Last year, Square Enix’s Final Fantasy VII Rebirth reminded gamers why the original PSX game was such a classic. Since the first chapter was released in 2020, the Final Fantasy VII remake has reignited the love for this iconic, groundbreaking JRPG. Given the game’s massive influence, it would inevitably receive the most epic remake imaginable. In keeping with the series’ cross-platform release plan, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth recently arrived on PC, making amazing sales and reaching a new audience. Here is a breakdown of why this is a big deal for the franchise.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on PC
According to IGN Middle East, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s launch on the PC has been a monumental success for Square-Enix and its franchise. Last month, The Game Awards announced that the second chapter of the remake would arrive on PC. While the game has been out for nearly a year, a new section of fans can now access it. Given its massive sales on the PS5, this will likely be another victory for Square.
Additionally, many critics praised Final Fantasy VII Rebirth for its stellar graphical performance on PC. While Sony created the PS5 Pro for professional gamers to maximize their console’s potential, the PC has always been a pillar in gaming for its customizable, top-notch hardware. As such, gamers with good enough PCs can easily reach 4K resolution and 30 FPS. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the PC launch trailer emphasized this. Rebirth reimagines the original game with state-of-the-art graphics, so it’s a must-have for die-hard fans.
Remaking a Classic
Many consider the original Final Fantasy VII one of the most influential video games ever created. Released on the PSX, it was one of the first 3D JRPGs. The game followed a group of heroes trying to stop a massive corporation from destroying the environment. Nearly every game element became iconic for decades, including its lead hero and villain, Cloud and Sephiroth. Furthermore, it spawned several spinoff games and projects.
As such, it’s no surprise that it has become one of the most anticipated video game remakes ever. Square teased the idea of a Final Fantasy VII remake for over a decade before its release. Rebirth begins in the original game’s second act when the party leaves Midgar to explore the rest of the continent.
Despite the remake’s success, it has become controversial among fans. Much like Peter Jackson’s Hobbit trilogy, many believe the original story was pushed beyond a reasonable runtime. As with any remake, fans will always claim the “original magic” was lost for one reason or another. However, that does not change the fact that Rebirth and its predecessor won over fans and casual gamers and became one of the PS4’s fastest-selling games.
Bridging Consoles
Of course, another reason to be excited about Final Fantasy VII Rebirth reaching PC is that it can now reach an even broader audience worldwide. While the PS5 was an impressive device, the proverbial “console wars” have always existed, with fans arguing over which game had the best library and capabilities. As such, many amazing games were trapped between sides during these massive conflicts.
The first six games in the Final Fantasy series were released on the NES and SNES. Ironically, they were named that because Square thought it would be their last project, only for the game to become their most iconic franchise decades later. Afterward, it became a PlayStation exclusive for several games before seeing wider releases. Recently, Square creator Yoshi-P announced that games would be cross-platform in the future.
Conclusion
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the next chapter of an adaptation of a legendary classic. As such, it makes sense that it would receive a broad release by being launched on PC. This new platform allowed the remake’s stellar graphics to reach their full potential. While video game remakes have always been controversial, Square’s remake of one of its most iconic titles balanced its faithfulness to the original story with new additions to catch longtime fans off guard. Fortunately, they ensured the original game was always remembered and widely available.
