Why is Closing Fantasy Remake Intergrade Such A Huge Deal?

Closing Fantasy Remake Intergrade is coming to Xbox on January 22, 2026!

For a lot of followers that is wonderful information, however we realise there might be many gamers who’ve by no means skilled the world of Closing Fantasy VII earlier than. You’ve most likely heard of the sport, however you could be questioning: why is that this such a giant deal?

We’ll clarify, however earlier than we are able to discuss Closing Fantasy Remake, we should talk about the legendary sport that got here earlier than.

What’s Closing Fantasy VII?

1997 noticed the discharge of a really particular sport: Closing Fantasy VII. This RPG wasn’t only a crucial and industrial hit – it was a literal gamechanger. Many credit score it with popularizing the Japanese RPG throughout the West, particularly because it was the primary mainline Closing Fantasy sport to launch exterior of Japan or North America. For a lot of gamers it was the primary JRPG they ever performed.

And what a spot to start out! Closing Fantasy VII nonetheless stands as one of many best video games within the style. It had all of it – a tremendous story, sensible command-based fight, unimaginable manufacturing values, unforgettable soundtrack and a few of the most iconic characters in gaming. Even individuals who have by no means performed the sport will acknowledge the likes of Cloud and Sephiroth.

Closing Fantasy VII Remake is the primary sport in a trilogy of full-length RPGs that reimagine this beloved sport at a scale hardly ever seen in gaming. It gives an excellent deeper story, extra perception into the characters and setting, new situations not featured within the authentic sport, a fast-paced, fashionable fight system, an unimaginable soundtrack, and way more past.

When you’ve by no means skilled Closing Fantasy VII earlier than, it’s a tremendous technique to expertise the story and characters that modified gaming perpetually. When you did play Closing Fantasy VII the primary time spherical, you’ll get to expertise the world and its characters in a brand-new manner.

Director Naoki Hamaguchi explains it finest: “Our objective with Closing Fantasy VII Remake was to seize every thing that made the unique sport so particular, however convey it updated with the newest know-how in order that new gamers might be simply as excited as gamers of the unique sport have been when that launched.

“For brand spanking new gamers, that is the place the story of Closing Fantasy VII begins. When you’ve seen characters resembling Cloud or Sephiroth in different video games, and questioned the place their story began, that is the sport.”

The Story That Modified Gaming Endlessly

However what’s so memorable about that story? Properly, right here’s the fundamental setup.

The sport takes place in Midgar – an industrial metropolis managed by the Shinra Electrical Energy Firm. This immoral organisation makes use of huge reactors to suck mako from the planet – a substance used as an influence supply to provide folks snug lives, energy the corporate’s weapons of warfare and extra.

However mako can also be the lifeblood of the planet, and the extra Shinra makes use of, the extra it harms the world.

The story begins when mercenary Cloud Strife joins the Shinra resistance group Avalanche on a mission to sabotage one among these planet-harming reactors. This harmful mission units off a sequence of occasions that can change him and town perpetually – and put him nose to nose with an enemy lengthy thought useless: the sinister Sephiroth.

It’s an exciting journey, filled with surprises that we don’t wish to smash right here. However what actually makes it stand out are the characters. The principle forged of Cloud, Barret, Tifa and Aerith are a few of the most beloved in gaming, and Closing Fantasy VII Remake goes deeper into their personalities than ever earlier than.

Even aspect characters get richer, extra layered personalities – by the tip of the sport you’ll consider them as buddies.

An Iconic Setting

Then there’s Midgar – the sport’s iconic setting. It’s a cliché to say town is sort of a character in its personal proper however… properly, Midgar is sort of a character in its personal proper.

…what? Generally clichés could be proper.

Generally known as the ‘Metropolis of Mako’, it’s an unlimited round metropolis comprised of a prime plate the place the extra well-to-do residents and Shinra staff stay, and slums beneath that are… much less nice.

Due to the highest plate protecting the sky, the folks within the slums are pressured to depend on synthetic suns for gentle. Mixed with the lifeless earth brought on by the mako-sucking reactors, and mutated fiends that roam the wastelands between sectors, it’s a tough life for a lot of who stay there, however there’s life and group too.

It was an immediately memorable setting for the unique sport’s opening act, however Closing Fantasy VII Remake brings Midgar to life like by no means earlier than. With a full-length journey set on this metropolis, you get to actually discover every space, get to know its folks, and uncover entire new elements of town that weren’t within the authentic journey.

Hamaguchi says that it was vital that this metropolis didn’t simply look good – it additionally felt like a plausible place: “Firstly of improvement, the sport designers and situation writers created paperwork that detailed the setting and the world, together with the financial standing of the totally different areas.

This data was invaluable in serving to us outline which components of the atmosphere might be shared throughout areas, and which needs to be region-specific – proper all the way down to the ratio of textual content on the posters and the appear and feel of the inhabitants in these areas!”

twenty first Century Fight

As you discover town, you’ll encounter quite a few threats – from snarling fiends to Shinra’s ample military of troopers and warfare machines.

Mockingly, it is a good factor as a result of it means there’s loads of alternatives to battle – and Closing Fantasy VII Remake has among the best fight methods on the market. It’s a hybrid system that mixes components of the unique sport with fast-paced motion gameplay.

Right here’s the way it works: you assault, block and dodge in actual time and as you accomplish that, you’ll fill your ‘ATB’ gauge. As soon as it’s full, you’ll be able to press a button to decelerate the motion and choose a command to your fighter or their allies to hold out. Alternatively, you’ll be able to set strikes to shortcuts to unleash them with out slowing down the motion. It makes for fast-paced, thrilling battles the place ability and strategic considering are each rewarded. 

“We deliberately designed the sport to be welcoming to all varieties of gamers – if you happen to’re a fan of motion video games, or favor one thing extra tactical, there are totally different management modes that enable the sport to be performed to your choice,” Hamaguchi provides.

There are 4 playable characters (5 together with the additional episode’, and you may change between celebration members immediately. Each has their very own very distinct playstyle, from Cloud’s fast and trendy swordplay, Tifa’s highly effective single-target martial arts, Aerith’s magical may and Barret’s highly effective ranged assaults.

Then there’s FF7R EPISODE INTERmission – a two-chapter story that takes place concurrently with the principle story. It focuses on ninja Yuffie Kisaragi – an excitingly agile fighter who gives one other playstyle to dig into!

As you’ll be able to hopefully see, Closing Fantasy VII Remake is greater than only a easy revisitation of a landmark sport. It’s a boldly formidable, extremely high-quality and – most significantly – wildly entertaining journey that’s an ideal introduction to this unimaginable world. We will’t wait for brand new gamers to find it for themselves on Xbox – and take their first steps on an unforgettable journey.

Closing Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade launches January 22, 2026 for Xbox Collection X|S and PC by way of the Microsoft Retailer. Because of Xbox Play Wherever, you’ll be able to play the sport throughout console, PC, even the brand new ROG Xbox Ally, selecting up the place you left off every time.

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE

SQUARE ENIX

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*Please be aware that FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE Digital Deluxe Version comprises sure gadgets not accessible on this bundle.

The award-winning FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE* retells the unique story as much as the escape from Midgar, with breathtaking visuals, fast-paced gameplay, and extra story components.
This RPG delivers unforgettable characters, a strong narrative, and a hybrid battle system that blends real-time motion with strategic, command-based fight.
It additionally contains FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, a aspect story starring Yuffie Kisaragi that gives a contemporary perspective working in parallel to Cloud’s journey.

■ STORY
Mako, the lifeblood of the planet, can also be a extremely beneficial power supply.
The Shinra Electrical Energy Firm exploits this essence, draining and refining it to gasoline their reactors, and in doing so, has all however seized management of the world.
However resistance rises. A ragtag group of idealists, referred to as Avalanche, is decided to guard the planet.
Within the metropolis of Midgar, Cloud Strife, ex-SOLDIER turned mercenary, joins Avalanche on their mission to explode Reactor 1.
Because the echo of the blast ripples by means of Sector 8, town is about ablaze. Within the flames, a fallen nemesis from Cloud’s previous seems, difficult his reminiscences and his identification.
As soon as extra begins a narrative that can form the future of your complete world.

*This sport is a partial remake of FINAL FANTASY VII, first launched in 1997. It’s the first title in a multi-part sequence based mostly on the unique sport. It reimagines the Midgar portion of the story with expanded scenes, new characters, and extra narrative layers.

■ FF7R EPISODE INTERmission
Play as Yuffie Kisaragi, a younger ninja from Wutai, as she infiltrates Midgar on a mission to steal the last word materia from the Shinra Electrical Energy Firm.

STUNNING VISUALS
Discover Midgar like by no means earlier than with gorgeous visuals and richly detailed environments that convey town’s layered, industrial districts to life, all whereas staying true to the spirit of the unique sport.

DYNAMIC COMBAT WITH STRATEGIC DEPTH
The modern battle system combines strategic command-based gameplay with fast-paced motion. Seamlessly change between characters, harness the ability of materia, summon iconic creatures, and unleash devastating restrict breaks.

ICONIC CHARACTERS, UNFORGETTABLE STORY
Observe Cloud Strife, an ex-SOLDIER turned mercenary, as he joins Avalanche to tackle the Shinra Electrical Energy Firm. Cloud and his allies Barret, Tifa, and Aerith are pulled right into a battle that can resolve the destiny of the planet.

EXPANDED CONTENT
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE gives quests, mini-games, and missions set in expanded areas of Midgar. Encounter new characters and expertise thrilling content material that provides much more depth to the story.

ICONIC SOUNDTRACK
The epic soundtrack has been totally remastered, with re-arranged and orchestrated tracks that dynamically reply to the motion, providing an immersive, emotionally charged musical expertise.

■ Content material included on this product
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE comprises the next content material:
– FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE full sport
– FF7R EPISODE INTERmission (Episode that includes Yuffie Kisaragi)
– Weapon: Cacstar
– Armor: Midgar Bangle
– Armor: Shinra Bangle
– Armor: Corneo Armlet
– Accent: Celebrity Belt
– Accent: Mako Crystal
– Accent: Seraphic Earrings
– Summoning materia: Carbuncle
– Summoning materia: Chocobo Chick
– Summoning materia: Cactuar

*The extra weapons, armor, equipment and summoning materia could be obtained from the Reward Field accessible by way of the principle menu.
*The weapon “Cacstar” can solely be utilized in FF7R EPISODE INTERmission (Yuffie episode)