E3 2019: Final Fantasy VII Remake - Tested

    E3 2019: Final Fantasy VII Remake - Tested

    Writing about Final Fantasy VII Remake after trying it may seem easy, but it's not at all. Let's talk about the title that literally started me in the saga and, above all, the one that made me discover and love the world of JRPG, which today is the genre that perhaps I absolutely prefer.

    Final Fantasy VII, as for millions of other players, represents one of the most intimate videogame experiences ever and for this reason it is not so easy to openly express the emotions I felt during the test of the demo available here at E3 2019. I will therefore try to write straight away and give you a first warm impression, since we will review the game in a few days in the company of the developers, so as to give you a second opinion in a cold and reasoned mind.



    Let's start from the beginning: I was under the stage of the Square Enix conference when the curtains were raised and finally they presented the game. I rarely break down in these contexts, but with Final Fantasy VII Remake I just didn't make it and I let myself go in a riot of screams and applause as I relived Cloud's arrival in sector 1 aboard the train , the sequences on the bike and the reveal of Tifa, accompanied by new musical arrangements of the original soundtrack. What an emotion.

    Then it was time for the presentation of the gameplay, which genuinely made me feel that Square Enix, through the work of Tetsuya Nomura and Yoshinori Kitase, he devoted considerable attention and worked respectfully towards the original work. Something definitely not taken for granted, however necessary.


    When I saw the fight against the Scorpion Guard I realized that this remake would not be a trivial adaptation of the turn-based system in an action version, but that the strategic component would have a key role in continuing the game. Well, after my test, I'm here to confirm this: Final Fantasy VII Remake is not the usual action RPG where basic attacks are spammed to get the better of enemies.


    E3 2019: Final Fantasy VII Remake - Tested

    Let's go in order. The Final Fantasy VII Remake demo we tested put us in the shoes of Cloud and Barret intent on blowing up the first Mako reactor in sector 1, immediately after reaching the lower levels with the elevator. In the descent to the reactor and the fight against the boss, we got to taste some skirmishes against the Shinra soldiers and their state-of-the-art security systems. A necessity to become familiar with a very complex Battle System, to be understood and deepened.

    Basically it works like this: Cloud and Barret, which can be used separately simply by pressing the arrow key UP, have a basic attack on the square that serves to do minor damage necessary to fill the ATB bar. Once this bar is filled it is possible, by pressing the X key, to access a tactical pause where you can perform different types of actions: special abilities, spells, use of objects and Limit Break (and I imagine also the Summon, once available). The special abilities consume segments of the ATB bar (in the demo we had two available for both characters), the spells consume the classic MP points, while the objects are consumable by nature and finally the Limit Breaks are usable only once the special bar that is populated as you suffer hits.


    E3 2019: Final Fantasy VII Remake - Tested

    Using special abilities is the best way to deal damage to enemies, which is why it is always necessary to fill the ATB bar in a hurry with the use of basic shots; this will make you understand that you will often be on a tactical break to decide your actions, giving a feeling of "shift" like the original game. This feeling is then expanded by considering that it is possible to give orders and select the abilities of party members that are not currently being used. An essential aspect if you take into account that each character has unique characteristics suitable for specific situations and enemies. In Barret's case, he is vital against enemies positioned on high ground or at distances unreachable for Cloud.


    As in all action games, great importance is also played by the role of parrying, to reduce damage, and dodging. Another element to consider is the focus bar of the enemies, which once filled will send them into “staggering” making them even more vulnerable to party attacks: we are talking about 160% more damage.

    If against the minor enemies this aspect of the game fails, with the toughest enemies - and especially the bosses - we are talking about a practically mandatory mechanic if you want to get the better of those who stand in front of us. And it is precisely by mentioning the bosses that the time comes to discuss the Scorpion Guard, the first big obstacle that is faced in Final Fantasy VII.

    E3 2019: Final Fantasy VII Remake - Tested


    If you remember well, it was an all too simple and banal fight in the original, once you learned the rule of not attacking while the enemy has his tail up. Now, on the other hand, the clash has turned into a long phased combat where in each of them the robot always uses different moves and with greater aggression. Furthermore, during these phases, the boss makes himself invulnerable by raising a barrier around him. When he does, the player is prompted to find the generator, placed under his tail, to destroy it and return for damage. Or in other cases, even to destroy his legs quickly to prevent him from restoring his energy. If, on the other hand, Scorpion Guardian raises its mythical tail, then it will be an opportunity for Cloud and Barret to find shelter to avoid at all costs taking devastating damage from its lethal beam.

    A tough fight that kept me busy and focused, but above all that it amused me.

    Final Fantasy VII turned out to be just perfect for me, net of some smudges such as the camera, perhaps a little too close to Cloud as he wanders in the reactor.


    The real unknowns remain linked to how this huge and gigantic project will be managed. We know that the first episode will cover all the events of Midgar, with lots of in-depths and expansions of the plot to guarantee a mass of content comparable to that of a classic Final Fantasy episode. When will the other episodes arrive? How often? How many will there be? Much (too) little is known about Square Enix's plans.

    E3 2019: Final Fantasy VII Remake - Tested

    Said this, Final Fantasy VII Remake remains among the most incredible experiences ever tried in recent years. Everything seems really aimed at surprising and striking you with the power of nostalgia and memories, putting on the best possible interpretation of what was the most important JRPG ever. I want to believe it, I have to believe it. If the project maintains this quality we will be faced with one of the greatest remakes in the history of the medium.

    ► Final Fantasy VII Remake is an Action-RPG type game developed and published by Square Enix for PlayStation 4, the video game was released on 10/04/2020
    Final Fantasy VII Remake is a game to own at all costs: we decided to evaluate it with a 92%, if you are interested in learning more you can read the Final Fantasy VII Remake Review

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