Final Fantasy 7 Remake discussion thread *exclusive to PS4 10/10 on gamespot* *3.5 million copies sold in just 3 days!*

Final Fantasy 7 Remake hurt my feelings....the weapon shop owner was mean to me :(

Where the **** is the last cat!?

Also, is the mini map the bar on top of screen? I freaking hate that, why not give an actual mini map of the area?

Also, it kills me that triangle is not the menu button lol

@Chutebox: there is a npc who tells you that a feline has taken her snack or something, then you crawl through a short pipe into an open area where there is a lot of cats, it’s in there!

@djoffer: Oh come on lol. Do you know the general area of this woman? 🥴

I guess there is a mini map. Dont remember ever seeing it

@sakaixx: Will wait for the 60 fps version thanks. Made the mistake of buying FFXV for ps4 pro rather than waiting for PC version. Will not make the same mistake again.

L2.

I'm really enjoying it so far. Just about 6 hours in, but i'll go back to it tomorrow.

@mojito1988 said:

I'm a few hours in and having a good time. It is not really my type of thing (not really into the grey dirty city) but it is a great appetizer before the main course on the 24th TRIALS OF MANA! WAHOOO!

Trials of Mana remake looks so much better than Secret of Mana remake... If only Secret got the same quality remake treatment that Trials is getting.

@Jag85 said:

@mojito1988 said:

I'm a few hours in and having a good time. It is not really my type of thing (not really into the grey dirty city) but it is a great appetizer before the main course on the 24th TRIALS OF MANA! WAHOOO!

Trials of Mana remake looks so much better than Secret of Mana remake... If only Secret got the same quality remake treatment that Trials is getting.

Yeah I am VERY excited about this. I played the Secret of Mana remake and they did not try 1/2 has hard as they are with this one. I have played the Demo to death on Steam. It Is my type of game in every way. I have always liked the more colorful/fantasy side of SE.

If you were a fan of the original I think you will not be disappointed. It is all very nostalgic and new all at the same time.

Yeah, sorry to say this game’s gone downhill for me. A few of my problems...

•there’s far too much filler, they could’ve cut out quite a bit to no detriment. I don’t mind a bit of character development but what is here feels lazy, predictable, tossed in, and ultimately like a chore. It’s even worse that once you get past the opening mission and into the slums they throw this stuff at you, immediately instilling a feeling of you being an errand boy.

•much of the level design feels bland and uninspired. Continual long, empty corridors or large, square rooms or areas populated by a few enemies. The game feels very artificial in its design, that places exist solely for the purpose of the mission (go kill five rats) and not like one that exists plausibly in the world. The game gives off the impression that it was designed not under a cohesive vision but parts were allocated to teams unaware of each other, then cobbled together.

•the pacing is constantly fluctuating. Every time I start to enjoy myself with a good fight or area the game plunges me back into boring, tedious shit. I’m losing motivation to continue.

•the battle system attempts to merge the old into the new and what results is an action/tactical hybrid that tries to please both but pleases none. There’s a lot here I could discuss but it’d take too long. They 100% should’ve stuck with the old turn-based system.

•they **** with the story. Why? WHY? A meeting that was private, heartfelt and intimate in the original is completely ruined by some needless phantom ghost MGS-esque bullshit. So sweet in the original, simply ruined here. *Sigh* What were they thinking? They’re introducing unnecessary narrative elements that are giving me concern. They can’t even hold their wad on the main villain.

Ah, whatever. Those who adore FFVII will probably love it, but I wish SE had stuck closer to the source. It’s when the game’s at its best, whenever originality is attempted the game suffers.

On the positive side: Tifa’s model. Whew girl....Goddamn.

I am trying to keep playing it, but I'm really not into these games on rails. It feels like there are just not enough choices to be made. The game kinda plays itself. It almost feels like FF13 in that way. On the bight side I would so Hit it with Biggs.

@AcidTango: I remember back in the day when MGS4, Zelda: OOT, Chrono cross were basically the only 10s on Gamespot, Perhaps some Tony hawk game. Every single one deserved. Now 10/10s are given out like candy. I wouldn't give FFVIIR or P5R a 10, or any of the other last 5-6 10/10s..

i played Final Fantasy 7 on the original Playstation. Is there a difference, besides graphics?

@jtromaine: Yes. Whilst there is the overall plot, which is still in place, there have been a number of changes made to the story. Overall, i'm enjoying the game.

@Mozelleple112: oooh, controversial. Im sure Nintendo fans will get jumpy on your hot takes on the past 10s which includes Botw. Personally I agree on some, loved botw but absolutely hated the weapon degradation system and climbing ubisoft towers. Witcher 3 also had a clunky combat.

GS completely changed their rating scale since the old 10's. They no longer do decimal scores and they assigned different meanings to each score. Ex: 10 doesn't mean perfect, it means essential. As in they consider it a must play.

Man, random textures are really bad more often further along.

Also, upgrading screen for weapons is a severe PitA.

Still loving game though

10 hours in so fare, and really having a blast so fare! Would probably rate it 9/10, but definitely a great game I would recommend to any jprg fans:)

The combat system is really awesome, they basically took the FF15 system and removed all the issues I had with it!

I'm on Chapter 8... I absolutely love it. The combat system is great.. the music is outstanding and most the time it looks outstanding despite the random bad textures here and there.

@jtromaine: Yes.. lot of extra details and stuff happening that wasn't in original. Combat is also completely different and in my opinion way better.

@MirkoS77: Thanks for the feedback. You are giving insights that are rare to find online.

I really do dislike how they padded it as much as possible, and rather unnecessarily. Large walking sections, and one particular section before Reactor 5 where you are required to turn off 3 "sun lamps" (giant lamps attached to the underneath of the Midgar plates to provide light to the slums) in order to provide power in order to get through a gate. It adds a solid 30 minutes, and it was just largely unnecessary.

LOL I am stuck on that part. Make specifically to pad the game. What a waste of time.

@MirkoS77:

Yeah man, was kind of worried about... well, all of what you posted lol. Especially the combat (that was the gut feeling the demo gave me), and the way they went about filling things out.

Between your impressions and what I've read elsewhere, seems like the game world feels more like a FFVII movie set, or theme park attraction.

•they **** with the story. Why? WHY? A meeting that was private, heartfelt and intimate in the original is completely ruined by some needless phantom ghost MGS-esque bullshit. So sweet in the original, simply ruined here. *Sigh* What were they thinking? They’re introducing unnecessary narrative elements that are giving me concern. They can’t even hold their wad on the main villain.

Damn I was only thinking about the bigger picture with this new stuff. Didn't really consider how it would work its way into those smaller moments.

It's just a giant pain. How on Earth, is that viable planning from a company as huge as Shinra? It's nonsensical, and it's thing's like that which can drag the game down. Also, the hugemotorbike ride to Jessie's parents house. It was 10-15 minutes of taking out a few Shinra guys, followed by a lame fight with Roche.

All-in-all, I love the game, no doubt, but there is some wonky-ass design choices and i'm not even touching on the odd story deviations.

@Pedro: Thanks for the feedback. You are giving insights that are rare to find online.

Thanks. Hate to be a negative Nancy for a game I know many are heavily anticipating, but it definitely has some glaring issues and questionable design decisions.

@ConanTheStoner: Damn I was only thinking about the bigger picture with this new stuff. Didn't really consider how it would work its way into those smaller moments.

Which can be some of the most important. I'm referring to Cloud initially meeting Aerith, which was a nice, private, innocent moment they shared in peace in the original. Here, they have these ghosts swirling around her pestering her, and the worst thing is, it's really not even narratively justified. It's like the initial sentiment of the moment was completely lost on SE.

As for the combat, here's my main issue which I'll now elaborate on (from another forum I posted it). Kinda long, sorry.

"They're combining two different systems antithetical to one another. One that's twitch based opposed to a more tactical and measured approach.

They're demanding a lot of the player: attention to attacking, evading, and blocking, identifying and attacking weak spots, what each enemy is doing at any given time, paying attention to HP/MP management of not only yourself but that of your allies, and menu management and respective skill utilization that can vary for enemy to enemy. It's a lot to place on the player's plate under pressure, and yes, the game pauses to consider this when ATBs fill and the command menu is called up, which just goes to show to me how incompatible these system they've tried to combine really are. When the devs shoulder me with action game considerations in the heat of the moment in battles with many evolving variables to consider, it can be trying to keep track of them all to their most effective and efficient implementations. Is it workable? Yes, but I don't think it's enjoyable, nor lends itself to the fullest potential of what adhering to a true turn-based system could afford.

Classic Mode mitigates the aforementioned somewhat by lifting the superficial actiony nature of the game out of the player's hands which I appreciate, but there's still issues apparent after some play put in. Not to mention the default to easy difficulty, the AI leaves something greatly to be desired not only in how it conducts the player's character in a dynamic situation, but especially that of the NPCs whose tactics are basic and whose ATBs take forever to fill unless you switch to them and take over......which defeats the entire purpose of being in Classic to begin with. What they should've done if they insisted upon this direction was to allow the player some nuance and micromanagement in how the AI controlled NPCs during battle, and re-balanced the ATB so that equal opportunity could be afforded to each character regardless of who is hammering the attack button at any given moment.

The battle system to me feels unbalanced, it's chaotic, and I always feel like every time I triumph, it's never due to a measured or skillful execution of tactics on my part but one of brute forcing my way through it, and one further that I could've accomplished alone, aided by potions and spells."

They should’ve kept the battles completely turn-based, IMO. This was a miscalculation.

Wouldn’t have even needed to change it either. Be the same....running around with your party members and you see enemies. Run up to within aggro range, battle theme kicks in and everyone gets into position and fight commences (that way back/side surprise attacks are possible for the player and enemies). Not even in a straight line either, incorporate the environment into tactics of approach (high/low ground). Introduce formations. Evolve that shit.

Argh. Just so frustrating to think of what could've been. I'm still enjoying this, but with continual grumbles.

@lundy86_4: I fucking hate the motorcycle gymnastics. Shit like that made any enjoyment from advent children and that CS nonexistent.

@MirkoS77: Kinda long, sorry.

No worries man, I appreciate these thorough impressions.

I had my concerns from the moment they announced the type of combat they were going for. Never really liked these types of systems, especially not when SE tries them. You're right. They try to combine two opposing approaches, and in the end, neither shines through. Just from my experience with the demo and similar games of course.

I feel like if they really wanted to have some hype - on the field spectacle, probably should have had something similar to the gambit system from FF12. Basically just playing out the ATB system in fast forward, but you're in full control of the party "AI" and can step in to micromanage if necessary. I found that system satisfying at least. Classic FF ATB with the window dressing of an action title.

But still, I agree that just classic ATB (semi turn based) would have been more than fine. Would have been the tipping point to sell me on this game actually.

Don't know why they felt the need to reinvent the wheel for both gameplay and story. People already love FFVII... I mean, that's why this remake happened lol. They could have overhauled the visuals, made some QOL improvements, and added some new gameplay/story side content. And people would have been happy with that.

Anyways, I'm sure many will enjoy it. But at this point, yeah it's a pass for me.

In chapter 6 right now and cannot for the life of me understand how this is a 10...weird really.

It really does suck how the atb works. Like, it's fine that hits speed it up. But if you're not playing the character they attack so slowly. It's extremely unreliable.

What about it rubs you the wrong way?

There are a few things that are bugging me about it:

1.It is all so very linear. I really am not into walking from one grey scale hallway to the next or long underground raidroad area to the next. It feels like this game just does not offer much in the way of choices. (Kind of Like FF13)

2. Really bad filler parts. I do not want to get into it too much to avoid spoilers but I really did not enjoy the motorcycle stuff, and the lamps or boss move deactivation parts. It all feels tacked on for no real reason but to soak up time with needless chores that add nothing to the game.

3. The gearing is VERY limited with not a lot of variety or choice.

4. The combat just feels like button mashing and it is VERY easy almost to a painful degree. I legit feel that they did not balance the difficulty well at all.

Now that said there are a few things I do like about the game very much like the Materia and the weapon upgrade system. and I also REALLY like looking up at different times of the day when in town (anyone that is playing knows what I'm talking about.)

All in all the issues for me is that I have grown addicted to games with choice. That is why games on rails are hard for me to enjoy. I hope that answers your question.

@mojito1988: You're the first person I've seen say it's easy.

From what I've been told by a buddy of mine who beat the game. They explain later what those ghost things are....only if you are interested in a--(WARNING) Do not read if you have any reservations--"GIGANTIC" spoiler....Supposedly, this Remake occurs in an alternative timeline to the original. So everytime things are different from the original, those ghost things are suppose to try and reset it back to the original timeline/events. Not sure how true it is or if he's right but that's just what I've been told.

Really? I am legit just mashing strong attack and using potions and winning. Nothing to it really. (a cure here and there and auto cure materia in Tifa)

@cdragon_88: I think your friend is correct because they do that in an earlier chapter.

@mojito1988: You're playing on classic or normal?

I am playing classic cause I was hoping to avoid button mashing, but I'm doing that anyway lol. In not a fan of this combat style at all.

@mojito1988: Ya, that's playing the game on easy mode unfortunately. That's why I'm sticking with normal

So basically this is as much as a sequel as it is a remake. Hopefully in the next one they don't go too crazy with the alternate universe kinda thing. The ending already hints that someone that should be dead is probably alive in the remake universe.

Tag that as spoiler buddy. Some folks haven't beaten the game yet.

The difficulty is a minor issue for me, the linearity is just killing me. I sure hope part 2 opens up ALOT more.

I can't unsee the dancing...

People need to let the spoilers fly. Too many people on this board are writing the game off as a money grab rehash, when in reality that's not what's going on at all.

I'm on Ch 8, but my brother said it was cringey as hell.

I really appreciate what they did with the FF7 Remake. Almost every major detail of the original is represented in the remake. It's a heavy dose of nostalgia. The remixed music is wonderful. The Art direction is great. It really feels like Midgar. There is a ton of filler tho. Some of it works and some of it doesn't. Combat is okay..... I can't wait to go play the original again with the new context of Midgar in my head. That and I will be jonesing for the rest of the story. In between the added filler, I've had nothing but a giant grin on my face the whole time.

FF7R runs well enough on the base PS4, though the graphics are set to what can only be the bare minimum to get this game to run. The textures are super low-res in some areas. It's especially noticeable on my large TV. Luckily the hand-crafted nature of the setting and the art direction keep this from being too distracting.

To be honest I think Person 5 is the better game from a gameplay perspective. It's the first time I've played a Persona game and I'm having a blast. FF7R is more about the experience for me and I'm loving that I get to explore a more modern Midgar. It actually feels like people live there now!

Who knew I'd be having a bigger last hurrah on PS4 than I thought. 2 games at the same time! Woah.

Oh yeah and the loading times are shit. Wow are they bad.