Remaining Fantasy VII Rebirth is out on February 29, 2024. However in case you haven’t performed 2020’s Remake, or any of the opposite video games within the FF7 universe (identified formally because the Compilation of Remaining Fantasy VII), you is perhaps questioning the place to start out, what order it’s best to play the video games in, and whether or not or not it’s best to play the unique first.
This information will break down the video games, movies, and extra that make up the FFVII universe, with strategies on the place to start out in case you’re new to Cloud and co.’s epic journey—or only a bit rusty on the main points. This information can be freed from spoilers, so be happy to learn on.
Remaining Fantasy VII: It began in 1997
First launched on the unique PlayStation again in 1997, Remaining Fantasy VII turned some of the important RPG experiences of the period—and some of the influential video games of all time. The story follows Cloud Strife, a former soldier turned mercenary employed by the eco-terrorist group Avalanche to place an finish to the Shinra Electrical Energy Firm’s destruction of the planet. That premise unfolds right into a world-spanning journey with tense interpersonal relationships and greater than a few mind-bending twists and turns.
You’ll be able to play the unique FF7 on nearly all trendy consoles. A touched-up remaster of the unique (which nonetheless options pre-rendered backgrounds and blocky characters) is accessible on PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Sequence X/S, Swap, and Home windows. This model options an improved translation over the sloppy unique which contained basic traces corresponding to “this man are sick.”
However the remake doesn’t make the unique FF7 out of date. Remaining Fantasy VII Remake takes loads of narrative liberties and toys with the expectations of those that performed the unique. So in case you return to play the 1997 basic, the remake will nonetheless ship a way of suspense and uncertainty. We anticipate that to be the case of Rebirth as nicely.
Remaining Fantasy VII comes with PlayStation Plus Additional
Should you’re a PS Plus subscriber on the Additional tier, you possibly can obtain and begin enjoying Remaining Fantasy VII on PS5 proper now.
You will get by the principle story of FF7 at slightly below 40 hours, in accordance with HowLongToBeat.com, however there’s simply 80+ hours of facet diversions and mini-games to find. As a strictly turn-based recreation with old-school blocky polygons, Remaining Fantasy VII actually feels of its period, but it surely’s nicely price enjoying both earlier than or after Remake or Rebirth.
![Zack, Cloud, and Sephiroth look up at the sky.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/f6e15d744d3ebeb5d9736b344dc97212.jpg)
Crises and Dirges: Remaining Fantasy VII’s prequels and sequels
Within the early 2000’s, Sq. Enix began increasing the world of FF7 with some spinoffs. The developer kicked issues off with Earlier than Disaster: Remaining Fantasy VII, a cellular recreation. This one’s tough to pay money for because it was made for early 2000s cell telephones and isn’t out there on any trendy gadgets.
Earlier than Disaster takes place earlier than the occasions of FF7. Its story content material has reappeared within the trendy cell phone recreation Remaining Fantasy VII: Ever Disaster. That stated, Ever Disaster is full of aggressive microtransactions and lootboxes, making for an abrasive expertise. It’s not a super approach to expertise any of the weather of Remaining Fantasy VII’s story. We suggest watching a Lets Play or studying a synopsis to compensate for what occurs in Earlier than Disaster.
After Earlier than Disaster, the subsequent online game within the sequence could be a third-person shooter for the PlayStation 2 set after the occasions of Remaining Fantasy VII (and after the occasions of the movie Introduction Kids, extra on that in a second). Dirge of Cerberus stars the gun-wielding Vincent Valentine, an optionally available character within the unique 1997 recreation. As of the time of this writing, the unique PS2 copy is the one approach to play Dirge of Cerberus, which runs at an estimated 12 hours of gameplay for the principle story.
Following Dirge of Cerberus, Sq. Enix launched Disaster Core: Remaining Fantasy VII on the PSP, going down in-between Earlier than Disaster and the unique foremost recreation. Although it introduces a variety of additional characters and questionable twists and turns to an already dense story, it’s completely enjoyable and interesting as an RPG.
Learn Extra: Disaster Core – Remaining Fantasy VII – Reunion: The Kotaku Assessment
A remaster of Disaster Core is accessible on PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Sequence X/S, Swap, and Home windows as Disaster Core – Remaining Fantasy VII – Reunion. The principle story of Disaster Core will run about 14 hours, with near 50 hours of gameplay in case you’re going for a completionist run.
![Cloud Strife reaches for his sword on his back.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/465c6b5024679fa87684d8d0fef48725.jpg)
Remakes and rebirths: the fashionable FFVII trilogy
At E3 2015, following years of hope for a remake (arguably impressed by a PS3 tech demo that confirmed off a reimagined intro to Remaining Fantasy VII), Sq. Enix introduced that an official remake of 1997’s Remaining Fantasy VII was in growth.
The sport arrived as Remaining Fantasy VII Remake on April 10, 2020, a whole reimagining of FFVII’s opening “Midgar” sections. Although the remake takes the story in some new and surprising instructions, it stays a trustworthy and expansive retelling of FFVII’s opening moments, setting the stage for 2 extra video games that promise equal quantities of nostalgia and tantalizing new story developments.
Remaining Fantasy VII Remake acquired a DLC chapter with Episode Intermission in 2021, which takes place alongside the occasions of Remake and stars one of many unique recreation’s optionally available characters, Yuffie Kisaragi.
In 2022, Sq. Enix revealed that FFVII’s remake mission would span a trilogy, with the second installment, Remaining Fantasy VII Rebirth on the way in which. The third recreation is but unnamed.
Learn Extra: All the things We Know About Remaining Fantasy VII Rebirth
Rebirth takes place proper after Remake leaves off and is ready to function a lot bigger environments than the 2020 remake. Like Remake, Rebirth will broaden and alter up a few of the occasions of the unique recreation. How a lot liberty it would take stays to be seen. You’ll be able to learn up on all the pieces we find out about Remaining Fantasy VII Rebirth right here.
![Vincent Valentine aims his gun at the camera in Advent Children.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/6d59b4a2c3dbb1e5bedc6e86c83d8fff.jpg)
Introduction Kids and Final Order: Remaining Fantasy VII’s movies
In 2005, Remaining Fantasy VII obtained two movie therapies, one with a CG sequel to the sport’s foremost story, Remaining Fantasy VII: Introduction Kids, and a 25-minute anime retelling a few of the occasions main as much as Remaining Fantasy VII.
Whereas Introduction Kids options some glorious visuals and various thrilling struggle scenes, it hasn’t been universally accepted by followers of the unique 1997 recreation. With a convoluted plot that makes for a tricky look ahead to these unfamiliar with the entire characters and plot turns of Remaining Fantasy VII, it stands at a 50% ranking on Rotten Tomatoes.
Final Order, however, loved a hotter reception. As this anime is a retelling of already strong story materials from the unique recreation, it doesn’t have the burden of proving itself by a brand new story and as a substitute adapts a confirmed narrative.
Hey, there are quick tales and a novel too!
Should you’re all-in on the Remaining Fantasy VII universe, there’s some fiction to learn up on as nicely. Remaining Fantasy VII: On the Option to a Smile is a group of quick tales that chronicles the lives of assorted characters after the occasions of the unique 1997 recreation. These tales happen earlier than Introduction Kids. Remaining Fantasy VII: The Children Are Alright: A Turks Facet Story is one other story main as much as the occasions of Introduction Kids.
Lastly, Remaining Fantasy VII Remake: Traces of Two Pasts is a novel targeted on characters Aerith and Tifa, diving deep into their backstories.
![The start screen for Final Fantasy VII shows a large sword and an option for a New Game or to Continue.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/5d9e73f753035ce4252abc0979ee52cb.jpg)
Remaining Fantasy VII: The place to start out?
Should you’ve by no means performed any of the Remaining Fantasy VII video games earlier than and are up for a stunning retro throwback, we heartily suggest enjoying the unique FF7 first. It’s available on all foremost gaming platforms and it’s simply one of many biggest video video games ever made.
For one thing a bit extra trendy, Remaining Fantasy VII Remake isn’t a nasty place to start out both, adopted by Episode: Intermission. From there, you’ll be set to dive straight into Rebirth when it launches in late February.
Should you’re beginning with the remakes, it’s advisable to carry off on Disaster Core till you play Rebirth or the unique Remaining Fantasy VII. The occasions of the prequel are mentioned in FFVII (and are anticipated to be a spotlight of Rebirth), so that you’ll get a way of what occurs in Disaster Core and who the characters are. Disaster Core’s story is greatest advised with the surface-level particulars of what occurs to Cloud and facet character Zack Truthful in FF& in thoughts; it really works greatest as an embellished flashback. You may as well search out a replica of Final Order for a retelling of the occasions that set a lot of what occurs in Remaining Fantasy VII into movement.
Whereas the expanded universe can afford you extra time spent with this sequence’ great solid of characters, nearly all the pieces exterior of FF7 and Remake are way more area of interest choices. So don’t let all of the stuff on the market deter you!