hamaguchi says:

“It also acts as a kind of a notice to the player that this is where things get going. You’ve had time to explore the village and meet the characters. Now it’s time to step into the wilderness, and to where the game really begins.”

But as the game really begins, this deep dive must end… for now. Bookmark the Square Enix Blog and join us next week on Tuesday 16 April for Part 2 as Hamaguchi-san goes into the rest of the flashback, including Cloud and Sephiroth’s combat prowess, the journey to the reactor and THAT iconic moment.

Square Enix Blog

For more articles about FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, check these out:

If you’re yet to experience the flashback for yourself, you can do so in the full FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - available now for PS5:

Alternatively, a free demo featuring the flashback is also available:

Everything you need to know about the demo

We’ll see you back on the Square Enix Blog for part 2, but for now be sure to follow us on social media for news and updates about the game:

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FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH: Tips and tricks for playing Queen’s Blood

Want to dominate the board in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH’s incredible card game? We offer up some tips and tricks and share our own personal strategies.

By Duncan Heaney

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH’s card game is fast, fun, challenging and compelling in equal measure. It’s possible to lose countless hours within the game’s impressive world just challenging its eccentric residents to match after match.

Of course, it’s not always easy. The game is strategically deep and climbing the ranks requires thought, strategy and a deck full of great cards. Don’t worry though - we’re here to help.

We’ve put together some tips and tricks to help you conquer this most compelling of card games. Hopefully these suggestions will give you the edge you need to ascend all the way to Blood Champion!

There is no ‘correct’ deck

Not so much a tip, as just a disclaimer I want to make upfront. While simple to learn, Queen’s Blood is a game of enormous strategic depth. There are so many tactics and strategies you can consider. This means that there is no single viable deck, and no one set of cards that is categorically the right one to use.

For example, when compiling this guide, I asked numerous people across Square Enix HQ for their own tips, and quickly discovered that no two players used the same deck. Few even shared the same strategies.

For example, one of my favorite things to do is buff cards to absurd levels of strength and dominate the game with sheer power. But someone else on the team favored a more elegant approach based on dominating and maintaining board territory, while another plays a very aggressive game based on destroying and debuffing opponent cards.

All approaches are ‘correct’, and part of the fun is finding your own way. So, when you read on, bear in mind that the following tips are advice and suggestions, not hard and fast rules you must follow.

Buy every card you come across

Be sure to visit item shops in every town - they usually sell Queen’s Blood Booster Packs, which contain new cards to add to your deck. The more cards you have, the more options you have, so it’s well worth the investment.

You can buy cards in other places too, such as certain vending machines, Thorin’s Card Shop in the Grasslands and various stalls in the Gold Saucer. Don’t be picky - splash the cash (or GP) and get everything!

Visit Thorin’s shop each time you reach a new region

The card shop in the Grasslands only has a couple of cards to start with (though they’re very good ones!). However, the stock will increase as you progress through the game and reach other regions. These cards are themed around the Summons you’ll earn in the game, such as Phoenix and Alexander - powerful and very cool.

You’ll have to travel back to the Grasslands to get them, but with the game’s ample fast travel options and super-fast load times, that’s not exactly a problem.

Play everyone you come across

The world of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is full of people eager to play Queen’s Blood with a passing merc, so you should take them up on it as often as you can. If you beat them, you’ll earn a new card - this is key to strengthen your deck and prepare you for the challenges ahead.

If you’re struggling to beat someone, you can go away and come back later - the game doesn’t lock out any content through story progression. But make sure you do come back and face them again.

It’s okay to lose a match

There are no penalties for losing a match - your opponent won’t take any of your cards and you can just restart or play them again. In fact, paying attention to your opponent’s strategies can teach you how to use certain cards or even inspire strategies of your own.

‘Failure is the best teacher’ may be a cliché, but it’s no less true when it comes to Queen’s Blood.

Build a balanced deck

When building your deck, you’ll want to make sure that you have a good balance of 1-rank, 2-rank and 3-rank cards (and maybe a few special cards later in the game - we’ll come onto them).

Rank 1 cards (1 pawn): You’ll likely want (more) of these than any other. (to be successful you will probably need more these cards than any other rank carrds)These may not always score very highly, but they’re essential for building your control of the board, taking control away from your opponent and strengthening other squares for more impactful cards. You’ll want enough that you always have a few during the initial draw of the game.
Rank 2 cards (2 pawns): These offer a range of benefits including increased strength, more flexible capture patterns and many more. Try to have a good number of them, as they’ll likely become the difference between victory and defeat.
Rank 3 cards (3 pawns): These are extraordinarily powerful cards that can change the game entirely when used well. They’re also quite tricky to deploy, as you need a board square with three pawns on to use them. As a result, you shouldn’t carry too many - I found one or two at most was enough.

Finally, later in the game, you’ll get access to options that don’t fall into these three categories - for example, cards that replace other cards. These in particular can be useful against the harder opponents, so it’s worth adding a couple to your deck.

Choose cards that synergize with each other

When it comes to the cards you should fill your deck with… well, that’s up to you. However, try to choose cards that can support each other’s strengths.

For example, the Chocobo & Moogle card raises power for every other enhanced allied card on the board. That combines well with things like the Cactuar and Crystalline Crab in the early game. Add Ifrit as a Rank 3 card, which increases in power for each of your enhanced cards and you can win matches through sheer power. (Ifrit gains power for each enhanced cards)

That’s just an example, of course - there are plenty of strategies as previously mentioned. So, try to use cards that work together in interesting ways.

Use a prebuilt deck if preferred

Perhaps you’re not really into deckbuilding games, but you still want to see where the Queen’s Blood story goes. Or maybe you just want to choose a viable selection of cards very quickly. If so, FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH lets you choose from a selection of pre-built decks so you can get into the action right away.

You’ll need to own the right cards, of course, and the number of decks increases as the game progresses, so if you’re playing regularly and buying new cards, you should always be ready to compete.

Tread carefully around the middle of the board

If you’re like me, when you first start Queen’s Blood your first instinct is to probably try to rush and capture as much territory as quickly as possible. Resist those urges because that approach can be fatal.

Success in Queen’s Blood is about tactically controlling the board, and you want to limit your opponent’s opportunities to play cards. If you create an opening in the middle, they will likely drop a card that turns all your lovely green pawns into their nasty red ones.

Play it slow and think ahead. If you have a single green pawn next to a red after your turn, there’s a good chance you’re about to lose it. Instead focus on the edges. Try to let the computer take the first move into the middle squares - then you can be the one to swoop in and convert their pawns.

Sometimes it’s best to let your opponent play first

If you’re nervous about the implications of playing a card - for example, it gives your opponent an opening to steal your territory - remember that you can pass your turn. Your AI opponents don’t tend to do this to you, so you can force them into the less favorable position as a result.

A word of warning though - only do this if you’re currently winning or drawing across the lanes. If the computer has more points lit up than you, it will also pass and bring the game to a close.

A single lane can be enough to win

Even though you’re competing for control of three lanes, that doesn’t mean you necessarily have to win them all.

Victory is determined by your total score across all the lanes your control. That means that a really high number from a single lane can be enough to beat your opponent, even if they win the other two.

Something to bear in mind against certain opponents…

A quick tip for the final part

No spoilers here, but the finale of the Queen’s Blood story will test everything you’ve learned about the game so far, and possibly even force you to change up your strategy. It certainly took me more than a few tries to beat it.

As with all Queen’s Blood, there are different ways to win, but for me one card was the MVP here: the Chocobo Jockey (purchasable with GP at the Gold Saucer). It adds 10 points to any winning row, which may give you the edge on points against this very tricky opponent.

We’ll say no more for spoilers, but if you’re struggling, then consider adding it to your deck. It’s not an auto-win by any means, but it may help you as it did me.

Experiment!

As I said at the start, these are all merely suggestions. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different decks and strategies and try things out. You can replay opponents, even when beaten, and the Gold Saucer in particular offers a range of matches that are great for trying out new cards and ideas.

The more you dig into Queen’s Blood, the more you get out of it, so play around, try things out, and generally have fun.

Some deck and card suggestions from the team

To round things off, here are some examples of some decks we used in the game, so you can see how the above can be applied. These worked for us, so perhaps they’ll work for you too.

Make it big, buffed and burly

This one is mine - it’s all about controlling space while making cards as strong as possible.

Typical Strategy:

Focus on using cards that enhance others
Use Titan to build a three-pawn square quickly
Play Ifrit and watch his strength skyrocket as more cards are enhanced
Use Insectoid Chimera and Griffin to replace cards next to enemy pawns and capture those squares for yourself
Use Chocobo Jockey to add a massive 10 points to a row you win. That extra score is often enough to win the game!

Build up and destroy

Community Manager Madelyn suggests this deck, which is based boosting her cards by destroying her own or enemy cards.

Mulligan to ensure you start with a rank 1 card, but keep Tonberry King, Midgardsormr, Chocobo & Moogle, and/or Sea Devil if in starting hand
Try to get Sea Devil, Midgardsormr, and Tonberry King out before you replace other cards with Insectoid Chimera, Gigantoad, Grandhorn, or Griffon
Try to fill as much area as possible to corner your opponent before placing Rank 3 cards in Rows 1 and 2
Start to replace and destroy cards after Midgardsormr and /or Tonberry King have been placed. Remember, you can also take back spots or increase the rank of spots using replacement cards.

We hope these tips help you in your quest to become Blood Champion. If you’re yet to experience the glory of Queen’s Blood for yourself, FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is out now for PS5:

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FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH: Suzie Yeung talks Yuffie Kisaragi

The actress who brings the materia-obsessed ninja to life talks explains finding new depth to the character, what Yuffie means to her and what’s new for FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

By Duncan Heaney

Yuffie Kisaragi is back!

After headlining FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE’s DLC, EPISODE INTERmission, the materia-loving ninja is joining Cloud and company as a fully playable member of the party in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

This young warrior from Wutai adds fresh energy to the team, thanks partly to a brilliant voice performance from Suzie Yeung. We recently spoke to the actor about her experiences on the game, Yuffie’s new role in REBIRTH and how she made this character sing… literally.

In your own words, who is Yuffie Kisaragi?

Yuffie is… a huge goober (laughs)!

She has such grandiose visions of herself and the world around her. She’s this kid who has such wide-open sparkly eyes. She looks at the world and is like, “This is so much! And there’s so much to do!”

Except for Midgar, which she actively trashes on (laughs).

She has a mission to restore the former glory of Wutai and she will do anything in her power to do that. And have lots of fun along the way.

How did you feel when you saw people react positively to your portrayal of Yuffie in FF7R EPISODE INTERmission?

I was really stunned by all the positive reactions from everyone.

I’ve seen some comments online where they were really excited by the interpretation of Yuffie, because prior to that, she wasn’t super-developed. The EPISODE INTERmission DLC was the first time we got to see much more of her character, and I’m grateful that people were happy with my rendition of it!

To see them say things like, “She’s just like when I imagined the game back in 1997”… I was very excited to see that!

Do you remember any moments where you realized it had gone down well?

Even before I met any fans, I had seen some reactions to the FINAL FANTASY VII INTERGRADE trailer. Just seeing the reaction from everybody was so exciting for me. Just watching them be like, “Is that Yuffie?! Is that my daughter?” (laughs).

It was very heartwarming. I specifically remember that I was streaming FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE because I’m such a big fan. And when I got to the end and the credits started rolling, I began crying. I was just thinking to myself, “I’m going to be part of this team.”

It made me so emotional and the fans on the other side reacting were just as excited as I was.

How has Yuffie changed between EPISODE INTERmission and FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH?

The core of Yuffie pretty much stays the same, but she definitely carries a weight to her since INTERmission because of all the events that happened.

She doesn’t necessarily let it show at first when she interacts with everybody, but she’s still very much focused on her goals.

Now she has a definite mission, whereas before it was a lot of fun and games. It still is for REBIRTH, but there’s a serious side we get to explore later on in the game. Her coming to terms with what happened - it’ll be an emotional scene, I think.

What was the most challenging thing about playing her in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH?

Yuffie is a very reactive character. Everything about her is very ‘big’ - in contrast to the existing team, who I think are relatively serious and a lot more grounded.

So, it was kind of challenging to balance that - to make her into something that’s not a caricature, or something that will stick out like a sore thumb.

We don’t always get visuals or really know how she’s going to react, so it was all about toeing that balance between expressive and contained. We had to play around a lot to find that perfect balance where she’s not too goofy.

How did you find that right balance?

Yuffie is very exuberant, very full of life. But also, likeable and she can be down to earth sometimes - surprisingly!

But the credit goes to the writing of her character. She has been expanded in such a way that we haven’t really seen before, and I can’t be more grateful to the people who developed her character and gave her so many aspects that you wouldn’t expect.

In the original game, she was presented as this really bratty, sassy character and that was pretty much all she had to her. So, I was pleasantly surprised to see she has a lot of depth to her.

At the end of the day, she is a kid. Although she has really lofty opinions of herself, she can still be a little insecure sometimes.

What was the most memorable moment you had during the recording process?

It was when Yuffie got motion sick - and there are not too few of those scenes (laughs).

I just remember when we were playing it out, my director, Kirk Thornton, was like, “Ok, I need you to really act like you’re vomiting right now. I need you actually hurl chunks!” So, I was trying to give my grossest reaction - and it was great and really fun!

I’m sorry to all the sympathetic vomiters out there.

But then the team were like, “Actually, you need to tone it down - they don’t really like that.”

In the original take it was quite a lot! Hopefully it’s scaled back a little in the actual game (laughs).

What was your favorite scene to play in FF7R EPISODE INTERmission?

I like all the scenes where Yuffie interacts with Sonon. I think she has a really good rapport with him.

I specifically liked that scene when she tells him to calm down because I think that’s the first time that we saw Yuffie be really serious and sure of herself. Where she’s the adult in the situation, when she normally wouldn’t be.

So having that purview into that side of her character was really awesome to explore.

What was your favorite scene to play in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH?

Oh man, so much happens in REBIRTH!

I distinctly remember an interaction where she starts singing. I had to memorize the tune and they had actual lyrics written out. I think it took the entire session because I am not a singer and they had to try really hard to get it right (laughs).

Can you sing something for us now?

Umm… (Suzie starts humming the chocobo theme, while Red XIII actor Max Mittelman starts laying a beat from elsewhere in the room).

Heck yeah! That’s Red XIII beatboxing in the background (laughs).

(To Max) Thanks for the backup!

What is your favorite memory of working on the FINAL FANTASY VII remake series?

We were invited to the FINAL FANTASY VII 25th Anniversary orchestra concert. I love all the music in FINAL FANTASY in general, so being there and hearing all the tracks really hit a wave of nostalgia for me. It took me through the entire game again.

I distinctly remember that before intermission, they played Yuffie’s battle theme - and as soon as the music started swelling, I freaked out. I had no idea that was going to be included - and to hear it… I was so excited!

Aleks Le, who plays Sonon, was sitting next to me and we were just geeking out. It was a really special moment!

What’s your favorite thing about Yuffie?

That’s so hard because I love everything about her! She’s so precious and I just want to protect her at all times!

I just love that she’s a big kid who’s excited for adventures. She’s super-sarcastic and witty and bratty, which I love - especially when she interacts with more serious characters.

She just brings the life to a lot of situations she’s in. But surprisingly, she can be mature when the situation calls for it.

Who’s your favorite character other than Yuffie?

My favorite character besides Yuffie is maybe Aerith. She’s like the light of the entire party, especially in REMAKE where Cloud is super serious and gloomy. So, Aerith brings levity to a lot of situations.

I love that about her. She’s sassy, while at the same time being kind. All of the characters in REMAKE have so many different dimensions to them and I really, really appreciated her scenes.

I think Briana White does an amazing job at bringing her to life.

What are you most excited for fans to discover about the game?

Everything!

REBIRTH feels to me like it is massive, and epic. The first game was restricted to Midgar, but now they get to go out into this huge world, meet tons of new characters and explore new places… there’s just so much to do.

I’m excited to experience it myself because there are so many side quests and minigames. But I’m most excited for the team dynamic - for the team to meet each other.

Finally, is there anything you want to say to fans?

Thank you so much for all your support!

Everything I’ve seen has been super-positive and everyone is so excited for this game. It has such a legacy and has been in everyone’s hearts for such a long time. To be in this game is an honor, and it’s changed my life.

So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to all the fans who enjoy the game.

Yuffie joins Cloud and company on their adventures in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, available now for PS5:

For more from the cast, check out our interviews:

Finally, to stay up to date with news and information about the game, be sure to follow us on social media:

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FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH’s Britt Baron and Briana White talk Women’s History Month

The actors who bring Tifa Lockhart and Aerith Gainsborough to life discuss Women’s History Month, their careers and the influential women who made them who they are today.

By Square Enix

Women's History Month is a reminder to celebrate the success and contribution of women across all walks of life - including, of course, the games industry.

Which brings us to Britt Baron and Briana White. These two actors are front and center in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH and imbue Tifa and Aerith respectively with palpable strength, warmth, and humanity, even as the characters face some of their darkest moments yet.

Their exceptional performances elevate the game to even greater heights than the gameplay alone and are more than worthy of recognition - as the positive reaction from players and critics alike attests.

For Women’s History Month, Britt and Briana were gracious enough to share their story about their careers, the challenges they’ve faced and the women who inspire them - and how other women can pursue similar success.

Britt Baron (Tifa Lockhart)

How do you celebrate Women’s History Month?

I make a point to support women-owned businesses as much as I can. Women entrepreneurs inspire me greatly, so I put in extra effort to back their businesses and causes during this month.

I also try to call my mom more, because she is the greatest woman in my life!

How did you get your start as an actor?

I got my start as an actor by doing a small play at a theater in Burbank during my first winter in LA.

From there, the same casting director (Sandi Logan) cast me in my first role on television, where I had a few lines and joined the union. Things kind of progressed from there.

It felt like climbing a ladder, with each step leading to more opportunities.

Who are some of the women who inspired you to be the person you are today?

Of course, there are so many famous female icons who have inspired me throughout my life, but I think the women who have had the most profound impact on me are the ones I know personally.

My mom, aunts, cousins, and my best girlfriends come to mind. They've all pursued different professional and personal paths, yet they share qualities of being incredibly smart, driven, confident, and, above all, kind.

Surrounding myself with such strong, passionate, hardworking, self-motivated, supportive, and funny women throughout my life has helped me strive to be the best I can be.

What advice would you give to any women who want to work in this industry or in voice acting?

It's hard for me to offer advice because I still feel like I have no idea what I’m doing and am just making it up as I go! But I guess my best advice would be to not be afraid to speak up, contribute your own ideas, ask questions, and take up space.

I've spent a lot of my adult life trying to let go of the notion that I have to be a "good girl"- that I shouldn't challenge the status quo, that I should just do as I'm told, not ask questions, and just be grateful for any opportunity - which, of course, I am.

But I also have worked on finding my own voice professionally. Voice acting and acting in general is collaborative and very creative. Being confident enough to speak up, to add an idea, to take risks are all important qualities. I think part of the reason I booked the role of Tifa was because I had an unusual amount of confidence and spoke up in my callback that day, I asked questions, I offered to try the lines differently etc.

I think as women in any profession we should all be reminded that our ideas, our perspectives, and our voices matter.

Briana White (Aerith Gainsborough)

How do you celebrate Women’s History Month?

I'm really big on celebrating the wins of the amazing women in my life, and that doubles during Women's History Month!

A friend of mine just hit her fitness goal? Amazing! One of my voice actor friends just announced a new role? Incredible achievement! Sometimes it can be really difficult to celebrate your own wins, but it's easier when someone you love hypes you up!

My friends & I are always sending "Congratulations" texts, sharing each other’s posts on social media, and cheers-ing bobas to each other's accomplishments. Sending even more love & support during Women's History month is a no-brainer!

How did you get your start as an actor?

I fell in love with acting after my first school play at 7 years old. From then on, I only had one dream for my life: make a living doing what I love.

I went to NYU for theater and met a professor there who introduced me to my first agent in LA, and I've been pursuing my dream ever since! I started with working for free on student films and anything else I could book. I then started booking indie films and got a co-star on Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, which allowed me to join the actor's union, SAG-AFTRA.

After years of hard work and overcoming the many challenges of this industry, I finally have achieved my dream of making a living doing what I love.

Who are some of the women who inspired you to be the person you are today?

I am a mosaic of little pieces made up from all the women I admire.

My mom is my love for gaming and my drive to be fully capable in everything I do. My cousin is my desire to work hard to be able to give back to the community. My grandma is my love for family.

I am so grateful to every woman who makes the world a better place in the humblest of ways- like bringing over food to a sick friend or spending extra time wrapping Christmas presents to look especially nice. I take inspiration from the "Everyday Hero" type of women in my life, because in my opinion, they have the biggest positive impact on the world.

What advice would you give to any women who want to work in this industry or in voice acting?

I think it's only fair for me to say that it's true that this is a tough industry, so you'll have to get creative to navigate it sustainably. Find ways to live happily and pay your bills while you climb.

However, it's also true that there's no greater feeling than pursuing your passions, so if voice acting is what you want to do, absolutely go for it. Take lessons, fill your space with inspiration, and use every ounce of resourcefulness you have.

I truly believe the only people in this industry who don't succeed are the ones who give up.

Many thanks to Briana and Britt for their inspiring insight. Their performances elevate the story of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH (and REMAKE) and help create two characters that you can’t help but like and root for… no matter how difficult the circumstances.

For more from these two talented actors beyond the game, you can follow them on social media:

Britt Baron:

Briana White

To stay up to date with news and information about Square Enix and its games, be sure to follow us too:

Finally, if you’d like to join Square Enix, be sure to check out current vacancies on our careers site:

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FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH: Max Mittelman talks Red XIII

The English voice actor behind FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH’s furriest hero reveals how he found a unique voice for Red XIII.

By Duncan Heaney

Red XIII made quite the impression when he joined Cloud and the team as a guest character near the finale of FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE. Now he’s stepping up as a fully playable member of party!

In FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, the Cosmo Canyon native plays an important part in the story, and the new game takes both you and him on quite the journey. This richer portrayal is aided by an incredible English voice performance by actor Max Mittelman, who helps brings the four-legged hero to life like never before.

We recently had a chance to speak to Max about the role and what to expect from Red XIII in the new RPG.

Warning: Spoilers for FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH

In your own words, who is Red XIII?

Red XIII is… hmm… I was about to say what species he is, but I realize I don’t know (laughs)! He’s not a dog (laughs).

Red XIII is a “lab rat dog”. He’s defensive and guarded when we first meet him, and we find out a little later why that is. He’s also very protective, including of his crew who he gets to know and falls in love with. Even if he might not show it at times.

He’s got a lot of complexity about him, and the more you find out in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, the more you realize just how complex he is.

How familiar were you with FINAL FANTASY VII before taking the role of Red XIII?

I never played FINAL FANTASY VII, but my favorite game of all time was FINAL FANTASY VIII!

I played it on PC and fell in love the music and the cutscenes. There were no voices, but it didn’t matter at the time. It was a type of storytelling I’d never experienced before in a videogame and for me at the time - maybe 8 or 9 years old - I was so immersed.

It was incredible.

I didn’t have a PlayStation growing up, no matter how much I begged my parents, so I didn’t play FINAL FANTASY VII. If I did, I’d have fallen in love just as much, I’m sure.

But I love the whole world of FINAL FANTASY. I played on Nintendo consoles too - it’s my favorite franchise of all time!

What did you think of the reaction of the character in FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE?

When REMAKE came out and people heard my voice, I was very nervous because everyone has a different version of what that voice should sound like in their head. You can’t please everyone, but that said, when the game came out…

I try to avoid online comments, but when the game came out, I couldn’t help myself and looked at a few of your comments online. Overwhelmingly fans loved the voice, which couldn’t have made me happier. To know I was doing the character justice.

I was thrilled when I heard the fan reaction, people coming up to me in conventions and saying how it was perfect, exactly what they had in their minds. So, I was really happy about it.

How did you find Red XIII’ distinctive voice?

When I was auditioning for Red XIII, I actually gave two takes for the character. The first was like you hear in the game, and the second was a little more… dynamic shall we say.

I kept wanting to do that more dynamic version of the voice and push it in a direction that the team didn’t want it to go. I wanted him to be a little spunkier, and have a little more energy, but we save that. I won’t say why we hold it back, but you get to find why he is as reserved he is.

Oh, and obviously, we also tried the Christopher Walken take, and the Joe Pesci take, but they didn’t like those. So, I went back to my original takes (laughs).

How has your performance changed in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH?

Well, REBIRTH gives you a lot more time with Red XIII, and it has affected how I play the character in a couple of different ways.

The first is that the more I know about the character, and the more he interacts with others in the game, the more three dimensional I can make him. Consciously or sub-consciously my own understanding of who Red XIII is deepens, and that adds layers to the performance.

The other way is when he is in Cosmo Canyon and talks as Nanaki for the first time… that that was a big day for me. When I originally did the audition, I was two voices - the original Red XIII voice and the Nanaki voice. So, for me, there was a lot riding on that scene.

I’m glad it ended up the way it did because I’m really proud of it. The team was happy, and hopefully the fans will be happy too!

On the subject of fans, Red XIII is a very popular character, so do you feel the weight of that expectation

Yes, I always want to live up to fans expectations.

It’s very difficult when you’re in the booth recording, as you don’t want to think about that. You want to stay present to the scene you’re currently working on. But that’s always in my mind a little bit.

That might be why I’m one of the most annoying people in the booth to work with. I’m always going, “Can I get another take? Just one more?”

And by take six or seven, the Director’s like, “I got it!” And I’m like, “You sure though?” (laughs).

So yes, I always feel the fans’ expectations, I always want to live up to it. But at the same time, to give a full performance, I have to be very present with the character.

Red XIII has some quite intense and emotional scenes in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH. What was it like performing these moments?

Red has some big moments, especially with his family. I’m typically a big joker in the booth. Between me and the Director, Kirk, we’ll throw impressions around and joke with each other - we like to play around, we like to have to fun.

But when it gets serious and emotional, I hold back from that because I want to put my heart into it. Which also means that if Kirk makes a joke, I just don’t respond! Sorry Kirk!

It’s for the good of the game, so he understands (laughs).

What has been the most challenging thing about playing Red XIII?

It’s probably keeping so reserved. I think Red XIII is, at his core, very child-like. So, it can be tough for me to stay in Red XIII and not let Nanaki slip out. Not let that inner child come out to play.

It’s also tough to ride a line between being defensive and protective and hiding the love he has for his team. There are all these things that I want to incorporate into the performance, and I have to selectively choose the bits I want for each recording.。

I rely very heavily on the director and producer to guide me through the process, and they have done a masterful job of guiding me along.

Which party member do you think Red XIII has your favorite interactions with?

Hmm… Suzie (Yeung - Yuffie voice actor) is standing over there raising her hand! Well, I do feel like I have a very special relationship with Yuffie in the game (laughs).

It’s true though! Yuffie and I have a cool thing going on. I think Aerith and Red XIII have a special connection as well.

So, who’s your personal favorite character in the game?

My favorite character is Cait Sith for one specific reason: I am a sucker for dialects.

I love dialects and I fell in love with Cait Sith’s. I asked for it to be played in the recording booth - Paul Tinto does a bang-up job as that character!

What did you think when you saw Red XIII on a chocobo for the first time?

Actually, I was off social media at the time you revealed that, so I didn’t watch the trailer until my friend Emma sent me a screenshot of Red XIII on the chocobo. And I said, “I’m sorry, what’s this?” and she sent me the full video.

I think it’s fantastic - probably the best decision a FINAL FANTASY game has ever made throughout all FINAL FANTASY games of all time. I couldn’t be prouder (laughs).

Actually, two people sent that trailer to me! I think Suzie did too…?

PR: She has the actual text here!

Max: Oh no! Sorry Suzie! (laughs).

What’s your favorite experience of working on FINAL FANTASY VII remake series?

I think my favorite memory was when I finally got to meet some of the cast at the FINAL FANTASY VII 25th Symphony Orchestra event.

There were two reasons: I got to meet the cast, and nothing makes me happier than connecting with the people I’m involved in a project with.

The other reason that was that I had never in my adult life seen a live orchestra. It brought me back to my favorite type of music when I was a kid, which was classical music, (getting increasingly animated) and since then I’ve seen a bunch of cool symphony orchestras, so that was a really cool moment for me!

Everyone’s laughing at me - but it was a really cool moment (laughs)!

Also, at New York Comic-Con, I got to meet the last two members of the core cast, Cody (Cloud) and John (Barret). So that was pretty special for me.

Finally, is there anything you want to say to fans?

I just hope you love the game.

We pulled our hearts and souls into the game, and I know the developers did too. Thank you for playing, thank you for your comments and your love. You guys are amazing!

Many thanks to Max for his time - and his exceptional performance as everyone’s favorite Cosmo Canyon native.

You can experience Red XIII’s journey with Cloud and his allies in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, available now for PS5:

Want to read more articles about FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH? Check these out:

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FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH developer messages

The creators of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH have shared their thoughts on this epic new RPG - read them here!

By Duncan Heaney

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH has arrived - and we're sure many of you have already started your journey across this vibrant and evocative world!

To celebrate the game's release, some members of the development team have shared their thoughts on working on the game and provided messages for fans.

We hope you enjoy reading them!

Yoshinori Kitase - Producer

Working as the Director of the original FINAL FANTASY VII, I had the opportunity to deliver a next-gen RPG to an audience of gaming fans. FINAL FANTASY VII’s compelling cast of characters and dramatic story impacted the hearts and minds of many, many players, and I am tremendously proud of the fact that it has continued to be so beloved for more than 27 years.

And today, I feel that same sense of pride when I look at what the Development Team has accomplished with FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH. I think that this latest adventure will delight long-time fans with its blend of familiar and new, while also giving new fans a chance to experience the same emotional impact that players felt in 1997 as they begin their own FINAL FANTASY journey.

I hope that FINAL FANTASY fans and newcomers alike will enjoy this new adventure.

Tetsuya Nomura - Creative Director

The unknown journey begins at last.

I’m sure that we will surprise a great many of you with the unexpected twists and turns that this story will take from beginning to end.

Please take as many detours as possible to stop in on your friends and experience more of the world as you set about your own adventure in REBIRTH.

I have already talked a lot about the story in interviews and other conversations, so I don't think that there is too much left for me to say.

Thank you for your patience. I hope that you enjoy FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

Naoki Hamaguchi - Director

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is brought to you by the main creative minds behind the original FINAL FANTASY VII - Yoshinori Kitase, Tetsuya Nomura, Kazushige Nojima and Motomu Toriyama - and a team of the current generation of creators who played the original back when it was first released, such as myself. It represents a tremendous creative undertaking, in which both sides brought their own perspectives to bear, and bounced ideas off one another. In addition, a huge number of creators from all around the world, whose lives were hugely impacted by the original game, have contributed to the development of this title. Together, we have produced a rich game world with a distinctly international feel, without losing sight of this title’s roots in the original FINAL FANTASY VII.

REBIRTH is the fruit of this highly diverse development team’s efforts, and the second title in the FINAL FANTASY VII remake project. Against the backdrop of a vast world map, players will adventure across the various regions of the world in pursuit of Sephiroth. We have prepared a wealth of different content across the game world, and we have designed this game with an emphasis on allowing players to make their own decisions and decide for themselves which parts they would like to play as they explore the world map.

REBIRTH tells the story of Cloud and the party’s escape from Midgar, and follows their adventures up to the Forgotten Capital, where Aerith’s fate will be revealed. Across the course of this new adventure, we have explored the theme of bonds between friends. I have been involved in game development for many years, but REBIRTH has come together as the best one yet. I can’t wait for everybody to experience it for themselves.

Motomu Toriyama - Co-Director

FFVII REBIRTH starts with Cloud and the party's escape from Midgar, and tells the story of their journey across the vast world of FFVII. REBIRTH features a number of important locations from the original FFVII that formed the backdrop to some of its famous scenes, including Junon, Costa del Sol, The Gold Saucer and Cosmo Canyon. The finished product is like a FFVII round-the-world tour. But of course, FFVII REBIRTH doesn’t just reimagine famous scenes from the original game; it adds a number of iconic moments that were newly conceived for this title.

In REBIRTH, Cloud and his companions are on the run from Shinra, while at the same time pursuing Sephiroth. They will also have the chance to relax together on their journey, although you could go as far as to say that this is exclusive to the FFVII REBIRTH experience. If you are already familiar with the original FFVII, the day-to-day atmosphere of its settings, and Cloud’s exciting journey with his companions, then please just pretend that your memories were stolen by the Whispers, and try to experience the game with fresh eyes. I hope that you all make lots of new FFVII memories.

Kazushige Nojima - Story and Scenario

Around the time that we finished making the original FINAL FANTASY VII, a senior Programmer turned to me and said, “It sure seems like Aerith and Tifa don’t like each other, don’t you think?”.

I was shocked to hear this, as they had obviously been on an amazing journey together and formed a close friendship because of it. But once I asked myself if I had really conveyed that part of their relationship, I found that I wasn't too confident. Not only were there not enough specific scenes to convey this, but there also wasn’t enough dialogue that hinted at their friendship. I regretted this for a long time.

When the remake project first began, one of the challenges that I set for myself was to properly portray Aerith and Tifa’s friendship. At the same time, I also made an effort to convey the various relationships between the other characters, through their choices of words and various different scenes.

As I undertook this challenge, the word “connectedness” came to the fore as a key concept for the story. It’s because of this connectedness that the characters and the planet on which they live were born. This discovery was a fresh new shock to me. This is how the character of “The Planet”, which plays an important role in this game, came to be portrayed. The Planet, and the world in which it resides, play very active roles in REBIRTH. I can’t wait for players to experience this for themselves.

And finally, thank you to that Programmer from all those years ago.

Shintaro Takai - Art Director

I handled the Art Direction for FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

That mostly involved deciding on the overall direction of the graphics, and overseeing quality management.

Since the last title, REMAKE, was set in the iconic location of Midgar, we stuck to a consistent visual style and direction. REBIRTH, however, allows players to explore a vast and diverse world, so in the truest sense of the phrase, it felt like the show really began in REBIRTH.

In performing my role as Art Director, I actually didn’t pay as much attention to the original FF7 as people think. My goal was to use convincing and detailed graphics to reexamine and reconstruct, without relying too heavily on the original game’s design.

I worked with a fantastic team of staff, and we poured our heart and souls into creating the characters, backgrounds, animations, staging, visual effects, menus and lighting for this game.

And it’s not just the graphics - the whole game is crammed full of content.

We hope that you will take your time in unravelling Cloud and his friends' story, and that you will empathise with the characters on their journey. Please enjoy soaking up everything that the world of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH has to offer!

Teruki Endo - Battle Director

From start to finish, the development of this game has been a long journey in which everybody involved has given their all throughout. The end result is a huge game where every aspect of the gameplay has been expertly crafted and stuffed to the brim, and of course, the combat is no exception.

When I first saw how much content would need to be created for this game, even just for the combat, I honestly wasn’t sure that we could put it all together in time - from the huge amount of character abilities to the summons and the systems that allow you to fight alongside them, to the rich variety of enemy types that keeps the game feeling fresh whenever players enter a new location, to the boss battles that we crafted to have their own distinctive feel, and each and every one of these elements featuring its own rich variety of gameplay and visual elements. But the Development team put their all into making something great, and as a result of this, we were able to put everything together in a way that showed great attention to detail in every aspect.

For REBIRTH, we took a similar approach to the one that we took for REMAKE, where we didn’t bind ourselves too closely to the original FINAL FANTASY VII, even for elements that originated from that game. Instead, we reconsidered every element of the game to make it fit with REBIRTH’s gameplay.

This means that the game feels nostalgic, while also offering an exciting new gameplay experience, and I think that’s one of the quirks of this project that makes it so interesting.

I hope that players who have picked up the game will enjoy this game so much that they lose track of time.

Takako Miyake - Environment Director

The field environments for FFVII REBIRTH have been reimagined using new technology, and with a “dig deep” mindset, and I believe that this approach truly lives up to the name of REBIRTH.

The diversity on display in the original FINAL FANTASY VII, as well as the way that everything felt distinct and jumbled together (in a good way) might just have been one of the most appealing aspects of the original game. This is also expressed in the world outside of Midgar, with the party having escaped Midgar in the previous game, though this means that the level of breadth and complexity has increased significantly as well. The development of this title was really tough, but even during development, the staff were unanimous that the experience is worth the effort that we put in. So much so that during development, whenever we were wandering around inside the game environment in order to check that everything was working properly, we would sometimes forget that we were supposed to be performing checks, and just get lost in enjoying the game.

We worked hard to make sure that each and every field environment would offer something fresh and surprising to both players of the original FINAL FANTASY VII and REMAKE and to new players alike, and that they would give players that same sense of adventure that the gameplay and character encounters do.

Please enjoy FFVII REBIRTH, everybody.

Iichiro Yamaguchi - Lighting Director

The first game that I worked on after joining Square Enix was Dirge of Cerberus FINAL FANTASY VII, so I was so excited to see Vincent and all the other characters who did not appear in the first part of the REMAKE series again.

The previous game featured many indoor locations and dark nighttime scenes in Midgar, and it was hard working on a lot of those. However, for REBIRTH, the lighting team were able to escape the dark confines of Midgar alongside Cloud and his friends and see all the bright and open locations outside of the city. We were overwhelmed by the sheer number and size of all these areas and came up against many tricky obstacles, but I feel that the whole team came together, and we made an amazing game in the end.

I hope you enjoy the endlessly vast world of FFVII REBIRTH, where so many different elements come together and intertwine.

Hidekazu Miyake - Cutscene Director

For FFVII REBIRTH, I was in charge of the Cutscene team’s operations including scheduling and personnel, and the staging for battle-related action scenes such as summons and bosses, and the parade.

The total volume for this title has exceeded the previous title, but our efforts in creating the “dance”, “parade”, “play” and “mural” scenes rival that of the Honey Bee Inn dance scene in the previous title. We worked with many experts to recreate the scenes to modern standards while maintaining elements of the original, so while we are proud of what we have produced, we're also worried as to whether the changes will be accepted by the players.

The entire team was relieved that Sephiroth’s “Night” and the unrelenting turn of events that follow it in the demo were well received, but we are looking forward to finding out whether the rest will be accepted to the same degree!

With new friends joining the team, please experience the changes in their emotions while exploring the vast world right until the end. We have prepared a wide variety of events including the main character enjoying card games perhaps a bit too much, reacknowledging family bonds, and reuniting with “that” rival, so I think that there will definitely be experiences that bring emotional highs and lows!

Masaaki Kazeno - Character Modelling Director

Escape Midgar to the outside world!

At the start of development, I enjoyed imagining the adventures in FFVII REBIRTH while recalling the original game. For Cloud and his friends to go on their adventure in this outside world, the Character Creation team discussed how to polish the characters who have appeared in the previous game in an appealing manner.

We decided to modify their outfits, adjust their hair...looking back on it, we touched on almost everything. Of course, we have worked hard to create the new characters joining the team - Cait Sith, Vincent and Cid - so that the world of REBIRTH stands out even more.

I hope that you will enjoy taking shots of these characters in the Photo Mode when you play as them.

However, it’s not just the playable characters that we would like you to see. From summons to bosses, there are even more unique characters than the previous title, some being nostalgic, while some are new. If we start talking about the others such as townspeople and minigame characters, the list is endless. We look forward to finding out if the thoughts that we put into it will appeal to people who know the original game, as well as new players.

Yoshiyuki Soma - Animation Director

Three years and ten months since the previous title REMAKE, and two years and eight months since INTERGRADE with the additional Yuffie episode, I’m relieved that we have been able to release REBIRTH. From the development side, time flew by so quickly that I barely have any memory outside of working on the game, especially for the year and a half during the second half of development.

Every member has put their heart and soul into the animations so that the unique charms of each character are fully expressed. Exhilarating battle animations that also let you feel the bonds between the members of the team. Field actions and travelling with vehicles, full of enjoyable exploration elements through flying and swimming through the vast world. Minigames with unique, individual appeals.

Furthermore, in order to illustrate the epic story and plenty of side quests through event scenes, we have drastically changed the structure of generic events and focused on raising the overall quality. Also, people in the street who are often overlooked when playing through quickly have been worked on to an even larger volume than the previous game. I would love for players to enjoy every corner of the world of FFVII REBIRTH outside of the main story, each player in their own playstyle.

Akira Iwasawa - Facial Director

In FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, I was in charge of the Facial Direction of the characters.

I was still in high school when the original game was released, and I can still remember playing it with my older brother. After joining Square Enix, I was involved in the development of FINAL FANTASY VII ADVENT CHILDREN and CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII–, allowing me to gain a deeper understanding of the facial expressions of Cloud and the other characters. I think that I was able to build on that experience in the previous title, REMAKE.

The members of staff who created the facial animations are a group of people like me who have fond memories of FINAL FANTASY VII. We put our heart and soul into each of the characters’ facial expressions, so I hope that the players will pay attention to them. In this title, even more new characters appear. They all have unique and charming facial expressions. Of course, Cloud and his friends are also even more expressive than they were in the previous title.

This game can be enjoyed by people who played the original game as well as those who play it for the first time, so I hope that all kinds of people will play and experience the new FINAL FANTASY VII.

Hsueh Huei Liao - Lead UI Artist

And there it was! The first step on our new journey.

This line has stuck with me since the start of development. Much like this “first step” of Cloud and the party's journey, one of the big goals for REBIRTH was not just to carry everything over as-is from REMAKE, but to come up with a new look for the UI.

The 3D characters shown on the main menu help to connect players to the story, and they occasionally have uncomfortably serious expressions on their faces, except when they’re decked out in their tropical resort outfits. This helps players to feel more connected to the story whenever they open the menu. I am very grateful for all the support that we received for various sections of the UI during development.

This game features such a wide variety of minigames that it’s almost like an amusement park, and we have worked on some dedicated UIs for each of them that fit with the game’s lore. Only REBIRTH could require so many different genres of UI design in a single title. As a creator, it was very fun to work on, but the workload was also pretty tough. Even so, the UI team worked hard and without compromise on each and every one of them, to such a high standard that each one is almost like its own standalone game.

Why not take a break from adventuring and chill out with your favourite minigame?

Yuuki Akama - Director of Photography

My first experience of working at SQUARE ENIX was on FINAL FANTASY VII ADVENT CHILDREN.

Having the opportunity to work on the REMAKE project for FFVII, which set the stage for ADVENT CHILDREN, was just as exciting and delightful as when I first played the original game as a student. I am so happy that I got to go on this emotional journey with the players.

I worked on directing the graphical portion of the cutscenes in FFVII REBIRTH, and I faced a huge challenge along the way: How can I give players the same sense of a vast open world outside of Midgar that players of the original FINAL FANTASY VII felt?

Of course, there are some conventional ways to do this, such as atmospheric perspective and other similar techniques, but I couldn’t help but wonder if there was something more that I could make players feel... And to be honest, I didn’t find the solution to this challenge while working on this title. When I think about this now, I think that the one thing I could add on top of the information conveyed through just the five senses would be my feelings towards this title .

I made sure to incorporate the feelings that I have held in my heart for more than 26 years since I played the original FINAL FANTASY VII.

I feel that something is different and I can’t tell you how happy I am to be able to experience the same feelings as the players through this game. In fact, my heart is pounding even just writing that sentence.

I hope that you will enjoy FFVII REBIRTH!

Mitsuto Suzuki - Music

""We'd like to start with the music to create this scene ..."

Just like with FFVII REMAKE, there were scenes in this game where the Development team requested that I compose the music first, as they wanted to start with the music and build the rest of the scene around that.

This involved matching the music to the backstory, direction and story progression of the scene, and figuring the pacing out in my head from there. This required an even more sophisticated approach and workflow over REMAKE, and an even greater level of enthusiasm. It feels weirdly recent while also feeling like it was many years ago that I started writing excitedly.

We recorded content for the game world in a variety of different settings, and I met a lot of people along the way. Working on vocal performances in 4 different languages, each with their own different melodies and rhythms, was a really challenging and unforgettable experience.

There are sections that dig deeper into music from the original game, and sections that were newly crafted for REBIRTH. I hope that players will have a little giggle at some of the musical elements and discoveries to be made, and that they will enjoy, and in some cases be surprised by, what they find.

That obviously goes for players who played the original FINAL FANTASY VII, but I hope that newcomers will experience this too.

I am delighted that, just like the rich cast of unique characters and party allies in the game, the sound team joined forces with a great number of allies, each offering their own unique polish, to produce the music that you hear in the game. Please enjoy it.

Masashi Hamauzu - Music

As with the previous title, my main role was focused around the orchestral tracks. I spent a lot of time and effort tweaking the huge amount of scene transitions in the game, but in the end, I think I got them to a point where I was happy with almost every single one.

In particular, when I saw the rough footage for the stage show scenes, I came out in a cold sweat. I thought to myself, “You’d need to be as skilled as a historic classical composer to pull this off”. “I’ve barely done anything like this before”. But once I made a start on it, I was able to call to mind the experience that I had of studying opera and religious music as a student, and when I sent the demo to Toriyama-san, he responded by saying, “Bravo!”, so I feel like it really resonated with him.

Also, when it came to composing for opera singers in particular, I specifically thought of compositions by the likes of Mozart and Leoncavallo, and singers such as Ettore Bastianini and Carlo Tagliabue. For me personally, I got a sense of nostalgia seeing how much specialist terminology was floating about the production and recording space. It gave me a sense that I wasn’t composing incidental music so much as I was recording music for the stage. In all my years of composing music, it was the first time that I felt that enrolling in vocal music at university actually came in useful.

I also worked on some important scenes in the game’s final act. I hope that you enjoy them.

Makoto Ise - Sound Director

I’m delighted that we have made it to the launch of FFVII REBIRTH, the second title in the FFVII remake project.

I got to play the original FINAL FANTASY VII back when it first came out, so I was quite particular as I worked on the sound for this project.

With the adventure opening up onto a huge world map, and a variety of new elements being added, this game marks a shift from REMAKE, and presents a new and exciting evolution of gameplay. And from a sound perspective as well, we had to reconsider and reconstruct the sound design from scratch to match up with this huge amount of new content. The game design, and in particular the world map, offers players a high degree of freedom of movement, so I wracked my brains a fair bit about the sound design as well, but in the end we pushed the sound design forwards while paying greater respect to the original game than REMAKE did, and I think that we succeeded in producing sound that is both nostalgic and fresh.

From beautiful music that expresses emotions and situations, to immersive environmental sounds, to the sound effects that underscore the frenzied combat, to the voicework that breathes life into the characters — these are the sounds that make up the world of FFVII REBIRTH. I hope that people who played REMAKE and new players alike will experience this adventure!

Keiji Kawamori - Music Supervisor

For the music for this title, we followed the same approach that we took for REMAKE, while also incorporating new challenges into practically every aspect. Also, with the world expanding considerably for this title, we composed about twice as much music as we did for the last game, in a wide variety of different genres.

There are some areas where the musical arrangement changes depending on the situation, so I hope that players will go back to hear how the arrangement changes under different circumstances, even if they have already played through that section. I think that players will also find it interesting to discover new arrangements that blend together motifs in ways that have never been heard before, such as sections from Let the Battles Begin! and One-Winged Angel, which have never been presented together in one composition in any previous game, being included in the same composition.

And one other thing: one of the unique and characteristic things about REBIRTH is that side quests have their own musical accompaniments, so I hope that players will listen out for this as they complete lots of varied side quests.

I hope that the music in this game will help to enhance players’ experience of the game.

Asako Suga - Lead Dialogue Editor

Having fled Midgar, Cloud and his companions will meet a huge number of new characters as they journey across the world.

This game features the voice talents of more than 250 voice actors, and the recording process took around two years to complete. And in addition to Japanese, we also recorded voices for English, French and German, adding up to a total of more than 1000 performers in a single game!

These performers put a lot of hours into recording conversations that help to immerse the player in the story: increasing the tension for more intense moments in the plot, and laughing at well-paced dialogue with other characters.

This title also features characters who appeared in the original FINAL FANTASY VII and have waited a long time for their voices to finally be heard, so I hope that players who played the original will take note of this. There are also many people populating the streets of the towns of REBIRTH who are brimming with personality, so I hope that players will listen in on their conversations as they move about the world.

This game makes great use of a wide variety of voices, so I hope that lots and lots of people will play it.

Many thanks to all the developers for their comments. FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is out now for PS5:

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The Games that Made Us: FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Director Naoki Hamaguchi

The Director of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH has made a truly exceptional experience, but what were the games that made him the creator he is today?

By Duncan Heaney

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is quite an achievement.

It’s the result of years of hard work by an immensely talented development team, including Director Naoki Hamaguchi. Along with his colleagues, Hamaguchi-san has produced an RPG of incredible quality.

In short, he’s made a pretty special game. But what were the special games that made him? We asked him to find out:

What was the first game you ever played?

I was in first grade or so, but my father bought the first generation Famicom along with the Super Mario Bros. game. And I vaguely remember playing together with my family.

Super Mario Bros. is a game played by tons of people, with simple operations,and it made people who have never played a game before like those in my parents' generation, participate while taking turns.

When you think of entertainment that could be enjoyed by the whole family, there were things like cards, but this was something that took its place and felt extremely new.

It’s not like I saw a future in games from it as a child, but it was very stimulating. I clearly remember thinking that this was a new gaming and entertainment experience.

What was the first Square Enix game you ever played?

I think FINAL FANTASY IV was the first, but at that time, my older brother was playing it and I was mostly watching.

I recall playing on my own from around FINAL FANTASY V.

At that time in Japan, you'd experience a specific worldview, and a continuous story in something like Weekly Shonen Jump, in which you can experience many different stories, but this was something that replaced that.

Instead of reading, to play on my own and be immersed in the story, characters, and worldview was very stimulating.

It was Squaresoft at the time, but I still believe that Squaresoft games were very unique.

Above: FINAL FANTASY V Pixel Remaster

Other than FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, what game could you not live without?

As a creator of these kinds of games, the title I respect the most is The Witcher series. Especially The Witcher 3, it's already a title from 10 years ago or so but I truly believe this is an extremely well made title that stands the test of time.

For The Witcher series as well, especially The Witcher 3, the detailed construction of the world and the gameplay immersion is truly wonderful.

So, in that way, yes, for me there may be no other gameplay experience like it.

If you could only listen to one Square Enix soundtrack, what would it be?

FINAL FANTASY VI and VII happened right around the time of my adolescence, so around middle school or high school, I bought the FINAL FANTASY VII soundtrack and listened to it all the time.

I had a part time job at a video rental store back then, and have fond memories of playing the VII soundtrack in the store and such.

When I listen to the music, it brings to mind the gameplay experience and the emotions that I felt at the time. In that sense, the FINAL FANTASY VII soundtrack was special to me, even as a child.

Especially the music at the beginning of the game when you enter Midgar. Even when I was making FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE, I listened to that song a lot. There’s a nostalgia and brings back a rush of memories from those days.

What game do you think the whole world should play?

Of course, FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE and REBIRTH are titles I'd love for people to play.

There's also The Witcher series I mentioned earlier, and I’d like people to try playing The Witcher 3 especially.

But there’s one Japanese title called Zero, it's a horror game. I think it’s released overseas as Fatal Frame. It deals with real Japanese ghosts and isn't something with zombies that North American and European users tend to like, so culturally, it might not appeal to everyone.

The game is not so much about zombie attacks and shooting them; it's more about taking pictures of the ghosts and getting rid of them.

It has a very Japanese style to it, which I like so much that I play it every time a new title comes out.

It's a bit niche, but I really hope it will spread to the rest of the world as a Japanese horror game.

What’s your favorite Square Enix game?

Well, I think my #1 will have to be FINAL FANTASY VI.

I was probably in middle school when I played FINAL FANTASY VI, and it was such an entertaining experience for me as a child.

I was so impressed how it could move players' hearts as a work of art.

I truly felt this at the time, and then I had a vague thought that: "it would be nice if I could become an adult who creates games like this in the future."

That was really the title that was the catalyst that led to my present, so it was a very memorable experience for me.

Above: FINAL FANTASY VI Pixel Remaster

What’s the saddest moment you’ve experienced in a game?

The saddest…

I think it was Aerith's fate from FINAL FANTASY VII that made the biggest impact on me.

It was when I was in high school or so, and I'm sure there were experiences like that back then in movies and such, but no game existed at the time that posed such a dramatic development to the users.

I'm sure it left an impression not only on me, but also to many other people. It certainly made a strong impression on me.

What does the original FINAL FANTASY VII mean to you?

I played this when I was at high school, and I think it is the game that served as a catalyst towards me becoming a game creator in this industry, so I respect it very much.

I am now in the position of directing a remake of the game, and (Yoshinori) Kitase and (Tetsuya) Nomura are the people who made the game back then. From my perspective, I enjoyed the game as a user back then, and now I am involved in the creation of the game.

By approaching the work from our various perspectives, I believe we were able to maintain a balanced creation process for both this title and the last.

What three things are you most proud of in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH?

Firstly, the FINAL FANTASY remake project is worked on as a trilogy and naturally I think there is high anticipation from the users as to how the second instalment will be after the first one.

So, I create each title noting the reaction of the customers, and try to incorporate the expressions suitable for that era into it. In that way, this will be a different game experience from the previous one.

Delivering a game into customers' hands after having properly evolved it, is probably one of the most important points.

As for the other two points, regarding the battle system...

In the previous instalment, the battle system was a fusion of actions and commands. It was a new form that was created and delivered to the users and I believe it received very positive feedback.

With that, we developed a new system that expresses the bond between the characters, called Synergy attacks.

The new game has a slightly different feel from the previous one, and the game strategy has increased in its depth. This is one of the appeals of this title.

Another is the world map. People are very much looking forward to seeing how the world map will be made. There are people who think we can't recreate everything if we attempt it, but there are also those who want us to make it right.

To wonder how we would then respond to these expectations, I am sure is on the minds of all users waiting for REBIRTH.

We have kept the feeling of the original FINAL FANTASY VII world map intact and reincarnated it in a form that is best expressed in this day and age.

This is what I'd like players to look forward to most.

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is available now for PS5.

Want to read more about the game? Check out our other interviews with the team and cast:

To stay up to date with news and information about the game, be sure to follow us on social media:

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Tips and Tricks for playing FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH

About to start your adventures in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH? Here are some useful tips, tricks and nuggets of advice to get you started!

By Duncan Heaney

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is out!

This epic new RPG sends Cloud Strife and his allies on a globe-trotting adventure, as they pursue the sinister Sephiroth. The journey takes you through many areas, from the sweeping vistas of the Grasslands to the rocky ridges of Corel, all filled with secrets, surprises, and savage foes.

To help you get started on your adventure, we’ve put together some handy hints for combat and exploring the more expansive worlds. We hope you find them helpful.

Combat tips

ATB is everything

Let’s start with the basics. Standard attacks will damage foes, but their ultimate value is that they fill the ATB gauge. You can then expend this for more powerful Abilities and Spells.

Get into the routine of using attacks to fill your ATB, and using your Abilities and Skills to damage and stagger foes. By combining standard attacks and ATB actions in this way, you’ll be able to deliver damage much more effectively than just mashing the square button.

Blocking is safer than dodging

You have two basic defensive options in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - blocking and dodging. Dodging lets you avoid a hit entirely, so you might assume it’s the way to go, but that’s not the case.

Enemies hit hard and they hit fast. It’s far more reliable to block with R1 - you’ll take a small amount of damage, but far less than if the enemy hits you. You’ll also get a small increase to ATB when the hit attacks.

Even better, if you perfectly time your block, you’ll eliminate all damage entirely, and sometimes knock the enemy down. Also, it’s extremely satisfying. Just bear in mind that the timing window on these parries can be tight, so it often safer to just do a standard block and soak up the hits.

Watch out for exclamation marks on attacks

Enemies will call out their attacks above their heads, which lets you know they’re about to unleash powerful strikes, and that it’s time to play defense.

Be alert if you see an exclamation mark next to the attack name though. This is an unblockable attack, no matter how firmly you hold down R1, it’s going to hit you for full damage.

Your only recourse is to get out of the way. Watch your enemy’s movements and get ready to dodge or run into a new position to evade the attack.

Exploit weaknesses and stagger enemies

Many enemies in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH have weaknesses, which you can exploit for additional damage. For example, flying enemies are often susceptible to Wind attacks, so Aero spells can be helpful in taking them out fast.

They also often increase their stagger bar - if this fills up, the enemy will be stunned and take more damage from your attacks. In fact, staggering enemies is typically the best way to take them out quickly.

Assess is your greatest weapon

You may think the Buster Sword is the greatest weapon in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH. Maybe it’s Junon’s giant cannon. Nope - it’s the Assess materia, and you should have one equipped at all times.

Every enemy is different, and the requirements for staggering them is different too. Sometimes it can be just to exploit an elemental weakness, but other times it can be interrupting specific attacks, doing lots of damage, or even more unique actions.

Using Assess on an enemy will reveal all their secrets - their weaknesses, resistances and - most importantly - what you need to do to pressure or stagger them. It’s particularly useful in the Fiend Intel activities, where you’ll have special objectives to complete as you fight.

Once you’ve assessed a fiend or foe, it’s details are recorded forever - if you face the same enemy type again, a press of the touch pad in battle will show all their information again.

So Assess everything you fight!

Focus attacks are great for increasing stagger

When you hit enemies’ vulnerabilities, you will pressure them. Pressured enemies take more stagger damage, so use ‘Focused’ attacks to fill that bar quickly.

There’s Focused Thrust for Cloud, Focused Shot for Barret, and Focused Strike for Tifa - each one of these attacks specifically raises the stagger bar. Use them on a pressured foe, and they’ll be that much closer to being knocked down.

Exploit weaknesses as much as possible to make battles much easier. It also often pressures them, making it easier to fill the stagger bar under their health.

Switch partners to fill ATB…

Left to their own devices, the other members of your party will fight competently, but if you want to fill their ATB quickly so you can use their Abilities, it’s best to take direct control.

You can switch between any of the three members of your active party at any time - it’s highly advisable to do this, as you’ll be able to fight more efficiently and take enemies much more quickly.

So, get used to cycling between characters during the flow of battle.

… and build towards Synergy Abilities

New to FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH are Synergy Abilities. These special attacks see two heroes join forces for super-powerful attacks, buffs, and other effects.

Of course, you can’t just use these - you have to earn them. Each ability costs a synergy guage, earned by using certain abilities and spells. Both heroes must each fill up their synergy gauges to be able to pull off the combined attack.

It’s another reason to switch between characters in battle. If you don’t take the time to build these charges, you won’t be able to pull of the biggest, flashiest, most grin-inducing moves in the game.

Unleash Synergy Abilities at the right time

Synergy Abilities have additional effects, such as raising characters’ Limit Break levels to unlock more powerful attacks, giving them unlimited MP and more.

Choose when best to unleash these powerful attacks to maximize their benefits. For example, if you have a Synergy Ability that extends stagger time, then it’s best to use it on a staggered enemy, whereas if you’re trying to get enemies pressured, unlimited MP can be very helpful.

There’s much more to dig into, but experiment with the different combinations to find your own effective strategies.

Synergy Skills let you build two characters’ ATB at once

As well as Synergy Abilities, you also have access to Synergy Skills.

These are activated by using the face buttons while blocking - you can see your options on the left hands side of the screen when holding R1. These are great because they don’t require ATB to use - instead, some can actually help you fill two characters’ bars at once.

Each Synergy Skill has a different function, so take some time to get try them out and how you can work them into battles.

Heal between battles

If you take a beating in a fight, be sure to stop to heal up afterwards - with items, Healing materia or a nearby bench.

Heading into a battle with reduced health puts you on the backfoot right from the start, so stay hale and hearty to ensure you avoid any careless KOs.

Elemental Abilities can save you materia slots… but don’t over-rely on them.

Using Folios to unlock elemental attacks be very helpful if you want to save Materia slots. They give our heroes access to elemental attacks without using MP or having to have the associated materia equipped - very handy for pressuring certain foes, for example.

That said, don’t over-rely on these because they don’t build any bars for Synergy abilities. If you want to exploit elemental weaknesses while earning bars for those powerful team-up attacks, you can use spells from materia instead.

Backline Commands can save your life

Two of your party are KO-ed and it looks like your goose is cooked. You need a Hail Mary and fast!

That’s where Backline Commands come in. When you’re in dire straits, you can press Triangle on the Command Menu to call in your non-active allies to perform a Synergy Ability in a last-gasp attempt to claw back control of the battle.

Don’t forget about this because it might just save your life!

Exploration and Intel tips

Get a chocobo ASAP

Chocobos play a big role in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - they help you get around faster, can cross otherwise impenetrable parts of the environment and they play frankly incredible versions of the iconic chocobo theme. What more could you ask for in a mount?

In other words, you’d be kweh-zy not to prioritize Chocobo Intel when you step into the wide expanses of the world. Finding your feathered friend might take some wark, but they’re often located close to where you’re guided for the critical story path.

Explore the world - don’t just follow the icons

Activating the Remnawave Towers around the world will show you the general location of dangerous fiends, Lifestream springs and more activities that Chadley wants your help with. However, they don’t show you everything.

If you see an interesting structure of piece of geography, go check it out. You may discover hidden caches that contain items, gear, money and more, for example. Some elements, including some side contents, also only show up after completing other activities too, so stay alert for these.

Check noticeboards for side quests

If you want to make sure you’re not missing any of the excellent side contents, you can check noticeboards in various settlements around the world.

These will mark the location of the prospective client on your map, making it easier to find them. If you notice a green exclamation point on a noticeboard on the map, that means a new quest has become available so go check it out!

Some of the notices are quite funny and well-written, so be sure to read them too!

If you can’t find a route to your destination, follow the roads

You can see an icon on your map, but there’s a big cliff-face in the way and you don’t know how to get there. What to do…

One good way is to follow the roads in each area. Many Intel activities are off the beaten path, but roads typically lead you close to them. Watch out for things like springseeker owls, glowing crystals or climbable walls as you travel and they’ll guide you towards your destination.

Complete Chadley’s battle simulations

Chadley’s new portable battle simulator is loaded with a generous portion of challenges right from the start, and more will unlock as you Assess enemies, complete Fiend Intel and more.

It’s worth taking some time to complete these, as they reward you with excellent Materia. For example, in the Grasslands, you can earn one of my personal favorites - the First Strike materia, which lets you start with a partially filled ATB gauge. Very handy!

Titan is a great Queen’s Blood card early on

Honestly, Queen’s Blood is such an entertaining and full-featured card game that we could do a whole article of tips and tricks just for that. And yet might.

However, for now, I had a lot of success in the early game thanks to the Titan card. You can purchase this relatively early, and its high value, useful shape, and relatively low cost to play make it a real boon.

It’s not enough to let you sleep through the matches, of course. You’ll still have to think strategically, especially as the rank of your opponents goes up. But I found it a real ace up my sleeve when I was just starting out.

Play at your own pace

The final tip I want to give you is this: take your time.

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is an extraordinarily generous game - a packed playground of secrets, skirmishes, and stories that beg to be discovered. But don’t feel you have to do everything all at once.

None of the side activities can be fully missed, and nothing is locked out even when the main story is complete, so play as you like. If you want to dawdle in the extended world, feel free. Alternatively, if you want to push forward on the main story path, that’s okay too.

There’s no wrong way to play.

We hope these tips help you on your search for Sephiroth. If you’re yet to experience the game for yourself, FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is available now for PS5.

To stay up to date with news and information about the game, be sure to follow us on social media:

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What are the critics saying about FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH?

What are critics saying about Cloud and co’s new adventure? We’ve pulled together links to their coverage so you can see for yourselves.

By Duncan Heaney

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is out today!

This new game sees Cloud Strife and his allies travel the world in pursuit of the sinister Sephiroth. It’s a journey fraught with drama and danger… but also a lot of fun. That’s the message from the critics, who have shared their thoughts on this RPG epic.

We’ve collated many of the reviews here to make them easy to find. Simply click a link to head over to read that coverage.

Get FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH

Reviews

Videos

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is out now for PS5:

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FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH devs talk world, minigames and more

Producer Yoshinori Kitase and Director Naoki Hamaguchi on their philosophy for the game’s side content, the difficulty of making a planet and why copying the original game can sometimes feel weird.

By Duncan Heaney

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH has arrived!

This epic new RPG sends Cloud Strife and his allies on a thrilling journey around the world in pursuit of the sinister Sephiroth. But it’s not all about the chase - the world is overflowing with amazing things to see and do, from story-driven side quests to marvellous minigames. To call it generous in variety would be an understatement.

That’s all by design. I recently sat down with Producer Yoshinori Kitase and Director Naoki Hamaguchi for an interview, but we didn’t want to talk about the story, characters or anything that would spoil some of the surprises in store.

Instead, we chatted about other aspects of the game, including the more open structure, the evolution from FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE and the card game Queen’s Blood.

Or, ‘my new personal obsession’ as it’s quickly becoming known.

It was a fascinating chat, and we hope you enjoy it. If so, be sure to experience the game for yourselves - FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is out now for PS5:

Get FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is the second game in the trilogy. How has this format helped you and the project?

Yoshinori Kitase (Producer): The original FINAL FANTASY VII was so big and had so much content, so by remaking it into a trilogy, we are able to recreate every part of the original at the quality we’re aiming for, without having to cut anything down or shave anything off. That’s only possible with multiple games, and that was something we understood from the beginning.

However, another advantage we’ve come to realize after doing the first game and getting into the rest of the trilogy, is that we can actually take feedback from the previous game on board. We can see what players feel, what they liked, what they wanted, what we maybe could have done better, and essentially keep making the game alongside the fans.

What feedback did you particularly want to address with REBIRTH?

Naoki Hamaguchi (Director): The original FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE was very much a story-driven game. It offered a very dramatic narrative experience that seemed to be very highly regarded by fans.

But at the same time, I think a lot of people asked for a bit more player choice - the ability to make decisions about what to do next, rather than just getting drawn along by the story. We’ve definitely tried to respond to that and added many more layers of freedom, choice, and exploration into FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

So, it’s a new approach, but at the same time, we’re keeping the same level of dramatic and engaging storytelling that people responded to from the previous game. That’s all there, too.

What challenges did this new more open structure give you?

Hamaguchi-san: Perhaps the biggest challenge we faced was setting the actual scale for the world that the game is set in.

Of course, there are already quite a few games that let you explore an open area, but it’s typically only one chunk of that world. I think there are very few games that try to give you experience of exploring the whole planet.

The original FINAL FANTASY VII told a story that involved travelling around the whole world, so we felt it was important to give players that same experience - the feeling that they are exploring a planet.

Obviously, in trying to realize that we can’t create a one-to-one scale of a whole planet. In terms of development costs and resources it would be far too hard to achieve that! Not to mention the difficulty of getting the right density of content in the game to make it fun to play - it would be extremely difficult at that level of scale (laughs)!

But we also couldn’t cop out. We had to somehow give the feel of exploring a whole planet and get the balance just right in terms of gameplay, too!

How did you find that balance?

Hamaguchi-san: A lot of trial and error!

The other thing we paid a lot of attention to was to make sure that even though we were adding all this content, all these side activities for players to find and engage with, the experience didn’t get dull. It all had to be varied, with unique gameplay features for each one.

If we just made a lot of content, but it was basically all the same, I think players would get bored with it very quickly. So, we prioritized making each individual activity feel unique and different to the others.

For example, each side quest has its own unique storyline that you can follow and there are unique elements that you can only play while doing that particular quest. They can be unique obstacles, puzzles or minigames - things that you don’t find elsewhere in the game.

Looking for that kind of uniqueness in each individual piece of content was a big focus of development.

Was there anything planned that didn’t make the cut?

Hamaguchi-san: Hmm… (thinks)… in terms of things we wanted to put in but had to cut out, there really weren’t that many. I think we got the vast majority of the things we wanted to do into the final version of the game.

Oh - there was one thing. There’s a scene under Junon in the original FINAL FANTASY VII where Cloud has to get to Upper Junon and into the military base. To do this, there’s a mini game where you jumped on a dolphin, timed your jump to grab onto a piece of metal, and climbed up from there.

Early in development, we actually tried making that pretty much as it was in the original game. We got the prototype working, but quickly realized that because of the modern graphical style, and the fact that the camera can now be moved around freely, it just didn’t look right.

It just felt a bit… odd. Not very convincing, and not much fun to play either.

So, we went for a slightly different direction. Cloud still grabs onto the dolphin, but now there's a sort of water racing game where you try to get around at speed. So trying to replicate the original without change didn't seem to work for this game - the new approach is much more fun.

Of all the minigames, I am particularly in love with the card game Queen’s Blood! It’s really compelling - but what made you add it in?

Hamaguchi-san: As I mentioned earlier, we wanted to get a unique element in each minigame and make them all feel different and special. That also means the way we had to present them wouldn’t be same either.

Some would be very closely tied to the main story - very much a core part of the game - while others would be more like one-off experiences that you’d see in a specific quest and be self-contained within it.

I thought as a third type, it would be really good to have a minigame that had its own separate storyline. It’s not the main narrative - it’s a different storyline entirely - but it continues throughout the whole game in parallel. That’s what Queen’s Blood does.

So, I thought that having all these different positionings or ways to incorporate the minigames into the overall structure would help add to the sense of variety.

Why choose a card game for this type of content?

Hamaguchi-san: Well, this goes back to my own personal experiences with FINAL FANTASY when I was a child, playing through FINAL FANTASY VIII and IX.

I guess it was just my preconception that if FINAL FANTASY has a minigame which continues throughout the whole game, and acts as a break from the main story, a card game is the best fit.

You get your Queen’s Blood deck very early - I imagine a lot of players like me are going to find themselves spending a long time just playing cards.

Hamaguchi-san: I’m glad to say you fell into our trap there (laughs). That’s exactly what we were aiming for!

How did you decide when to introduce Queen’s Blood into the game?

Hamaguchi san: We teach players the game right at the start of Chapter Two, and there’s a reason for that.

Chapter One is very story-driven. It’s a dramatic experience that sets the scene for the story and is intensely focused on the narrative events that set the scene. Once it’s finished, we wanted to show players the direction for the rest of the game - that it’s not just following the story. From here, you’ll have side quests and minigames, which branch out. Also, you’ve got the extended world to explore.

That’s why we put the Queen’s Blood tutorial there. I felt that putting one of the core minigames at that point would basically be a statement of intent to the players that, yes you can just follow the story if you want, but there’s a whole world of other content for you to explore now, too.

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH launches 29 February for PS5:

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FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH: John Eric Bentley talks Barret Wallace

What makes Barret such an incredible character and what can we expect from FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH? We spoke to voice actor John Eric Bentley to find out.

By Duncan Heaney

Barret Wallace is a big man with a bigger heart. That unique combination of strength and passion come through loud and strong thanks to actor John Eric Bentley. Having portrayed the Avalanche leader in FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE, he’s excited to return to the role for FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

This new game goes deeper into the characters and their relationships than ever before. You’ll get to see some of the events that make Barret the man he is and explore his developing relationships with Cloud, Tifa, and the rest of his allies - and John’s pitch perfect performance brings it all together superbly.

We recently spoke to John about what to expect from Barret in the new game, and his experiences with the series as a whole:

How familiar with FINAL FANTASY VII were you before you took the role of Barret?

Oh, very because I played the original! I’m playing the game, and I’m like: “Oh, there’s a Black character! This is awesome - I’ve never seen a Black character in an RPG!”

And then I’m like: “Oh surely he’s about to die” - and he didn’t! And I’m like: “Oh, I’m hooked!”

What would you say defines your portrayal of Barret?

I wanted to make sure that when I portrayed Barret, he wasn't a caricature. I just didn’t want that to happen for the sake of my culture, my community, me as a Black man, my family… anything.

So, I was very diligent in making sure that people could see the different levels and layers that Barret as a man had. Especially with his relationship with Marlene, and the team, and even more so with Cloud, Tifa, and Aerith.

So, I just wanted to make sure that there were layers that were being presented that allowed the audience to see that he just wasn't an angry Black man who, like the polygon figures, shook when he got mad, you know?

As you say, Barret can be in-your-face, but he’s also good-hearted and caring. How did you find that balance in your performance?

Barret is Barret! He's a leader. He's big dude, he's boisterous and he is kind of a commander. So, for me to portray it, I just wanted to make sure that he didn't come off as a blowhard, as a buffoon or as your typical drill sergeant.

So, yes, he is loud and I’m loud myself! As many people in this room know, I’ll walk in and I’m like (shouts) “What up!” So doing Barret is a little bit like, let me put a bit of John in there, but a bit of this in there - it’s a like a recipe for me to make sure it’s balanced right.

Do you have a favorite interaction with another character in the cast?

I think it’s with everybody. He has to be the leader, so any time he’s with the party, or with Cloud, he has to be demanding and strict, but also - and you’ll see this in the new one - he has to care. There has to be a throughline of Barret caring for everyone he interacts with.

Except for Shinra, or people he has to fight against, right? He doesn’t have to care about them because he has a different mindset.

But as far as everyone else goes… I love my interactions with Marlene. And Cloud, and Red XIII - when we go back and forth with each other, that’s fun! That’s bro stuff.

But my relationship with Tifa is very fatherly as well. Then again, you have characters like Jessie and Wedge who he finds endearing, but still has to lead.

So, all the relationships are important because they make the story go!

How did you feel about the positive reaction to FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE and your role in particular?

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE kind of threw me. I'm not going to lie, because I'd been waiting for it forever as so many fans had. But Barret in the original, I guess, wasn't as big a character as the rest of the party - Cloud is running the show.

So, for me to actually see people loving this dude, it kind of threw me. I wasn't ready for it and several people said: “Hey, man, you better get ready because you’re doing a good job!” And I was like: “Really, am I though?” because as an actor you always doubt yourself.

And then people come up and are like: “(shouting) I love you as such and such!” Ok cool - I’m glad! They’re louder than me (laughs).

Is that your favorite kind of fan interaction?

My favorite fan interactions aren’t “Hey, I love your work!” Those are cool and they’re great. It’s a little pat on the back and you’re like: “Good, I’m doing a good job.”

But the biggest fan reactions I have are where kids come up and they go “Barret!” Or “Barry” because they can’t really say Barret yet. And they want you to pick them up and want you to be that father figure!

But the ones that really got me were the folks who said: “Hey, COVID was a tough time, and during the time the game came out, I thought about taking myself out.” Those interactions are priceless, to go: “I’m so glad you didn’t, what can I do to make sure you don’t?”

Because if I’ve got platform to play a videogame character, but also to be able to speak into someone’s life and let them know that they’re worthy, worth something, loved… if I get a chance to do that, to me this is the best job in the world!

How has Barret changed between FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE and FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH?

He’s still loud, he’s still big, he’s still handsome as all get up. I ain’t gonna lie, Barret’s a handsome dude - when he takes the glasses off, it’s like: “Hoo, that’s me? (laughs)”

But anyway, how is he different? You saw the emotion in REMAKE because of the plate falling and his first-time interactions. This is different because we get to see a slice of Barret that… unless you’re a fan, you don’t know his backstory. You don’t know why Barret is who he is in REMAKE.

So, REBIRTH allows you to figure that out. There’s a lot of discovery for fans and I can’t wait to see all the reactions. A lot of questions will get answered.

Barret has a very emotional arc in this game as he confronts his past. How did you approach these more powerful scenes?

Same as we did the plate falling. A lot of people believe in method and stuff like that, and I don’t knock those people. I’m not really a method actor, but I do like to take situations that I’ve experienced in life and bring them to the project.

The only thing is that when we go into record, you never know what scenes you’re going to do! So, you have to be emotionally ready for anything that comes your way. So prep work has to go in usually, but because I was a fan of the original, I’m like: “Oh yeah, this is what where we’re going to do this.”

So, you have to prepare for it, but the emotional part for me is easy. But I’m not going to lie - in REBIRTH, he goes through it! There are scenes that I can’t talk about - and I can’t wait for gamers to experience that - where he takes you on a journey with relationships that are deep. And deep-seated.

So, you have to be ready when you go into a booth at any time, because you might come back to that scene next time you do a session and remember where you were. And it’s heavy - his past is HEAVY heavy!

What was your favorite scene to play in FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE?

Any scene that I got to do with Marlene was awesome! Anything towards the end, when I got to hang out with Red and go back and forth: hilariously fun.

But to see the plate collapse is one of my favorite scenes because…, it's just it's just that kind of scene. As actors we like to get to the meat of the matter, and that was meat of the matter from 0 - 60. And then you have to snap right back out of it and lead, not knowing what you’re going into.

So, that was very emotional because - and I’m giving my secrets away - I substituted my relationship as Barret with Marlene, with my relationship with my sons. I have four boys, and I substituted my ‘sense memory’, as it’s called. What if that was one of my sons or all of my sons on the other side of that plate?

What was your favorite scene to play in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH?

Ha, there’s a lot! I can’t really say because I’m not meant to talk about stuff - Square Enix will have my NDA contract, so I can’t really say my favorite scenes (laughs).

But I will say my favorite things are going to this particular place and overlooking particular events that are happening that are actually stunningly beautiful. That's the only thing I can say about that scene.

And then there's another scene where I get to interact with Yuffie. Suzie (Yeung) is killing it and it's actually hilarious. And then that actually allowed me to go: okay, well here's Tifa who I already have a relationship with, here's Marlene, who's my baby girl, but now Yuffie’s coming in. She’s got the same kind of energy that I have, but she’s a baby girl - she’s in between Tifa and Marlene.

I always joke about this that Britt (Baron) and Suzie are like baby sisters, and that’s how I can do what I do with them. Those scenes are fun.

And then any of my scenes with Cloud… man, I’m just going to say this candidly -Cody (Christian) came in to do voiceover stuff not knowing how big this game was - I didn't even know how big it was! But any time I got to do scenes with Cody, I would ask: “Hey, has Cody recorded this yet? Can I hear what he does? Can I hear what he does, so I can feel what I would say or how I would say it?

It gave me a groundedness and a sense of direction of how to lead the team and where we were going to go.

I mean, that dude is incredible. I don't think people understand the work he puts into it. I call Cody “Today’s Keanu Reeves.” Because Keanu is one of the most generous guys in the world, but he’s real. He’ll be down on the street or on a subway train chilling with everybody else. That’s how Cody is.

Music! He’s musically inclined. Y’all don’t understand how much he does. So, for him to say: “Hey, this is how I approach things”, I’m like, “Damn John - well go ahead too!”

What’s the most challenging thing about being Barret?

The emotions. Because you got to go there.

Where you have to go emotionally, and where you have to know boundaries as an actor, especially an actor of color… they’re hard to juggle at times.

So, in order to do that emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually, there are challenges, which I love.

But not only are you doing that, which is a task in itself, you also have a certain amount time to fit your lines in. You have to do what they say in your ear and say the words that they’ve given me on paper, BUT the character may also doing something physically that doesn’t relate to how you might want to do it.

So those are the challenging times. For example, how do I take the elevator scene in REMAKE where’s he’s just going off - how do you take that and balance it out so he’s not so big and being a caricature?

So, I'm always in my head when I'm in the booth. But like I said, that's the fun part and that's the challenging part.

What are you most excited for fans to discover in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in regard to Barret?

In regard to Barret? Man, I want them to experience the whole damn game!

As far as experiencing Barret, I’m not a selfish actor. I want them to experience the journey that Tifa goes on, that Aerith goes on, the journey that Cloud REALLY goes on, the journey that Yuffie all of a sudden jumps into, the journey that a character who’s also a robot goes on…

But for Barret? I guess the only thing that I want people to understand is his past. If you understand his past, you understand his actions. If you experience his past, and what he’s dealing with, and the weight of the world being on this man’s shoulders as a leader, you’ll understand REMAKE better.

That’s what I can’t wait for people to experience!

Who is your favorite character…?

Red (XIII)! You don’t even have to finish that question!

Red, first of all, is drawn, created, done beautifully. If you haven't done it, look at the details in Red - what’s on him, what the doc marked him up as, his branding, his braids, his hair. If you look at him, Red represents a culture in America, probably the world, that has gone through it, been tested upon, been beat down, been counted out and survived it all.

So, you think about all of these different things about Red, and he’s the ultimate underdog, right? You just become a fan to go: “Oh he’s still alive, he’s still fighting.”

Red’s incredible - and he’s beautiful. I mean, he’s Red! He’s cool - half dog, half wolf, loyal (except for when he talks about me, especially in the truck). And then in this one, you get to see Red… oh I can’t say it! You get to see Red at different times…

Red’s voice actor (Max Mittelman) kills it! He’s another one where I say: “Can you play me what he did?” Thank God they had some stuff recorded because I was able to play off that, like: “Damn!”

(At this point in the interview Max Mittelman runs in for a hug)

That’s my little Red!

Max: We just met today!

John: Yeah! We just met! I’ve known about him forever, and everyone and their momma brags about him, but… he’s the man.

And on that heart-warming note we end but you can hear John’s fantastic in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, coming February 29, 2024, for PS5.

Preorder any digital edition of the game to get the following bonus item:

Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in game item)

What’s more, if you have a save file from FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE, FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE or FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, you will be able to claim the following items in FINAL FANTASY REBIRTH:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (PS4 / PS5) save file

Summon Materia: Leviathan

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE EPISODE INTERmission save file

Summon Materia: Ramuh

Please note that save data must be saved on the PS5 system.

Standard Edition (physical and digital)

Available both digitally and physically. The physical version comes across two discs and includes a reversible cover.

This edition includes:

The full game

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Standard Edition

A Digital Deluxe Edition Upgrade will also be available to purchase for the digital Standard Edition, which adds Digital Deluxe Edition content. This cannot be preordered and will become available when the game launches.

Deluxe Edition (physical only)

The physical Deluxe Edition also includes the below:

The full game
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD (in jewel case)
Physical artbook

It's available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Deluxe Edition

Digital Deluxe Edition (digital only)

Available to preorder from the PlayStation Store, this edition includes:

The full game
Digital mini soundtrack
Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition

Collector’s Edition

Available from the Square Enix Store, this edition is a real treat for fans. It includes:

The full game (across two discs)
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH STATIC ARTS - SEPHIROTH - a large, highly detailed statue of Sephiroth
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD
Physical artbook features stunning illustrations and concept art from the game
Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Collector's Edition

Twin Pack (digital only)

This terrific twin pack gives you access to both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the upcoming game FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

Once ordered, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE right away and be ready to continue the adventure in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH on release day.

The set includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - full game

Purchase this twin set before launch to get a substantial discount - essentially you can get both titles together for the same price as one standard edition! Check the PlayStation Store to see prices in your region:

Get the Twin Pack

Digital Deluxe Twin Pack (digital only)

This bumper bundle gives you both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE Digital Deluxe Edition, and all the awesome content that comes with it.

Once purchased, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE right away:

It includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game, including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition - full game
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital mini soundtrack
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)

It’s available to order now. What’s more, purchase before launch for a significant discount on the price of both games!

Get the Digital Deluxe Twin Pack

To stay up to date with news and information about FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, please follow us on social media:

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New FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH demo: here’s what’s included

A free demo for FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is available now. Here’s what’s ready to play now - and what’s coming later this month!

By Duncan Heaney

Many questions have been swirling around since we announced FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH. What’s the story of this new entry in the series? How has the combat system evolved? What will happen to our beloved heroes?

And perhaps most importantly… when can we play it for ourselves?

The short answer to that last question is… today! A new demo for FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is available to download now on the PlayStation Store. It lets you play through an early section of the game - part of the Nibelheim flashback.

Then, on February 21, an update will add new content to the demo: the chance to explore some of the expanded area around Junon.

You can get the demo from the PlayStation Store now.

We’re sure you’re eager to know more, so while you wait for the game to download, here’s a little about what to expect:

Available today: Nibelheim episode

This demo episode takes you back in time, as Cloud Strife recounts the story of an early mission with Sephiroth. In this flashback, Cloud and Sephiroth have been sent on a mission to investigate a malfunctioning reactor in Mt. Nibel, near Cloud’s hometown.

Guided by a young Tifa, the SOLDIERs traverse the treacherous path to the reactor, facing many challenges from terrifying beasts to industrial waste.

It’s a fast-paced section of the early game that will teach you the ins and outs of the combat system, let you get to grips with the new Synergy Abilities… oh, and you get to play as Sephiroth!

There’s more to experience in the full game if you complete the Nibelheim episode in the demo, you’ll be given the option to skip the same section in the full game.

Why would you want to though? It’s well worth experiencing twice, just to get more hands-on time with Sephiroth!

How does Sephiroth fight in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH?

Available Feb 21, 2024: Junon area episode

On February 21, an update for the demo will include an additional episode, set in the area around Junon (you must have completed the Nibelheim episode to access it).

This will let you roam freely around a small area of the world at your own pace. You can seek out special monsters to hunt, with their own objectives to fulfil, ride a chocobo and more.

When you’re ready for some more structured fun, you can head into Junon for some more story too.

It’s a great way to get a taste of the freedom and variety that’s available in the world of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, and a tantalizing tease of what’s in store in the full experience

Please note that the area in the demo has been significantly altered to make the content more compact. You can expect much more in the full game - a much larger space to explore, more side content to find and undertake, more monsters to battle, more secrets to find… the list goes on.

Demo bonuses for the full game

If you have save data from the demo on your PS5, you’ll be able to claim some awesome items when you play the full game:

Kupo charm: An accessory that increases the number of resource items extracted at a set rate.
Survival set: A selection of items to aid on your adventure, such as potions and ethers.

Be sure to have applied the latest update before diving into FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH to ensure you can get items, and the ability to skip part of the Nibelheim episode in the full game.

We hope you’re excited to dive into FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in the new demo. The full experience isn’t far away - it launches for PS5 this month, on February 29, 2024!

Preorder any digital edition of the game to get the following bonus item:

Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in game item)

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (PS4 / PS5) save file

Summon Materia: Leviathan

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE EPISODE INTERmission save file

Summon Materia: Ramuh

Please note that save data must be saved on the PS5 system.

Standard Edition (physical and digital)

Available both digitally and physically. The physical version comes across two discs and includes a reversible cover.

This edition includes:

The full game

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Standard Edition

Deluxe Edition (physical only)

The physical Deluxe Edition also includes the below:

The full game
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD (in jewel case)
Physical artbook

It's available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Deluxe Edition

Digital Deluxe Edition (digital only)

Available to preorder from the PlayStation Store, this edition includes:

The full game
Digital mini soundtrack
Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition

Collector’s Edition

Available from the Square Enix Store, this edition is a real treat for fans. It includes:

The full game (across two discs)
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH STATIC ARTS - SEPHIROTH - a large, highly detailed statue of Sephiroth
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD
Physical artbook features stunning illustrations and concept art from the game
Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Collector's Edition

Twin Pack (digital only)

This terrific twin pack gives you access to both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the upcoming game FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

Once ordered, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE right away and be ready to continue the adventure in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH on release day.

The set includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - full game

Get the Twin Pack

Digital Deluxe Twin Pack (digital only)

This bumper bundle gives you both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE Digital Deluxe Edition, and all the awesome content that comes with it.

Once purchased, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE right away:

It includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game, including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition - full game
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital mini soundtrack
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)

It’s available to order now. What’s more, purchase before launch for a significant discount on the price of both games!

Get the Digital Deluxe Twin Pack

To stay up to date with news and information about FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, please follow us on social media:

0Read More

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH: Britt Baron talks Tifa Lockhart

The actress who brings Tifa to life explains why she loves the character, her role in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH and her favorite scene from the upcoming game.

By Duncan Heaney

In many ways, Tifa Lockhart is the beating heart of the team in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH. She’s a voice of reason, one heck of a martial artist, and she makes a mean cocktail to boot.

Despite being a loyal member of Avalanche - an underground organization that opposes Shinra - Tifa questions the group’s extremist tactics, struggling to reconcile her cause with her conscience. This internal conflict reaches a fever pitch when her group’s actions effectively led to the fall of the Sector 7 plate. Racked with guilt, she leaves Midgar in search of a new path to tread.

Her unique combination of strength and compassion is captured in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH through a fantastic performance by her English voice actress Britt Baron.

We recently had the opportunity to talk with Britt about her experiences with the character, the things that make Tifa so beloved, and what we can expect from her in the upcoming game.

HI Britt. Your character, Tifa, is one of the most popular in the game. Why do you think that is?

I think Tifa is so beloved because she’s so multidimensional. I think she’s incredibly empathetic, she’s passionate, she’s kind and a motherly figure to a lot of the other characters.

She’s very relatable, at least to me - probably because I spent so many hours voicing her, I find her incredibly relatable. And I think that her ability to want justice, but also to care about all of the morals behind what they’re doing makes her stand out amongst this whole story and plotline.

And I think that she’s really dimensional, fully written. I think that’s why this game is so successful - because all of the characters are really fully fleshed out. They’re realistic humans and I think Tifa definitely is one of those.

Obviously, this isn’t your first time voicing the character. How did you find the reaction to FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE and your performance in that game?

I think the reaction to REMAKE was crazy and incredible. I wasn’t that well versed with the game going in and people in my life tried to warn me, but I was just really blown away.

I think the stakes were so high, so it’s really scary as an actor because all of these fans hold this game so dear to their heart, they grew up playing it. I mean, how can you ever live up to expectations?

So, I was just really blown away and grateful because you always want to do the fans justice and you want to do the character justice because she’s so beloved by so many people. So, the pressure I felt… (laughs).

But the reaction was amazing. It was also mid COVID, so it was a really fun time in a really dark moment of the world.

When did you realize just how much expectation there is for your portrayal of Tifa?

It was strange because when I found out I was cast, I had auditioned for a few roles in FINAL FANTASY, so I didn’t at first even know who I was cast as. And once I told my husband, he was the one that was like: “You are Tifa!!!!”. And that kind of began the journey of” “Wow, I have really big shoes to fill.”

This always happens with any project I’m a part of: when you you’re filming it, when you’re recording it, it feels all very intimate, safe, and protected. You’re working with the creative team in a very intimate setting. And it’s not until when you’re about to wrap up, you realize: Oh my gosh, this baby that we’ve been working on is going to be released into the world. And you hope you hope it’ll be received well.

I think you just try to do the best in the moment and do your best work as an actor. But I try not to focus so much on the pressure in the moment when we’re recording. I think afterwards, once it’s out of my hands, that’s when I start to get a little more anxious. Which probably is bad, but that’s my method (laughs).

How has Tifa changed between FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE and REBIRTH?

We see a lot more of her backstory in REBIRTH. We get to go back to some of Tifa’s trauma and see more of why she is the way she is, and what vengeance she is seeking; and also trying to figure out her own past - what’s true and what isn’t. And she’s working through that with Cloud.

I think it’s more muddied, and I don’t want to say ‘darker’, but the stakes feel higher in this game. The first game was more of an introduction, and I think we really delve deep in REBIRTH.

You also play a younger version of Tifa in this game. How did you have to change your performance for this?

To voice young Tifa was slightly challenging because I’m already an alto and just regular aged Tifa is already in a higher placement for me. So, playing young Tifa, I had to figure out how to go even higher. To get technical, it was just placing my voice more to the front of my mouth.

We really rely on our directors too. So, Kirk Thornton is amazing, and he really helped me stay the course as young Tifa. But we were jumping all around, so it’s definitely a challenge - a fun challenge - as an actor.

Is there a particular scene in FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE that you were particularly proud of?

My favorite scene to play in REMAKE, might have been on the train when Tifa saves one of the Shinra employees.

It was such a high action paced, intense scene. We recorded it early on, and I think that it really illuminates who Tifa is as a human. It encapsulates who she is, so I really enjoyed that. And I think it was one of those pivotal scenes where I really got to solidify what voice I was using, who she was as a character and my portrayal.

Do you have a favorite scene in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH?

It might have been with Tifa and Cloud. I think it’s pretty emotional. It was one of the earlier scenes that we recorded, and at that time we were recording Japanese hours, so it was really late night in Los Angeles which, when you get a little tired, feels even more intimate.

She’s trying to express her feelings for Cloud, She’s trying to figure out what’s going on with him and I think those kind of scenes are really fun for me because a lot of our recording is so disjointed and that was one of the instances in REBIRTH where I got to record the scene start to finish, and Cody might have already recorded.

Sometimes they’ll play his lines for me, which is also really nice and helpful because I’m then playing off of him, which I think I did get to do in that scene.

What’s the most challenging thing about playing Tifa?

One of the most challenging things about playing Tifa is making everyone happy. I mean, it’s a hard challenge to come in as an actor and play a character that so many people have different opinions of and different emotional attachments to, and different ideas of how she should sound or how she should react to certain moments.

Just navigating, doing the fans justice, and also doing myself justice in terms of relying on my own choices as an actor, and with our directors, is the fun balancing act of being a part of such a massive game with such a huge history, versus a completely new IP.

That’s one of the fun challenges of her. And I think she’s very dynamic, so some days you’re doing efforts and really loud. She’s in her warrior mode and fighter mode. And other days it’s these really emotional scenes that are so quiet and intimate.

So, that juxtaposition is also super-challenging because you’re really jumping from one mode to the next when you’re recording. But it’s fun!

How did you overcome that challenge and balance that softness and fierceness?

Just through my training as an actor! I don’t want to speak for all of us, but this is kind of why you want to become an actor. You want to play the high highs and the low lows.

That’s one of the best parts of getting to be part of a game like this and getting to play a character like this. I get the opportunity to get really soft and grounded and intimate, and have these emotional scenes, and these super high stakes…

And we get to do these really silly, fun side quests, we’re joking around in scenes and we’re fighting. It’s a challenge - I’m not sure how I navigate it other than to just be in the moment and believe in the given circumstances.

Acting 101 (laughs).

What’s your favorite thing about playing Tifa?

My favorite thing about playing Tifa is her kindness. When she gets to be really empathetic and is leading with her heart and her moral compass, those are kind of my favorite scenes. That’s when I feel like Tifa shines as a human and those are the scenes that I just personally really enjoy recording.

As a martial artist, Tifa has to make a lot of grunts, or ‘efforts’. Is this a physical task for you? How do you approach it?

I think I am acting it out a little bit, however you can’t move much because you don’t want to move off mic. Voice acting is super-technical, especially for my character. It’s very different than John (Eric Bentley) playing… (thinks) Barret… (bursts out laughing) Oh my God, I forgot his character’s name! I’m like “Who does that guy play again?”

John Eric Bentley: Did somebody say your name!?

Britt Baron: (laughing) Ok, let me go back. What was the question again?

Efforts…

Oh yeah! When I’m recording Tifa’s efforts I’m absolutely standing up. I can’t sit down to do that. It’s very technical - you can’t move off mic. So, as much as I wish I could really be throwing punches or kicks, you can’t. It’s just about being grounded.

Also, our director Kirk, really helps me because it’s very easy when you’re doing, like 100 efforts to just keep doing the same sound over and over again. So sometimes you really do need an extra ear to be like” “Okay, try something with your mouth closed”, or “Maybe you’re pulling yourself up or you’re pulling yourself down”. Because otherwise it can get really repetitive.

We have a great team behind us, which I’m very grateful for.

What is your favorite memory of recording FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH?

I got to bring my dog to a recording session in the second game, and that was really fun! She did ruin a few takes snoring, but besides that, it was just really fun to have her with me.

And, you know, she can’t spoil anything because she did sign an NDA. That was a fun memory, though, for me.

Other than Tifa, are there any other game characters that you’d really love to play?

I don’t have a ton of gaming experience. However, I did spend many hours playing Mario Kart on N64. And even to this day, even on the Switch where there’s all these new characters, I only play as Yoshi, I actually will not play the game if I’m not Yoshi.

So, I guess I would say Yoshi. Not that I can do an impression. Please don’t ask me to do that!

Please can you do an impression of Yoshi?

(Laughing) Oh no!

Yoshi!

(Everyone cheers at the surprisingly spot-on impression)

Did I get the part?

Sadly, not one of our games. What aspects of Tifa do you wish you had in real life?

Getting to see my voice behind these insane moves that Tifa is performing is pretty incredible. I like to take some of her abilities and pretend that I could do that because I was cast to portray that. So, I will take her strength and talent and pretend that I can do that. Even though I can’t.

But I did grow up as a dancer, so, you know, that’s something (laughs). I can’t do backflips and land on my feet, but in this game I can and it’s pretty cool to see my voice alongside that.

I live vicariously through Tifa.

Who would you say are your personal favorite characters in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH?

Oh, I don’t know… it might be Aerith. Or Yuffie. Both of them are so fun. Not that Tifa’s not fun, but I love that Aerith gets to be kind of sarcastic and bold and she’s really confident. Same with Yuffie - they both bring that energy. I think Tifa is a little more grounded.

What message would you give to fans about the upcoming FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH?

My message to fans is… oh god, how much can I spoil?

Ok, my message to fans is to be excited, be open-minded because I think we have some really fun surprises, and I think we also have some awesome fan service that will make everyone happy. I’m hoping, knock on wood (taps her own head).

Let’s not jinx anything, but I’m really proud. I think it’s a really exciting new chapter and we’ve really expanded this world.

Many thanks to Britt Baron. You can hear her as Tifa in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, coming February 29 2024 to PS5.

Preorder any digital edition of the game to get the following bonus item:

Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in game item)

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (PS4 / PS5) save file

Summon Materia: Leviathan

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE EPISODE INTERmission save file

Summon Materia: Ramuh

Please note that save data must be saved on the PS5 system.

Standard Edition (physical and digital)

Available both digitally and physically. The physical version comes across two discs and includes a reversible cover.

This edition includes:

The full game

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Standard Edition

Deluxe Edition (physical only)

The physical Deluxe Edition also includes the below:

The full game
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD (in jewel case)
Physical artbook

It's available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Deluxe Edition

Digital Deluxe Edition (digital only)

Available to preorder from the PlayStation Store, this edition includes:

The full game
Digital mini soundtrack
Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition

Collector’s Edition

Available from the Square Enix Store, this edition is a real treat for fans. It includes:

The full game (across two discs)
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH STATIC ARTS - SEPHIROTH - a large, highly detailed statue of Sephiroth
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD
Physical artbook features stunning illustrations and concept art from the game
Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Collector's Edition

Twin Pack (digital only)

This terrific twin pack gives you access to both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the upcoming game FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

Once ordered, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE right away and be ready to continue the adventure in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH on release day.

The set includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - full game

Get the Twin Pack

Digital Deluxe Twin Pack (digital only)

This bumper bundle gives you both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE Digital Deluxe Edition, and all the awesome content that comes with it.

Once purchased, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE right away:

It includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game, including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition - full game
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital mini soundtrack
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)

It’s available to order now. What’s more, purchase before launch for a significant discount on the price of both games!

Get the Digital Deluxe Twin Pack

To stay up to date with news and information about FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, please follow us on social media:

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FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH: Cody Christian talks Cloud Strife

The actor who brings the iconic Cloud Strife to life in FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE and FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH shares his take on the Buster Sword-wielding hero!

By Duncan Heaney

Few characters in gaming are as beloved as Cloud Strife.

This spikey-haired protagonist of FINAL FANTASY VII is a former SOLDIER operative who arrived in Midgar to start a new chapter of his life as a mercenary. After many adventures in the city, he leaves Midgar behind in pursuit of Sephiroth and the truth – a quest which will lead him to defy destiny itself.

He is, to put it mildly, a complex figure, so it needs a talented performer to bring him to life.

Actor Cody Christian has done just that, portraying the character in the acclaimed FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE. And that was no one-time gig - he’s back in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - coming to PS5 on February 29, 2023.

This new game goes deeper into Cloud and his fellow party members’ backgrounds than ever before. You’ll experience new depths to his personality and develop an even deeper insight into this most complicated of heroes. In short, there’s plenty for an actor of Cody’s calibre to get his teeth into!

We spoke to Cody about his experiences portraying Cloud - and his excitement now that he’s part of the FINAL FANTASY family.

Hi Cody. How did you feel when you saw the positive reaction to FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE, and your portrayal of Cloud?

I went from being incredibly overwhelmed to feeling as if I could take a deep breath.

I think the first game, especially more than the second, was a lot of weight. There was a lot of expectations, whether they were what I put on myself, or what I expected for the fans - what they deserved in the game.

But finally having it be received and received well - especially during a crazy time because that was the pandemic – I couldn’t have been happier, honestly. And it gave me so much confidence moving forward, and so much more excitement going into the second part of the game and potentially the third as well.

So, I’m cool now, man! I feel like I’m finally able to live in this and enjoy it!

How has Cloud changed between that game and FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH?

I think in the first game we saw a much more guarded, closed off version of Cloud. A lot of stoicism involved, right? The second game allows us to go a bit deeper in his character and his emotional journey, and there’s a lot more depth to explore.

One of my favorite aspects of Cloud, and bringing it to life, is the vulnerability within him. I think we really get a chance to kind of dive deep into the second game, which opens up a whole new side of Cloud in my opinion.

How difficult was it to balance Cloud’s practiced aloofness, with his heart and humanity? There are so many sides to the character so it must have been tricky to capture them all…

I don’t think the execution of it was that difficult. You got to keep in mind - and I would love to share this publicly - I had so much help and assistance in the studio behind the scenes. Not only with my Director, Kirk, but also the sound engineer, and especially Ben - he’s one of our translators that works with Square Enix. So, I had so much knowledge, so much support which provided comfortability.

That helped alleviate a lot. But I think for me, executing the part of Cloud and really pulling it off… it has to go with just humanizing as much as possible. You know, he has a crazy storyline and crazy history. A lot of stuff has happened. There’s a lot of trauma, a lot of things impacting him.

So, seeing him grow out of his shell has been a journey. Again, it wasn’t too difficult to execute - more or less just trying to understand who he is at the core and then let everything else breathe naturally from there!

You get to play through Cloud’s memories of the past Cloud in this game. How did you change your performance for the younger version of the character?

Honestly, I had to do some actual physical changes, kind of lightening up the tone, trying to reach a higher octave. Naturally, my voice sits a little lower, so that was fun to explore.

There were two different age brackets. There was like a younger, younger cloud and then a slightly older version of that. And then the current state that I voice them in.

But outside of physically changing the voice, it was just also changing the mindset depending on where it was in the story. What had happened, what had occurred, what was his life really like, what was his relationships like? Because again, there’s such a duality to the character. And as an actor, something that has excited me the most about portraying him is there’s just so many sides, there’s so many things acting all at once.

We see young Cloud in the village, we see Cloud beginning SOLDIER training… there’s all different phases of his life. So, it’s really just about understanding the context of where he’s at and letting it all come from there.

Are there any scenes you’re particularly proud of in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH?

There is actually. There’s a whole sequence - I don’t know where exactly in the game and I don’t want to give away too much - but we’ll just say that we see a very… unhinged side of Cloud.

Exploring that, and the interactions with the core characters and who know him… I’m getting chills thinking about it - it was really, really cool! I’m excited for fans to see it.

What was the most challenging thing about portraying Cloud in this game?

I mean, the realest answer that I can give you is that the way the recording process works, we’re constantly jumping from the beginning to the middle, back to the beginning of a scene.

We don’t record anything chronologically, so it’s difficult to kind of figure out where you are in that exact moment, what has happened previously, what’s about to happen next. There’s a lot of like questioning, and really making sure you know where you’re at.

And quite honestly, I’d say that was the most difficult process. Because, again, having had the first game come out and people not go on a rampage to try to get me out, I was like: “okay” (laughs). It was so much easier and so much more comfortable.

What’s the best thing about playing Cloud Strife?

The best thing about playing Cloud Strife… is being able to play Cloud Strife, man (laughs)!

I mean, there it is - it’s iconic, it’s legendary and to be part of such a crazy franchise with such a rich history and fanbase… I’m a gamer myself so I really know what it’s like and what it feels like to be connected with a videogame, a character, a franchise, series or whatever it may be.

So, to be part of something so special to so many people in all their own ways… I feel that’s art in the best form!

What is your favorite memory involving FINAL FANTASY VII?

I have a couple and they came in different phases. There’s a funny story about booking the job because I auditioned for it with no real context about what it was. I got these crazy instructions about what to do, and I remember in the actual session, they were like, “Okay, so imagine seven or eight people around you and you have a really big weapon, and you just swing and take them all out at once.”

I’ve never done that before in my life, so just out of nowhere, I just went (shouts) “argh!” and started doing crazy stuff.

So, this audition happens, and I don’t hear anything for a month or a month and a half. So, I’m assuming: “Okay, I completely wrecked that!” Then I get the phone call, and they tell me what it is, the role, the project because everything was under code names at the time.

As soon as I found out what it was, I called my brother who’s a massive fan of FINAL FANTASY. I told him the news and he freaked out, and when he freaked out, the magnitude of kind of what was about to happen hit me.

It was just a really cool moment for me. It was cool moment for my brother and I to share. So that was like the first one.

My second one was New York Comic Con. I hadn’t had the chance to publicly be a part of this game yet and interact with fans. New York Comic Con was my first time being able to do it, so I was excited to see it. I’m excited for the fans to see what’s in store!

So, be honest, who’s your favorite character in the game?

I mean, I’m pretty cool. (Looks at Barret’s voice actor John Eric Bentley, who is sitting nearby) But that Barret guy is all right. He’s all right too, I guess (laughs).

What’s your favorite thing about your character?

I think I have the coolest weapon in the game for sure, hands down. But on the deeper side of things, I think just the emotional journey of the character, the depth and everything that he’s going through and has been through is very cool, very unique, and it makes him really one of one. So, it’s pretty legendary to be able to bring it to life.

Finally, is there anything you want to say to fans?

I just want to say thank you. I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. And I’m going to keep it short and sweet and as genuine as possible.

This was a very daunting experience to tackle the first go around. The second one has been much more enjoyable and much easier. I hope whatever is to come, you guys will continue to love it.

And I thank you so much for the support!

Many thanks to Cody for his time - and his amazing performance as Cloud Strife. You can hear him in action in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, coming to PS5 on February 29, 2023.

Preorder any digital edition of the game to get the following bonus item:

Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in game item)

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (PS4 / PS5) save file

Summon Materia: Leviathan

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE EPISODE INTERmission save file

Summon Materia: Ramuh

Please note that save data must be saved on the PS5 system.

Standard Edition (physical and digital)

Available both digitally and physically. The physical version comes across two discs and includes a reversible cover.

This edition includes:

The full game

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Standard Edition

Deluxe Edition (physical only)

The physical Deluxe Edition also includes the below:

The full game
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD (in jewel case)
Physical artbook

It's available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Deluxe Edition

Digital Deluxe Edition (digital only)

Available to preorder from the PlayStation Store, this edition includes:

The full game
Digital mini soundtrack
Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition

Collector’s Edition

Available from the Square Enix Store, this edition is a real treat for fans. It includes:

The full game (across two discs)
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH STATIC ARTS - SEPHIROTH - a large, highly detailed statue of Sephiroth
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD
Physical artbook features stunning illustrations and concept art from the game
Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Collector's Edition

Twin Pack (digital only)

This terrific twin pack gives you access to both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the upcoming game FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

Once ordered, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE right away and be ready to continue the adventure in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH on release day.

The set includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - full game

Get the Twin Pack

Digital Deluxe Twin Pack (digital only)

This bumper bundle gives you both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE Digital Deluxe Edition, and all the awesome content that comes with it.

Once purchased, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE right away:

It includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game, including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition - full game
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital mini soundtrack
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)

It’s available to order now. What’s more, purchase before launch for a significant discount on the price of both games!

Get the Digital Deluxe Twin Pack

To stay up to date with news and information about FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, please follow us on social media:

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FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH preview: Get a closer look at Cait Sith, Yuffie, Elena and more!

We reveal some new areas of the game, showcase some of Yuffie and Cait Sith’s amazing combat abilities and much more!

By Duncan Heaney

It’s the start of a New Year, and what better way to celebrate than with a new look at one of 2024’s most exciting games!

Our brand new trailer takes you deeper into the game to offer another tantalizing tease of what to expect. Take a look:

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH launches for PS5 on February 29, 2024 and is set to be a truly epic adventure. Here’s just a taste of some of the places you’ll get to explore… and some of the compelling characters you’ll meet along the way.

Regions of the World

The world of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is comprised of multiple regions. Each boasts unique environments for you to explore. Let's take a look at a couple now:

Starboard Junon

An urban residential zone within the fortified metropolis overlooking the ocean. In addition to housing for Shinra personnel, high-end boutiques and restaurants line its streets.

Currently, preparations are underway here for Rufus Shinra’s presidential inauguration parade.

Shinra-8

A Shinra cruise ship that ferries travelers between the planet’s eastern and western continents. After departing the port of Junon, it heads for the resort town of Costa del Sol.

As part of the on-board entertainment, the ship plays host to a Queen’s Blood tournament.

New Characters: Cait Sith & Moogle

This gregarious cat fights from atop his sturdy moogle mount, who provides both mobility and support during battle.

When Cait’s not duking it out, his high-tech helper aids him in hacking computer systems and telling fortunes.

New Characters: Elena

Voice Actor: Piper Reese

Though she may be a rookie, she’s as skilled with her fists and a gun as anyone else in the Turks unit of Shinra’s General Affairs Division.

She and her partner Rude are tasked with pursuing the black-robed figures, which she is more than happy to do if it means being assigned a mission with Tseng.

New Characters: Captain Titov

Voice Actor: Jonathan Lipow

The captain of the Shinra-8, responsible for overseeing safe passage for all who travel between Junon and Costa del Sol. He’s earned a sterling reputation among his crew, thanks to his unerring devotion to his duties.

This is most evident during the various festivities held aboard his vessel, which he personally - and passionately - emcees.

Combat

Next up, let's take a look at what some of the new additions to the party can do in battle!

Yuffie

Basic Attacks: Yuffie quickly strikes enemies with a large throwing star. The speed with which she attacks allows you to charge ATB faster than most.

While her throwing star is out, Yuffie can unleash magic-infused "ninjutsu" to punish foes.

Abilities: Yuffie excels at chaining her attacks together and switching their elemental affinity.

Her Doppelgänger ability allows her to attack in tandem with her clone, enabling her to exploit enemies’ weaknesses even more effectively.

Unique ability: Hurling her throwing star at enemies allows Yuffie to keep up the pressure from adistance.

While her throwing star’s out, she can also pelt her foes with ninjutsu. Whatever element her target’s weak against, Yuffie has a ninjutsu spell for it.

Cait Sith

Basic attacks: Cait Sith darts about the battlefield with the agility of an acrobat (or perhaps a cat?), assailing enemies from every side.

When he wants to switch things up, he brings out his moogle pal, changing his attacks.

Abilities: These Cait Sith-exclusive moves can hurt enemies or buff allies, but most rely on luck in some way.

“Let's Ride!,” however, allows him to hop on his moogle, enhancing his regular attacks and his unique abilities.

Unique Abilities: While riding his moogle, Cait Sith can give enemies the boot with Dropkick.

Once his moogle’s attacks have filled the Moogle Meter, he can also buff his companions with abilities like “Defense!”

Synergy Abilities

Synergy abilities are powerful attacks in which two characters team up to turn the tide of battle. More abilities will unlock as you increase the party level - a numerical expression of how closely-knit your team is - and deepen the affinity between party members.

Fill the synergy gauge by using abilities, then unleash a synchronized assault!

Moogle Pinwheel (Synergy Ability / Yuffie & Cait Sith)

Yuffie and Cait Sith attack in tandem with a secret ninja technique.

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH launches on February 29, 2024 for PS5. There’s still time to preorder too.

Preorder any digital edition of the game to get the following bonus item:

Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in game item)

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (PS4 / PS5) save file

Summon Materia: Leviathan

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE EPISODE INTERmission save file

Summon Materia: Ramuh

Please note that save data must be saved on the PS5 system.

Standard Edition (physical and digital)

Available both digitally and physically. The physical version comes across two discs and includes a reversible cover.

This edition includes:

The full game

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Standard Edition

Deluxe Edition (physical only)

The physical Deluxe Edition also includes the below:

The full game
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD (in jewel case)
Physical artbook

It's available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Deluxe Edition

Digital Deluxe Edition (digital only)

Available to preorder from the PlayStation Store, this edition includes:

The full game
Digital mini soundtrack
Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition

Collector’s Edition

Available from the Square Enix Store, this edition is a real treat for fans. It includes:

The full game (across two discs)
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH STATIC ARTS - SEPHIROTH - a large, highly detailed statue of Sephiroth
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD
Physical artbook features stunning illustrations and concept art from the game
Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Collector's Edition

Twin Pack (digital only)

This terrific twin pack gives you access to both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the upcoming game FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

Once ordered, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE right away and be ready to continue the adventure in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH on release day.

The set includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - full game

Get the Twin Pack

Digital Deluxe Twin Pack (digital only)

This bumper bundle gives you both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE Digital Deluxe Edition, and all the awesome content that comes with it.

Once purchased, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE right away:

It includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game, including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition - full game
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital mini soundtrack
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)

It’s available to order now. What’s more, purchase before launch for a significant discount on the price of both games!

Get the Digital Deluxe Twin Pack

To stay up to date with news and information about FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, please follow us on social media:

0Read More

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH: Theme song, Vincent and Cid revealed!

We have lots of new information to share about FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, from new characters to returning favorites. Check out this preview to learn more.

By Duncan Heaney

We’re back with a new preview of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, and this time it’s as much a treat for the ears as it is the eyes.

Firstly, we’re excited to reveal our brand new trailer, which debuted at The Game Awards 2023 - alongside a dazzling live performance by featured vocalist Loren Allred! Take a look and listen with the extended Theme Song Trailer here:

The new song, titled ‘No Promises to Keep’, was written by the legendary Nobuo Uematsu, the composer for the original FINAL FANTASY VII. It’s performed by Loren Allred, the renowned, platinum-selling artist who captivated the world with her single “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman.

The trailer features lots of new details about the game, including the first appearance of the courageous pilot Cid Highwind, a proper look at Vincent Valentine and the return of beloved characters Marlene and Biggs.

It’s a whirlwind tour, so let’s slow things down a little and take a closer look at some of these reveals:

Regions of the World

The world of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is comprised of multiple regions, each boasting unique environments for you to explore and experience on your adventure. Let's take a look at a couple:

Gold Saucer

Referred to as the gilded paradise, the Gold Saucer is a resplendent amusement park on an epic scale. It is divided into seven areas, called "squares," each with their own unique attractions. One such is the Skywheel, which takes guests high above the Saucer for an unforgettable view of the park, and has proven to be a popular date spot.

Corel Prison

A sprawling slum that infests the base of the Gold Saucer.

It's almost as if the Saucer's glimmering façade acts a beacon for vagabonds and ne'er-do-wells the world over, as they have flocked there in droves. So dangerous is the Dustbowl - Corel Prison's slightly kinder sobriquet - that those who enter its limits are said to never return.

New Characters

Next, let's introduce some of the new faces you'll encounter in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH:

Vincent Valentine

Voice Actor: Matthew Mercer

A self-proclaimed "security" guard who hibernates in a coffin deep below Shinra Manor. This man of mystery is swathed in a red cape and boasts the genes of a monster─as well as a hidden connection to Sephiroth.

Cid Highwind

Voice Actor: J. Michael Tatum

This rogue pilot of reputable skill runs a shuttle service out of various abandoned airstrips. After Cloud and company flag him down, he flies them around the globe in his beloved Tiny Bronco.

Dyne

Voice Actor: Dave B. Mitchell

Dyne was once Barret’s closest friend, back when the two used to make their living in the coal mines of Corel. Now, he is a wanted man with a gun grafted to his left arm, and his current whereabouts are unknown.

Dio

Voice Actor: Ian James Corlett

The charismatic owner of the Gold Saucer. Famous for his brawny physique and handlebar mustache, Dio is often found participating in his park’s parades, flexing his muscles before throngs of screaming guests.

Doctor Sheiran

Voice Actor: Lloyd Sherr

Though his clinic in North Corel may be small, Doctor Sheiran's heart and intellect are anything but. Lately, he has been caring for the black-robed figures that have stumbled into town, and is attempting to uncover the truth behind their mysterious illness.

Solemn Gus

Voice Actor: Jonah Scott

The sleazy kingpin of Corel Prison, Gus is as flamboyant as he is smooth-talking. Add to that a healthy dose of showmanship, and it's little wonder that the dregs of the Dustbowl have flocked to him.

Biggs

Voice Actor: Gideon Emery

After surviving the fall of the Sector 7 plate, Biggs awoke to find that he is the last remaining member of the ill-fated anti-Shinra rebels, Avalanche. Having recovered from his injuries, he now seeks revenge against the company that murdered his comrades.

Combat: Synergy attacks

Synergy attacks are powerful attacks in which two characters team up to turn the tide of battle. More abilities will unlock as you increase the party level - a numerical expression of how closely-knit your team is - and deepen the affinity between party members. Fill the synergy gauge by using abilities, then unleash a synchronized assault!

Here are some new examples:

Cloud/Aerith: Firework Blade

Cloud uses Aerith's magic to unleash a ranged attack

Tifa/Cait Sith: Moogle Dunk Shot

Tifa swings Cait Sith's moogle around and launches it at an enemy.

Combat: Summons

Setting summoning materia will grant access to the power of the gods.

A conjured deity will follow your lead and fight enemies automatically, but you can also instruct them to use special abilities.

Before they depart the battlefield, summons will unleash one final attack that will wreak immense havoc.

Titan

A titanic colossus whose arms of solid stone can rend the earth - and your enemies - asunder.

Titan excels at both powerful melee strikes and area-of-effect attacks, such as Boulder Hurl.

Upon leaving the battlefield, Titan unleashes Earthen Fury, calling forth giant pillars of rock from deep within the earth. This imposing magic attack harnesses the power of nature to cleave your enemies' resolve.

Bahamut Arisen

A massive dragon covered in resplendent red scales.

It cuts off any possible escape routes with its lightning-quick speed, and decimates its enemies with both sharp claws and a veritable arsenal of weaponry.

Bahamut Arisen excels at attacking in rapid succession, but can also obliterate foes with charged magic attacks from its limbs. Once its Umbral Bombardment lands, it releases two orbs of magic that fan out and annihilate all surrounding enemies.

When it leaves the battlefield, Bahamut Arisen activates Gigaflare - an extremely potent attack that sees the dragon unleash beams of magic from its wings and maw, burning any nearby foes alive.

Phoenix

A bird possessed of exquisite beauty and wings of brilliant flame. Phoenix not only flies about the battlefield assailing foes with its blisteringly hot attacks, but also heals the party's wounds.

In addition to engulfing enemies in flames with its wings of wildfire, Phoenix can grant buffs with healing effects. It can also revive incapacitated allies and fully recover their HP with Arise, allowing them to return to the front line and continue the fight.

When it departs the field of battle, Phoenix unleashes Rebirth Flame, which recovers the party's HP and spells a fiery death any foes within its wide range. A single feather falls from Phoenix's wings, enveloping the battlefield in burning flames, after which the bird rises from the cinders to deal the final blow.

Relationships: Bonds of Friendship

Cloud's actions and the way he responds to other party members while conversing with them will affect his relationship with them.

With a strong enough bond, you may even reap some benefits, so whenever you're faced with a decision, you might want to think hard before responding - especially if it concerns your favorite character.

Relationships: Loveless

A theatrical production based on the classic epic poem Loveless. It depicts a hero's fight against the Dragon King, the tyrannical ruler of Guardia, as well as his love for Princess Rosa.

Thanks to the latest in VR technology, the Gold Saucer's Golden Theatre brings this play to life like never before.

Depending on your relationship with your fellow theatergoers, the person playing Rosa may even change - along with parts of the script.

New screenshots

There’s not long to wait to experience FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH for yourselves. The game launches February 29, 2024, for PS5.

Preorder any digital edition of the game to get the following bonus item:

Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in game item)

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (PS4 / PS5) save file

Summon Materia: Leviathan

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE EPISODE INTERmission save file

Summon Materia: Ramuh

Please note that save data must be saved on the PS5 system.

Standard Edition (physical and digital)

Available both digitally and physically. The physical version comes across two discs and includes a reversible cover.

This edition includes:

The full game

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Standard Edition

Deluxe Edition (physical only)

The physical Deluxe Edition also includes the below:

The full game
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD (in jewel case)
Physical artbook

It's available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Deluxe Edition

Digital Deluxe Edition (digital only)

Available to preorder from the PlayStation Store, this edition includes:

The full game
Digital mini soundtrack
Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition

Collector’s Edition

Available from the Square Enix Store, this edition is a real treat for fans. It includes:

The full game (across two discs)
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH STATIC ARTS - SEPHIROTH - a large, highly detailed statue of Sephiroth
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD
Physical artbook features stunning illustrations and concept art from the game
Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Collector's Edition

Twin Pack (digital only)

This terrific twin pack gives you access to both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the upcoming game FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

Once ordered, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE right away and be ready to continue the adventure in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH on release day.

The set includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - full game

Get the Twin Pack

Digital Deluxe Twin Pack (digital only)

This bumper bundle gives you both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE Digital Deluxe Edition, and all the awesome content that comes with it.

Once purchased, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE right away:

It includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game, including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition - full game
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital mini soundtrack
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)

It’s available to order now. What’s more, purchase before launch for a significant discount on the price of both games!

Get the Digital Deluxe Twin Pack

To stay up to date with news and information about FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, please follow us on social media:

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New FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Preview - Plus FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE recap video revealed!

Learn about new characters, regions of the world, combat and more in this new preview. Plus watch a recap of FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE and the story so far!

By Duncan Heaney

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH launches in just a few short months on February 29, 2024 and we’re excited to be able to show you more about what to expect.

But, before we look at where we’re going, what about where we’ve been? We’ve just released a ‘Story So Far’ recap video, which will also be viewable from the game’s main menu.

Narrated by none other than Red XIII, it retells the events of FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE - perfect if you want a refresher ahead of the new game, or plan to dive right into the series with FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

Take a look:

Next up, let’s look at some of the things you’ll see in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, including some regions of the world, new characters, combat and more.

Regions of the world

The world is comprised of multiple regions, each boasting unique environments for you to explore and experience on your adventure.

Let's take a look at a couple:

Kalm

A halcyon hamlet kept safe from the outside world by a sturdy stone wall. Though it lacks a reactor of its own, it thrives thanks to a steady supply of mako piped in from the metropolis of Midgar, which is visible from atop the town’s famous clock tower.

Mythril Mine

A once-bustling mine that connects the grasslands with Junon. Though once prized for its rich mythril deposits, the quarry fell into disuse after Shinra developed a superior mineral of their own, and the miners that once worked its tunnels have been replaced with monsters.

New characters

Next up, we'll introduce a couple of new characters you'll meet on your journey!

Broden

Voice Actor: Mick Lauer

Owner and operator of the Inn at Kalm. He bears a grudge against Shinra, and offers to help Cloud and friends escape their would-be corporate captors. His gaunt appearance may be due to his recent bout with an unknown illness.

Rhonda

Voice Actor: G.K. Bowes

Mayor and sheriff of Under Junon. Her home, once a prosperous fishing village, fell into decline after Shinra constructed a military fortress overhead and a deep-sea mako reactor offshore. Despite Cloud and friends’ status as alleged terrorists, Rhonda still allows them to pass through her town.

Priscilla

Voice Actor: Reese Warren

A cheerful young girl who lives in Under Junon, often seen swimming with the dolphin she trains. The offshore mako reactor has contaminated the surrounding waters, and Priscilla fears for the safety of her dolphin friend and other aquatic creatures.

Billy

Voice Actor: Paul Castro Jr.

Grandson of Bill, owner of a chocobo ranch in the grasslands. Having lost his parents at a young age, he and his sister were raised by their grandfather. This young ranch hand kindly offers to teach Cloud and company the ropes of chocobo wrangling - on the condition that they patronize his sister’s shop.

Chloe

Voice Actor: Trinity Bliss

Billy’s younger sister, she runs a shop on the ranch where she sells crafting materials and other curios. Warm and kindhearted, she engages politely with Cloud and company and is grateful for their patronage. At the same time, she is worried about her brother’s fixation on making money.

Combat: Red XIII and Aerith

Next up, we'll look at some of the combat abilities for Red XIII and Aerith.

Red XIII: Basic attacks

Red XIII slashes at foes with his sharp claws. Hold down the button to unleash a wide-range attack that helps build ATB quickly.

Red XIII: Abilities

Red XIII boasts a vast array of skills, from lightning-fast physical strikes to ranged magical attacks. Stardust Ray conjures an exploding orb of light that scorches all foes caught in the blast.

Red XIII: Vengeance Mode (Unique Ability)

Block incoming attacks to fill the vengeance gauge, and unleash that energy to enter vengeance mode, enhancing his physical attacks and his evasive prowess. Siphon Fang delivers a powerful blow while absorbing some of the enemy's HP - all without expending ATB.

Aerith: Ward Shift (Unique Ability)

Aerith can instantaneously warp to any sigils she has created, allowing her to move about the field with ease and maximize the impact of her magic.

Combat: Synergy Abilities

Fill the synergy gauge by using abilities, then unleash a synchronized assault! Here are some more examples:

Cloud/Tifa: Relentless Rush

Cloud launches Tifa toward an enemy to attack in tandem.

Barret/Red XIII: Overfang

Barret sends Red XIII flying toward an enemy at high velocity.

Combat: Synergy Skills

Two party members can team up to activate useful abilities without consuming ATB. These commands can be executed while blocking, and provide a wide array of beneficial effects. Each pair has their own unique set of abilities; some deal damage, while others offer support.

Here are some examples:

Cloud/Aerith: Spell Blade

Gather strength, then team up to unleash a charged magical attack.

Barret/Cloud: Mad Dash

Team up to charge forward while guarding against incoming attacks. Activate in sequence to trigger a three-hit combo.

Combat: Summons

Setting summoning materia will grant access to the power of the gods. A conjured deity will follow the player's lead and fight enemies automatically, but you can also instruct them to use special abilities.

Before they depart the battlefield, summons will unleash one final attack that will wreak immense havoc.

Kujata

A bovine deity that charges around the battlefield wielding the power of fire, ice, and lightning. It throws foes with its enormous horns and unleashes magical attacks that strike even distant enemies’ weaknesses.

Kujata bounds towards foes with reckless abandon and manipulates its elemental affinities to deliver magical attacks. Blazing Horn launches a concentrated burst of fiery energy at an enemy, blasting them back.

Kujata unleashes Tri-Disaster just before leaving the battlefield, a powerful wide-range attack imbued with the powers of fire, ice, and lightning--sure to hit many foes right where it hurts and potentially wipe them out.

World Intel

Chadley enlists your help with deepening his understanding of the world. As you explore the various regions, you will uncover new areas rich with treasures and natural wonders. Data points accumulated in your travels can then be spent to develop useful new materia.

Protorelics

Protorelics are artifacts of unknown origin that emit a unique energy signal. These elusive antiquities are hidden throughout the world─but with the aid of activated remnawave towers, Chadley should be able to point you in their direction. Be warned, however: they seem to alter space-time, and are known to cause strange phenomena.

Materia Development

Assisting Chadley with his world-spanning research will allow you to accrue data points, which can then be spent to develop new materia. Some offer access to spells of multiple affinities, while others grant the use of unique abilities - all of which are sure to prove useful against even the most formidable foes.

World: Chocoboutiques

Chocobo ranches are also home to chocoboutiques, stalls at which you can freely customize and recolor your bird’s equipment from head to talon. Gear will impact its performance in chocobo races, so find an ensemble that suits your style and go for the gold!

Combat Styles / Difficulty Levels

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH offers multiple combat styles and difficulty levels for players of all persuasions.

“Active” mode offers players total control over their characters’ every move, allowing them to execute advanced strategies.
“Classic” mode automates characters’ basic actions, giving players time to focus on specific command selection.

Easy” difficulty allows people to focus on the story rather than battles, while “Normal” provides a reasonable challenge for most players. In the newly added “Dynamic” difficulty, enemies grow stronger as your characters do - perfect for players who crave constant challenge.

We have one final treat - pease enjoy this stunning new art featuring Aerith and the Highwind airship:

We hope you’re excited to experience all this for yourselves when FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH launches for PS5 on February 29, 2024.

The game is available to preorder now.

Preorder any digital edition of the game to get the following bonus item:

Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in game item)

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (PS4 / PS5) save file

Summon Materia: Leviathan

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE EPISODE INTERmission save file

Summon Materia: Ramuh

Please note that save data must be saved on the PS5 system.

Standard Edition (physical and digital)

Available both digitally and physically. The physical version comes across two discs and includes a reversible cover.

This edition includes:

The full game

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Standard Edition

Deluxe Edition (physical only)

The physical Deluxe Edition also includes the below:

The full game
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD (in jewel case)
Physical artbook

It's available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Deluxe Edition

Digital Deluxe Edition (digital only)

Available to preorder from the PlayStation Store, this edition includes:

The full game
Digital mini soundtrack
Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition

Collector’s Edition

Available from the Square Enix Store, this edition is a real treat for fans. It includes:

The full game (across two discs)
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH STATIC ARTS - SEPHIROTH - a large, highly detailed statue of Sephiroth
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD
Physical artbook features stunning illustrations and concept art from the game
Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Collector's Edition

Twin Pack (digital only)

This terrific twin pack gives you access to both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the upcoming game FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

Once ordered, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE right away and be ready to continue the adventure in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH on release day.

The set includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - full game

Get the Twin Pack

Digital Deluxe Twin Pack (digital only)

This bumper bundle gives you both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE Digital Deluxe Edition, and all the awesome content that comes with it.

Once purchased, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE right away:

It includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game, including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition - full game
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital mini soundtrack
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)

It’s available to order now. What’s more, purchase before launch for a significant discount on the price of both games!

Get the Digital Deluxe Twin Pack

To stay up to date with news and information about FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, please follow us on social media:

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Interview: Making music with Masashi Hamauzu

The legendary composer who worked on FINAL FANTASY X, FINAL FANTASY XIII and FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE looks back on his career and how to make unforgettable music.

By Square Enix

If you’re a fan of game music, you’ve almost certainly heard of Masashi Hamauzu - or at least listened to his work.

The legendary composer has contributed to some of the greatest soundtracks of all time, including SaGa Frontier 2, FINAL FANTASY X, FINAL FANTASY XIII and FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE.

Hamauzu-san was recently in Los Angeles to attend the DISTANT WORLDS concert series and kindly agreed to speak to us about his career, the concert and more.

How did you get your start as a professional composer?

I became interested in composing music in my late teens, and I went to college to study vocal music. I liked games a lot as well, so I thought it would be great if I could do that sort of work.

Square Enix - or Squaresoft as it was at the time - was looking for a composer, so I applied and got accepted.

How did you come to work on FINAL FANTASY?

During the development of FINAL FANTASY VII, I was involved as a chorus member. Because I went to college for vocal music and singing, when I joined SQUARE ENIX, I sang in the first recording Sephiroth’s song - One-Winged Angel.

A short time later, I was asked to participate in the development of FINAL FANTASY X as one of the composers - either by the development team or Nobuo Uematsu (Composer, FINAL FANTASY I-XI). I wrote about a third of the music overall.

A few years later, FINAL FANTASY XIII came about, and as development was about to begin, I was asked by the producer, Yoshinori Kitase, if I would be interested in composing the music. So, I took the job.

How would you describe your own process of composition?

For a long time, I did not really know what my style was, but recently I have come to feel that all I have done so far has been a lot of trial and error, which has not been very good.

If I continue to disregard the methods of academics and pioneers and rely only on my passion and the momentum, not only does it take time for trial and error, but it also tends to limit the range of my expression.

I have recently taken up DIY and illustration, and I have found that learning from the ground up allows me to progress very quickly and, more importantly, greatly expands my range of expression. When I applied this perspective to composing music, I now find that my work efficiency has improved dramatically.

So much so that I think it would be faster to learn composition from scratch now as well (laughs).

You’ve also worked on games in the SaGa series. How would you say composing for SaGa differs to FINAL FANTASY?

That was a long time ago - the last title I worked on was more than 20 years ago now (laughs). It's hard to compare because those tracks were made when I was just starting out.

Nowadays it’s possible to record the music, but in the past, the SaGa series had a lot of sounds that were completely confined to the computer.

So, the approach to composing must be fundamentally different now…

Basically, you now have to make something on par with movies or anime.

In the past, sound sources were built into the games, which in today’s terms made it “cheap.” But we had to make do with those limitations.

Fans know your name and admire your work - does this add extra pressure when composing for a project now?

Honestly, no, not so much. Once I start making something, all I can think about is the world of the project on hand, so I don't really think about my surroundings.

You were part of the music team for FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE and now FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - did you feel any extra responsibility working on such a beloved game and soundtrack?

No, I didn’t feel any extra responsibility (laughs).

I guess that’s because you’ve been involved since the original.

Well, regardless of that…

You know, I’ve composed music for various media, including anime or movies, but I don’t feel any pressure at all from the fact that a title is well known. It’s all the same. It comes down to whether the work feels fulfilling.

If there is a difference, it would be when the director is more involved in the work. Whether it’s a game or anime, what kind of vision a director has, or how much passion they have for a project will really impact my level of motivation.

So, the mere fact that this is a remake doesn’t necessarily make too much of a difference to me.

We’re talking here at DISTANT WORLDS, and I think “Jessie’s Theme” from FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE is in today's set list. Hearing this track really elevated Jessie to heroine status in my mind. Did you compose this newly for REMAKE?

Yes, I did. Many composers took part in FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE, but there was a distinction of roles, such as me being in charge of basically the new characters and themes. It wasn’t an absolute rule, but I was put in charge of the newer parts.

What sort of style or feel did you want “Jessie’s Theme” to convey to the fans?

Actually, when I’m composing a piece, I don’t think about what I want to communicate to fans at all. The priority for me is the scene or how to portray a character, so I think about what kind of song I personally would want to hear if I was a viewer or player.

I feel you really need to pursue that point, otherwise the music won’t come across to players in a good way.

How does it feel to see your work performed live in series like DISTANT WORLDS?

I always get quite nervous! Making music for a game and having it performed by an orchestra in front of an audience are two very different things, so I have mixed feelings about it. I always wonder how it will turn out or what kind of reaction it will receive.

For example, the original game music itself may be for recording purposes only and not necessarily be composed for a stage performance. Such music is arranged for an orchestra, so it’s hard to tell how that would turn out.

So, I may ask someone else to arrange the music, but we’d have to determine whether it’s suitable for the stage - it’s a major consideration.

Which other composers do you admire?

I’m trying to be completely honest these days, so the answer is, there are none.

There’s a simple reason for that: I don’t know. I don’t really listen to much music.

Of course, there are composers I like. I like classical musicians, and I like a composer named Koichi Sakata, who wrote music for Taiga dramas (Japanese historical dramas) and such, though many people today may not be familiar with him.

But I don't actually listen to too much music. I don't know why, but I stopped listening to a lot of music after entering my 20s. I’m easily influenced by anything I hear, so I get overloaded just going through my daily life.

What would you say is your proudest career achievement?

There’s a music group that I established and am a part of called IMERUAT (which means “flash of light” in the Ainu language). It’s an independent project, which is something that I’ve put a lot of effort into.

With games and anime, you add music on top of a pre-existing story or theme, but with my own group, I can come up with the theme or story myself, write my own lyrics, and ultimately write my own songs, so it's always interesting to see how my world expands.

For example, I design my own cover art and make my own music videos, and to do that I studied how to use After Effects, so that sort of thing is fun.

That's great! And you are also a part of this group, Mina-san (Manager)?

Mina (Manager): Yes, I'm the vocalist!

Hamauzu-san: In live shows I play piano and keyboards.

Many thanks to Hamauzu-san for his time! You can listen to this great composer’s works on FINAL FANTASY X, FINAL FANTASY XII, FINAL FANTASY XIII and FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE via the Square Enix Music YouTube channel, or streaming services, including Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Spotify.

Square Enix Music on YouTube

You can also play along with many of his tracks in THEATRHYTHM FINAL BAR LINE! The rhythm action extravaganza is available now on PS4 and Switch:

Of course, Hamauzu-san’s work also features in the DISTANT WORLDS concert series - check the website for tour dates. A number of soundtracks are also available - the most recent, DISTANT WORLDS VI, which includes an incredible orchestral version of Jessie’s Theme from FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE, is available to buy or stream now:

Visit the DISTANT WORLDS website

Finally, if you’d like to check out IMERUAT (and you should), check out the group’s website. Multiple albums are also available to listen to now on streaming services including Spotify, Amaztron Music, and Apple Music.

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7 of the best secondary villains in Square Enix games

Every top villain needs a good henchperson and today we’re celebrating some of favorites from FINAL FANTASY XVI, Neo: The World Ends with You and more!

By Duncan Heaney

Behind almost every good villain is… another good villain.

Many of the greatest villains in gaming history are propped up by a support network of henchpeople, minions and underlings. These secondary antagonists are often just as big a threat as the big bad and add extra drama to the adventure.

And sometimes they’re Gilgamesh.

Today, we wanted to celebrate some of these sinister subordinates and promote them up to center of attention. After all, their games would be worse off without them.

Sleipnir Harbard - FINAL FANTASY XVI

As Lord Commander of the Kingdom of Waloed's armies, Sleipnir reports directly to King Barnabas… and the monarch couldn’t wish for a better right-hand man.

He’s known to many as the Constant Knight, by reason of his icy demeanor and unwavering loyalty to his liege. He appears to have Barnabas’s complete trust - having been gifted full command of the Royal Order of Knights, despite his apparent youth.

His origins and plans are shrouded in mystery, but it’s clear that he’s extremely effective at what he does. And should you be unfortunate enough to face him in combat… well, good luck.

This heady combination of strength, smarts and subtlety make him a near-perfect henchman. It’s like he was made for the job.

Get FINAL FANTASY XVI

The Turks - FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE

When Shinra wants something done, they send in the Turks. Whether it’s scouting for recruits to their SOLDIER program, spying, assassination or… darker tasks, this impeccably dressed team gets the job done.

It’s an eclectic team of very different personalities, but each brings something unique to the table. Whether it’s the martial prowess of Rude, the chaotic style of Reno or the stoic leadership of Tseng, each one represents a clear threat to Cloud and his allies.

The team is expanding too! The upcoming FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH introduces a new member of the Turks that fans of the original RPG might remember - Elena. You can see her in action in this trailer:

It’s an impressive unit, and while some of the Turks may not always be happy with their orders, they’ll see them through all the same. After all, they’re consummate professionals.

Gilgamesh - FINAL FANTASY V Pixel Remaster

Not every villain is blessed with top-tier minions. Some get the likes of Greg… sorry, we mean Gilgamesh.

This barely talented try-hard shows up throughout FINAL FANTASY V to hassle the heroes, cause battles on big bridges and generally be a nuisance. The problem is that he’s not very good at it. While he’s capable of putting up a decent fight, he’s relatively easily defeated and has to scarper with his tail between his legs.

He always comes up with some half-baked excuse as to why he has to flee though - the guy has an impressive knack for self-delusion.

It’s amazing that the villain Exdeath tolerates this incompetence for as long as he does, but eventually even his patience runs out, and the useless underling is banished to an Interdimensional Rift.

It's an appropriately undignified end to his career as a henchman. Fortunately, however, it’s not the end of Gilgamesh's story by a long shot…

Get the FINAL FANTASY I-VI BUNDLE

Susukichi - NEO: The World Ends with You

Kaichi Susuki - nicknamed Susukichi - first appears to Rindo and his allies as a rival player. His size, sharp teeth and aggressive sense of style make him quite an imposing figure - as does his condescending attitude. But there’s far more to him than meets the eye.

He’s surprisingly caring, particularly for his colleagues and is shown to be openly apprehensive about the Reapers’ current direction. He’s also got a sense of fair play that some of the others lack, even taking the time to show the game’s heroes the ropes early on for example.

Of course, he’s also a liar, a sneak and a bit of a brute, as you’ll find out when you’re forced to battle him directly. He’s not all bad, but he’s definitely not a friend either. But it does make him a hugely memorable character in a game full of them.

Get NEO: The World Ends With You

Seifer - FINAL FANTASY VIII Remastered

Seifer’s main rival may be Squall, but his greatest enemy is himself.

It’s his own arrogance, impatience and ambition that makes him fall under the influence of the Sorceress Edea and betray everything and everyone he trained for.

Edea plays on his worst impulses and convinces the young warrior to stand beside her as her ‘knight’. This once proudly independent hothead willingly accepts a role of subservience and throws himself into it with full commitment.

Over the course of the story, Seifer gains increasing power and influence, even taking command of an army to further the Sorceress’s ends. But as his authority grows, he becomes ever more lost. Even his loyal friends Raijin and Fujin (excellent henchpeople in their own right) begin to doubt he’s in his right mind.

Seifer’s fate drives home just how dangerous the Sorceress truly is. It’s not just the world that needs to be saved.

Get FINAL FANTASY VIII Remastered

Kain - FINAL FANTASY IV Pixel Remaster

Some characters are born to be henchmen, while others have henching thrust upon them. Kain sits somewhere in the middle.

Just like the game’s main hero Cecil, this high-jumping dragoon starts the game working for the King of Baron. However, when one of their missions reaches an unexpectedly explosive climax, his fate takes a much darker turn.

Kain finds himself serving the mysterious Golbez, and acts as his right-hand man, helping him carry out his sinister schemes. It’s not entirely through choice mind you - Golbez is controlling his mind.

Fortunately, Kain is eventually to escape from servitude and join the party as his own man once more, but while he’s under Golbez’s influence, he makes for an impressively effective number two. He’s a constant threat to the heroes and uses his intimate knowledge of Cecil and Rosa to attack and manipulate them in ways that a lesser henchman could only dream of.

Get the FINAL FANTASY I-VI BUNDLE

Kefka - FINAL FANTASY VI Pixel Remaster

What happens when a henchman gets ideas above their station? In the case of Kefka in FINAL FANTASY VI, it’s nothing less than the destruction of the entire world.

This sadistic harlequin’s a cut above your typical underling. For the first half of the game, Kefka helps carry out the will of his boss, Emperor Gestahl, albeit somewhat… overzealously. But at the pivotal moment, just when Gestahl’s plans are about to come to fruition, he does the one thing no boss wants their minion to do. He takes control himself.

An act of betrayal and madness propels Kefka from immoral underling to main antagonist. Yes, it’s a shame that he ruins the world in the process, but you do have to admire the ambition.

No other henchperson on the list has achieved this level of career progression.

Get the FINAL FANTASY I-VI BUNDLE

Those were just a few of our most awesome underlings, but we’re sure you have plenty of suggestions of your own. Let us know your picks on social media:

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FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH: The combat of Sephiroth

In FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, you’ll take direct control of the legendary SOLDIER Sephiroth. But does he live up to that legend?

By Duncan Heaney

We’re back with another look at the combat of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

Last time we showcased the fighting style of Red XIII (read that here). Today we’re taking a look at the legendary SOLDIER himself: Sephiroth.

What led this once heroic figure into the darkness? The game features an extended flashback section, as Cloud Strife recalls an earlier mission in his career as a SOLDIER - the Nibelheim incident. He and the legendary war hero Sephiroth are sent by Shinra to investigate a malfunctioning reactor near the town of Nibelheim - but this mission will change both their lives forever.

This section of the game doesn’t just give you a glimpse into the characters’ backstory, you get to take full control of Sephiroth in battle. It’s a true thrill for fans of FINAL FANTASY VII, as we get to directly unleash the power of this iconic figure like never before.

So, what’s it like to play as Sephiroth?

What is Sephiroth’s fighting style?

If there’s one way to describe Sephiroth, it would be… powerful. And that’s exactly as it should be.

At the time of the iconic Nibelheim flashback, when you can take direct control of him in combat, Sephiroth is at the peak of his career as a SOLDIER. He’s strong, extremely skilled, and highly experienced. He’s a powerhouse - a stark contrast to the fledging Cloud Strife.

His combat style is pure aggression! By pressing the Square button, Sephiroth dishes out powerful combos of strikes, while a tap of Triangle performs a satisfyingly powerful finisher. The finishers available depend on the number of attacks in the combo and include Pierce - a powerful strike - and Sword Dance, a final flourish that deals incredible damage to your foe. You can unleash these attacks after using abilities or a Limit break too!

And in true Sephiroth style, it looks effortlessly cool too.

If the enemy is fluttering out of his range, the SOLDIER 1st class can perform a ranged attack by holding Square. He can also enter a Retaliation Stance with the R1 button, where he can parry and counter attacks with the Square button. Yes, even his defense is aggressive.

In short, Sephiroth’s a powerhouse, even when sticking to his basic moves. But what about his abilities?

How does Sephiroth fight?

As with other characters, Sephiroth fills his ATB charges as he attacks. By pressing Cross (X), he can expend these charges to select an ability (read more about the basics of combat here).

As you’d expect from a fighter of Sephiroth’s caliber, these abilities are brutal. They include:

Zanshin - Sephiroth sends rending waves of energy at his foes.
Hell’s Gate - Sephiroth descends from the sky and impales an enemy with his sword.

Limit Break

You’d think attacking Sephiroth would be the definition of foolish, but that doesn’t seem to stop the beasts around the Nibelheim Reactor. As with the other characters, when Sephiroth takes damage, his Limit Gauge fills. Once at capacity, he can use a devastating Limit Break.

It’s one that fans of CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION might just recognize…

Octaslash - Sephiroth attacks an opponent with a lightning-fast flurry of eight powerful strikes!

Synergy Abilities and Skills

As you expend ATB charges and use abilities, you’ll fill up your current characters’ Synergy Gauge. Once two characters have sufficient charges, they can team up to deliver a powerful Synergy Ability.

Sephiroth is accompanied by a young Cloud during the flashback mission to Nibelheim, and the two SOLDIERS have a particularly awesome move - you might have seen it in action in a recent trailer:

Sephiroth / Cloud: Double Helix - Sephiroth unleashes an elegant flurry of strikes and Cloud does his best to follow suit. This raises Cloud’s limit level and gives Sephiroth unlimited MP. Naturally, he’s equipped with some pretty high level materia, so this is a chance to really go to town with those spells!

As well as Synergy Abilities, characters can also team up to deliver Synergy skills. These are activated by blocking with R1 and then pressing one of the face buttons. They don’t use ATB, so you can use them whenever you see an opportunity.

For example, in Sephiroth’s case, he can use:

Dualblade Dance - Sephiroth teams up with his partner to unleash up to three consecutive close-ranged physical attacks.

Final Thoughts

You only get to control Sephiroth for a limited time, but he makes a very strong impression.

He teaches the player the ropes as much as Cloud, and it’s a thoroughly entertaining way to get to grips with FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH’s expanded combat system. He’s also really fun to play as - tearing through enemies with a truly gratifying sense of power.

He’s unrelenting in battle, and this hyper-effectiveness amply demonstrates how much weaker and less experienced Cloud is in comparison.

But perhaps most effectively of all, it reinforces what a threat he is to Cloud, his allies, and the planet as a whole in the present day. Whatever his ultimate goals are, he’s not going to be easy to stop…

You’ll be able to experience Sephiroth’s raw power for yourselves from February 29, 2024, when FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH launches for PS5.

The game’s available to preorder now.

Preorder any digital edition of the game to get the following bonus item:

Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in game item)

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (PS4 / PS5) save file

Summon Materia: Leviathan

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE EPISODE INTERmission save file

Summon Materia: Ramuh

Please note that save data must be saved on the PS5 system.

Standard Edition (physical and digital)

Available both digitally and physically. The physical version comes across two discs and includes a reversible cover.

This edition includes:

The full game

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Standard Edition

Deluxe Edition (physical only)

The physical Deluxe Edition also includes the below:

The full game
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD (in jewel case)
Physical artbook

It's available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Deluxe Edition

Digital Deluxe Edition (digital only)

Available to preorder from the PlayStation Store, this edition includes:

The full game
Digital mini soundtrack
Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition

Collector’s Edition

Available from the Square Enix Store, this edition is a real treat for fans. It includes:

The full game (across two discs)
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH STATIC ARTS - SEPHIROTH - a large, highly detailed statue of Sephiroth
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD
Physical artbook features stunning illustrations and concept art from the game
Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Collector's Edition

Twin Pack (digital only)

This terrific twin pack gives you access to both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the upcoming game FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

Once ordered, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE right away and be ready to continue the adventure in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH on release day.

The set includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - full game

Get the Twin Pack

Digital Deluxe Twin Pack (digital only)

This bumper bundle gives you both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE Digital Deluxe Edition, and all the awesome content that comes with it.

Once purchased, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE right away:

It includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game, including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition - full game
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital mini soundtrack
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)

It’s available to order now. What’s more, purchase before launch for a significant discount on the price of both games!

Get the Digital Deluxe Twin Pack

To stay up to date with news and information about FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, be sure to follow us on social media:

0Read More

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH: The combat of Red XIII

How does Red XIII take on foes in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH? We take a closer a look at the unique playstyle of everyone’s favorite Cosmo Canyon native!

By Duncan Heaney

There are plenty of reasons to be excited about FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH. There’s the expansive world, full of secrets and quests to uncover, tons of new materia which will allow for all kinds of crazy combinations, an upgraded combat system with new abilities, team-up ‘synergy’ attacks and much more besides.

And, of course, there are also new members of the party to control, including Red XIII!

Our furry friend joined the team towards the end of FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE as a guest member, but in REBIRTH, he’s fully playable, with his own distinct abilities and playstyle.

We bet a lot of you are wondering about that: how does Red XIII play, so I recently sat down with the game with a mind to answer that very question. In this preview, we’ll take a close look at how everyone’s the character performs in battle, and some of the amazing things he can do.

Spoiler: He’s extremely fun.

What is Red XIII’s fighting style?

One of the coolest things about FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH (and FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE for that matter), is how every party member has their own distinct playstyle. From Cloud’s versatility to Tifa’s aggression and Barret’s long range attacks, each character brings something new to the table.

The same is true of Red XIII. The Cosmo Canyon native adopts a playstyle that’s best described as ‘aggressively defensive’. Guarding against attacks increases Red XIII’s Vengeance gauge. By pressing Triangle, you activate ‘Vengeance Mode’, which increases Red XIII’s speed and attack power.

While in Vengeance Mode, you can also press Triangle to siphon enemy HP – very handy for keeping Red XIII in the fight.

Vengeance Mode lasts as long as there’s charge in the gauge, and you can activate it any time no matter how full it is. Naturally though, you’ll want to fill up a good amount of charge so you can really go to town on your foes.

How does Red XIII fight?

As you’d expect, Red XIII fights like a beast – he swipes enemies with his claws and fangs with impressive speed and agility. Naturally, guarding against his attacks and using Vengeance is the best way to maximize his effectiveness, so you’ll have to stay alert to incoming attacks and carefully balance your defense and offense.

As with the other characters, when Red XIII fights, his ATB gauge increases (find out about the basics of battle in FINAL FANTASY VII RBIRTH here). By expending ATB charges, he can unleash his many different abilities, which he’ll learn over the course of the adventure.

These abilities include:

Sidewinder - Red XIII leaps into the air to deliver a punishing blow from above!
Sentinel Stance - this guards against attacks and greatly increases the Vengeance Gauge in the process. If you press Square, Red XIII will also deliver a powerful counterattack. It’s a tremendously useful ability that lets you turn the tables on enemies very quickly!
Stardust Ray - this unleashes a devastating attack over wide area. It uses 2 ATB charges, but boy is it worth it!
Crescent Claw - Red XIII slashes at a foe. If you do this in Vengeance Mode and deplete the gauge, you’ll dramatically increase the potency and range. Plus, it makes feels super satisfying when you do it.

Limit Breaks

As characters take damage, their Limit gauge will fill. Once complete, you’ll be able to use their Limit Break – powerful abilities that can turn the tide of a fight in an instant!

Red XIII’s Limit Breaks include:

Bloodfang - Red XIII charges forward in an animalistic rage, bathing in foes blood and restoring HP and MP.
Howling moon - Red XIII howls to the moon above, activating a longer-lasting Vengeance Mode.

Synergy Abilities

Synergy Abilities in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH open up exciting new options in combat. These special abilities let two characters combine their skills to deliver powerful attacks - and just as importantly, they look awesome.

Of course, you can’t just use these team-up abilities with wild abandon – you have to earn them. Spending ATB charges on abilities also fills Synergy charges for that character. When two characters have sufficient charges, they can spend them and unleash a Synergy Ability.

The abilities you’ll have available in the game will depend on the bonds between the characters, but some of the options available to Red XIII include:

Red XIII and Aerith: Planetary Roar - Aerith channels her magic through Red XIII’s howl, unleashing a ranged attack across a wide area. This also raises the characters’ Limit levels.
Red XIII and Cloud: Savage Assault - Cloud and Red XIII channel their burning anger into an enemy. It also raises their Limit levels.
Red XIII and Barret: Overfang - Barret sends Red XIII flying toward an enemy at high velocity. It also raises their Limit levels.

Final Thoughts

Red XIII’s combat matches his character. It’s bestial and ferocious, yet also measured and precise. And much like the hero himself, it’s easy to love.

The Vengeance Gauge adds a whole new strategic layer to combat, encouraging you to play attentively and defensively, before unleashing an all-out assault on your unsuspecting foes. You’ll have to learn how and when to use it effectively, and how it factors into Red’s abilities – and of course, different enemies will benefit from different approaches.

But on a much simpler level, and as we said before, playing as Red XIII is simply fun. He’s fast and responsive, his attacks are incredibly impactful, and using Vengeance effectively, it feels supremely satisfying.

In FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE, he describes himself as “that which you see before you. Nothing more.” In FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH we know exactly what ‘that’ is: sheer awesomeness.

We hope this preview gives you some idea of how Red XIII fights in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH. You’ll be able to experience it yourselves when the game launches, on February 29, 2024 for PS5.

The game’s available to preorder now:

Preorder any digital edition of the game to get the following bonus item:

Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in game item)

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (PS4 / PS5) save file

Summon Materia: Leviathan

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE EPISODE INTERmission save file

Summon Materia: Ramuh

Please note that save data must be saved on the PS5 system.

Standard Edition (physical and digital)

Available both digitally and physically. The physical version comes across two discs and includes a reversible cover.

This edition includes:

The full game

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Standard Edition

Deluxe Edition (physical only)

The physical Deluxe Edition also includes the below:

The full game
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD (in jewel case)
Physical artbook

It's available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Deluxe Edition

Digital Deluxe Edition (digital only)

Available to preorder from the PlayStation Store, this edition includes:

The full game
Digital mini soundtrack
Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition

Collector’s Edition

Available from the Square Enix Store, this edition is a real treat for fans. It includes:

The full game (across two discs)
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH STATIC ARTS - SEPHIROTH - a large, highly detailed statue of Sephiroth
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD
Physical artbook features stunning illustrations and concept art from the game
Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Collector's Edition

Twin Pack (digital only)

This terrific twin pack gives you access to both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the upcoming game FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

Once ordered, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE right away and be ready to continue the adventure in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH on release day.

The set includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - full game

Get the Twin Pack

Digital Deluxe Twin Pack (digital only)

This bumper bundle gives you both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE Digital Deluxe Edition, and all the awesome content that comes with it.

Once purchased, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE right away:

It includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game, including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition - full game
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital mini soundtrack
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)

It’s available to order now. What’s more, purchase before launch for a significant discount on the price of both games!

Get the Digital Deluxe Twin Pack

To stay up to date with news and information about FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, be sure to follow us on social media:

0Read More

A closer look at the world of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH

Join as we take a world tour of the upcoming RPG. From the wide open fields of the Grasslands, to the stronghold of Junon, take a look at some of the game’s exotic locales.

By Duncan Heaney

It’s time for another look at FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

Last time we gave you a preview of the characters, combat, vehicles and more (you can read that here). Today, we’re going to focus in on the world itself.

We’ll show you some of the amazing areas you’ll get to explore and reveal some of the activities you can do in them. Plus, fans of FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE will be delighted to see that Chadley’s back! But what does he have in store for you this time?

Read on to find out!

Regions of the world

Join your friends as you journey across a wide, open world. Each region feels unique, boasting different enemies to encounter and different methods of traversing its terrain. Search high and low to unlock new quests and unearth rare treasures.

Let's take a look at some of these regions:

Grasslands

A vast, verdant expanse of land rich with mako. These plains are dotted with smaller outposts and planetary fonts waiting to be discovered. Adventure lies beyond the swamplands, but you'll need to rent a chocobo from the local ranch if you want to cross.

Under Junon

Former capital of the eponymous republic, this once-bustling port town fell into decline after its destruction at the hands of Shinra. All that remains now is a desolate fishing village where the displaced citizens have taken refuge.

Junon

Previously a beacon of hope and economic prosperity, the former capital of the republic now slumbers beneath the waves. After its takeover, Shinra repurposed the city into its second-largest outpost, a fortified stronghold replete with an underwater reactor.

Gold Saucer

A "gilded paradise" constructed over the Corel Desert, this Shinra-owned facility uses copious amounts of mako to power its state-of-the-art attractions. The park draws in tourists from around the world and keeps them entertained from dawn to dusk to dawn again.

Exploration

Countless quests and other diversions await you on your journey. A brief stop along your adventure could lead you to unearth useful treasures or make other fascinating discoveries.

Chocobo Ranches

Each region boasts ranches where you can exchange golden plumes for new chocobo gear. Customize your bird's ensemble to create a steed that's all your own.

Item Transmuter

Collect the materials outlined in transmutation formulae to create items. Transmuting items will improve your craftsmanship and in turn unlock new formulae with which you can obtain rare items.

Odd Jobs

Cloud works as a mercenary, taking on odd jobs from people in need wherever he goes.

Check the noticeboards at major outposts if you're looking for work.

World Intel

Help Chadley deepen his understanding of this world by completing research requests in each region. Gathering intel will unlock new locations to explore, greatly expanding your horizons. Chadley will also develop new materia based on the data you have collected.

Voice Actor: Sean-Ryan Petersen

Once an employee in Shinra's Research and Development Division, Chadley has left it and Midgar behind, thanks to Cloud. Now, he aims to reactivate the world's defunct communications towers to facilitate his understanding of the planet, for which he needs the party's assistance.

Remnawave Towers

Activating the old republic's remnawave towers in each region will open up new research opportunities.

When visiting a location for the first time, try seeking out these towers: they will not only help you get your bearings, but also offer a great view of the surrounding area.

Combat Assignments

Seek out rare fiends in their natural habitats and gather intel on special assignments to unlock new challenges in Chadley's combat simulator.

These missions will test your mental mettle, though, so be sure to fight strategically.

Excavation Sites

When a chocobo smells treasure, a "?" will appear above its head. Following the scent might lead you to unearth a valuable item or a new transmuter formula.

Chocobo Stops

Repair fallen chocobo stop signs to transform them into fast travel spots. If you see a stray chocobo chick, be sure to follow it: not only will it lead you to one of these stops, but it will reward you with a golden plume once your repair work is complete.

Combat

Next, let's take a fresh look at FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH's intense battle system, and some of the awesome things you can do.

Limit Break

The limit gauge gradually fills as you take damage or stagger foes.

Once the gauge is full, you can unleash devastating limit breaks unique to each party member.

Some synergy abilities can increase your limit level, enabling the usage of even more powerful attacks.

Synergy Ability

Two party members team up to activate useful abilities without consuming ATB. These commands can be executed while blocking, and provide a wide array of beneficial effects. Each pairing has their own unique set of abilities; some deal damage, while others offer support.

Fast Travel

Fast travel allows you to jump instantly to previously visited towns, chocobo stops, and other locations. Use this feature to pick up the pace of your adventures.

Mini games

Not only stories and battles, but all kinds of unique elements of fun await players. Enjoy the numerous mini games available across the game's world.

Piano Performance

After obtaining a piece of sheet music, head to a piano and try your hands at performing it. These pieces feature music from the game, with some proving to be quite the challenge. If you would rather improvise, however, you can perform original music in the free play mode.

Queen's Blood

Queen's Blood is a strategic card game that has skyrocketed to popularity. Players take turns placing cards on the board in an attempt to overpower their opponent by accumulating power in each lane. Collect cards and utilize their abilities to claim the crown as QB royalty.

Moogle Mischief

A minigame to bring mischievous Moogle kids back to their mogstools.

The Moogle kids will attack you in every possible way, so be careful not to be caught off guard by their cute smiles.

We can’t wait for you to experience all this for yourselves on February 29, 2024, when FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH launches for PS5.

Many thanks to Hamaguchi-san for answering our questions. FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH launches for PS5 on February 29, 2024.

Preorder any digital edition of the game to get the following bonus item:

Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in game item)

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (PS4 / PS5) save file

Summon Materia: Leviathan

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE EPISODE INTERmission save file

Summon Materia: Ramuh

Please note that save data must be saved on the PS5 system.

Standard Edition (physical and digital)

Available both digitally and physically. The physical version comes across two discs and includes a reversible cover.

This edition includes:

The full game

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Standard Edition

Deluxe Edition (physical only)

The physical Deluxe Edition also includes the below:

The full game
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD (in jewel case)
Physical artbook

It's available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Deluxe Edition

Digital Deluxe Edition (digital only)

Available to preorder from the PlayStation Store, this edition includes:

The full game
Digital mini soundtrack
Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition

Collector’s Edition

Available from the Square Enix Store, this edition is a real treat for fans. It includes:

The full game (across two discs)
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH STATIC ARTS - SEPHIROTH - a large, highly detailed statue of Sephiroth
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD
Physical artbook features stunning illustrations and concept art from the game
Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Collector's Edition

Twin Pack (digital only)

This terrific twin pack gives you access to both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the upcoming game FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

Once ordered, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE right away and be ready to continue the adventure in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH on release day.

The set includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - full game

Get the Twin Pack

Digital Deluxe Twin Pack (digital only)

This bumper bundle gives you both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE Digital Deluxe Edition, and all the awesome content that comes with it.

Once purchased, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE right away:

It includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game, including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition - full game
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital mini soundtrack
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)

It’s available to order now. What’s more, purchase before launch for a significant discount on the price of both games!

Get the Digital Deluxe Twin Pack

To stay up to date with news and information about FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, please follow us on social media:

0Read More

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH interview: talking combat, chocobos, minigames and more!

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Director Naoki Hamaguchi talks to us about the game’s many aspects, from the story and combat, to the world itself. And chocobos obviously!

By Duncan Heaney

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is shaping up to be a remarkable RPG. It’s a beautiful, expansive adventure that’s stuffed with things to see and do - an exciting story, tons of optional content, minigames and much more.

Of course, it’s also full of memorable characters, and the bonds between them are more important than ever - even affecting combat in the form of powerful new synergy attacks! You can see some of them in action in the most recent trailer:

As you can see, there’s a lot to talk about, so we spoke to the game’s Director, Naoki Hamaguchi, about exactly what to expect from the upcoming RPG.

How much of the story of the original FINAL FANTASY VII is included in this game?

Hamaguchi-san: I’ll say that the locations covered in this game go up to the Forgotten Capital.

But you don’t need to have played that game or FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE for this one though, right?

No, all three of the remake project titles have been designed as standalone games in their own right, so any can be enjoyed fully, even if you haven’t experienced the previous games.

I do think it’s worthwhile to play FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE before REBIRTH, but it’s not essential. If you want to know what happened in the previous game, there is a ‘story so far’ digest movie in the game that will get you up to speed.

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE had one of my favorite combat systems of any RPG! How have you built on it for this new game?

The combat is still based on the system from FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE, but for REBIRTH we’ve added in new elements that focus on teaming up with your allies.

By observing the flow of battle and switching the party leader at the right time, you can use new Synergy skills and abilities to gain an advantage over your enemies!

How has the materia system evolved from the previous game? Is there any new materia to look forward to?

There are many more materia types than in FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE and these allow for exciting new combinations in battle!

For example, there are materia that automate some of your actions in battle like an AI, as well as other exciting new types!

The most recent trailer revealed that there are lots of chocobo types in the game! Why was this important to show?

We wanted to pay homage to the original FINAL FANTASY VII - there were many different types of chocobo in that game, such as the river chocobos or the mountain chocobos!

One of the big draws of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is that you can explore the vast world map, so we re-imagined the different chocobos to become important features of that exploration. You can use them to fly through the air, climb mountains or speed across water surfaces.

You can also enjoy the chocobos you have collected in another way: by entering them in the Gold Saucer chocobo races!

The world does look massive! How difficult was it to interpret the world map of the original FINAL FANTASY VII for this new game?

This was one of the hardest challenges we faced when developing FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH. There are a lot of games out there that let you explore in a limited area of a specific location, but we haven’t seen all that many games that let you travel and explore a whole world.

If that world is too massive then it makes it harder for the game to work, but if it is too small then you don’t get the feeling of being in a massive world in the first place. We put a lot of thought and hard work into getting that balance right to fulfill both requirements.

It’s not just chocobos of course - there are vehicles too! The Buggy in particular has had an awesome redesign from the original game. How did you capture the look of the original vehicle, while making it seem fresh and new?

We did a lot of research! In order to decide things like the basic structure, type of tyres and so on, we looked into the kinds of modern motor vehicles used in deserts and on poor quality roads, including military vehicles.

Next, we looked at its external appearance. Design elements such as the jet engine at the rear for acceleration and the propellor screws for travelling across water surfaces were included to hark back to the somewhat fantastical buggy design in the original FINAL FANTASY VII.

However, we paid special attention to designing these fictional elements in a way that made them look real and functional.

The most recent trailer also showed Cloud zipping along on the two wheeled Wheelie! Can you tell us a little about this fun little machine?

We want to have the player experience feelings of liberation and freedom in the Costa Del Sol resort area, so we’ve given Cloud and the gang a fun and quirky little vehicle to scoot around on rather than walking like usual!

There is also a special promotional campaign being run (in the game) where you can earn souvenirs from travelling certain distances on them, so I urge players to take them for a spin when you visit Costa Del Sol!

What about the Tiny Bronco plane? Can we expect to see that too?

Of course, the Tiny Bronco will appear too!

Due to the events of the story, the time that it can actually fly is very short, but you can still use it after the wings have been damaged to cross the oceans freely - just like in the original game.

What new story elements can we expect from the game?

As with FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE, we have been careful to maintain the storyline from the original game, while at the same time adding extra story content to flesh it out as a remake.

In addition to the main story, there has also been a huge amount of new side content added and you can expect to see new story told through that as well!

How does that new content affect the structure of the game?

Unlike the previous title, which had new content made available to the player following developments in the story, FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH has been designed to allow the player to freely select what order to play much of its content in.

Accordingly, it has also been structured so that none of the side content becomes cut-off and you never lose the opportunity to go back and play it, regardless of how far you progress in the story. That means that you can always take a detour and explore the expansive and vibrant world whenever the mood takes you.

Among that new content is minigames…

Many people remember the original FINAL FANTASY VII for having lots of minigames. For that reason, we felt it was important to let the player come across lots of minigames while exploring the world in REBIRTH too.

There are actually even more in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH than in the original game!

What’s your personal favorite minigame?

Out of all the different mini games available, the card game, “Queen’s Blood” could be said to be one of the headliners.

It’s an in-world card game that is very popular in the world of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, and a minigame that can be played many times from the start of your adventure to the end.

Winning matches doesn’t just let you enhance your deck - you can also follow a unique Queen’s Blood story as well. The narrative progresses as you engage more challenges in matches.

Can we expect to see new elements in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH that are taken from the Compilation of FINAL FANTASY VII?

I cannot reveal full details yet, but yes - there are many characters and details added to REBIRTH that weren’t featured in the original FINAL FANTASY VII but were seen in the compilation.

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE had a fantastic musical score that combined iconic themes with entirely new pieces. What can we expect from the REBIRTH soundtrack?

Just like for FINAL FANTASY REMAKE, we have created a huge number of arrangements of the original music, as well as new tracks to go alongside all the changing situations in the story. You can expect great things from the music this time round too.

Finally, what are you excited for fans to experience in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH?

This game has many tens of hours of side content spread around the game world, outside of the main story. It’s fine to ignore the main story if you want or to go off and explore the world map to experience the side content whenever you like, at a suitable juncture in the narrative.

Where to go and what to start from is entirely down to the player. I can’t wait for them to see them enjoy the freedom of choice that the game gives them!

Many thanks to Hamaguchi-san for answering our questions. FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH launches for PS5 on February 29, 2024.

Preorder any digital edition of the game to get the following bonus item:

Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in game item)

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (PS4 / PS5) save file

Summon Materia: Leviathan

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE EPISODE INTERmission save file

Summon Materia: Ramuh

Please note that save data must be saved on the PS5 system.

Standard Edition (physical and digital)

Available both digitally and physically. The physical version comes across two discs and includes a reversible cover.

This edition includes:

The full game

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Standard Edition

Deluxe Edition (physical only)

The physical Deluxe Edition also includes the below:

The full game
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD (in jewel case)
Physical artbook

It's available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Deluxe Edition

Digital Deluxe Edition (digital only)

Available to preorder from the PlayStation Store, this edition includes:

The full game
Digital mini soundtrack
Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

[Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition (http://store.playstation.com/concept/10003999)

Collector’s Edition

Available from the Square Enix Store, this edition is a real treat for fans. It includes:

The full game (across two discs)
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH STATIC ARTS - SEPHIROTH - a large, highly detailed statue of Sephiroth
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD
Physical artbook features stunning illustrations and concept art from the game
Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Collector's Edition

Twin Pack (digital only)

This terrific twin pack gives you access to both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the upcoming game FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

Once ordered, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE right away and be ready to continue the adventure in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH on release day.

The set includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - full game

Get the Twin Pack

Digital Deluxe Twin Pack (digital only)

This bumper bundle gives you both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE Digital Deluxe Edition, and all the awesome content that comes with it.

Once purchased, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE right away:

It includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game, including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition - full game
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital mini soundtrack
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)

It’s available to order now. What’s more, purchase before launch for a significant discount on the price of both games!

Get the Digital Deluxe Twin Pack

To stay up to date with news and information about FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, please follow us on social media:

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FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH: here’s what media and influencers are saying

The press and influencers went hands-on with FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH. We're collecting their impressions so you can find them more easily.

By Duncan Heaney

We’ve recently shared a wealth of information about FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, from its February 29, 2024 release date, to tons of screenshots, discussions of its minigames, vehicles and more.

There’s even more to come. Members of the media recently had hands-on with the game, and spoke to some of the development team, including Yoshinori Kitase (Producer), Naoki Hamaguchi (Director) and Tetsuya Nomura (Creative Director) about what to expect from the upcoming RPG.

We’ve collected many of these impressions and interviews here, so you can find them all in one place. Simply click a link to see the coverage.

Please note: this page will be updated throughout the day as more articles are published.

Hands-on impressions

Interviews

Videos

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH launches February 29, 2024 for PS5.

Preorder any digital edition of the game to get the following bonus item:

Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in game item)

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (PS4 / PS5) save file

Summon Materia: Leviathan

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE EPISODE INTERmission save file

Summon Materia: Ramuh

Please note that save data must be saved on the PS5 system.

Standard Edition (physical and digital)

Available both digitally and physically. The physical version comes across two discs and includes a reversible cover.

This edition includes:

The full game

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Standard Edition

Deluxe Edition (physical only)

The physical Deluxe Edition also includes the below:

The full game
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD (in jewel case)
Physical artbook

It's available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Deluxe Edition

Digital Deluxe Edition (digital only)

Available to preorder from the PlayStation Store, this edition includes:

The full game
Digital mini soundtrack
Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition

Collector’s Edition

Available from the Square Enix Store, this edition is a real treat for fans. It includes:

The full game (across two discs)
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH STATIC ARTS - SEPHIROTH - a large, highly detailed statue of Sephiroth
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD
Physical artbook features stunning illustrations and concept art from the game
Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Collector's Edition

Twin Pack (digital only)

This terrific twin pack gives you access to both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the upcoming game FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

Once ordered, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE right away and be ready to continue the adventure in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH on release day.

The set includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - full game

Get the Twin Pack

Digital Deluxe Twin Pack (digital only)

This bumper bundle gives you both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE Digital Deluxe Edition, and all the awesome content that comes with it.

Once purchased, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE right away:

It includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game, including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition - full game
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital mini soundtrack
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)

It’s available to order now. What’s more, purchase before launch for a significant discount on the price of both games!

Get the Digital Deluxe Twin Pack

To stay up to date with news and information about FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, be sure to follow us on social media:

0Read More

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH launch date and preorders revealed!

When is FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH out? What’s in the new trailer and what editions will be available to preorder? Here’s everything you need to know:

By Duncan Heaney

Let’s skip the preamble and just get to the news you want to know: FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH launches February 29, 2024 for PS5!

We revealed the big day in a brand-new trailer, which offers your best look at the game yet!

In this new standalone game, Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Aerith and Red XIII have left the bustling metropolis of Midgar and are about to take their first steps into the wider world. The group pursues the legendary SOLDIER Sephiroth across these vast lands.

The trailer reveals many of the familiar faces and iconic locations you’ll visit in the game. Take a look!

So much to see, right? Military parades in Junon! The sweeping cliff faces of Cosmo Canyon! The glitz and glamor of the Gold Saucer! Minigames galore! The Buggy! Chocobos!

You’ll also see the expanded combat, which adds powerful team combos and much more materia than in FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE, which allows for all kinds of incredible combinations to use in battle. Plus, you can see new party characters in action, including Yuffie, a now fully playable Red XIII… and the adorable-looking Cait Sith!

Of course, that’s just barely scraping the surface of what’s in the trailer - we’re sure you’ll pick out plenty more yourselves…

We also revealed beautiful new key art of the iconic heroes Cloud Strife and Zack Fair, and the equally iconic, but significantly less heroic Sephiroth!

What editions of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH will be available?

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH launches February 29, 2024 for PS5. The following editions are available to preorder.

Preorder any digital edition of the game to get the following bonus item:

Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in game item)

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (PS4 / PS5) save file

Summon Materia: Leviathan

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE EPISODE INTERmission save file

Summon Materia: Ramuh

Please note that save data must be saved on the PS5 system.

Standard Edition (physical and digital)

Available both digitally and physically. The physical version comes across two discs and includes a reversible cover.

This edition includes:

The full game

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Standard Edition

Deluxe Edition (physical only)

The physical Deluxe Edition also includes the below:

The full game
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD (in jewel case)
Physical artbook

It's available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Deluxe Edition

Digital Deluxe Edition (digital only)

Available to preorder from the PlayStation Store, this edition includes:

The full game
Digital mini soundtrack
Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition

Collector’s Edition

Available from the Square Enix Store, this edition is a real treat for fans. It includes:

The full game (across two discs)
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH STATIC ARTS - SEPHIROTH - a large, highly detailed statue of Sephiroth
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD
Physical artbook features stunning illustrations and concept art from the game
Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Collector's Edition

Twin Pack (digital only)

This terrific twin pack gives you access to both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the upcoming game FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

Once ordered, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE right away and be ready to continue the adventure in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH on release day.

The set includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - full game

Get the Twin Pack

Digital Deluxe Twin Pack (digital only)

This bumper bundle gives you both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE Digital Deluxe Edition, and all the awesome content that comes with it.

Once purchased, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE right away:

It includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game, including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition - full game
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital mini soundtrack
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)

It’s available to order now. What’s more, purchase before launch for a significant discount on the price of both games!

Get the Digital Deluxe Twin Pack

To stay up to date with news and information about FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, be sure to follow us on social media:

0Read More

A closer look at FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH

What can you expect from the characters, combat and world of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH? Read a preview of the game here.

By Duncan Heaney

The exciting new trailer for FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH no doubt left many of you eager to learn more about this brilliant RPG. If you missed it, take a look:

Today, we’ll take a closer look at the game, including the story, key characters, the world, battle and more.

What is FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH?

The second entry in the FINAL FANTASY VII remake project is a full-lengh standalone adventure that takes Cloud and his comrades on a journey into the unknown wilderness, on the trail of the legendary SOLDIER Sephiroth.

A new story unfolds across a magnificent and multifaceted world - one filled with rich environments just waiting to be explored on foot or on chocoback.

The Characters

First up, let’s introduce (or reintroduce for some of you) a few of the characters in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

Cloud Strife

Voice actor: Cody Christian

An ex-SOLDIER: first class, Cloud came to Midgar to start a new chapter of his life as a mercenary. At the invitation of his childhood friend, Tifa, he accepts a job with Avalanche.

Together, they confront Shinra, ultimately leaving Midgar behind in pursuit of Sephiroth and the truth - a quest which will lead them to defy destiny itself.

Weapon: Sword

Cloud fights by switching between modes specializing in mobility and offense. A single swipe of his huge sword can knock several foes off their feet at once.

Some of his abilities also allow him to take the fight to the air.

Barret Wallace

Voice actor: John Eric Bentley

The leader of an independent Avalanche cell, Barret spearheads an operation to take down Shinra's mako reactors. He pays a hefty price for this, however, when the company retaliates, and his comrades die in the crossfire.

Armed with the memories of his lost friends and the newfound knowledge of Sephiroth's plans, he departs Midgar in hope of saving the planet and safeguarding a future for his daughter Marlene.

Weapon: Gunarm

What he lacks in speed, Barret makes up for in both sturdiness and strength, converting his anger toward Shinra into raw firepower.

He employs a variety of ranged attacks, from rapid-fire salvos to powerful explosions, which allow him to strike foes high in the air or across the battlefield.

Tifa Lockhart

Voice Actor: Britt Baron

Though a loyal member of Avalanche - an underground organization that opposes Shinra - Tifa nevertheless questions the group's extremist tactics, struggling to reconcile her cause with her conscience.

This internal conflict reaches a fever pitch when her group's actions effectively lead to the fall of the Sector 7 plate. Racked with guilt, she leaves Midgar in search of a new path to tread.

Weapon: Gloves

Tifa strings together swift combos while utilizing a variety of martial art techniques.

Her ATB fills quickly, allowing for the use of multiple abilities in rapid succession. She also boasts several skills that deal more damage to airborne or staggered foes.

Aerith Gainsborough

Voice Actor: Briana White

A flower seller who lives in the Sector 5 undercity and the last remaining descendant of the Cetra, a people known for communing with the planet.

Shinra takes her prisoner in their efforts to reach the Cetra's foretold "promised land," but Cloud and company come to her rescue. She escapes Midgar and embarks on a journey into the outside world of which she has long dreamed.

Weapon: Staff

Aerith utilizes the power of magic. She casts spells from a safe distance and launches attacks that home in on her foes. She can also conjure beneficial wards and warp between them, as well as restore the party's HP with her limit break.

Red XIII

Voice Actor: Max Mittelman

Red XIII is a beast with a flaming tail, crimson fur, deadly claws, and the ability to speak. Cloud and company help him escape Professor Hojo's clutches, and he decides to join them on their journey.

His species is known for their long life spans, and he is no exception. As this Cosmo Canyon native is the eldest member of the party, he offers its members words of wisdom from time to time.

Weapon: Collar

Red XIII sets upon foes with an unrelenting assault, laying into them with a beastly ferocity.

Guarding against incoming attacks will feed his Vengeance gauge. Once it is full, he can unleash his inner beast, but sufficient skill is required to maximize its potential.

Yuffie Kisaragi

Voice Actor: Suzie Yeung

A member of Wutai's elite corps of ninja operatives, Yuffie infiltrates Midgar on a mission to steal the "ultimate materia" from Shinra. Her plan ends in disaster, as she fails to claim the materia and loses her partner Sonon in the struggle.

Just as working alone begins to take its toll on her, however, Cloud's group comes into the picture.

Weapon: Throwing Star

Using her throwing star and ninja skills, Yuffie excels at both long- and close-range combat.

Elemental ninjutsu allows her to exploit enemies' weaknesses without relying on spells. She also keeps opponents on their toes with a variety of aerial attacks and tricky techniques.

Cait Sith

Voice Actor: Paul Tinto

A wisecracking, feline-shaped robot often seen poised atop his big moogle pal. One of the Gold Saucer's most popular mascots, he is well loved for his fortune telling - a service he also offers to Cloud and friends.

His adorable appearance also belies access to a surprising amount of insider intel on Shinra.

Sephiroth

Voice Actor: Tyler Hoechlin

A former SOLDIER: 1st class of legendary renown, he is said to have died in the line of duty in Nibelheim five years ago. This is proven untrue when he appears at the Shinra Building and absconds with a research specimen known as "Jenova."

He now toys with Cloud at every opportunity, seeking to change the course of destiny and rule the planet.

Zack Fair

Voice Actor: Caleb Pierce

Zack may have worked with Sephiroth as a SOLDIER: 1st class, but he trained under a different operator, and it is from this man that he both learned to take pride in his work and received his iconic buster sword.

After a grueling battle in which he overcomes the odds and cheats death, Zack returns to Midgar - where he hopes to see his love Aerith - with a mako-poisoned Cloud in tow.

The world of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH

In this game, players can freely roam across lush grasslands and rugged wildernesses, all while enjoying a wide variety of quests and mini-games.

Face off against the threats that await you by teaming up with your comrades and unleashing powerful new synergy abilities (more in this later in the article).

The world is divided into several regions, with each one offering different environments to explore and experience. Where you go and how you get there is up to you.

Chocobos

Chocobos are the adorable feathered friends of the FINAL FANTASY series.

In this game, once you catch a chocobo in the wild, you can call it at any time in that region, and it will offer you special assistance in traversing its home terrain.

You can also customize your chocobo's equipment to create a steed that's suited just for you.

Hop aboard your chocobo to explore the world with ease. Try sprinting if you're in a hurry to reach your next destination.

Mountain Chocobos

Using their mighty talons, these chocobos can climb up and down steep slopes that bear special markings. Even if a destination seems inaccessible by foot, you might be able to get there on chocoback!

Sky Chocobos

These chocobos can take flight from gliding ranges and soar across peaks and valleys. Take to the skies and nothing will stand in your way.

Vehicles

In addition to chocobos, this game features many other ways to get from one place to another.

Take your friends on a buggy ride through the wastelands, or do some seaside sightseeing aboard a wheelie...

Put these various vehicles to use as you explore the world!

Buggy

The buggy, which can be ridden across sandy terrain, can also drive through shallow water and travel faster than chocobos.

Buckle up and take the party on a wild ride through the vast desert.

Wheelie

In the seaside resort of Costa del Sol, you can ride around on a wheelie, a two-wheeled self-balancing vehicle.

Tour the town at your own pace, all while taking in the beautiful scenery of this land of eternal summer.

Minigames

All kinds of unique elements of fun await you - not just stories and battles. You can enjoy the numerous minigames available across the game's world.

G-Bike

The "Spinning Slash," which uses a large sword to reap enemies, and the super-accelerating “Nitrous Boost" are just a few of the many things you can do in this bike game.

Fight off the relentless gun-shooting participants and win the battle that goes beyond just speed.

Chocobo Races

Prepare for a fierce race to test your chocobo riding skills. Break the balloons that appear along the way to use various techniques. Deepen the bond with your chocobo and aim for first place!

3D Brawler

Manipulate 3D polygons and take on your opponent in a one-on-one match. Avoid your opponent's attacks and deliver a powerful punch. If you use powerful limit moves, which you can unleash by continuing to land hits, victory will surely be yours.

The Battle System

Next, we’ll look at the battle system in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH. Action and strategy combine in thrilling combat, now made even more exciting thanks to the addition of new team-based abilities!

From flashy, action-packed fights to slower, strategic battles, this game offers ways for players of all types to enjoy fighting enemies.

First we’ll go over the basics of the battle system:

Press □ (Square) to perform a normal attack. Dealing damage will also fill the ATB gauge needed to use abilities and spells.

Open the command menu with x (Cross) to enter Tactical Mode, which slows down the passage of time.

Devise your strategies in the moment or register commands as shortcuts and use them as you see fit.

Equipping weapons and setting materia will grant access to a wide range of abilities. Using these abilities requires you to expend charges from the ATB gauge, which fills as time passes or whenever you deal damage.

Magic materia can be set in weapons and armor to enable the use of spells such as Fire and Cure. Casting spells consumes both ATB charges as well as MP.

Press △ (Triangle) to activate a character's unique ability. Some of these abilities do not require ATB, but instead take time to charge.

Synergy Abilities

Synergy Abilities are powerful attacks in which two characters team up to turn the tide of battle.

More abilities will unlock as you increase the party level - a numerical expression of how closely-knit your team is - and deepen the affinity between party members.

Fill the synergy gauge by using unique abilities and prepare to unleash a synchronized assault!

Let’s take a look at just a few of the synergy abilities in the game:

Cloud / Sephiroth: Double Helix

Sephiroth unleashes an elegant flurry of strikes, and Cloud does his best to follow suit.

Yuffie / Barret: Ninja Carbine

Barret and Yuffie lean into their shared prowess and unleash a ranged attack.

Aerith / Cait Sith: Kitty Cannonade

Aerith imbues Cait Sith's moogle with magical energy and unleashes a ranged attack.

Summons

Equipping summoning materia will grant access to the power of the gods.

A conjured deity will follow your lead and fight enemies automatically, but you can also instruct them to use special abilities. Before they depart the battlefield, summons will unleash one final attack powerful enough to wipe out any foe.

Here are a couple of the new summons coming in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH

Alexander

An enormous, armor-plated weapon that towers over even other summons. No ordinary foe could possibly withstand an assault from its entire arsenal.

Odin

A horse-riding swordsman who brandishes an enormous blade known as Zantetsuken. He gallops toward foes and sends them flying with a single, sweeping slash.

Screenshot Gallery

Let’s close this preview with some new screenshots that hint at the amazing visuals and epic adventure that await in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

You can click or tap the image to open the photo gallery and see larger versions.

We hope you enjoyed this closer look at FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH. The game releases on February 29, 2024 for PS5 and is available to preorder now!

Preorder any digital edition of the game to get the following bonus item:

Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in game item)

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (PS4 / PS5) save file

Summon Materia: Leviathan

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE EPISODE INTERmission save file

Summon Materia: Ramuh

Please note that save data must be saved on the PS5 system.

Standard Edition (physical and digital)

Available both digitally and physically. The physical version comes across two discs and includes a reversible cover.

This edition includes:

The full game

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Standard Edition

Deluxe Edition (physical only)

The physical Deluxe Edition also includes the below:

The full game
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD (in jewel case)
Physical artbook

It's available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Deluxe Edition

Digital Deluxe Edition (digital only)

Available to preorder from the PlayStation Store, this edition includes:

The full game
Digital mini soundtrack
Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Get the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition

Collector’s Edition

Available from the Square Enix Store, this edition is a real treat for fans. It includes:

The full game (across two discs)
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH STATIC ARTS - SEPHIROTH - a large, highly detailed statue of Sephiroth
Steelbook® case
A mini soundtrack CD
Physical artbook features stunning illustrations and concept art from the game
Moogle Trio Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (in-game item)

It’s available to preorder now:

Preorder the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Collector's Edition

Twin Pack (digital only)

This terrific twin pack gives you access to both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the upcoming game FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

Once ordered, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE right away and be ready to continue the adventure in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH on release day.

The set includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - full game

Get the Twin Pack

Digital Deluxe Twin Pack (digital only)

This bumper bundle gives you both FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE Digital Deluxe Edition, and all the awesome content that comes with it.

Once purchased, you can start playing FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE right away:

It includes:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - full game, including EPISODE INTERmission DLC
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition - full game
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital mini soundtrack
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital artbook
Magic Pot Summoning Materia (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Accessory: Reclaimant Choker (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)
Armor: Orchid Bracelet (FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH in-game item)

It’s available to order now. What’s more, purchase before launch for a significant discount on the price of both games!

Get the Digital Deluxe Twin Pack

To stay up to date with news and information about FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, be sure to follow us on social media:

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New FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH and EVER CRISIS trailers revealed

Second game in the FINAL FANTASY VII remake project launches in Early 2024. PLUS: closed beta test for FINAL FANTASY VII EVER CRISIS announced!

By Duncan Heaney

You’ve been wondering when you’ll get your next look at FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH. That time is now!

We’ve just released a new trailer for the game, and it offers a first glimpse at the gameplay and story of the highly anticipated new RPG. Not only that, we also revealed a fresh look at the upcoming mobile title FINAL FANTASY VII EVER CRISIS, including details of the upcoming closed beta test.

But we’ll start with FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH and that magnificent new trailer:

There’s a lot to see in the new footage: A fully controllable Red XIII! Yuffie’s part of the team! Massive-scale boss fights! Rideable chocobos! An expansive and beautiful world!

You’ll also get a glimpse at the gripping story, which sees Cloud Strife and his allies confronted by some shocking mysteries, along with some exciting ways for them to team up in combat.

We think you’ll agree it’s a tantalizing taste of what you’ll get to experience when the game releases. As for when that will be, we can tell you that FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH will launch in early 2024 digitally and physically for PS5.

What is FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH?

For those who missed the game’s initial announcement in the FINAL FANTASY VII 25th Anniversary Stream last year FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is the second game in the FINAL FANTASY VII remake project.

It’s a completely standalone game that takes Cloud, Tifa, Barret and Aerith out of Midgar and into the wider world. The team embarks on a globe-spanning adventure in pursuit of Sephiroth - a vengeful swordsman long thought to be dead.

You’ll also unravel a gripping story that’s rich with mysteries to uncover, and explore the personal journeys of many party members to discover more about their backgrounds and the events that forged them into the people they are today.

All said, it’s shaping up to be a remarkable RPG. As FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Producer, Yoshinori Kitase explains:

“We’re honored to bring players around the world early next year the next installment of this thrilling tale, FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

The party will embark on a new adventure, so players can enjoy this story even without any familiarity with the previous title or the original FINAL FANTASY VII. The vast and explorable world along with the newly evolved speedy battles are sure to provide a most exciting gaming experience to new adventurers.

We would, of course, like to invite returning players and longtime fans to watch our new trailer closely for glimpses of pivotal story moments that Cloud and his friends will confront.

The entire team has worked fervently with love and adoration for the world of FINAL FANTASY VII, reaching new heights of cinematic storytelling, immersive combat, rich exploration and more, and we can’t wait to share more details later this year.”

FINAL FANTASY VII EVER CRISIS new trailer and pre-registration

We’re also excited to show you a new trailer for FINAL FANTASY VII EVER CRISIS, which is in development for iOS and Android devices and is slated to release this fall. Take a look, because it speaks for itself:

This new game is a chapter-structured single-player experience that covers key elements of the FINAL FANTASY VII timeline, including the events of the original game along with spinoff titles such as CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- and more.

It also features new story elements, penned by FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE story and scenario writer Kazushige Nojima surrounding the origins of SOLDIER, and a young hero: Sephiroth!

Pre-registration is starting on the App Store and Google Play Store, ahead of the game’s release later this year (Please note that “Pre-orders” or “Pre-registrations” reflected on each store may be delayed depending on your region).

By pre-registering on an Android device, you’ll have the chance to participate in an upcoming closed beta test, planned for July 6-14, 2023.

For more information and updates, be sure to follow FINAL FANTASY VII on social media:

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What Does Final Fantasy VII Mean to You?

We’re celebrating 25 years of Final Fantasy VII - and we want you to join us! Here’s how you can join the party and share your love of this amazing game!

By Teague Emery

On its release way back in 1997, Final Fantasy VII immediately connected with audiences. The RPG inspired a generation of fans - and that fanbase continues to grow today!

This year is the 25th anniversary of the game, and we want to celebrate it alongside that amazing community! We’re planning to create an official tribute to commemorate this important milestone, and we want it to feature the people that made it possible: you!

Here’s how you can get involved:

#WhatFFVIIMeansToMe

We’d love to see video that discusses what Final Fantasy VII means to you, the characters or themes that resonate, or ways that Final Fantasy VII has been present in your life over the past 25 years.

Did the original game change your perception of storytelling in video games? Have you started your journey at Final Fantasy VII Remake? Is there a character that you relate to, or themes that stick with you? Or perhaps Final Fantasy VII is with you forever as part of a tattoo… or even your wedding day?

We know how passionate you are about this game, and we want to hear your stories firsthand!

We’d love for you to submit a short video of you discussing all or any of the above, to the Final Fantasy VII social channels, by tagging us on @FinalFantasyVII and using #WhatFFVIIMeansToMe.

Videos should ideally be under 30s and can be filmed however is easiest for you.

What Should My Video Include?

As mentioned, the tribute will discuss what Final Fantasy VII means to fans (hence the hashtag), but as to what you should talk about specifically… that’s up to you!

We’d love videos of you talking about your feelings on Final Fantasy VII, showcasing your collections, tattoos, artwork, or FFVII birthdays… but if you have something else to talk about or show us, we’d love to see it!

Stuck for something to discuss? Here are a few thought starters:

Sum up why you love FFVII in one sentence or 4 words
What are your memories of playing the original FFVII?
Three words to describe FFVII Remake?
Who is your favourite character, and tell us why in one sentence?
Why does FFVII and its themes still resonate 25 years on?

How do I submit my video?

Simply share your video on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and tag us using @FinalFantasyVII and include #WhatFFVIIMeansToMe.

Seriously - don’t forget the hashtag!

We’re @FinalFantasyVII on all platforms.

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Here’s everything in the FINAL FANTASY VII 25th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION stream

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, the return of CRISIS CORE and more: here’s everything that we announced during the FINAL FANTASY VII 25th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!

By Duncan Heaney

The FINAL FANTASY VII anniversary stream is over and there’s a lot to talk about.

FINAL FANTASY VII remake project producer Yoshinori Kitase made a series of exciting announcements, including fans’ very first look at FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH and the reveal of CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION.

If you missed the event, you can watch it here…

…or read on and recap all the big news right here:

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH announced!

The second game in the FINAL FANTASY VII remake project has been officially revealed… and it’s called FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH!

The short teaser for the RPG showed Cloud and Sephiroth traversing an area that’s sure to be thrillingly familiar to fans of the original FINAL FANTASY VII. And for those of you who joined the party with FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE… well, no spoilers here!

You can see the new trailer below:

Kitase-san also revealed that the series will be a trilogy, comprising FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE, FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, and one final game.

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH will launch in next winter on PS5.

We know you’re looking forward to this one, so make sure you follow FINAL FANTASY VII on social media and bookmark the Square Enix Blog to see future updates first!

CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION

Now here’s a 25th Anniversary present for the fans: CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION

This prequel to FINAL FANTASY VII focuses on Zack Fair - a Buster Sword-wielding SOLDIER who has a hugely important role in the series that we’re definitely not going to talk about here.

This new game is a full remaster of the PSP original and brings the game - and its unforgettable story - up to date for modern platforms. It will launch this Winter on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Steam and Nintendo Switch!

To find out more about the game, check out our full blog, and the official FINAL FANTASY VII website:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE is on Steam!

We’ve heard you ask it: when is FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE coming to Steam? The answer is… imminently (or now depending on when you're reading this)!

As of June 17, 00:00 PDT / 08:00am BST / 09:00am CET, Steam users can purchase and download FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE, which includes the excellent Yuffie-focused FF7R Episode INTERmission.

The game’s also compatible with Steam Deck, so you can enjoy the game wherever and whenever you like.

Get FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE on Steam

FINAL FANTASY VII THE FIRST SOLDIER

Things are really heating up in FINAL FANTASY VII THE FIRST SOLDIER - Season 3 is just underway! Kitase-san offered a glimpse of the explosive action ahead in the mobile battle royale.

The team has also confirmed an upcoming collaboration with CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII-! Follow them on Twitter for more details:

Follow FINAL FANTASY VII THE FIRST SOLDIER on Twitter

FINAL FANTASY VII EVER CRISIS

Last year, we announced FINAL FANTASY VII EVER CRISIS: a new episodic single-player mobile game that will allow players to experience the world of FINAL FANTASY VII and its connected stories - including that of the original FFVII!

During the 25th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, we announced that we are planning to carry out a closed beta test during 2022. We also gave fans a new look at this exciting project.

Merchandise and more

The FINAL FANTASY VII celebrations extend beyond games! During the stream, we showcased some of the awesome merch that’s on the way:

Some of the amazing pieces include:

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE STATIC ARTS - CLOUD STRIFE

Joining the STATIC ARTS collection is the main character from FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE himself, Cloud Strife!

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE™ DIGITAL CLOCK - BUSTER SWORD

The iconic Buster Sword from FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE is recreated as a digital alarm clock!

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE Silver Ring - SHINRA

A ring engraved with the Shinra Company logo from FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE featuring two materia stones.

You can see all these pieces and more on the Square Enix Store:

Visit the Square Enix Store now

We think you’ll agree that it’s a good time to be a FINAL FANTASY VII fan. We hope you’re excited about all the things we revealed during the FINAL FANTASY VII 25th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.

We’ll have more to share on these games and products in the coming months, so make sure you bookmark the blog and follow the team on social media:

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