Final Fantasy VII Remake (Deluxe Edition PS4)
Square Enix has had massive amounts of pressure riding on its crew members to deliver a title worthy of the splendid adventure that graced so many PS1's back in the late 90's. I was one of those guys who just discovered Final Fantasy VII on a whim, and it is still engraved in my DNA and head as much as anything else in my life. They have had millions of naysayers who complained the combat changing from the slow menus and pauses in choosing commands to the now much faster and action oriented styles. There were also those who said that there is no way they can split the game in multiple parts and it still be a cohesive functioning game like the 3 disc PS1 version, yet the results make it clear that the lengthy amount of time Square Enix has been hard at work on this project has paid off in spades. They have hushed the doubters and created a masterpiece that is based on a classic. To say that FF7 Remake is better than the original is an understatement, it takes everything that made the original an instant hit and moderates it into a more up to date and here and now rpg, rather than an RPG made in 1997. This is one game I would advise many not to miss.
The story is basically the same as before. Cloud Strife, the spiky blonde hair ex-Soldier, is our main protagonist and he has begun to take on mercenary work at the start and begins to work with a group called Avalanche, who are bombing a Mako Reactor in Midgar. While this 1st chapter only takes place in Midgar, that does not take away from the amount of time and depth that the creators have spent in crafting a whole new Midgar, with many places and people to see. Where the original kind of sped through alot of the early game environments, this time we are treated to much more detailed backgrounds and environments, and some have even been given LOTS of new twists on the original formula to surprise ole diehards. Midgar is basically a world in and of itself, because the locations you will traverse have gotten so much larger and filled with more activity and quests to discover, making it feel like a whole new game. Square Enix has struck the perfect balance with bringing in alot of the new but still spreading enough of the old here and there to give fans plenty to reminisce over. Some very worthy places to mention are Wall Market, which has changed alot since we last visited it in 97. It has massively been expanded and restructured into a much more updated and understandable plotline. The voice over dialogues that are heard constantly throughout the game will give you plenty to listen to while you play and it shows just how much effort the team has put into making Midgar a believable and thriving community. The game constantly finds ways to surprise long time fans and still make it just as exciting for newcomers, and the balancing is flawless.
Combat is a huge hit and well worth mentioning. While it is much faster than what we remember, it still clicks and will take no time to grow into. It feels great, and is simple enough to understand for anyone. They have also made it very accessible for all ages, giving options to limit the speed of the battles and make it pause like the old classic PS1 title used to. Several options for difficulty are a plus and there really is a setting for everyone to get the game perfectly fit for their gameplay styles. Each character has ATB meters and they have two sides to them. To perform the more powerful spells, abilities or attacks, the ATB gauge must be full on both sides. Some commands can be performed with just one, which quickly can come in handy when players need to heal or revive an ally. The combat system just flows so well, and the ability to guard against attacks and evade is done perfectly, giving just the right amount of defensive prowess needed. It quickly sinks in and will grow on you more and more as you begin to get the hang of it and forming strategies of your own to defeat the more harder foes. The equipment and magic or materia system is a simple but amazing system and does not go into all the hard to understand nonsense that later FF games such as FF8 went into. Each weapon has slots and in each slot can materia be placed, which also does affect certain elements of the characters status wearing them, like HP or MP or defense/attack. It is simple to read and navigate the differences of each one, as the menus are all easily accessible and great tutorials for beginners or longtime fans. The summons, which appear much earlier this time around, are a little different, yet they still serve their purpose. Square Enix has formulated the best way to have these function, instead of dealing a set amount of elemental damage to enemies, this time the player can only summon them when they have been dealt alot of damage or when facing a severely difficult foe. When summoned, they will do basic attacks by default to enemies, but depending on players decisions, summons can also perform more advanced and damaging abilities by characters expending their ATB gauge for the summon to perform one of their abilities. It works and is about as good of a system as I was hoping for as far as the summons go. When time elapses or their summoner dies in battle, the Summon will do one last final Ultimate Move, for instance Shiva has her Diamond Dust Ultimate Attack. This is their last line of defense to be provided, and only ONE summon can be called upon per battle, so it will need to be used wisely.
The music is among one of the best scores/soundtracks to a videogame I can recall hearing in a long time. It is the classic FF7 techno-funky beats that rocked out of our tvs all recycled into a fresher, new style. The music will surely make many fans remember their times trekking through the same locales, but they all have been given much attention to make it fresher. The music discs are collectibles and aren't required but just finding them all is well worth it as each one you find gets added to your jukebox which in some places allows you to choose any favorite you may have to rock in the background. The fan favorite boss fight theme which would play on the original anytime you were fighting a boss fight is among my favorites and this along with the classic Tifa theme and the Shinra music is a valuable asset to this games many new features.
Now, I believe it is time for me touch on one of the few features in the game I was not really expecting and frankly, still believe it should have been reconsidered. The fact that Red XIII, who is a huge character in the original, a valuable party member at times even, is not at all added as a playable character just feels wrong to me. Thats not to say that Square Enix will not change this going into the next chapter of the story, but I feel like a big part of the team has been given the sidelines for some odd reason. Of course, he makes an appearance. But he is no way controllable and is only shown aiding the party at the end of this games conclusion and to me that just felt wrong for Red XIII. He has plenty of playable potential and I know Square Enix could have thought of an interesting way to make his unique abilities a valuable asset to have at your disposal. Maybe they will rethink this and make him a party member in the future but this was my one and only complaint.
But, that aside, the game is what remakes should try to be more like in the future. Not only does this game retell the events of the Midgar events in so many new and fun ways, it also brings to light so many new twists and new faces that it feels fresh and exciting to experience. The Deluxe Edition is especially a bundle of goodies that is well worth the ten or 20 extra dollars spent. It comes with a beautiful artbook showcasing some of the games enemies, allies and other various important features the game introduces. Not only that, but it comes with not one but two different cases, a regular case and a beauitful Steelbook case should you prefer to store your play disc in it. Along with the DLC Cactuar Summon, and Choco Chick summon, not to mention a well polished soundtrack, you can't beat the quantity of goodies Square Enix packaged together for those of us willing to pay the extra for the best. It is a true Deluxe edition and not one only in name like most games come claiming. I highly recommend people trying it out cuz its packed with FF7 greatness and will bring a smile to any old time or newcomer fans face. This has set the standard for what RPGS can and should be, and has even set the standard for what Final Fantasy games should be. The best Final Fantasy game to come out in years is right here and it should not be missed!!