While there were plenty of fantastic games that released in the same calendar year, Final Fantasy 7 Remake is widely considered to be one of its runaway successes. Few believed that the title may never even see the light of day, let alone be a game worthy of the story it's telling. When it arrived in the Spring of 2020, it recaptured the hearts of those familiar with Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, and Barret, gaining a whole new audience that enjoyed the changes it made to a 23-year-old game. Now that FF7 Remake has arrived on Steam for the first time, more players than ever can experience the tale.
As is often the case with many AAA releases, Final Fantasy 7 Remake found console exclusivity despite being developed by a third party. Square Enix opted to forgo both Xbox and Steam in favor of PlayStation and the Epic Games Store for PC users, but the latter was criticized for its poor optimization. It's clear that a new approach was needed, and Steam may finally be the solution. In a game that focuses its story on the desperate quest to save the world, it's only fitting that more players have the opportunity to experience it.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake is Something Special
As the blocky textures and inconsistent controls of the original were looking incredibly dated in the modern day it was clear that new life was needed for Final Fantasy 7. A lengthy development cycle concluded in 2020 and critics were complimentary of so many of the game's features, and for good reason. After the Yuffie DLC released many called it the definitive way to experience the story, and it quickly became one of the swan songs of the PlayStation 4.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake's combat was a seamless fusion of action mechanics popularized in Final Fantasy 15 and the more strategic, menu-based battles of Final Fantasy 7, taking great skill to master but none to simply have fun. The characters were as charming as ever, the presentation was flawless, and critically, it felt familiar to fans of the original. In so many ways Final Fantasy 7 Remake negates the need to experience what came before, so while the HD remaster of Cloud's journey has been on Steam since 2013, the Remake's arrival on the platform is far more enticing.
Accessibility is the best Ability
Final Fantasy 7 Remake's PlayStation console exclusivity was both loved and hated by fans of many gaming persuasions. For Xbox users it was a great shame to not see Cloud and company's story on a system that was sorely lacking in truly great JRPGs. However, PlayStation's fan base was largely thrilled with the exclusivity, as it gave the system another one-up on Microsoft. The Remake extended the same privileges to PlayStation 4 users as the original did for those who opted to buy the original PlayStation over the Nintendo 64, as it was only on Sony's system when it arrived in 1997.
The Remake of the classic finally arriving to Steam gives the platform yet another PlayStation-synonymous game to play on Valve's revolutionary storefront. This means Final Fantasy 7 Remake follows in the footsteps of God of War and Horizon Zero Dawn, which came to Steam some time ago. It also means that, subject to system requirements, a game many believed to be one of the best of 2020 is available to anyone with a PC and Steam, potentially landing it in the homes of millions across the globe. The move means more sales for Square Enix and more fun to be had for players wanting to experience Midgar's suffocating walls for the very first time.
While many fans of Final Fantasy 6 or Final Fantasy 9 were salivating for a remake of their beloved game, it was always going to be the seventh game to receive the remake treatment. Now, after over two years it will be at home on PC gaming's most populated storefront, and new eyes can be on a game that many have hailed as a masterpiece. Accessibility is so very important in gaming, and the first step to bringing a title to more players is making sure it's readily available to those wishing to play it. Final Fantasy 7 Remake's Steam inclusion is a significant step to achieving this.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade is available on PC, PS4, and PS5.
