Graphics mode and other recommended optimizations

Even before you set off with Sephiroth to climb Mount Nibel Final Fantasy VII Rebirth‘s demo, there are a number of settings you should adjust. While you can leave many of the basic settings alone, some, like the graphics option, really require your attention before you get started (yes, we recommend the graphics setting over performance, and we’ll explain why).

Read more: Everything we know Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Pre-order Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Amazon | Best buy | Goal

We expect these settings to be available in the full game when it launches on February 29th. However, there is no guarantee that your settings will carry over from the demo to the full version. Before playing, make a note of which settings you have adjusted Rebirth Later this month.

We will update this guide once to reflect any additional settings or similar considerations Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will be released on PS5 on February 29th.

Switch to graphics mode as quickly as possible

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth‘s demo (and probably the full game as well) defaults its graphics to “Performance” mode, allowing for high frame rates. While this may make the fights look a little sharper, the visual fidelity is severely compromised, so much so that we… My city I highly recommend switching to “Graphics” mode. You can change this setting before you even load it into the playable part. After starting the game, before starting, select “Options” from the main menu, navigate to “Graphics” and select “Graphics” under “Optimization”.

A comparison image shows more details in Cloud's sword in the graphics setting.

Note the difference in detail on Cloud’s sword.
Screenshot: Square Enix / Kotaku / Claire Jackson

During gameplay, you can change this by clicking the menu button and selecting “System” then “Options.” Graphics mode results in a lower frame rate, but the improvement in overall visual fidelity is still worth it.

Read more: Final Fantasy VII RebirthThe first three chapters knocked my socks off

Overall, Performance mode results in a smoother image and, in my experience, occasional jittering in some animations (particularly when the camera is moving). As shown in the demo, Rebirth is a very narrative game that prides itself on its beautiful graphics that showcase the characters and environment. Sacrificing visual clarity, especially the first time, is not a good way to experience what’s on offer Rebirth Demo.

Active or classic combat?

You have two different battle modes to choose from Rebirth. In active mode, you are responsible for entering the commands to attack your enemies. In Classic Mode, the character you are currently controlling automatically performs their basic attack as well as some maneuvers.

Read more: Don’t sleep on it Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Fighting Tips

Both are valid approaches. However, Classic Mode may result in a slower experience. For more hectic fights, we recommend active mode.

Consider turning the music down a bit

Depending on your speaker setup, you may have noticed that the music occasionally makes certain lines of dialogue difficult to understand. Generally, RebirthThe sound could use a better mix (at least as far as the demo is concerned). I recommend the following audio settings as a good baseline, with room for customization:

  • Master Volume: 10
  • Music volume: 7 or 8
  • SFX volume: 8
  • Speaking volume: 10
  • Song volume: 7 or 8

Other settings worth considering

The chat log, which displays all overheard dialogue on the left side of the screen, can get a bit chaotic in an area like Nibelheim, where you might see a lot of people at once. If you don’t need chat for accessibility reasons, I recommend turning it off to free up screen space. Go to the “Options” menu and under “Gameplay” you will find “Chat Protocol” settings.

Read more: Everything you need to know Final Fantasy VIIBefore Rebirth

Speaking of freeing up screen space, you can choose between a “tracker” and a minimap for your navigation. In the Gameplay section of the Options menu, you can set the world navigation display and location navigation display to either a circular minimap in the top right corner of the screen or a horizontal bar in the top center of your screen that shows important objectives.

A comparison image shows the difference between activating or deactivating the minimap in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.A comparison image shows the difference between activating or deactivating the minimap in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.

Screenshot: Square Enix / Claire Jackson / Kotaku

Finally, once you’ve mastered the combat basics, we recommend turning off the Combat Guide, which displays all available key commands during combat on the left side of your screen, just above the command menu. Once you’ve memorized the controls in combat, it doesn’t make as much sense to dedicate so much screen space to the commands you already know – especially since the guide gets larger if you use more than one person in your group.

A comparison screenshot shows the battle menu turned on and off in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.A comparison screenshot shows the battle menu turned on and off in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.

Note the text and icons above the command menu at the bottom left.
Screenshot: Square Enix / Claire Jackson / Kotaku

Another setting worth changing is the Terrain Action Guide. By pressing the circle button, Cloud can jump over and climb certain areas. When activated, the Terrain Action Guide will display a white crescent on the ground in front of Cloud when he is in front of something he can jump over or climb up.

A comparison picture shows a terrain guide switched on and off.A comparison picture shows a terrain guide switched on and off.

Screenshot: Square Enix / Claire Jackson / Kotaku

You may also want to change various camera settings, such as: Such as the distance of the camera during exploration and combat, as well as other settings related to which direction the camera faces after certain actions in combat.


Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is shaping up to be an exciting RPG experience. With these settings you can adjust the display and behavior to your liking and make the most of your time with the cloud and the like.

Pre-order Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Amazon | Best buy | Goal

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