The demo for the much anticipated Final Fantasy VII Remake has finally released, impressing fans of the original series and newcomers alike. Impressive visuals and impactful combat have instilled confidence that Square Enix can provide a faithful reimagining of the original and beloved title.
Newcomers to the series might feel lost while playing the demo, however. With it being the seventh entry in the massive Final Fantasy series, some might be considering purchasing and experiencing the older titles to familiarize themselves with the universe. No matter who you are, there are good reasons for either jumping straight into this reboot or playing the older games. Here are 5 reasons you should jump straight into the Final Fantasy VII Remake with 5 reasons why you should experience the earlier games first.
10 Play The Remake: Visuals
The first thing you will notice when looking at the remake of Final Fantasy VII is how amazing the visual fidelity of this game is.
This is because Final Fantasy VII Remake is using Unreal Engine 4, utilizing full polygon graphics instead of pre-rendered environments from the original. Lighting is top-notch in the remake as well, making every location feel like a real place. If you couldn’t get into the original because it was visually dated, the remake will convince you to give Final Fantasy VII another chance.
9 Play Earlier Games: Art Style
Square Enix is being as faithful to the original game’s art style as possible with the remake, but the full polygon graphics will no doubt change the visual flair compared to the original games.
The earliest Final Fantasy games have a sort of visual charm that is hard to find in modern RPG titles. It might look dated today, but Final Fantasy VII still gives a sense of a massive, futuristic world that few games can match. Every entry in the series has locations and characters that are impressive to look at despite their age.
8 Play The Remake: Cutscenes
Cutscenes were present in the original Final Fantasy games as well, but few of the games can match the fidelity and composition of Final Fantasy VII Remake’s cutscenes.
The way the camera naturally pans away from Cloud to the start of the cutscene. These cutscenes are so smooth that they integrate into the core experience without ever feeling intrusive on the experience. That is an accomplishment on its own, but it also stands on its own when compared to the original Final Fantasy VII and even the more recent titles like Final Fantasy XV.
7 Play Earlier Games: They’re Fantastic JRPGs
Considering there are so many entries in this series, there has to be something appealing about them. Nearly every Final Fantasy title is a fantastic JRPG that you need to experience.
Every Final Fantasy title includes a compelling story, engaging combat, and memorable characters. The way these games interweave interpersonal relationships into the main narrative needs to be seen to be believed. Going as far back as the original Final Fantasy, these games are some of the best JRPGs you can play currently.
6 Play The Remake: Free Demo
If the footage of the Final Fantasy VII Remake has made you worried, there is a free demo Square Enix recently released for PlayStation 4 users you can try right now!
This demo provides a small slice of the experience, taking most players around 45 minutes to complete. While that seems short, it is the perfect length to showcase the game’s overhauled combat, visuals, and new innovations that set it apart from the original. Best of all, it’s free. Download it and see what you think.
5 Play Earlier Games: Unique Stories
One of the more interesting facts about Final Fantasy is how every game is different from each other, both in story and mechanics.
Unlike so many franchises today, very few Final Fantasy titles are linked to each other in terms of narrative or characters. Each game takes players to unique locations with new characters and stories to tell. This means that you can jump into nearly any Final Fantasy game and enjoy it without feeling completely lost. Because of this, you should experience the older titles just for the amazing stories they each tell.
4 Play The Remake: New Story Elements
Even if you are a massive fan of Final Fantasy VII who knows every plot point by heart, this remake will have a few surprises that separate it from the original.
Director Tetsuya Nomura has mentioned in various interviews that they plan to incorporate some new story elements to surprise newcomers and fans alike. The core narrative is intact, but the game’s unique episodic release structure gives the developers more time to flesh out more story elements from the original game.
3 Play Earlier Games: Turn-Based Combat
Any fan of RPGs knows that plenty of hours are spent fighting other enemies for experience and loot. JRPGs typically make combat engaging by using turn-based combat.
That is exactly what the older Final Fantasy games did, including the seventh installment. Turn-based combat allows you to plan your strategy with your full team for as long as you want. While it might seem simple by today’s standards, Final Fantasy’s turn-based combat is incredibly fun to experience and have aged gracefully.
2 Play The Remake: Real-Time Combat
On the other hand, many gamers find turn-based combat slow because that amount of strategy isn’t needed every encounter, making certain combat sections feel slow and clunky.
The Final Fantasy VII Remake includes real-time combat instead, a massive departure from the original game. Yet, the combat in the remake feels like an excellent adaptation of the original game’s combat for modern audiences. There are still special moves, the ability to control other characters, and well-designed enemies to fight. If real-time combat is more your speed, you will absolutely love the Final Fantasy VII Remake.
1 Play Earlier Games: They’re Finished
Many fans of Final Fantasy VII played the demo of the remake and loved it. The issue is that it was but a taste of the full experience that will come out over the next few years.
Unlike most games, the Final Fantasy VII Remake will release in episodes instead of a massive release. This is to give the developers more time to expand story elements and refine the core game, but this is a tough pill to swallow for fans who want to fully experience this game. If you want the full experience of a Final Fantasy title, you would be better off playing the older titles or the original Final Fantasy VII until the remake is fully complete, whenever that will be.
NEXT: The Elder Scrolls VI: 5 Locations It Might Be Set In (& 5 It Won’t Be)
