Many were skeptical about Final Fantasy VII Remake during its development. Since the first entry would only cover a small portion of the 1997 classic, fans doubted whether it could conceivably be as complex of an experience. How could it possibly be as fulfilling of an RPG?
Thankfully, the game exceeded expectations on nearly all fronts, providing players with a new spin on time-tested elements. The systems of Final Fantasy VII were not only preserved, but also expanded for a new generation. Of course, with role-playing mechanics (and lore) this extensive, people are bound to miss something or downright mess up on their first playthrough. These boo-boos vary from gameplay to story, but they have one thing in common: they provide an excuse to play the game again.
10 Expecting it to be a full remake
Despite the prior news that the overarching narrative would be episodic, the game's title suggests that it's a remake of Final Fantasy VII, plain and simple. As such, it covers the original story in its entirety, right?
Nope. Instead, this initial offering covers only the first few hours of the epic journey, specifically the portions set in Midgar. Once the characters leave this sprawling metropolis, the game ends. Players must wait until the next chapter to explore the larger world. Although the developers still tell a lengthy, compelling, climactic tale within these confines, they take several liberties with the material, further separating it from its roots. Suffice it to say, that might annoy some people.
9 Having no knowledge of Zack Fair
When the game starts dabbling in destiny and alternate timelines, it shows scenes of a mysterious SOLDIER operative wielding Cloud's sword to protect him from Shinra troops. The script gives no context for this aside from the occasional nod.
Though Zack appeared in Final Fantasy VII during flashbacks, his full story wasn't told until the acclaimed PSP prequel, Crisis Core. This is where the scenes in the remake are lifted from. It also references concepts from that title, such as G-type SOLDIER cells. This could mean that other such elements could inform the remake's worldbuilding. Because of that--and some context for those wacky time visions--it pays to play Crisis Core. Plus, it's a pretty good game in its own right.
8 Playing it like a turn-based RPG
Unsuspecting fans of the original might go into this with turn-based strategy in mind, but they're in for a rude awakening. Enemies do not stand still and wait for their time to attack. Players must adapt to real-time combat, actively dodging blows and countering effectively.
Granted, they can slow down time while they select a strategy from the command menu. This harkens back to the series' more methodically strategic roots. However, gamers spend most of their time on standard melee attacks and evasive maneuvers. In other words, don't stand stock still.
7 Playing it like a hack-and-slash
Although this remake largely abandons the turn-based format of its predecessor, it's also not like other action RPGs or western hack-and-slash titles. Cloud and company don't have the same ability or range of movement as Sora from Kingdom Hearts, Kratos from God of War, or Dante from Devil May Cry. For one thing, they don't have a jump button.
Survival requires some of the turn-based mentality of yesteryear. Players must know how to time their melee attacks to build toward more powerful commands, blending the two for maximum effect. This is truly a hybrid of action and strategy, and it will take mastery of both to win.
6 Not grasping the Materia system
For better or worse, Square Enix changes its RPG mechanics with each new game. Although the Materia system here is taken directly from the original Final Fantasy VII, it will prove jarring for those unfamiliar with JRPGs or even those coming off another Final Fantasy or Kingdom Hearts title.
Why does magic Materia only cover basic-tier spells? What's that? They can be leveled up? What's the difference between Added Effect and Elemental Materia? Why does some Materia do different things when slotted to weapons and armor? All of these tools can be overwhelming, especially for a layman. Knowing how to use them well takes practice and experimentation. By the time one becomes adept, he/she could be halfway through the game.
5 Not trying the alternate weapons
After upgrading a favorite weapon to one's liking, it's tempting to simply stick with it. Why should players bother with these other tools shoved in their faces?
Ignoring the new weapons on offer, however, also impacts the characters' move sets. Each weapon comes with a brand-new attack for its respective user. Reaching maximum proficiency with this technique grants it to the player permanently. This doesn't take long at all, so it provides a great opportunity to test out a new toy without any long-term commitment. As such, players should actively seek out these alternate weapons rather than pass them off as useless trinkets.
4 Skipping the side quests
Suffice it to say, the optional odd jobs don't make a good first impression. Mundane tasks like looking for cats might put players off future side missions. Why should they care about the troubles of every Joe Shmoe on the street, especially with facial animations this freaky?
Well, this helps further flesh out the city of Midgar, giving its populace more personality than normal NPCs and showing what everyday life is like under the plate. Plus, some of these jobs lead to larger, more intriguing questlines that span multiple chapters. Not to mention, they reward gamers with goodies.
3 Not Assessing enemies
Outside of listing strengths and weaknesses, Chadley's Assess Materia doesn't seem to benefit players in battles like Fire or other spells. Because of this, leaving it unequipped just frees up an extra slot.
Actually, Assessing the various enemies around the city gives Chadley valuable data on Midgar's monsters. This, in turn, rewards players with new Materia and even optional boss fights with unknown monsters. Defeating these foes is the only way to attain new summon spells for Bahamut and other colossal creatures, so make sure to always Assess new adversaries.
2 Expecting the characters to behave like their Kingdom Hearts counterparts
Many people, particularly in the West, likely picked up this remake because of the Kingdom Hearts series. Amidst the wider appeal of the Disney properties, they saw these Final Fantasy characters and wanted to know more about them.
However, Kingdom Hearts regularly reworks said characters to fit its own universe. As such, they may look and act somewhat differently in their own games. Cloud, for instance, is not quite as somber or reserved here; Tifa carries more weight on her shoulders; Aerith is not a perfect saint. The list goes on.
1 Alternate Dialogue & Actions
Occasionally, the game presents players with a choice of what to do or say in a cutscene. At first glance, these may seem like insignificant gimmicks to engage players in the conversation, albeit in a small way.
What the game doesn't say is that these can have major impacts on certain events, and it's not immediately clear which ones will be affected. The question might be about what Tifa should wear on her date with Cloud, and the answer determines which dress she dons to infiltrate the seedy Wall Market later on.
Beginners won't pick up on this, thinking the game plays out in a single, scripted manner. It's only through repeat playthroughs that they'll notice the difference. By then, however, they'll no longer be beginners, and they'll hopefully have all the knowledge needed to see everything the game has to offer.