The seemingly infinite checklist of Remaining Fantasy 7 Rebirth minigames and facet quests is sort of instantly introduced up each time the sport is talked about, however director Naoki Hamaguchi says he would not imagine it is a flaw in design. Remake and Rebirth is likely to be two of the most effective JRPGs round, however the second installment’s pacing and tone are oftentimes at odds with its storytelling. Hamaguchi, nevertheless, explains that you simply’re just too busy to take pleasure in it to its fullest, though he does concede that adjustments shall be made for FF7 Remake half 3.
Regardless of delivering a largely glowing FF7 Rebirth evaluation, Will was fast to name out “its open-world filler, which is insultingly fundamental.” He wrote, “The loop of touring to a tower, beating enemies, climbing the tower, and unlocking extra world intel factors in your map for some lackluster facet content material is deeply unappealing.” As a Yakuza fan, I am an actual side-quest sicko, and even I would agree that Rebirth creates this awkward start-stop jolting in what’s in any other case the most effective story video games, a journey full of coronary heart and soul.
That is to not say all of Remaining Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s facet actions are unhealthy; fairly the reverse. Queen’s Blood is without doubt one of the most interesting strapped-on card video games in years, comfortably clearing The Witcher 3’s Gwent, FF8’s Triple Triad, and even Pazaak in Star Wars: Knights of the Previous Republic. Elsewhere, there are some joyful one-off actions that do not outstay their welcome, akin to driving a dolphin.
Rebirth packs in some phenomenal character-led missions, too, and the entire Gold Saucer choices are winners. However attempting to progressively refill Chadley’s meters is little greater than a chore, and open-world areas like Costa Del Sol can actually drag if you happen to’re attempting to filter the map and test off each field.
Hamaguchi, nevertheless, is adamant that this wasn’t a mistake. “Relating to time administration in sure sections, particularly in FF7 Rebirth, I actually do not imagine that they have been longer than obligatory,” he tells Display screen Rant at Brazil Sport Present 2025. “I really feel like these days, gamers simply have an excessive amount of to do and an excessive amount of to play, so that they typically really feel the urge that one thing must be concluded shortly.”
There is definitely an excessive amount of on my gaming plate lately; it is a good downside to have, albeit a irritating one. However I poured greater than 100 hours into Baldur’s Gate 3, Yakuza 0, and The Witcher 3, and I by no means felt like I used to be operating into filler. There is a stability to be struck between providing longer-form facet actions for gamers that take pleasure in that, and never turning the entire thing right into a grind that detracts from the principle expertise.
Regardless of his private beliefs, Hamaguchi admits that his viewers did not all really feel the identical approach, and says that the neighborhood’s suggestions has been applied for the upcoming, climactic sequel. “As we work on the conclusion to the trilogy, we’re placing a stability on how story arcs are informed and unfold out in order to make sure that the sport feels a bit extra concise,” he reveals.
If you happen to’re searching for a brand new journey, have a look via our decide of the most effective single-player video games in 2025. Or see whether or not you agree with our checklist of the most effective Remaining Fantasy video games.
Wish to make an impassioned case for why Chadley’s truly the most effective a part of Rebirth? Drop into the PCGamesN Discord and share your ideas on the sequence and what minigame you are hoping its third act brings to the desk.
