Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth: Everything you need to know

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second release in a new trilogy of games. This trilogy reimagines the 1997 classic Final Fantasy VII. 

Release date: Square Enix will release the game exclusively for PS5 on 29th February 2024. 

Rebirth is the sequel to 2020’s Final Fantasy VII Remake. The new game picks up the story after the events that unfolded in Remake. 

Rebirth won “Most Anticipated Game” of 2024 at the 2023 Game Awards in LA in December. It’s set to be the standout RPG title of the year, if not the game of the year full stop. 

An adventure for all players

The game works as a standalone adventure, so both new players and fans of the original can enjoy it. If you haven’t played the previous 2020 title or the original 1997 release, don’t worry. With nearly 100 hours of adventure, the game promises plenty to get stuck into. 

If you’re familiar with the original 1997 storyline, you can expect Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth to deviate further than 2020’s Remake. 

One of the biggest changes is Zack’s expanded role. The ending of Final Fantasy 7 Remake hinted at a different fate for this key character. Director Naoki Hamaguchi has discussed  elements like “the Whispers”, which are new to Remake and Rebirth. The whispers build mystery and anticipation for a different ending than what fans of the original game might expect. 

Three editions to choose from

Square Enix has announced three editions of the game available for pre-order. These include different perks and bonus content. The three editions are:

1. Standard Edition: This is the basic version of the game.
2. Deluxe Edition: Includes an artbook, a mini-soundtrack, and a steelbook case.
3. Collector’s Edition: This edition features:

• A large, detailed collectible statue of Sephiroth.
• The contents of the Deluxe Edition.
• Digital DLC items including Summoning Materia DLC, the Reclaimant Choker accessory, and the Orchid Bracelet armor.

There will also be a Remake and Rebirth twin pack available to buy. Perfect if you have yet to dive into the new trilogy and want to catch up.

Already have save data from the PS5 version of Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Remake — Episode INTERmission? Then, you can access perks like Summon Materia in Rebirth.

Watch the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth trailer

Get a feel for the story and the gameplay by watching the official trailer for the game.

The reactions in the comments confirm how excited fans of the franchise are. 

One commenter says: “I’m 40 years old, I played the original in 1997 when it was new. It quickly became one of my favorite titles ever. To see this game being remade into a trilogy on modern hardware is absolutely mind boggling and awesome and a total trip to have witnessed. I’ve been gaming since Atari 2600, watching it evolve to what it is today and having grown up alongside it, has been incredible to say the least.” 

Another says: “This looks insane, like playing a movie… I’m amazed how much they’ve kept from the original ff7, it’s nostalgic and fresh all at once.”

Art style and graphics

A fan-made video comparing the cut-scenes from Rebirth and the 1997 version shows the dramatic progress over the past 27 years. Take a look at the video, then consider what a 2051 Final Fantasy game might look like. If any franchise can survive into the second half of this century, it might be this one. But until the PlayStation 10 comes along, Rebirth is as good as it gets. 

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth lets you pick between two visual modes. One mode makes the game look incredible in 4K but might not feel as smooth, running at 30fps. The other mode prioritises smooth gameplay over visual fidelity, running at 60fps. 

Next level music

The music is a big part of what makes Final Fantasy games feel so cinematic.

The theme song for Rebirth is called No Promises to Keep. It’s composed by Nobuo Uematsu and performed by Loren Allred. The song is linked to the character Aerith and conveys her inner strength. Uematsu aimed to express the opposite of Aerith’s usual ephemeral vibe, highlighting her strength instead. 

There are also musical performances within the game, like the theater show Loveless in the Gold Saucer’s Golden Theatre. Proper rich and immersive stuff. 

Some trivia for the superfans 

Uematsu is a self-taught musician best known for composing music for the Final Fantasy series. He began playing the piano at the age of 12, and cites Elton John as one of his biggest influences. In the 2000s, he was the keyboardist in a band called The Black Mages. They played hard rock versions of his Final Fantasy compositions. Here’s one of their tracks – it  might just get you even more hyped for the upcoming game! 

Get Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

You can pre-order the game right now with a PlayStation Store gift card. Or you can use a paysafecard to make purchases in the PlayStation Store. Both options make it easy to buy games without a credit card.