Final Fantasy VII Remake is a 2020 action role-playing game created and released by Square Enix for the PlayStation 4. It is the first game in a series of three games that remake Final Fantasy VII (1997), which was originally made for the PlayStation. An improved version called Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade was released for PlayStation 5 and Windows in 2021. Later, versions of the game were made available for Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S in 2026.
The game takes place in Midgar, a futuristic city with advanced technology and serious problems. Players control Cloud Strife, a hired fighter who joins AVALANCHE, a group fighting to protect the environment from Shinra, a large company that uses the planet’s natural energy for power. The game mixes fast action with role-playing features, which is different from the original game’s slower, turn-based battles.
Final Fantasy VII Remake was announced in 2015 after many years of rumors. Many people who worked on the original game returned, including Tetsuya Nomura as the director, Yoshinori Kitase as the producer, Kazushige Nojima as the writer, Motomu Toriyama as a co-director, and Nobuo Uematsu as the composer. The team redesigned the characters to look more realistic while keeping their unique styles.
The game received positive reviews for its graphics, gameplay, story, and music. Critics liked the expanded story and the updated battle system for its strategy and visual details. However, some reviewers noted that the game’s structure was too linear and some side tasks were repetitive. It became one of the fastest-selling PlayStation 4 games, selling over 3.5 million copies in three days and more than 8.7 million by March 2025. The second game in the trilogy, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, was released in 2024.
Gameplay
Final Fantasy VII Remake is the first game in a series that is remaking the original 1997 PlayStation game, Final Fantasy VII. It covers the first part of the original game, which takes place in the city of Midgar.
Players control Cloud Strife, a former Shinra soldier who becomes a mercenary and joins the group that fights to protect the environment, AVALANCHE, to oppose the Shinra Corporation, which is taking energy from the planet. All parts of the game have been updated with 3D graphics that move in real time, instead of the static images used in the original game. The story has more details about the characters and adds some new parts to the plot.
Exploring and fighting happen in real time, similar to the game Final Fantasy XV. The game uses a changed version of the Active Time Battle (ATB) system. It fills up slowly, but faster if the player attacks. When the ATB is full, the player can pause the action and use special abilities like magic, items, or special moves. Players can assign these abilities to buttons, so they can use them without stopping the game. Each ability uses a part of the ATB bar.
Players can switch between team members anytime during a fight. Each team member has their own skills, like Cloud's close combat attacks and Barret's long-distance attacks. Players can use magic and summon large creatures. A Limit Break meter lets characters perform stronger attacks after it fills up. Even though the game has more real-time features, players still need to make choices, like picking weapons and magic for each character.
Plot
Cloud Strife (Cody Christian / Takahiro Sakurai) was once a member of SOLDIER, a group of top soldiers working for the Shinra Electric Power Company. Shinra uses Mako, a processed version of the Planet's spiritual energy collected from large reactors, to power the city of Midgar and create advanced technology. After becoming unhappy with Shinra, Cloud accepts a job as a mercenary for a small group within AVALANCHE, an organization that fights to protect the environment. AVALANCHE's leader, Barret Wallace (John Eric Bentley / Masahiro Kobayashi), believes that taking too much Mako harms the Planet and plans to attack Mako Reactor 1. Cloud often remembers Sephiroth (Tyler Hoechlin / Toshiyuki Morikawa), a former SOLDIER, and meets Aerith Gainsborough (Briana White / Maaya Sakamoto), a florist, after the bombing. Strange ghost-like beings, called Whispers, sometimes help and sometimes hinder Cloud, leading him to join another attack on Mako Reactor 5. However, he disappears during the mission. Later, Cloud protects Aerith from Shinra soldiers. After reuniting with his friend Tifa Lockhart (Britt Baron / Ayumi Ito), the three learn that Shinra plans to drop a part of the "plate" onto the Sector 7 slums. AVALANCHE fails to stop this, and the plate falls. Aerith helps people, including Barret's daughter Marlene, escape, but she is captured by Shinra.
Cloud, Tifa, and Barret enter Shinra's headquarters and rescue Aerith from being used in experiments by scientist Hojo (James Sie / Shigeru Chiba). Aerith explains she is the last person from the Cetra, an ancient race that once lived in a special place called the "Promised Land," which Shinra wants to control for its Mako resources. The group meets Red XIII (Max Mittelman / Kappei Yamaguchi), a talking cat-like creature, who says the Whispers are beings that ensure events happen as they are meant to. Meanwhile, Sephiroth enters Shinra and steals an object called "Jenova," linked to the Cetra's disappearance.
At Shinra's headquarters, Sephiroth kills the company's president. Shinra's son, Rufus (Josh Bowman / Tōru Ōkawa), takes over and fights Cloud, but loses. Cloud and his allies escape through the Midgar Expressway but are met by Sephiroth. After defeating Whisper Harbinger, a creature made of Whispers, Cloud's group fights Sephiroth. Sephiroth tries to convince Cloud to join him, but Cloud refuses and is defeated. Sephiroth lets him go. As Cloud's group leaves Midgar to stop Sephiroth, SOLDIER Zack Fair (Caleb Pierce / Kenichi Suzumura) survives a battle against Shinra forces and joins Cloud in Midgar.
After the bombing of Mako Reactor 5, Yuffie Kisaragi (Suzie Yeung / Yumi Kakazu), a ninja from Wutai, arrives in Midgar and meets her partner, Sonon Kusakabe (Aleks Le / Yoshimasa Hosoya), to steal Shinra's "Ultimate Materia." With help from AVALANCHE, they enter Shinra's headquarters but find the Ultimate Materia is not yet finished. They are attacked by a Shinra soldier named Nero (Sean Chiplock / Ryōtarō Okiayu). Sonon sacrifices himself to let Yuffie escape, and she later sees the Sector 7 plate fall. Later, Yuffie leaves Midgar and thinks she needs a team to help her achieve her goal of bringing down Shinra.
In the post-credits scenes, Cloud and his group reach the town of Kalm after riding with Chocobo Bill, while Zack enters the Sector 5 church in Midgar and finds people mourning.
Development
Final Fantasy VII was created by Square for the PlayStation console and released in 1997. The team included Hironobu Sakaguchi, who was the producer, co-writer, and series creator; Yoshinori Kitase, who was the director and co-writer; Yusuke Naora, the artist; Tetsuya Nomura, the character designer and co-writer; and Kazushige Nojima, the writer. The game was very successful in both reviews and sales, and it helped make the Final Fantasy series a major brand. The story was expanded through a multimedia project called Compilation of Final Fantasy VII, which included more games, movies, and other types of media.
In the early 2000s, Square announced plans to remake the game for the PlayStation 2, along with Final Fantasy VIII and IX, but the project was not completed. The team stopped working on it because making games for new technology was more difficult, and they would have had to remove some parts of the story. At the same time, they were busy creating Final Fantasy XIII and its sequels, and the remake would have been too large to handle alongside those projects. After the XIII series ended, the team had more time to work on other projects. Kitase said that after XIII, many people asked him about the remake. Naoki Hamaguchi, who later became a co-director, was originally just a fan of the game and was happy to join the team.
Interest in a remake grew after a PlayStation 3 demo at the 2005 Electronic Entertainment Expo, which showed the opening of Final Fantasy VII using Square’s new Crystal Tools engine (called “White Engine” at the time). More interest came when the game’s 10th anniversary approached in 2007. On both occasions, Square said no remake was being made, citing reasons such as focusing on new games, the need to remove parts of the story to make the remake manageable, the difficulty of working with modern technology, and the time it would take to develop the game.
The remake project started when Shinji Hashimoto, a producer at Square Enix, talked to Kitase, Nojima, and Nomura about it. All three were nearing a stage in life they called “that age,” and they felt they might not have enough time or energy to work on the project if they waited too long. Another reason was that Square Enix wanted to create a library of PlayStation 4 games and hoped the remake would help increase the console’s popularity. Nomura was first named as the director when the project began, but he was working on Kingdom Hearts III at the time.
The remake entered full production by late 2015, led by Business Division 1, a team within Square Enix. Nomura was involved from the start but only learned he was the director after seeing his name in an internal company video. He was surprised because he had expected Kitase to take the role. Nomura worked as director for both the remake and Kingdom Hearts III at the same time. Another leader was Naoki Hamaguchi, who had previously worked on Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII and led the development of Mobius Final Fantasy. Square Enix treated the remake as important as a main numbered entry in the Final Fantasy series.
The team could have remade the game with better graphics, as many fans had asked, but they noticed that the original game’s graphics and mechanics were outdated by modern standards. Instead, they decided to completely rebuild the game to match current technology and player expectations. Their goal was to make the game feel both “new and nostalgic” for fans of the original while introducing it to new players. This led to the creation of the action-based battle system, which was inspired by Dissidia Final Fantasy. Teruki Endo, who had worked on Monster Hunter World, was the battle director. The team aimed to keep popular mechanics, such as Active Time Battle, and combine them with the action-based system.
Instead of using the character models and style from Advent Children, which used technology from 10 years earlier, the team created new designs and models. Nomura wanted to balance realism with a cartoon style. He was in charge of redesigning the main characters, while Roberto Ferrari handled secondary characters. Character modeling was managed by Visual Works, Square Enix’s CGI development team. Cloud Strife’s initial design changed significantly from the original but was later adjusted to match Nomura’s original concept. Tifa Lockhart’s design was changed to look more realistic to better fit fight scenes.
Square Enix used Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 4 for the remake, working with Epic Games Japan to optimize it for the project. The team received help from the developers of Kingdom Hearts III, as that game also used the same engine. Lighting was enhanced with the Enlighten lighting engine. To improve action gameplay and video quality, Square Enix partnered with CyberConnect2, a game developer, and the two companies stayed in close contact due to differences in their development styles.
In 2017, the project shifted from working with outside partners to being an internal project. When the team first started the remake, they had to decide the scope of the project. They had two options: expand the story in multiple releases or include the full story in one game. After studying what parts of the original were essential, they decided that including the entire story in one release would require cutting important parts, which fans would not want. Instead, they chose to focus on a deeper story set in Midgar, the city from the original game, and plan to release more parts in the future. Each game is expected to be similar in size to Final Fantasy XIII. The first part focuses on Midgar because it is a well-known location in the Final Fantasy series.
Nomura said that some people worried about making a full game based only on Midgar, but he believed it would work. Nojima, the story writer, added that ending the first part after Midgar would still allow enough story for players. Nomura also said that level designs and story scenarios would need to change after the team leaves Midgar and splits up.
While working on the story, the team had to be careful not to make the game too similar to the original. They had to decide which parts of the original to keep and which needed changes due to changes in social norms over time. Even though a story was already written, Nojima was brought back to create new story material. The first part’s story was completed in December 2015, covering the beginning of the game up to escaping Midgar. Kitase noted that 23 years had passed since the original game was released.
Release
Final Fantasy VII Remake was officially announced during Sony's E3 2015 conference after years of rumors and fan requests. Visual Works created the announcement trailer. Square Enix's stock prices reached their highest level since November 2008, and the YouTube release of the reveal trailer received over 10 million views in two weeks. The game was shown again at the 2015 PlayStation Experience, where cutscenes and gameplay from the opening sequence were demonstrated.
During Square Enix's Final Fantasy 30th anniversary event in Tokyo on January 31, 2017—the 20th anniversary of Final Fantasy VII—the first CGI key art was revealed, along with news about a collaboration with Mobius Final Fantasy. On February 18, Nomura shared two screenshots showing the updated HUD. Concerns arose about the project's progress because there was no new footage since 2015, the team shifted to internal development, and Nomura was working on other projects. At E3 2018, Nomura confirmed the game was still in development and said he focused fully on it after completing Kingdom Hearts III.
After years without new footage, a teaser trailer was shown during PlayStation's May 2019 State of Play broadcast. Kitase explained the team wanted to share something new by showing the trailer. The release date, March 3, 2020, was announced the next month during an orchestral concert in Los Angeles. More details were shared at E3 2019, including different editions of Remake. Kitase later said Square Enix had not yet decided how many games would be in the Remake series, but they were planning a second installment.
At E3 2019, an extended gameplay showcase and demo were playable, showing parts of the opening mission, including exploration, combat, and the first boss battle. The demo received praise for its graphics, gameplay, and combat system. It won three awards at the Game Critics Awards: Best of Show, Best Console Game, and Best Role-Playing Game. Additional footage and a trailer were shown at the 2019 Tokyo Game Show. Final Fantasy VII Remake was originally exclusive to PlayStation 4 until 2021, with no details about other platforms at the time. The release date was delayed from March 3 to April 10, 2020. A demo was released on March 2, 2020, covering the first chapter.
In March 2020, Square Enix announced that physical copies of Final Fantasy VII Remake would be available earlier in Europe and Australia due to concerns about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on distribution. This did not apply to digital downloads. Artwork of Cloud was displayed on buildings in Los Angeles. In June, a scene from Final Fantasy VII Remake was recreated for the 8-bit NEC PC-88 computer by a Japanese programmer named Soba P.
An upgraded version of Remake for PlayStation 5, called Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, was released on June 10, 2021. It included improved visuals, shorter load times, and a free PS5-exclusive DLC called Episode Intermission, which features the character Yuffie Kisaragi. The DLC is included with purchases of Intergrade but must be bought separately for those who upgraded from the PS4 version. Intergrade added traditional turn-based controls, a photo mode, and better performance. It was released in a "twin pack" with its sequel, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, which came out digitally for PlayStation 5 in September 2023 and later as a 3-disc physical bundle on December 4, 2025.
A version of Intergrade for Windows was released on December 16, 2021, via the Epic Games Store. It was later available on Steam on June 17, 2022. Some players and critics criticized the port for stuttering and limited customization due to poor optimization. Square Enix also published a novel titled Final Fantasy VII Remake: Traces of Two Pasts, focusing on the backstories of Tifa and Aerith.
A version of Intergrade for Nintendo Switch 2 was announced in April 2025 during a Nintendo Direct event. It was also announced for Xbox Series X/S and Windows by Square Enix and Microsoft during the Xbox Games Showcase in June 2025. Both versions released on January 22, 2026. These ports added a new difficulty option called "Streamlined Mode," which increases the party's health, magic, and battle gauges, and allows attacks to deal 9,999 damage to enemies. Streamlined Mode was added to PlayStation 5 and Windows versions through an update. For a limited time, digital purchases of Intergrade on Switch 2 and Xbox included the original Final Fantasy VII as a bonus. A playable demo, similar to the one available on PlayStation 4 since 2020, was released for Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S on December 16, 2025. The Xbox version supports cross-progression between Xbox Series X/S and Windows. Intergrade is also sold physically on Switch 2 as a Game Key Card, with pre-orders including a limited Magic: The Gathering booster pack.
Final Fantasy VII Remake is the first game in a planned trilogy remaking Final Fantasy VII. The second game, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, was released on February 29, 2024. The final game is currently being developed for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows. A prequel, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion—a remaster of the 2007 game Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII—was released in December 2022. Music from Remake was included in the 2023 rhythm game Theatrhythm Final Bar Line.
Reception
Final Fantasy VII Remake received "generally favorable" reviews, according to Metacritic, a website that collects and summarizes game reviews. Critics praised the game for staying true to the original version. Tamoor Hussain of GameSpot wrote that while the Remake is only the first part of a larger reimagining of the original game, it includes many new details, tells the story with confidence, and offers fresh perspectives that are important to the game’s story. He said the game focuses on a smaller, more personal version of the Final Fantasy VII story and combines action and RPG gameplay in a way that makes it a highly recommended experience. Tom Marks of IGN called the Remake a "complete reinvention" and praised its combat system. Nahila Bonfiglio of The Daily Dot said it was one of the best games of 2020 because it had many features that would appeal to players. EGM said the Remake was as engaging as the original game. Eurogamer also highly praised the Remake, saying it was better than the original.
The story was praised for its characters and their development. IGN said the story had "real emotional arcs" and gave the game a nostalgic feel, though it criticized some new plot points and side missions as unnecessary or confusing. It concluded that the Remake brought new life to a classic game while standing on its own as a great RPG. Shacknews said the story was one of the strongest ever made by the company. Most voice actors were well received, with Cody Christian’s performance as Cloud standing out because he made his character more interesting. His interactions with other characters and the development of minor characters in AVALANCHE were also praised. Destructoid noted that Aerith, a character in the game, was fun to watch. The way the city of Midgar was shown and the development of minor characters were also praised by the media.
Critics generally liked the new combat system because it required strategy and gave each playable character a unique fighting style. For example, Cloud uses a sword, while Barret fights from a distance. GamesRadar praised the combat for requiring players to use the weaknesses of enemies and for the variety of characters based on their traits. RPGamer said the game brought back Materia, which lets players use magic, and added upgradeable weapons so players could choose their equipment. However, RPGamer said the game used "padding" (unnecessary content) to expand areas, which made some parts feel too linear for the genre. GamesRadar criticized some side quests as uninteresting, though character interactions were better. EGM said some quests had too much padding, like a task where players had to switch characters repeatedly to open doors in the Shinra headquarters. Easy Allies said that even though the gameplay was linear, reviewers finished the game in 38 hours and still had many quests left.
Intergrade, the DLC for Final Fantasy VII Remake, was praised for focusing on Yuffie’s story. Siliconera said Yuffie’s character was annoying at times because of her younger personality, but her relationship with Sonon improved the story. It also praised the improved graphics in Intergrade. Destructoid said Yuffie became more likable and enjoyed her gameplay style. GameSpot gave Intergrade a perfect score, saying the graphics were better, especially the framerate, which was suitable for a PlayStation 5 game. PC Invasion also praised the framerate, saying the PC version was highly recommended.
Final Fantasy VII Remake sold over 3.5 million copies worldwide within three days. This made it one of the biggest launches for a PlayStation 4 game and the fastest-selling PS4 exclusive, surpassing the sales of Marvel’s Spider-Man (3.3 million; 2018) and God of War (3.1 million; 2018). By August 2020, sales reached over 5 million on PS4. By September 2023, sales had grown to over 7 million copies worldwide. As of March 2025, the game had sold 8.7 million copies. In Japan, the game sold over a million copies during its first week, and many stores sold out.
In North America, Remake was the top-selling game in April 2020 and the third best-selling game of 2020, behind Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) and Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020). It became the fastest-selling Final Fantasy game, surpassing the record set by Final Fantasy XV (2016). It was also the most downloaded PlayStation 4 game in the United States in April 2020.
In the United Kingdom, Remake debuted at the top of the weekly sales chart, selling about 60,000 physical copies in its first weekend. German trade association GAME reported that the game sold over 100,000 units in Germany within a few days, earning a Gold Sales Award. It was the fourth most downloaded PlayStation 4 game in Europe in April 2020.
Final Fantasy VII Remake was named an Editors’ Choice by PlayStation. It also won IGN Japan’s Game of the Year in 2020. Anime News Network, Siliconera, and RPG Site listed it as one of the best games of the year.