Early in 2024, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will be released as the next chapter in the FF7 Remake trilogy. While it's unknown how much of the original Final Fantasy 7 this entry will cover, it promises to bring Cloud and the party into Final Fantasy 7's expansive world map for a true globetrotting adventure. Picking up where the first game left off, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will show players the wide world outside of Midgar's walls, and many are keen to see the form and amount of content this title plans to adapt.
It's unlikely that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will take players all the way to the end of Final Fantasy 7, especially considering that FF7 Remake made room for new story elements. However, much of Gaia can be explored in the meantime, with many expecting the adventure to begin at the town of Kalm and continue through iconic locations such as Cosmo Canyon and the Gold Saucer. It makes sense for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth to save some later areas for the trilogy's conclusion, but that does mean one major city isn't going to be fully realized yet.
This article contains content spoilers for Final Fantasy 7.
Junon's First Appearance Is Short But Sweet
After a break in Kalm, Final Fantasy 7's next couple hours are spent traversing the world map. The infrequent stops and optional content could grate on some players who became used to the breakneck pace of Midgar, but the action picks up soon enough. While Midgar is the densest city in Final Fantasy 7 thanks to Shinra's efforts, it's not the only one of its kind. In the bottom left of the eastern continent, Junon lies on the shoreline. Players might feel relieved when they see another beacon of civilization, but they'll still be wary of the ominous Mako Cannon built on top of the city.
After Midgar, Junon may be the second-largest city in Final Fantasy 7, and was also the original headquarters for Rufus Shinra. The town reflects Midgar's Plate-based layout, with the original Lower Junon being a fishing village that has fallen on hard times thanks to pollution from the modern trappings of Upper Junon. Players won't spend much time here, but it makes a memorable first impression with the first real boss fight since leaving Midgar, multiple minigames, and a surprisingly large city with plenty to find and buy.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Must Split Junon Between Two Games
However, after seeing Rufus off after his inauguration, the party stows away on a Shinra boat and sets sail for the western continent. Even if Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth expands Junon's size, the player's visit won't amount to much more than some involved sightseeing like in the original FF7. The Mako Cannon that dominates the city's skyline will remain a mystery, and FF7 Rebirth probably won't have the time to provide answers.
In Final Fantasy 7, players return to Junon twice, but only after the first Northern Crater visit. Neither trip may fall within FF7 Rebirth's purview, with the game predicted to end around either Aerith's death in the City of the Ancients or at the Northern Crater. The Mako Cannon's relevance, the Shinra base connected to the Cannon, and the Underwater Reactor harboring a submarine will all unfortunately have to be excluded. No matter how well Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth represents the streets of Junon, the city's most dramatic beats won't be realized. While this is necessary to keep FF7 Rebirth's story moving briskly, it's bittersweet that the Remake trilogy may need to, at least temporarily, spend less time in an area than the original Final Fantasy 7.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will release in early 2024 on PS5.
