FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE
- June 17, 2022
- Square Enix
- 35h median play time
"Not only improving on the visuals and giving players a much requested Photo Mode, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade also adds the stellar Yuffie focused Intermission DLC that is an absolute must play for fans of the original and new game alike."
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is a reimagined version of the classic RPG, featuring enhanced graphics and additional content. Players control Cloud Strife and his allies as they fight to stop the evil Shinra Corporation and save their planet. This version includes a new episode featuring Yuffie as she infiltrates Shinra's headquarters.
Reviews
- story5,248 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story of *Final Fantasy VII Remake* has received mixed reviews, with many praising its depth and character development while others criticize its deviations from the original narrative. Players appreciate the expanded backstories of characters like Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge, which add emotional weight to the plot, but some feel that the introduction of new elements, such as the "whispers" and alternate timelines, complicates the story unnecessarily. While the game is visually stunning and features engaging gameplay, the pacing is often criticized for being slow due to excessive side quests and cutscenes, leading to a sense of bloat in the overall experience. Overall, the remake is seen as a fresh take on a beloved classic, though it may not fully satisfy purists of the original story.
“The story is incredible, and the characters are so enjoyable, even the non-playable characters.”
“The narrative is expertly crafted, adding new layers of complexity and emotional depth to the already compelling story.”
“This remake not only expands upon the original characters, but introduces many all-new ones, each with their own backstory.”
“The story is a complete mess, too much filler content and cartoonish characters, the original was more serious and had a darker tone, even some horror elements that have been removed.”
“The story is poorly written with no character development and it's incredibly short.”
“The story has been fleshed out to be even better than the source material.”
- graphics1,840 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of Final Fantasy VII Remake have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, detailed character models, and vibrant environments that bring the world of Midgar to life. Many players noted the impressive cinematic quality of cutscenes and the overall aesthetic appeal, although some expressed disappointment over the limited graphical options and occasional performance issues. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to modernize a classic while maintaining the charm of the original, making it a visual delight for both new players and long-time fans.
“This is also a gorgeous rendition of Midgar and it really brings to life the city with stunning visuals and colors.”
“The graphics are stunning with 4K resolution and HDR support, making the world of Midgar come to life.”
“The graphics are absolutely beautiful, with highly detailed character models and breathtaking environments that truly bring the world of Midgar to life.”
“The graphics are mid at best; the combat is awful and the (classic) combat isn't 'classic.' The rest of the gameplay is just drawn out and extremely boring.”
“The only redeeming factor was the graphics.”
“The graphics options are very limited, only letting you adjust textures and shadows.”
- gameplay1,422 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Final Fantasy VII Remake has received mixed reviews, with many praising its hybrid combat system that blends real-time action with strategic elements reminiscent of the original's turn-based mechanics. Players appreciate the engaging combat and character-specific gameplay styles, though some criticize the pacing, excessive cutscenes, and linearity that detract from the overall experience. While the visuals and music are often highlighted as exceptional, the gameplay can feel repetitive or tedious at times, leading to a divide between fans of the original and newcomers to the series.
“When I started playing, the feel, look, and promise of gameplay systems hooked me in, and I was convinced this could be the best Final Fantasy game I had ever played.”
“The combat system is a perfect blend of real-time action and strategic command-based mechanics.”
“The gameplay is a hybrid of action-RPG gameplay and turn-based gameplay, but in a completely different way from something like Absented Age.”
“On its own, it would probably make a mediocre game with frustrating combat mechanics, cheesy cutscenes, and a lot of drag.”
“The gameplay has a lot of places where it's tedious and just running from here to there if feels like.”
“The gameplay is a big improvement over the old turn-based JRPG style of the original - and yet it feels in every way familiar.”
- music1,095 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in "Final Fantasy VII Remake" has received widespread acclaim for its stunning orchestral arrangements and nostalgic remixes of the original soundtrack, enhancing the emotional depth of the game. Many players highlight the seamless integration of new compositions with classic themes, creating a captivating auditory experience that complements the game's visuals and storytelling. However, some critiques mention that certain tracks feel out of place or lack the impact of the originals, leading to mixed feelings among fans of the original game. Overall, the soundtrack is often described as a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive atmosphere.
“The music is incredible, iconic, probably the best part.”
“The soundtrack is a triumph, blending nostalgia with fresh compositions to enhance the game's atmosphere.”
“The music, composed by Nobuo Uematsu, added an extra layer of emotional depth.”
“Music got worse, gameplay became a slog, and pacing got horrendous.”
“The music is perhaps the crowning jewel of the remake - the nostalgic FF7 tracks that I've remembered since childhood have been remastered and turned into dynamic orchestral pieces.”
“The music tries to make the original OST 'better,' and succeeds about as well as a four-year-old with a crayon trying to recreate the Mona Lisa -- one would have thought that keeping the OST would have been the easiest, most uncontentious decision of the remake.”
- optimization602 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 55 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant stuttering issues, particularly in crowded areas and during cutscenes, which detracts from the overall experience. While some users have found workarounds and mods to improve performance, the lack of robust graphical options and persistent performance problems have led to frustration, especially for those with high-end systems. Overall, while the game can run smoothly for some, the optimization remains a notable concern for many players.
“The game runs smoothly, even on mid-range systems, and offers a plethora of customizable graphics settings.”
“The game is beautiful, well optimized (constantly running at 140fps), excellent sound work and the music is rather good.”
“Kinda good that it had time to simmer on the epic games store so that steam users can get a really optimized game.”
“The game simply needs to be fixed by the developer to resolve stuttering issues before anyone would be able to enjoy the game to the fullest potential.”
“This game has very very poor optimization but if you have the system to run it, then it's a no brainer, pick it up!”
“The stuttering is unbelievable and makes it unplayable really unless you have no other option, which I feel is the crux of this PC port.”
- grinding197 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that while the game features enjoyable combat and a compelling storyline, it suffers from excessive tedium, particularly in its quest design and level progression. Players noted a lack of traditional grinding for levels, which some found refreshing, but many expressed frustration with the repetitive and drawn-out nature of side quests and combat encounters, leading to a feeling of monotony. Overall, the game is described as having moments of fun overshadowed by tedious gameplay elements that detract from the overall experience.
“Little to no grinding opportunity, so you better be as good as the designers expect you to be by a given plot point.”
“There is no grinding; every side quest is a story that provides nice details about the city.”
“No grinding for level gain, no extra edge for battles due to getting said level ups, which is a huge proponent of JRPG games.”
“The combat is tedious and boring, and there is a lot of it.”
“The side missions consist of tedious busy work that doesn't add any meaning to the story nor the main characters.”
“The quests aren’t that difficult, a bit tedious, but not head-scratching difficult or 'why am I even doing this?' inducing.”
- character development156 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the depth and emotional connection established with both main and side characters, particularly the expanded backstories of Avalanche members like Biggs, Wedge, and Jessie. The remake enhances the original's narrative by providing more intricate character arcs and interactions, making players genuinely care about the cast. However, some critiques mention that certain characters, like Sephiroth and Tifa, could have benefited from more substantial development, and there are concerns about pacing due to filler content. Overall, the character design and development are highlighted as standout features, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience.
“The character redesigns are beautiful, and the character development is carefully done.”
“The attention to detail in character development, storytelling, and world-building is unparalleled, drawing players into a rich and immersive experience that few games can rival.”
“Character development is much more involved, especially among the characters of Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge, which were in the original Final Fantasy VII very minor characters.”
“As much as I would recommend this game, I have to say that it has some of the most infuriating boss battles I've experienced in my life. I actually found the build-up to Sephiroth to be quite bland; he kind of just appears from nowhere and is hardly ever mentioned. His character development could have been handled way better.”
“The script and character development are practically non-existent. As this is a remake, Square Enix relies on people's memories to fill in the gaps, but those who are experiencing this for the first time will get to the end without understanding what is going on. Even for those who know the story, the ending is a mess.”
“For some reason, they decided to take the first 5 hours of a timeless classic and stretch it for 30 hours with very little in the way of additional character development.”
- emotional147 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of responses, with many players expressing deep connections to the characters and story, often leading to tears during key moments. While some appreciate the enhanced emotional depth and nostalgia brought by the music and visuals, others criticize the pacing and filler content that detracts from the emotional stakes. Overall, the game is seen as a heartfelt journey that resonates with both longtime fans and newcomers, despite some narrative and gameplay shortcomings.
“I had played Ocarina of Time and many Pokémon games, but never had I played a game with a story that was all at once humorous, poignant, and so heartbreaking. To this day, Aerith's theme makes me a little choked up.”
“This game made me feel in ways that were unexpected, transforming a simple gameplay session into a profound emotional journey.”
“The music, composed by Nobuo Uematsu, added an extra layer of emotional depth.”
“They featured boring characters with boring storylines and a boring combat system.”
“Clunky combat, with an incomprehensible and boring story.”
“Boring story, annoying supporting characters with bad voice acting and stiff gameplay.”
- stability96 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 55 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is a mixed bag, with many users reporting that it runs well on various hardware, including mid-range PCs and the Steam Deck, often achieving high frame rates and good graphics. However, numerous players have encountered bugs, glitches, and performance issues, particularly during cutscenes and in certain environments, leading to a recommendation for potential buyers to wait for patches or sales. Overall, while the game has impressive production quality, its stability is hampered by unresolved technical issues that detract from the experience.
“The production quality in this title is absolutely fantastic - amazing graphics and it runs great on a mid/low-end rig (even on Steam Deck).”
“What I like about the game: it's phenomenally pretty, elegant, fantastic storytelling, stuck true to the lore, and uses a solid engine that is practically bug-free.”
“Looks great, runs great (most of the time), and has the best real-time combat in any Final Fantasy game.”
“I'm sure I could've kept troubleshooting and got it working to my liking, but a game of this size and scope should have far more attention to detail given to it.”
“It's a shame that this incredible game is hindered by such a buggy port.”
“I would love to recommend this game to others but as it is right now I can't in good faith recommend it to others due to its buggy state.”
- humor79 mentions
- 95 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The humor in Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the witty dialogue and character interactions, particularly between Barret and Cloud, which often elicit genuine laughter. However, some fans feel that the remake has toned down the crude humor present in the original, leading to a less consistent comedic experience. Overall, while the game features memorable and funny moments, opinions vary on the effectiveness and presence of humor throughout the narrative.
“In short, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is a beautiful, hilarious nostalgia trip with a modern twist.”
“The writing is also fun; Barret and Cloud's banter is consistently hilarious, overall far more likable than it was in the original game.”
“The conversations are legitimately funny and remind me of the humor in Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi games.”
“That's the problem with this game, so much 'meh' that it's not funny.”
“The mini-games are unfunny.”
“Then immediately after that, let's go fight 4 bandits alone, but they stun you for 8 seconds and then just kill you, so you get to watch the unfunny, uninteresting, uninformative, and unnecessary speech of the bandits over and over.”
- replayability71 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is generally viewed as solid, with features like hard mode, chapter selection, and various challenges enhancing the experience for players who enjoy revisiting the content. However, some reviewers note that the linear story and numerous cutscenes can detract from the overall replay value, making it less appealing for those who prefer more open-ended gameplay. Overall, while there are opportunities for replaying, especially for completionists, the experience may not feel as fresh on subsequent playthroughs.
“It's very replayable and enjoyable every time I play it.”
“One of the best things about FF7R is the replay value, beating the game on hard, getting the bonus items/gear, and watching mechanics for some boss fights evolve truly made the game feel so rewarding once completed.”
“This game certainly has a lot of replayability; after going through it, you can go back to chapters to get what you may have missed and keep your latest gear.”
“Considering there's no open world in this game and only a limited amount of replayability, I suggest you get this game at a discount.”
“The game is filled with pointless cutscenes and walking sections that get in the way of replayability.”
“There isn’t enough replayability to warrant doing so at all.”
- atmosphere67 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is a mixed bag, with many praising its haunting beauty and meticulous attention to detail in the depiction of Midgar, enhanced by a nostalgic and well-composed soundtrack. However, some critics feel that the remake sacrifices the original's darker, more foreboding tone for a lighter, more whimsical approach, leading to a less immersive experience. Overall, while the graphics and sound design contribute positively to the atmosphere, opinions vary on whether it captures the emotional depth of the original.
“Each sector has its own distinct atmosphere, and despite the dystopian setting, Midgar is depicted with a haunting beauty.”
“The atmosphere of Midgar is perfect.”
“The game's updated graphics, along with the superbly composed musical score, create an immersive atmosphere that captivates players from start to finish.”
“The atmosphere is garbage and lets you hold onto an emotional moment for about as long as the average guy can hold a nut while dreaming of Tifa in a swimsuit 4K style.”
“The thick melancholy atmosphere of the original's Midgar has been discarded in favor of silly action cutscenes and various wackiness.”
“Square managed to butcher every ounce of atmosphere and mystery that was presented in Midgar in the original and just stick so much unnecessary time-wasting filler everywhere.”
- monetization41 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 5 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers expressing disappointment over the decision to split the remake into three separate installments, which they feel diminishes the original's sense of freedom and completeness. While some appreciate the game's visual enhancements, the overall sentiment is that the pricing does not justify the content provided, leading to feelings of exploitation of nostalgia. Despite the lack of microtransactions, the episodic nature and perceived filler content have left many players feeling that the game prioritizes profit over player experience.
“This game is made for the fans 100% - no microtransactions, no online multiplayer.”
“Over the years, I've lost the desire for modern games due to their long-drawn-out design for monetization purposes or dragging the game out to inflate the playtime hours, and it makes you wonder how much better the game would be without pay-to-win and other aspects in place.”
“I had mentioned that I do see a bit of predatory monetization in this game, as I don't think it's a coincidence they added intermission or are remaking Crisis Core before releasing the next part of this game.”
“Everything in this game is elongated well past its welcome with midgrade filler and little changes from the original that add nothing of substance. I really think making that game into a cash grab series is the worst design choice they made by far.”
“It feels like a cash grab to me, $100 for full price or $50 on sale for an incomplete game and probably the same price for the next 1 or 2 installments to finish the story.”
“I am disappointed that it wasn't the full game, for the price and the wait time for the full game to be completed. It's not worth the cash grab for this remake of otherwise a great game that will take years to complete!”
Critic Reviews
Final Fantasy 7 Remake PC review
A terrific return to form for singleplayer Final Fantasy that makes the series' future exciting, in a barebones (though functional) PC package.
88%Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade – Episode: INTERmission review
If you fell in love with all over again with Cloud and co. in FF7 Remake, you’ll fall in love with Yuffie in Intermission.
90%Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade Review
"Not only improving on the visuals and giving players a much requested Photo Mode, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade also adds the stellar Yuffie focused Intermission DLC that is an absolute must play for fans of the original and new game alike."
100%