Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second part of Square Enix’s ambitious plan to remake one of the most beloved RPGs of all time. While the first part, Final Fantasy VII Remake, took place entirely in the city of Midgar, Rebirth opens up the world as Cloud and his friends set out on a journey across the planet. It is enormous, emotional and packed with content.
We spent more than 80 hours with Rebirth on PS5. Here is our review.
Do you need to play Remake first?
Rebirth continues directly from Remake, and its story assumes you know the characters and events. The game includes a recap, but we strongly recommend playing Remake first for the full emotional impact.
Open regions
Rebirth replaces Midgar’s corridors with large open regions, from grasslands to deserts, mountains and coastal towns. Each region has its own activities: towers to activate, Chocobos to find, protorelic quests and combat challenges. Exploring with your party, chatting along the way, feels like a road trip with friends.
Some activities repeat across regions, and players who complete everything may feel the formula wear thin. But the regions are beautiful and full of personality.
Combat
Combat builds on Remake’s hybrid system. You control characters in real time, building up the ATB gauge to use abilities, spells and items. Pausing to select commands adds strategy.
Rebirth adds synergy abilities, where two characters combine for powerful moves. Each character also has a distinct playstyle: Cloud’s swordplay, Tifa’s martial arts combos, Barret’s ranged attacks, Aerith’s magic, Red XIII’s counterattacks and Yuffie’s ninja techniques. Switching between characters and combining their strengths is incredibly satisfying.
Characters
The party is the heart of Rebirth. The relationships between Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, Barret, Red XIII, Yuffie and others are explored with warmth and humour. Optional conversations and dates at the Gold Saucer let you deepen these relationships. Even small moments, like campfire chats, add depth.
Queen’s Blood
Queen’s Blood is a card game that you can play against characters throughout the world. It is surprisingly deep, with strategy based on board control and card abilities. Many players find themselves spending hours collecting cards and challenging opponents. It is one of the best mini-games in recent RPGs.
Mini-games
Rebirth is full of mini-games, from Chocobo racing to piano performances and shooting galleries. Some are fun, while others can feel like distractions. Most are optional, but a few are required for story progress.
Story
Without spoilers, Rebirth makes bold choices with its story. Some changes from the original game will delight players, while others will spark debate. The emotional highs are powerful, especially in the final chapters. Fans of the original will have a lot to discuss.
Visuals and performance
The game looks gorgeous, with detailed environments and expressive characters. On PS5, players can choose between performance and graphics modes. The PC version allows higher frame rates and resolutions on capable hardware.
Length
The main story takes around 40 to 50 hours, but completing side content can push it beyond 100 hours. It is a huge commitment, but there is a lot of quality content.
Tips for new players
- Play Remake first for the full story
- Use synergy abilities frequently
- Upgrade weapons and folios for each character
- Try Queen’s Blood early; it gets better as you collect cards
- Do not feel pressured to finish every side activity
Who is it for?
Rebirth is for fans of Final Fantasy VII, RPG lovers and anyone who enjoys character-driven stories with deep combat. Its length and side content make it ideal for players who want a big adventure.
Frequently asked questions
Is it the full Final Fantasy VII story? No. It is the second part of a planned trilogy.
Is it on PC? Yes, it was released on PC after the PS5 launch.
Is it suitable for newcomers? Yes, but play Remake first.
A loving remake
Rebirth shows deep respect for the original game while expanding its world and characters. Familiar locations are recreated with stunning detail, and classic music is reimagined beautifully. For long-time fans, revisiting these places is a nostalgic and emotional experience.
Music
The soundtrack is massive, with remixes of classic themes in many styles, from orchestral to jazz and rock. Each region has its own musical identity, and battle themes are energetic and memorable. It is one of the strongest soundtracks in the series.
Pacing and side content
Our main criticism is pacing. Between big story moments, the game often asks you to complete optional-feeling activities or mini-games before moving on. Players who prefer a tighter adventure might feel the journey drags at times. Our advice is to follow your interest: do the side quests you enjoy, and skip the ones that feel like chores.
Our experience
Our favourite moments came from the party itself. Walking through a sunset region with the team bantering, then jumping into a tough fight using synergy abilities, captured exactly what makes Rebirth special. We finished it eager for the final part of the trilogy.
Difficulty options
Rebirth offers several difficulty settings. Easy mode is ideal for story-focused players, while Normal provides a balanced challenge. Dynamic difficulty adjusts enemy strength to match your level, keeping fights interesting even if you complete lots of side content. Hard mode, unlocked after finishing the game, is a serious test for experienced players who want to master the combat system.
Should you play on PS5 or PC?
Both versions are excellent. PS5 offers a polished experience with fast loading and DualSense support. The PC version allows higher frame rates and resolutions, but it needs strong hardware for the best results. If you have a capable gaming PC, it is a great option; otherwise, PS5 is the simpler choice.
A note on spoilers
Rebirth’s story is best experienced fresh, so avoid online discussions until you finish.
Verdict
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a huge, heartfelt journey with outstanding combat, memorable characters and endless content. Some padding and story choices will divide fans, but its highs are among the best in modern RPGs. If you enjoyed Remake, Rebirth is a must-play.
