For several fans, it's almost hard to believe that Final Fantasy 7 Remake, a proper re-imagining of one of the most iconic video games of the franchise, is actually hitting shelves (metaphorically speaking). Fans are just mere weeks away from experiencing Cloud and the gang's adventure in a completely new form. Filled with tons of content both old and new, Square Enix intends to recapture the magic one last time with a definitive edition of one of the best-selling RPGs ever developed.

What's truly wonderful about Final Fantasy 7 Remake is that it take the idea of remake beyond the standard limits, and it includes several new additions and changes to the original game's story. Square Enix is developing the remake to be like a brand new experience for all players, regardless of whether they're a Final Fantasy veteran or a newcomer. There's a lot of information already known about the game, but still plenty of mystery fans don't know about what could be different in this version. Here's everything players should know before the remake's release.

RELATED: Final Fantasy 7 Remake Devs Discuss Recreating Midgar

Which Final Fantasy 7 Remake Edition To Buy

Not unlike every other major release, Final Fantasy 7 Remake presents three different editions that fans can choose from: Standard, Deluxe, and 1st Class Edition. The standard edition is exactly as it sounds: the base game plus pre-order bonus available across all versions. Final Fantasy 7 Remake's pre-order bonus is an exclusive Chocobo Chick Summon Materia that players can use in battle. The Deluxe edition (physical or digital) includes the official soundtrack of the game, an artbook full of unique concept art, a steelbook for the physical version specifically, and the inclusion of the Carbuncle and Cactaur Summon Materia. The 1st Class Edition is the top-of-the-line version to buy, which includes all the aforementioned bonuses, as well as a Play Arts Kai Cloud Strife & Hardy Daytona figure set. Devoted fans win out regardless of whichever edition they buy, but there's some significant additions in the different versions players can buy.

Possible Physical Edition Delays

There is a very specific and unfortunate circumstance in 2020 that's affecting the world at large, which in turn has affected video games as well. Due to complications and delays because of coronavirus/COVID-19, Final Fantasy 7 Remake physical copies may not arrive day of release for some fans. The game's release is not delayed by any means and digital releases remain unaffected, but it's an important consideration to be made if anyone has yet to pre-order the game and wants a physical copy.

What's Changed From the Original

Obviously, the game is still holding its fair share of secrets until it's released, but fans actually already know a lot about how Final Fantasy 7 Remake is different from the original Final Fantasy 7. Square Enix's development team on the remake has continually proved that Final Fantasy 7 Remake is a true reimagining instead of just a one-to-one remake. Fans have learned about changes to both the main storyline as well as side quests, changes to both new and existing characters, as well as some significant changes to Midgar.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake has kept true to the spirits of the main storyline, but is making subtle changes here and there. Even as early as the Remake demo itself, fans already know certain plot points have been adjusted as the game is modernized for 2020 and beyond. There are even some pivotal moments that will be occurring in Midgar that occurred later on in the game, or were never fleshed out period. Even some character introductions are occurring much earlier in the story to compensate for the episodic release schedule.

Characters themselves have been changed drastically in a lot of ways. Not only are existing characters being treated with proper respect in their depictions, but brand new FF7 characters are being introduced as well. Since Final Fantasy 7 Remake will be released episodically, Square Enix is ensuring that each episode matches the length of a full RPG. In service of reaching that goal, the need for more characters both on the fringe as well as along the main storyline becomes vastly more important.

Perhaps most importantly, the episodic content means this first episode of Final Fantasy 7 Remake will only focus on the beginning Midgar section of Cloud's story. Since the beginning of Final Fantasy 7's Midgar segment only takes up around 7-8 hours of gameplay time, Square Enix's Midgar will be greatly expanded to fit the 40-60 hour RPG it's intended to be. This means players will likely visit portions of Midgar never before seen in the original game. That could mean any other sector of Midgar, the Upper Plate portion of the city, or somewhere completely new to the remake.

RELATED: Each Final Fantasy 7 Remake Episode Is As Long As A Standalone Game

Combat Is Fundamentally Different From Original

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For those who remember and played the original Final Fantasy 7, fighting enemies followed the status quo of JRPGs at the time: turn-based combat. This continues to stick around in some of the most popular modern JRPGs such as Persona 5, but many other games and franchises old and new have opted for more action-oriented combat. Even Final Fantasy swapped to completely action-oriented combat with Final Fantasy 15, and it seems some of that effect has rubbed off on the remake as well.

That's not a bad thing though, as the combat in Final Fantasy 7 Remake is excellent and improves a lot on the original's turn-based system. Fans shouldn't be worried if they enjoyed the tactical nature of the original's turn-based combat, as the remake has struck a really great balance between action and strategy. Fighting enemies, especially bosses, still involves strategic thinking and examining of weaknesses. There's still the ATB gauge for players to utilize special abilities, Materia/spells, as well as the iconic Limit Breaks. Fans of the original will find themselves pleasantly surprised with Remake's combat (and can opt for the classic if preferred), but won't turn away any newcomers to the game as well.

Just the Beginning of Final Fantasy 7 Remake

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Touched on earlier, but Final Fantasy 7 Remake is being released episodically, meaning the game coming out this April is just the start. It's clear Square Enix and the development team are treating Final Fantasy 7 Remake with as much care and ambition as possible, which is why the game must have an episodic release. That being said, since re-imagining Final Fantasy 7 is likely quite the undertaking, Final Fantasy 7 Remake will release different portions of the game episodically. The remake is aiming to be the definitive version of Final Fantasy 7, expanding on aspects that were lacking in the original's plot that needed expanding, along with attaining the highest graphical fidelity consistently across the whole game.

It's been a long time coming, but Final Fantasy 7 Remake is indeed real, and coming out very soon. Fans in all capacities, Final Fantasy 7 veterans and newcomers alike, should be excited to join Cloud and the gang's adventure once again. Final Fantasy 7 Remake is shaping up to be the definitive way to play one of the most revered and iconic RPGs/video games of all time.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake is coming to PS4 on April 10, 2020.

MORE: Final Fantasy 7 Remake May Be Darker Than the Original