Since its big reveal back in 2015, the Final Fantasy 7 Remake has easily stood as one of the most highly-anticipated projects currently in the video game space. Many were excited to see how Square Enix could possibly reimagine a number of the classic game's most iconic characters and moments, especially as many see the title as one of the forefathers of the RPG genre and their first major introduction to what JRPGs could offer.
With Final Fantasy 7 officially dropping in a few days, fans are itching to find out whether the game lives up to its lofty source material, especially with the title itself being in development for so many years. Luckily, the game's embargo lifted today, and critics were finally allowed to share their thoughts about the Final Fantasy 7 Remake with the title's most passionate fans.
It seems players shouldn't worry too much about whether the game will meet their lofty expectations, with a number of critics praising the title's re-imagining of the incredibly popular and highly-regarded RPG adventure.
GameSpot (Tamor Hussain)
"Regardless of your history with the original game, Final Fantasy VII Remake is an astounding achievement. The wait for its release was a long one, but in gameplay, story, characters, and music, it delivers--the wait was worth it. For first-time players, it's an opportunity to understand why Final Fantasy VII is held in such high regard. It's the chance to experience a multifaceted story that grapples with complex subject matter, be in the company of memorable characters, and be moved by their plight. For returning fans, this isn't the Final Fantasy VII your mind remembers, it's the one your heart always knew it to be."
Score: 10/10
Screenrant (Cody Gravelle)
"Final Fantasy 7 Remake is a picture-perfect return to Midgar. It's one that's been a long time coming and, as it prepares its players for the next installment, it's possible that it's also laid the foundation for what could be the greatest series of Final Fantasy games ever put together - providing the quality holds up once the story begins to really expand in the next installment, of course."
Score: 5 / 5
GamesRadar (Heather Wald)
"Final Fantasy 7 Remake is a spectacle from start to finish. You can tell how much care has been taken to bring this story back to life for modern audiences. As a retelling of a classic with plenty of surprises in store, the Remake offers engaging experiences for longtime fans and newcomers alike. Its action-packed combat, engrossing story, and gorgeously detailed setting successfully reminds you why Final Fantasy 7 is beloved by so many."
Score: 4.5 / 5
Destructoid (Chris Carter)
"I kind of agonized over rating Final Fantasy VII Remake. It's going to garner a lot of discussion from people who are both blown away by the new treatment and disappointed by it, and those feelings are not mutually exclusive. In the end — after thinking on it for some time and removing nostalgia from the equation entirely — I came to the conclusion that this world is full of powerful characters and a setting that's worth remembering: remake or not."
Score: 9 / 10
Game Informer (Joe Juba)
"Regardless of what the future holds, Final Fantasy VII Remake finds an impressive equilibrium between its past and its present. Square Enix nods to the original without depending on that familiarity, crafting a distinctive world and exciting combat system that feel modern. The new approach still has rough edges, but that doesn’t stop Final Fantasy VII Remake from carving out its own legacy."
Score: 8.75 / 10
IGN (Tom Marks)
"The expectations around Final Fantasy 7 Remake are sky high, and it mostly manages to deliver. Its combat is top notch, its enemy variety kept me constantly entertained, and seeing this snippet of story fleshed out with real emotional arcs and the previously hidden humanity behind Midgar filled me with pure joy. The boring RPG filler and Kingdom Hearts-esque convolution that was inserted in between did stop my ear-to-ear grin from being constant, but never long enough to kill the mood completely. That leaves this remake as one that still delivered on letting me relive (part of) a classic in stupendous fashion, while also standing as a great RPG all its own."
Score: 8 / 10
USGamer (Kat Bailey)
"Final Fantasy 7 Remake sets out to fully re-imagine a classic RPG with improved combat and an expanded story. Unfortunately, it's hurt by weak side quests and a surplus of padding, and its biggest change is bound to be controversial. It's one of the most coherent and enjoyable Final Fantasy releases in years, but it's also likely to be one of the most divisive."
Score 3.5 / 5
Eurogamer (Aoife Wilson)
"Changes have been made, but the core essence and spirit of Final Fantasy 7 has been preserved brilliantly. Will it still be enjoyable and accessible to newcomers? That I can't be so sure of, but I believe so. What future instalments have in store, who knows, but this Remake gives us some beautiful moments in a universe some players have spent 23 years falling in love with. That alone is pretty special."
Score: Unscored
Evidently the core charm of Final Fantasy 7 still remains in the long-awaited remake, with a number of critics claiming that its a loving ode to the classic RPG. Many have celebrated its incredible visual style alongside its refined new combat system also, which seemingly takes the turn-based encounters of the original game and makes them more explosive than ever with real-time action. Many have claimed that the game will divisive with fans, however, especially due to the fact that it pads out and fundamentally changes the story, as well as adds a lot of filler to make the Midgar section of the Final Fantasy 7 narrative fit an entire game's worth of content. It seems fans will have an interesting experience waiting for them when the game drops later this week.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake is coming to PS4 on April 10, 2020.