Final Fantasy 7 Remake has changed the way gamers perceive Final Fantasy 7. Released in 2020, the game is a ground-up reimagining of the PlayStation 1 title from 1997. The remake turned static, turn-based combat into real-time, action-RPG battles while retaining the best of the original's mechanics. This, combined with a beautifully recreated Midgar, warranted a positive reaction from players. As fans eagerly await the next installment of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake series, it remains to be seen if such a title can live up to the hype of its predecessor.
The original Final Fantasy 7 holds up as one of the most beloved games of all time. For years, fans begged Square Enix for a remake along the lines of a graphical upgrade. Final Fantasy 7 Remake, however, was much more than a facelift; the new iteration delivered changes to gameplay, additional characters, and even modified plot points. The anticipation and surprise of this game contributed to its success, and if Final Fantasy Remake Part 2 hopes to see the same level of success, it's going to have to do much of the same.
Building Final Fantasy 7's World
The first aerial shots of Midgar shown in Final Fantasy 7 Remake reveal the extent to which Gaia had been reimagined. Once static, pre-rendered images, the city surrounding Sector 7 was fully realized in three dimensions. The expansion into a living, breathing settlement is a significant change for players. This sort of literal world-building was much of the remake's appeal, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2 would do well to continue the practice.
There is an entire world outside Midgar, and Cloud and the gang are only just about to enter it at the end of the first remake. In this regard, Part 2 can outdo the first by doubling down on the scale of Gaia. In the original, it felt like the open world was a huge playground, with secrets hidden everywhere. Remake Part 2 can make this open world come to life with more content to discover. Giving towns like Kalm and Costa Del Sol the same treatment as Midgar would breathe more life into the world of Final Fantasy 7.
Expanding the Battle System
The battle system saw a huge rework in Final Fantasy 7 Remake. The PlayStation 1 game originally divided enemy encounters into random battles. While this provided some element of surprise and tension in that title, random encounters have aged poorly. Remake flourished in its implementation of a new combat system, one that saw a combination of menu navigation and real-time hack-and-slash action.
Cloud's sword swings, Barret's Gatling gun, and Tifa's punches went from brief animations to fully-fledged movesets. Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2 can expand upon this by giving characters like Red 13 and Cait Sith the same treatment. For long-time fans of the series, getting to see their favorite characters duke it out is one of the most enriching parts of the experience. Remake managed to portray the characters' fights in the same way players likely imagined it when they first played Final Fantasy 7.
Leading up to Final Fantasy 7's Conclusion
The plot of Final Fantasy 7 is beloved. Remake reused that plot and many of its major beats, but with unique modifications. Reactions to these changes were mixed, with some criticizing the many appearances of Sephiroth and others welcoming the updates. Ultimately, Remake's adaptation of the story effectively manages to surprise audiences familiar with the original game and its twists.
This is where Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2 will face its greatest challenge. For this entry to be as successful (if not more) than the first, it's going to have to live up to the first's commitment to story. Remake successfully incorporated a new story into the already existing one from Final Fantasy 7. Fans are not only awaiting the continuation of this new story, but also its resolution. Assuming Aerith's death is still imminent, Remake Part 2 has to make sure its ending frames the final act of Final Fantasy 7 for Remake Part 3.
If nothing else, Final Fantasy 7 Remake has proven that Final Fantasy 7 is a timeless game. Remake made strides when it came to incorporating the best elements of the original with new improvements. If Remake Part 2 can follow up on these changes and make even more, it will no doubt see the same level of success. It's a tall order, especially given all the likely delays in development from COVID-19. In any case, it remains to be seen how Square Enix will tie Remake and Remake Part 2 together.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake is available now on PC, PS4, and PS5.
