When Square Enix announced a remake of FINAL FANTASY VII, I was skeptical. Could a modern reimagining truly recapture the original’s magic while still surprising longtime fans?
As it turns out, after dozens of hours exploring Midgar again—first through Cloud’s story, then Yuffie’s—I found FFVII Remake INTERGRADE to be a bold, often brilliant rebirth. It’s not without flaws, but the highs easily outweigh the lows for both JRPG veterans and action-RPG newcomers.
Overall Impressions
Right from the start, what stood out most was the meticulous care packed into every detail—each frame, boss fight, and piece of dialogue. Roaming through the slums of Sector 7 or watching a Mako reactor pulse with eerie green light gave me chills. It reminded me of why I fell in love with the original.
That said, not everything moves at the same pace. Certain chapters drag, with some players (myself included) feeling the five-hour intro overstays its welcome. Even so, INTERGRADE holds up well next to today’s top-tier action-RPGs, offering a balance of cinematic flair and mechanical depth.
Gameplay Mechanics
Once the action kicks in, the hybrid battle system truly shines. Blending real-time attacks with tactical command pauses feels fluid and rewarding. I loved mixing in dodges, counters, and Limit Breaks—then slowing time to issue commands mid-battle. It’s thrilling once it clicks.
What’s more, switching between characters like Cloud, Barret, and Tifa opens up strategic possibilities. The Threat Meter adds defensive nuance, rewarding timed parries and careful aggro management. Boss fights—especially against foes like Air Buster or Rubrum Golem—require skill, synergy, and a bit of grit.
Still, it’s not all perfect. A few minibosses drag on too long, and the late-game skill trees feel surprisingly shallow, hinting that Square Enix is reserving some systems for later episodes. This slightly limits build variety during endgame runs.
While the core combat system is solid, it’s not immune to critique. Some players point to shallow enemy design and repetitive encounters. And yes, a few enemy waves blur together.
However, I appreciated how the Yuffie DLC tightens things up. Faster transitions, refined materia setups, and snappier fights show Square Enix learning from earlier missteps. It’s a clear step forward that hints at where the series is headed.
Story and Characters
What’s FFVII without its cast? Thankfully, this remake gets the emotional core right. Cloud’s arc remains faithful, while characters like Jessie and Biggs benefit from expanded side quests that add weight and warmth.
Then comes Yuffie, whose DLC story brings charm, personality, and meaningful stakes. Her presence weaves neatly into the main arc, adding layers without feeling tacked on. Meanwhile, Midgar itself feels alive—every alley, billboard, and NPC helps sell Shinra’s corporate stranglehold.
Even with the occasional filler chapter, most additions enrich the lore and deepen immersion for returning fans and curious newcomers alike.
Visuals and Graphics
On a technical and artistic level, FF VII Remake INTERGRADE is a showstopper. On PS5, ray-traced reflections shimmer, particle effects glow, and character models—right down to Cloud’s uniform folds—look incredible.
Even more impressive is the direction. From the monolithic Shinra HQ to the industrial sprawl of Midgar, every environment oozes atmosphere. Yuffie’s DLC sections, bathed in neon and moonlight, evoke a stylish noir tone. Dynamic camera work during boss battles heightens the intensity.
If one word sums it up? Beautiful—and I’m not the only one who thinks so. Fan polls consistently praise the game’s breathtaking presentation.
Sound and Music
Of course, the visuals wouldn’t be as powerful without stellar audio backing them up. Uematsu’s iconic soundtrack receives a full orchestral treatment. Themes like “Tifa’s Theme” and “Those Chocobo Dudes” sound better than ever.
Meanwhile, the sound design builds immersion—from the hum of reactors to the echo of rain on metal rooftops. Voice performances are just as impressive. Cloud’s introspection, Barret’s intensity, and Yuffie’s youthful energy each bring something special to the table.
It’s clear nothing was phoned in—this is top-tier audio design across the board.
Difficulty and Replayability
Whether you’re a casual player or a completionist, FF VII Remake INTERGRADE meets you where you are. Tutorials are generous, and enemy attacks are clearly telegraphed. Yet for those chasing mastery, Hard Mode, materia optimization, and tactical stagger chains offer serious challenge.
New Game+ keeps things fresh by letting you carry over gear and tackle harder encounters. Yuffie’s Awareness Missions (with no-hit goals and time trials) are especially satisfying. Add in chocobo races, hidden collectibles, and skill upgrades, and there’s plenty of reason to replay.
Is the platinum grind tough? Sure. But never unfair—and always optional.
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia
Beyond the game itself, there’s fascinating development trivia. Square Enix adopted an episodic model to manage scope and avoid dragging the remake across a decade. Episode INTERmission was originally a standalone DLC but smartly bundled into INTERGRADE for PS5.
According to director Tetsuya Nomura, the goal was to explore “untold stories”—and it shows. With deeper side quests, expanded character arcs, and near-instant loading thanks to the PS5’s SSD, the result feels more cohesive than expected.
Final Thoughts
In the end, FINAL FANTASY VII Remake INTERGRADE doesn’t aim for perfection—but it gets surprisingly close. The pacing stumbles, and a few combat segments wear thin. Yet it delivers masterful storytelling, layered combat, and visual/audio design that rivals any RPG on the market.
So whether you’re reliving a childhood classic or diving in for the first time, this is a journey worth taking. Especially if you catch it on sale.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
