I Had an Ambivalent Experience with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
A Complex Journey Through Nostalgia and Open-World Bloat
I recently had the opportunity to play Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for over two weeks, and my experience with the game left me with conflicting feelings. As I reflected on my seven days spent playing the game, I continually asked myself whether I loved it or hated it. After dedicating over 90 hours of my free time to Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, I can confidently say that the answer is both.
Final Fantasy 7, the original game, holds significant historical value. Its release in 1997 on the Sony PlayStation marked a turning point for the gaming industry, with its impressive 3D cutscenes, detailed pre-rendered backgrounds, unique combat system, and of course, its well-known mid-game plot twist. The game was hailed as a masterpiece and saw significant success in boosting PlayStation sales.
As a returning player, the ghost of the original game and its ultimate spoiler, the death of Aerith, hung ominously over my experience with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. The big question that motivated me to play the game was whether Aerith’s death would be changed or remain the same.
Furthermore, the subsequent releases in the “Compilation of Final Fantasy 7” added layers of complexity to the original story, leaving me wondering how Rebirth would offer surprises in a world where characters’ fates and significant plot twists have been common knowledge for over 20 years.
Despite these concerns, the core narrative, main story quests, and party banter in Rebirth were compelling. The characters remained true to themselves, and the game’s writing and expressive voice acting enhanced their personalities. I found myself immersed in the nostalgia and enjoying the time spent with the party members.
However, my experience with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth was overshadowed by the immense amount of open-world busywork and minigames. Square Enix wanted to make the game expansive, incorporating elements of a pseudo-open-world structure. Unfortunately, this decision resulted in unnecessary bloat, exhausting me as a player.
The game was filled with countless minigames, and mundane tasks often required engaging in increasingly frustrating activities. Even simple tasks like picking a mushroom evolved into lock-picking minigames, testing the pliancy of its segments. I felt that irrelevant minigames and unnecessary open-world content were forced into the game, adding padding but little of actual substance.
Ignoring the open-world content was not a viable option, as main story progress relied on characters being leveled up appropriately. While these minigames provided combat item rewards that could make a difference, they demanded perfection, frequently requiring players to play multiple times to achieve the highest possible score. This mechanic was often more exhausting than the open-world content itself.
When it came to side quests, there was a bit more enjoyment to be found. Unlike the open-world activities, side quests allowed characters to deepen their relationships. These quests involved party members performing tasks and engaging with each other. They provided a break from the main story and consequently added more substance to the the game.
Rebirth also introduced a new mechanic called synergy, which further developed party relationships. Synergy skills and abilities involved parties working in tandem, unleashing powerful attacks or effects. This mechanic intensified the sense that the characters were a tight-knit group. Synergy abilities were particularly powerful, often manifesting as flashy yet enjoyable displays.
However, I found Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth to be appealing due to its nostalgic emotions and cinematic style rather than its open-world content. If the game focused more on meaningful content and reduced the padding, it would have been more satisfying. As Square Enix moves forward with the final installment of the remake series, they should reconsider the necessity of creating such large games.
Overall, despite its flaws, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a game worth experiencing. I have been left with a conflicting yet meaningful impression of the game. Like the Japanese RPGs of the past, it has its flaws, but it continues the legacy of the original while embracing modern gaming trends.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will be released on February 29 for PlayStation 5.
