Final Fantasy VII Remake - Preview, train to Midgar round trip

Talking about Final Fantasy VII Remake it is not a simple thing. The historical weight of the production is felt, it is almost palpable, but this certainly does not prevent us editors from carrying out our dissemination work in an appropriate and professional way. Indeed, in some ways, in this case our figure plays a fundamental role, since we are the means of communication that exists between the final product and the user. Why this necessary premise? Because the seventh final fantasy is something uncomfortably sacred, not being sufficiently prepared or not akin to this type of product can be very damaging to what will be the ultimate understanding of the work. We then left for Midgar, a familiar city that we know very well. However, it is no longer 1997, we have all grown up since then and inevitably we have changed: maybe taller, or a few extra pounds or a hair less: what is certain is that we are no longer, aesthetically speaking, what we used to be. We can apply our own evolution to Midgar, capable of bringing to mind evocative memories, but also capable of giving new emotions and scenic shots that were truly unthinkable at the time. We tested the Square Enix title extensively during a dedicated press event and, as well as at Gamescom, we leave with extremely positive feelings. However, if during the German event our impressions were linked exclusively to a small portion of the demo, this time - after our test - we can be more unbalanced, even if for the final judgment we will have to wait for the review site.

Welcome back to Midgar

Although it is still too early to be able to affirm it, this first and effective return to Midgar it was in some ways magical. The electromagnetic atmosphere manages to immediately capture the attention, channeling interest only and exclusively on the following scenes. Let's start playing after the intro movie, at the end of a brief overview, the focus shifts during the initial assault on the Mako reactor, with Cloud he Avalanche intent on working together to complete the mission. The goal is to destroy the first reactor and heavily damage it Shinra, a company that has managed to convert the internal energy of the planet into technology, at the expense of the same. Although we cannot tell you in depth about the plot or the additions made to it, just think that every interaction of the characters is well cohesive and precise, with beautifully written dialogues that do nothing but give further color to the personality of the protagonists, as well as greater thickness to the plot of the video game. Final Fantasy VII Remake is pure power, able to convey all the heaviness of a few moments in a clear and direct way.

Cloud and teammates are able to immediately transmit a great empathy with the player; to be praised, in fact, the facial animations able to show all the emotions transparently. The dramas and fears of the characters are highlighted, as well as their strength and fragility. All of these components substantially deepen an already rich storyline, but which will now be shown for the first time in all its completeness. The protagonists interact with each other, even arguing at times, clearly showing the emphasis of the various moments. The scenarios also help to immerse yourself in the whole, given that in their own way they tell the drama of the events. The settings of the original game have been reproduced in a majestic way, with glances and views that will surprise you. The feeling is that Square Enix has recreated the universe in a way that is consistent with the collective imagination, making the most of the power of the current generation of consoles. Midgar is as you've always imagined it, full of details and "goodies" that only longtime fans will understand.

One of the most talked about things about Final Fantasy VII Remake is how it would handle its being open world. Although we absolutely cannot talk to you about some things, suffice it to say that we took a stroll around Midgar. The city can be explored far and wide and in the meantime we will have the opportunity to interact with the various NPCs to discover thoughts or opinions. Needless to say, this opening was a real breath of fresh air for us: after the first track phase of the Mako reactor, we felt a real feeling of freedom. The city seemed perfect to us, full of life and pulsating with history; if new fans can't wait to discover it, old ones won't believe their eyes.

A new way to fight

So we come to the crucial part of our experience, namely the gameplay. There have been debates from the beginning about the choice of real-time combat, as they distorted the turn-based nature of the original work. Our answer is that times go on, and Final Fantasy VII Remake makes its play system a fundamental part of the experience. First of all, forget about the turn-based battles, the enemies swarm the game areas and are clearly visible even from a distance. We would like to clarify that in our first test we were able to test only three characters: Cloud, Tifa e Barret. Each party member has very specific and outlined characteristics, which guarantee a great variety, and the ability to switch from one character to another during the fights radically breaks the monotony. The title also offers a constant variety of situations, which will force you to change the control very often.

Cloud it can mainly exploit two assets, one light and one heavy. To change between the two, simply press a button, with substantial differences in both damage and moveset. In the first case, the blond character will hit the enemies with multiple attacks, while the second option makes him unleash slower but more powerful blows. Tifa is more or less like Cloud, except that instead of changing her attitude she can deliver a very powerful blow: she is the right balance between speed and strength. Barret for its part, it can take advantage of ranged attacks and, among the characters tested, he seemed to us the one that most of all provided a valid alternative to the classic approach. With him you can hit distant opponents, thinning out the so-called second lines and give a huge advantage to the group. Taking advantage of its turret, it can also launch a single and great blow, which however needs a few seconds of recharge to be used again. We also want to clarify that all the moves were well choreographed, and while we saw the members of the party moving into battle we almost felt like watching a dance. Their way of fighting will influence the clashes, also allowing a sort of collaboration between the protagonists.

The combat, therefore, as previously mentioned, is in real time, but Square Enix has also left room for strategy. As you use the skills, time will slow down, allowing you to think about the next action with a slight calm. Limit Breaks are now managed by a bar that will recharge thanks to the hits inflicted and suffered: each skill has a different consumption, you will be asked to choose the best solution according to the circumstances. Also in this case the movements of the characters are perfect and rhythmic, a real feast for the eyes. Despite this, however, it is right to specify one thing, the gameplay is hectic but it also appears very precise, the clashes are sustained and there is a risk of losing if the enemy is underestimated. However, as you become familiar with the commands, you will happen to send your opponent into a state of crisis: this is the best time to unleash all your power. For a few seconds the threat on duty will find itself helpless and using this window to do as much damage as possible will often be essential.

Other aspects of great importance in the gameplay of Final Fantasy VII Remake are the Materials and Magic, mechanics re-proposed in a more modern and functional way than in the past. For the uninitiated, Matters are basically sources of energy which, embedded within the equipment, confer special abilities. Their effect has now been even more layered and magnified, consequently becoming much more fundamental than in the past. The development of these materials will also be essential for the progression of the characters, since thanks to them our heroes will be able to slowly cast increasingly powerful spells. In fact, you can cast attack and defense spells, you will be able to choose which ones to use and which not. All this will allow you to shape your ideal party according to your preferences.

Conclusions

As said previously Final Fantasy VII Remake is a feast for the eyes, an impressive technical demonstration seasoned with a well-crafted direction; these first hours in the company of the title were really clarifying. Although for the final judgments we will have to wait for the full version of the production, we really feel like telling you that the work seems to be perfect. We came out very impressed by the test and with the clear feeling of having been able to touch something "different". What left the game is a mixture of nostalgia and maturation, just as intended. Square Enix is ​​well aware of the sacredness of the seventh chapter and is treating it with gloves, especially since after its last two major productions (Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts III) have failed to please everyone, bothering a sacred colossus like Cloud's adventure can be a double-edged sword. Despite this, however, if you still have doubts about the quality of the title, it's time to dispel them: Final Fantasy VII Remake can potentially be one of the best games of this generation, and we can't wait to get our hands on it.