Released in 1997, Final Fantasy VII has always been the darling child of Square Enix. This is because it was one of their most popular games. Especially after the Final Fantasy VII Remake, this series gained traction once again.
A roadmap that Square Enix revealed in 2022 showed that Final Fantasy VII will not be a solo remake. In fact, it is going to be a trilogy. We know that it can be a bit confusing to follow this series. Especially because there are so many things unreleased and so many games to check out. However, we are here to help you. Follow us as we find our way in the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy.
All Final Fantasy VII Games
Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy consists of three games and one prequel. Here are the names of all the games in the series in chronological order:
- Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion
- Final Fantasy VII Remake
- Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
- Final Fantasy VII Part 3
Now that we have established the basic facts, let’s dive into more detail.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion is the name of the remastered edition of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. Originally released in 2007, this remake was a PlayStation Portable exclusive. However, once it was remade, the game was also ported to PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Crisis Core takes place seven years before the events of Final Fantasy VII. In this game, you play as Zack Fair, who is a young Shinra SOLDIER who trains alongside a 1st class SOLDIER named Angeal Hewley. In his adventure, Zack also meets and befriends Sephiroth and Genesis, as well as Cloud and Aerith.
Although it can be skipped, playing this game before jumping into Final Fantasy VII Remake will help you understand the ending a lot better. Thus, we recommend you play this game before the trilogy.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
The main starting point for the trilogy, Final Fantasy VII Remake, was announced in 2015, and it was released in 2020. In this game, you play as Cloud Strife, who is an ex-SOLDIER. He helps the eco-terrorist group Avalanche as a mercenary to stop the Shinra Corporation from draining the planet’s energy.
Though many elements in Final Fantasy VII Remake closely stick with the original game, many things have also changed. These changes are not only done in the plot but also the gameplay mechanics as well. For example, while the original game uses a turn-based combat system, Final Fantasy VII Remake employs fast-paced real-time combat.
According to the game’s co-director, Motomu Toriyama, you don’t need to have played Final Fantasy VII Remake before Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. However, we strongly recommend you do so to grasp the character dynamics and plot fully.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
As an upcoming title, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second game of the trilogy. The director of the series, Tetsuya Nomura, said that the intent was to create a game that exceeded Final Fantasy VII Remake in its quality. However, releasing the game as soon as possible was also one of the priorities.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth won the category of the “Most Anticipated Game” in The Game Awards 2023. It also took home the award of “Most Wanted Game” in the Golden Joystick Awards. Currently, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth stands as one of the most exciting upcoming projects of Square Enix.
Final Fantasy VII Part 3
The third and final instalment in the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy has not yet been fully announced. What we know from this game is bits and pieces of rumours. There has not been any current news regarding Final Fantasy VII Part 3.
However, we will continue to update you as we learn more. While waiting for the next story, you might enjoy reading our Final Fantasy XVI review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Final Fantasy VII Remake the Same as the Original?
No, the Final Fantasy VII Remake and the original are not the same game. There are several differences between the remake and the original. We could say that this game is a reimagination of the 1997 Final Fantasy VII game.
Do I Need to Play Final Fantasy VII Before the Remake?
You don’t need to play the original FFVII game before jumping into the remake. You can start playing directly from the new game. But remember that the two games offer completely different experiences. Moreover, some story preferences are quite different — you may want to play them as two unique games.
What Is Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade?
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is not an entirely different game. It is the title of the optimised version of the remake. Intergrade has a higher frame rate, better graphics, 4K support and shorter loading screens than the remake. Intergrade also has an intermission section that takes place after the main game.
Author Profile
- My journey into the world of video games began at four, when I was first introduced to arcade machines in 1996. Over the past decades, I've been fortunate enough to witness the incredible evolution of gaming, as it has grown from a niche hobby to a thriving art. Today, I'm dedicated to creating content that celebrates all genres of games. We will talk about them at Player.me.