How much is new to Final Fantasy VII Remake from the beginning? That was one of the questions I had the pleasure of interviewing Yoshinori Kitase and Naoki Hamaguchi weeks ago in Madrid. Now, more than ever, I've been thinking about his answer.
New is little to be said about the original FFVII at this time. The big arrival of Japan's JPP in the West, a game that led to the split between Nintendo and squaresoft at the time; a game that, even today, continues to speak to organizations and players. For all that, the FFVII Remake was eagerly awaited, and for all I want to leave you alone. I'm going to start with a lot of intensity because, in all the situations I've thought of for a project like this (20 years of thinking about it gives me many ideas), this one surpassed all my expectations.
I will not improve the important details of the story in this review, although I can tell you to clear your head that there are no appeals to this release, because they are, and are, very important. Remake content surpasses all the old ways in the form, quantity, quality, and all. Square Enix has taken the concept of rewriting, dividing and re-interpreting it created a modern Final Fantasy VII and full of care.
Anyone who returns to stage seven and opens April 10 on the PS4, in many places because of this difficult situation, will find an article on protecting the planet's life, about a group of eco-activists who have decided to take strong action against megacorporación, and the one that hides (though not in secret) the whole party is fighting for a struggle called Midgar.
This city is the heart of Final Fantasy VII Remake. Put a comparison to the original, featured on the plate here is a topic that focuses on almost the original five. Now, Square Enix is holding on to not only make it easy or perfect, but the opposite. Midgar is bigger and more alive than ever.
I cannot deny the obvious, and that is that the coincidence of the game takes over the game from the first minute; and he couldn't do much different, because in the beginning it was too. History sets a very clear rhythm, where you can occasionally split up into secondary activities that allow you to get to know the neighbors and various regions of the city much better. From the very beginning, he focuses entirely on the poorest part of Midgar, the one who lives in the shadow of the upper plate where the wealthiest families live, underneath that "& ^ # $ # pizza" shedding some of the light that others always enjoy while swimming in the bonanza.
It's a message that exists at the beginning, and that remains behind while being circulated among all the characters that make up the Avalanche, a terrorist group that joins us as a mercenary in the cloud cover at the beginning of the story. That terrorist group, in addition, has more weight than ever before in the narrative. Now you know Jessie, Biggs, Wedge, Barret, Marlene much better … everyone. And all thanks to the change of pace, in a building that distributes all the pieces so that the puzzle is bigger and the picture is perfect for the level of the building.
Looking back, it is undeniable to talk about fairy tales, one of the great features of the first Final Fantasy VII was that it bravely did things that were very different from the genre of the time, as well as what video games were made overall. Along with its history and passion for technology, many of the topics discussed could be better understood today, or better aligned with the context in which we live. That battle for the planet I spoke of, the fake news, the governments that move the masses in their favor … It's scary to see that all of this is upheld, and even encouraged, and that it is now better understood.
However, FFVII Recovery, like FFVII, is not just that. It talks about the greatest threats on this planet, which I will say otherwise because, believe it or not, there are many surprises in this release. Too many, which we are probably facing is one of those games that will provide a lot of controversy.
I'm revisiting the city of Midgar, but now to add it to another perspective. The linearity on which the Remake is built makes sense, especially because it wants to maintain a certain level of respect for the original work, and one can understand it without any problems. However, we now don't have the same limitations as in the 32-bit era, and that shows more than ever.
Neighbors, former townsfolk, are full of life, of people who talk about their daily lives and take you out to see the real conditions of that community that Shinra hides under the carpet. But they are also full of activities that you can do as a good mercenary that you are. Cloud Strife was a member of the Soldier, but now he does whatever it takes when he is well paid.
That "anything" translates into eliminating enemy crowds that threaten civilian citizens, or also in the rescue of lost kittens. The range of side functions that opens before a player has a very good number, though may be postponed at times. It does not reach the FFXV level, for example, because it is able to provide lore and Midgar data that is debatable. And it is true that there may be some missions to the mission, but it all contributes to making you feel more in this world, which brings about some minor changes in history. In the end, they are always satisfying.
The slight disadvantage of those machines, because the FFVII Remake is still a way full of meaningless, miraculous re-inventions created over the last twenty years to bring to modern times. So each area has gone up to levels that are hard to imagine. We are not facing an open world match, we will not be able to visit Midgar as Geralt and Temeria or Scellige; but it is not necessary either. There are more characters, there are more places, there is more drama. And that can provide what may seem a priori limitation.
Of all the new additions to the world, Square Enix has been obsessed with throwing winks reminiscent of veterans from the same city he met years ago. I'm not talking about places like Seventh Heaven or about the apartment building we learned that we saw at the beginning of the 32-bit; I'm talking about other details such as those stairs in the room of Don Corneo, a man with a bad stomach in the Muro market or struggling kids talking about boundaries in section 7. Zinc, small pearls are distributed to remember that this reinforcement is loaded with love and respect.
There is a beautiful and necessary rediscovery in the game world, and that creates that "open world" failure with a view that reminds us of the Final Fantasy of Steryear: Fantasy. They are not like that, but the structure of the parts, with their puzzles, their secrets and their fight with enemies and generals, fails to bring back that taste of the classic FF. It may or may not be a tribute, but the fact is that it is always helpful to keep the rhythm of the play, which goes up in the air when important moments in history are made; and that sometimes it can be blurred by an unpleasant puzzle that something is overlooked.
It's a fascinating program, and much more so when we live in an age where participation is always in line with the greater world. It fails, in fact it fits very well with the modern concept of Midgar and what the classic has to offer. By the way, it reminds us a lot of how the Naughty Dog handles its tasks, closing the gap and delivering really memorable moments. Chapter 12, for example, is real cruelty.
I could go on writing lines and lines through the game world, or even deepen the characters; But you have to keep going and I have to get into the game mechanic, something that will have many on the edge after trying the demo. But no, first I have to say something else, and that is that all the additional content added to the story and setting serves to understand the contestants much better. It helps to learn, connect, empathize with them more than ever. And many of you already know what this means from time to time …
Now, yes, the combat system is something that shouldn't fail in an RPG, and the solution presented by Square Enix has no cracks. A hybrid between real-time action and the choice of program-based programming commands from the original, for which the timeline is set. It is varied and very comprehensive, not only because it produces the most direct action, but also because it provides complete control of the characters in your team, while imposing different mechanics on each.
I've been talking about Cloud and Barret in particular, but the flexibility of the equipment is clear even when playing with Tifa and Aeris. The first one, as a melee player, can be handled almost as if we're on a hit, when shortcuts are used with it, the combination of buttons increases the action level of the RPG. On the other hand, when we travel to Aeris, we fight a long way as a witch, with more control over distances and enemies and having very little speed.
But dynamism, in wars, does not stop for a moment. The mind agrees to control a group of three in real time with great ease, and much of what they have done at S-E. Manage the barriers of your BTC with your friends so that you can magically or skillfully, quickly swap between them or give exact orders. It is satisfying to say enough, and more when you know how to take advantage of team opportunities.
The weapons system and equipment are starting to work in all this. For the first time we distinguish between practical and customary skills, the first is not opened by overcoming challenges with their abilities (something very similar to FFIX) and the second with points being distributed following a very well-developed orbital tree type. The second is the same as we had in the original game, the power of Mako (planetary power) balancing spaces that allow you to cast spells, have more actions in combat, development and evolution and magical behavior.
The concept of materials was one that had already given the game a really good amount of build and progression for the attackers. It was the real heart of the combat system and, while still as prevalent as it was over 20 years ago, it continues to show incredible strength.
All of this allows Cloud and company to shine when it comes to tow distribution. This is also, of course, the thrill of eliminating technology even now in this generation. Both the adventure of Midgar and its streets, as well as all the characters, enemies, magic and summons, are just amazing. This analysis was done on PlayStation 4 Slim, and performance has always been good, with the level of detail as very few appear in the field.
The details taken into account when looking from your area to all the pipes and processes of the sky-covering plates, or when thanks to the lighting and effect of the light bulb. Yes, it is true that there are certain aspects where occasional backup overlaps and that, at least on the PS4 Slim, some formats may take some time to load. But the latter is not something that can be fixed in future revivals, and the remainder is actually the sum of constant production prices.
Prices also jump to an impressive soundtrack. Seven discs, as well as one, contain a special edition coming soon, and it's not a fictitious figure at all. The variety is brutal, with the rejuvenation of those songs we've all heard once; To this we need to add an exception shown depending on the action on the screen. What was the result? Many metal bands, rappers and even curtains for emblematic bodies, with room to make piano versions that make hair stand out (eye to the famous Aeris theme and the amount of variety it has).
I have already completed my trip to Midgar with Cloud and his friends and, after all I have told you, I can only tell you one thing: Square Enix has managed to recreate Final Fantasy VII and give the job a job that can compete in fairy tales. It's been over 20 years, but this stone has just been the first project to make history, and that every player should know. Ignore the call to the Sephirot Conference.
