Why is Last Fantasy Remake Intergrade Such A Large Deal?

Last Fantasy Remake Intergrade is coming to Xbox on January 22, 2026!

For a lot of followers that is wonderful information, however we realise there shall be many gamers who’ve by no means skilled the world of Last Fantasy VII earlier than. You’ve most likely heard of the sport, however you might be questioning: why is that this such an enormous deal?

We are going to clarify, however earlier than we will speak about Last Fantasy Remake, we should focus on the legendary recreation that got here earlier than.

What’s Last Fantasy VII?

1997 noticed the discharge of a really particular recreation: Last Fantasy VII. This RPG wasn’t only a vital and business hit – it was a literal gamechanger. Many credit score it with popularizing the Japanese RPG throughout the West, particularly because it was the primary mainline Last Fantasy recreation to launch outdoors of Japan or North America. For a lot of gamers it was the primary JRPG they ever performed.

And what a spot to start out! Last Fantasy VII nonetheless stands as one of many best video games within the style. It had all of it – an incredible story, good command-based fight, unbelievable manufacturing values, unforgettable soundtrack and among the most iconic characters in gaming. Even individuals who have by no means performed the sport will acknowledge the likes of Cloud and Sephiroth.

Last Fantasy VII Remake is the primary recreation in a trilogy of full-length RPGs that reimagine this beloved recreation at a scale not often seen in gaming. It provides a fair deeper story, extra perception into the characters and setting, new situations not featured within the unique recreation, a fast-paced, trendy fight system, an unbelievable soundtrack, and much more past.

When you’ve by no means skilled Last Fantasy VII earlier than, it’s an incredible method to expertise the story and characters that modified gaming eternally. When you did play Last Fantasy VII the primary time spherical, you’ll get to expertise the world and its characters in a brand-new manner.

Director Naoki Hamaguchi explains it finest: “Our aim with Last Fantasy VII Remake was to seize the whole lot that made the unique recreation so particular, however carry it updated with the most recent know-how in order that new gamers might be simply as excited as gamers of the unique recreation have been when that launched.

“For brand spanking new gamers, that is the place the story of Last Fantasy VII begins. When you’ve seen characters similar to Cloud or Sephiroth in different video games, and questioned the place their story began, that is the sport.”

The Story That Modified Gaming Perpetually

However what’s so memorable about that story? Properly, right here’s the fundamental setup.

The sport takes place in Midgar – an industrial metropolis managed by the Shinra Electrical Energy Firm. This immoral organisation makes use of huge reactors to suck mako from the planet – a substance used as an influence supply to present folks snug lives, energy the corporate’s weapons of warfare and extra.

However mako can be the lifeblood of the planet, and the extra Shinra makes use of, the extra it harms the world.

The story begins when mercenary Cloud Strife joins the Shinra resistance group Avalanche on a mission to sabotage one among these planet-harming reactors. This harmful mission units off a series of occasions that may change him and town eternally – and put him nose to nose with an enemy lengthy thought useless: the sinister Sephiroth.

It’s an exhilarating journey, stuffed with surprises that we don’t wish to damage right here. However what actually makes it stand out are the characters. The principle solid of Cloud, Barret, Tifa and Aerith are among the most beloved in gaming, and Last Fantasy VII Remake goes deeper into their personalities than ever earlier than.

Even aspect characters get richer, extra layered personalities – by the top of the sport you’ll consider them as mates.

An Iconic Setting

Then there’s Midgar – the sport’s iconic setting. It’s a cliché to say town is sort of a character in its personal proper however… properly, Midgar is sort of a character in its personal proper.

…what? Typically clichés will be proper.

Often known as the ‘Metropolis of Mako’, it’s an enormous round metropolis comprised of a high plate the place the extra well-to-do residents and Shinra staff reside, and slums beneath that are… much less nice.

Due to the highest plate masking the sky, the folks within the slums are compelled to depend on synthetic suns for mild. Mixed with the lifeless earth attributable to the mako-sucking reactors, and mutated fiends that roam the wastelands between sectors, it’s a tough life for a lot of who reside there, however there’s life and group too.

It was an immediately memorable setting for the unique recreation’s opening act, however Last Fantasy VII Remake brings Midgar to life like by no means earlier than. With a full-length journey set on this metropolis, you get to essentially discover every space, get to know its folks, and uncover entire new components of town that weren’t within the unique journey.

Hamaguchi says that it was necessary that this metropolis didn’t simply look good – it additionally felt like a plausible place: “Firstly of growth, the sport designers and situation writers created paperwork that detailed the setting and the world, together with the financial standing of the completely different areas.

This data was invaluable in serving to us outline which components of the atmosphere might be shared throughout areas, and which must be region-specific – proper right down to the ratio of textual content on the posters and the feel and appear of the inhabitants in these areas!”

twenty first Century Fight

As you discover town, you’ll encounter quite a few threats – from snarling fiends to Shinra’s ample military of troopers and warfare machines.

Satirically, it is a good factor as a result of it means there’s loads of alternatives to battle – and Last Fantasy VII Remake has top-of-the-line fight methods on the market. It’s a hybrid system that mixes components of the unique recreation with fast-paced motion gameplay.

Right here’s the way it works: you assault, block and dodge in actual time and as you accomplish that, you’ll fill your ‘ATB’ gauge. As soon as it’s full, you’ll be able to press a button to decelerate the motion and choose a command in your fighter or their allies to hold out. Alternatively, you’ll be able to set strikes to shortcuts to unleash them with out slowing down the motion. It makes for fast-paced, thrilling battles the place talent and strategic considering are each rewarded. 

“We deliberately designed the sport to be welcoming to all forms of gamers – should you’re a fan of motion video games, or want one thing extra tactical, there are completely different management modes that enable the sport to be performed to your choice,” Hamaguchi provides.

There are 4 playable characters (5 together with the additional episode’, and you’ll swap between social gathering members immediately. Each has their very own very distinct playstyle, from Cloud’s fast and classy swordplay, Tifa’s highly effective single-target martial arts, Aerith’s magical would possibly and Barret’s highly effective ranged assaults.

Then there’s FF7R EPISODE INTERmission – a two-chapter story that takes place concurrently with the primary story. It focuses on ninja Yuffie Kisaragi – an excitingly agile fighter who provides one other playstyle to dig into!

As you’ll be able to hopefully see, Last Fantasy VII Remake is greater than only a easy revisitation of a landmark recreation. It’s a boldly formidable, extremely high-quality and – most significantly – wildly entertaining journey that’s an ideal introduction to this unbelievable world. We are able to’t wait for brand spanking new gamers to find it for themselves on Xbox – and take their first steps on an unforgettable journey.

Last Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade launches January 22, 2026 for Xbox Collection X|S and PC through the Microsoft Retailer. Due to Xbox Play Anyplace, you’ll be able to play the sport throughout console, PC, even the brand new ROG Xbox Ally, selecting up the place you left off every time.

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE

SQUARE ENIX

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*Please be aware that FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE Digital Deluxe Version incorporates sure gadgets not obtainable on this bundle.

The award-winning FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE* retells the unique story as much as the escape from Midgar, with breathtaking visuals, fast-paced gameplay, and extra story components.
This RPG delivers unforgettable characters, a robust narrative, and a hybrid battle system that blends real-time motion with strategic, command-based fight.
It additionally contains FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, a aspect story starring Yuffie Kisaragi that gives a recent perspective operating in parallel to Cloud’s journey.

■ STORY
Mako, the lifeblood of the planet, can be a extremely precious power supply.
The Shinra Electrical Energy Firm exploits this essence, draining and refining it to gas their reactors, and in doing so, has all however seized management of the world.
However resistance rises. A ragtag group of idealists, often known as Avalanche, is set to guard the planet.
Within the metropolis of Midgar, Cloud Strife, ex-SOLDIER turned mercenary, joins Avalanche on their mission to explode Reactor 1.
Because the echo of the blast ripples by Sector 8, town is about ablaze. Within the flames, a fallen nemesis from Cloud’s previous seems, difficult his reminiscences and his id.
As soon as extra begins a narrative that may form the future of the whole world.

*This recreation is a partial remake of FINAL FANTASY VII, first launched in 1997. It’s the first title in a multi-part sequence primarily based on the unique recreation. It reimagines the Midgar portion of the story with expanded scenes, new characters, and extra narrative layers.

■ FF7R EPISODE INTERmission
Play as Yuffie Kisaragi, a younger ninja from Wutai, as she infiltrates Midgar on a mission to steal the final word materia from the Shinra Electrical Energy Firm.

STUNNING VISUALS
Discover Midgar like by no means earlier than with gorgeous visuals and richly detailed environments that carry town’s layered, industrial districts to life, all whereas staying true to the spirit of the unique recreation.

DYNAMIC COMBAT WITH STRATEGIC DEPTH
The modern battle system combines strategic command-based gameplay with fast-paced motion. Seamlessly swap between characters, harness the facility of materia, summon iconic creatures, and unleash devastating restrict breaks.

ICONIC CHARACTERS, UNFORGETTABLE STORY
Observe Cloud Strife, an ex-SOLDIER turned mercenary, as he joins Avalanche to tackle the Shinra Electrical Energy Firm. Cloud and his allies Barret, Tifa, and Aerith are pulled right into a battle that may resolve the destiny of the planet.

EXPANDED CONTENT
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE provides quests, mini-games, and missions set in expanded areas of Midgar. Encounter new characters and expertise thrilling content material that provides much more depth to the story.

ICONIC SOUNDTRACK
The epic soundtrack has been totally remastered, with re-arranged and orchestrated tracks that dynamically reply to the motion, providing an immersive, emotionally charged musical expertise.

■ Content material included on this product
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE incorporates the next content material:
– FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE full recreation
– FF7R EPISODE INTERmission (Episode that includes Yuffie Kisaragi)
– Weapon: Cacstar
– Armor: Midgar Bangle
– Armor: Shinra Bangle
– Armor: Corneo Armlet
– Accent: Celebrity Belt
– Accent: Mako Crystal
– Accent: Seraphic Earrings
– Summoning materia: Carbuncle
– Summoning materia: Chocobo Chick
– Summoning materia: Cactuar

*The extra weapons, armor, equipment and summoning materia will be obtained from the Present Field accessible through the primary menu.
*The weapon “Cacstar” can solely be utilized in FF7R EPISODE INTERmission (Yuffie episode)