Final Fantasy VII Remake

[Hammerfestus | 3,833]

So it’s out now.  I’ve been looking forward to it.  I’ve only had the chance to play the first hour or so which takes me just past the opening mako reactor bombing mission. Pretty cool so far.  I‘m pretty hyped to play more when I get the chance.  

I got the original at release and now this one.  I’m hoping it doesn’t disappoint.  13/14 year old me definitely doesn’t agree with all the crapping on this game you see nowadays.  It was absolutely breathtaking in 1997.  

 Anyone else playing?  Thoughts? 

[DoctorEncore | 3,691]

The original is one of my all-time favorites and I love everything about it. I actually just got my copy of FF7R in the mail today. That being said, I'm probably gonna hold off for about a month while I finish some other stuff. Right now I'm working on Jedi: Fallen Order and then I'll probably play Ori and the Will of the Wisps (The Blind Forest is also one of my all-time favorites).

I'm not in a rush, but I'm definitely excited.

[Hammerfestus | 3,833]

15 minutes ago, DoctorEncore said:

The original is one of my all-time favorites and I love everything about it. I actually just got my copy of FF7R in the mail today. That being said, I'm probably gonna hold off for about a month while I finish some other stuff. Right now I'm working on Jedi: Fallen Order and then I'll probably play Ori and the Will of the Wisps (The Blind Forest is also one of my all-time favorites).

I'm not in a rush, but I'm definitely excited.

You’re more patient than me.  I was really getting into Assassins Creed Odyssey and then this arrived yesterday.  Dropped the other in a hot minute.  I only can get about an hour a day on a good day so I guess I’ll see assassins creed again sometime this summer?  Good thing Cyberpunk got pushed back or that would be about it.

[Cepp | 34]

I really enjoyed playing the demo on my friend's PS4. I don't have a console so I'll have to wait for the PC release but I love the original. I replayed it on my Vita last year and loved every second of it.

[RH | 4,903]

I don't have a PS4 but from what I've observed, it looks like it might be one of the most stunning games for the PS4. I too was a huge fan of the first and, yes, it was amazing. I think what Square did was actually a stroke of genius. Instead of making crappy, fully 3D rendered game, they painted beautiful mattes and told the story on top of those. People may crap on it all they want, but considering where they were as a dev studio, I think they knew their weaknesses and turned the circumstance into something amazing.

Regarding FF VII R, I think they just wanted to take the time and give that first "3D" game a justified remake, especially since it's been so well received. I've also watch the first hour of the game on a long play. It kind of sucks that I'm not the one getting to play it, but the truth is, this is the only game on the PS4 want, and I'm not buying a modern console for one game. I'm honestly not upset with it. To me, it feels like the same story as the first, just told with modern resources. My only concern is that they may not make the later chapters and finish the story. This was quite an endevour and since they restarted the project midway through, I wonder if they will finish the work. Maybe/hopefully, but only time will tell.

[DoctorEncore | 3,691]

1 hour ago, Hammerfestus said:

You’re more patient than me.  I was really getting into Assassins Creed Odyssey and then this arrived yesterday.  Dropped the other in a hot minute.  I only can get about an hour a day on a good day so I guess I’ll see assassins creed again sometime this summer?  Good thing Cyberpunk got pushed back or that would be about it.

I'm a pretty patient person and I don't regularly peruse any video game sites besides VGS, so I don't have to worry about spoilers. In fact, I actually considered waiting until PS5/XSX just to get the big improvements in loading times, but that's maybe a bit much.

I also love playing smaller indie games as palate cleansers between AAA tentpole games, hence Ori as my next stop. Fallen Order is about as AAA as it gets (although you wouldn't know it by all the technical issues; frame rate is a kind of a disaster on Xbox One X).

[SpoonMan Abrams X | 697]

I'm torn about this game.

On the one hand it looks great, and plenty of detail and fleshing out of characters and environments...

but it also seems like it is almost too much. A lot of the reports I've heard that once you get past the opening Mako Reactor segment that the game gets really bogged down by side questing and things being "fleshed out" to a detrimental level... like certain areas/points etc that were relatively minor (or at least quick) in the original game getting stretched out into long dungeon dives and tedious fetch quest shenanigans.

Also still haven't gotten a clear answer as to how much of Midgar proper is actually accessible and explorable.

[demanufacturedmario | 13]

(Spoiler free-ish)

 

Just beat this game tonight after binging on since Friday night.

I can honestly say it blew my expectations.  Characters like Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge were fleshed out which added more to the story.  There are sidequests, but not a lot to bog you down and were 90% easy to complete (the other 10% took some determination).  Some areas in the game that were straight shots from one to another, they added new elements and expanded on those area to give it some size (just looking up in the slums gives it a "holy hell, this city is huge" feeling.

The music was fantastic.  Going through places and hearing renditions of songs past was just fantastic.

I put in about 45-ish hours in the game and I'm yearning for me.  This just brings me back to almost 23 years ago when I first played the original.  I can probably replay this game again, which is what I'm going to do this week since I have it off for vacation.  Any of those who have a PS4 owe it to themselves to play the game.

[jonebone | 1,307]

I missed FFVII the first time around as an N64 kid.  A friend had it and I saw him play it sometimes but obviously not the same as playing yourself.

So far I'm about 5 hours into the remake and it feels pretty amazing to me.  It's more of an action RPG than turn based and I'm finding that very enjoyable.  I definitely recommend it so far. 

[RH | 4,903]

50 minutes ago, jonebone said:

I missed FFVII the first time around as an N64 kid.  A friend had it and I saw him play it sometimes but obviously not the same as playing yourself.

So far I'm about 5 hours into the remake and it feels pretty amazing to me.  It's more of an action RPG than turn based and I'm finding that very enjoyable.  I definitely recommend it so far. 

Ok, so I recall that on a press release of some form SE mentioned there would be a turn-based nostalgia mode. Did that make it to the game? Has anyone tried that?

[demanufacturedmario | 13]

1 hour ago, RH said:

Ok, so I recall that on a press release of some form SE mentioned there would be a turn-based nostalgia mode. Did that make it to the game? Has anyone tried that?

Sort of, but not really.  Classic mode.  Basically all characters automatically block and attack by themselves and you just input the commands when your ATB fills up.  It's not the same as the original, but that's as close as you're going to get.  FYI, this mode is also on "easy".  This is really more made for people who just want to enjoy the story more and not worry about "playing the game".

Then you have Easy and Normal modes.  Both require you to input all commands and you block and dodge yourself with the character you control (note: you switch between characters whenever you want).  Eventually, the ATB fills up and you can use your commands (while the battle is super slow-mo).

You can change the modes at any time you want during your playthrough.

[Estil | 1,264]

Well if I was to put a grade on the FF7 Remake (such as it is), I think Mr. Feeny here at 13:32 says it best (paraphrasing), SquareEnix made an attempt at this remake but didn't think it or even come close to completing it all the way through.  So until and unless SquareEnix gets their act together and actually finishes what it started, there's only one grade I can give it...an INCOMPLETE.  Yes, that's a grade of I.  Lower than an F.  Down there by M!!   

 

[fox | 1,666]

14 hours ago, demanufacturedmario said:

(Spoiler free-ish)

 

Just beat this game tonight after binging on since Friday night.

I can honestly say it blew my expectations.  Characters like Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge were fleshed out which added more to the story.  There are sidequests, but not a lot to bog you down and were 90% easy to complete (the other 10% took some determination).  Some areas in the game that were straight shots from one to another, they added new elements and expanded on those area to give it some size (just looking up in the slums gives it a "holy hell, this city is huge" feeling.

The music was fantastic.  Going through places and hearing renditions of songs past was just fantastic.

I put in about 45-ish hours in the game and I'm yearning for me.  This just brings me back to almost 23 years ago when I first played the original.  I can probably replay this game again, which is what I'm going to do this week since I have it off for vacation.  Any of those who have a PS4 owe it to themselves to play the game.

Great review DM

[demanufacturedmario | 13]

Just playing this on hard mode (only accessible after you beat the game). Notes:

1. You can skip chapters to get missables that weren't picked up on your first playthrough (don't worry about picking everything up, even if you explore...just enjoy the game!)  The missables are listed for each chapter, but not their location.

2. It's more of a new game+.  You keep literally everything and your levels stayed the same.  EXP and AP that you receive in battles are now doubled and tripled respectively.

3. Cannot use any items in the game (both outside of the battle and in battle).  Enemy health is the same.  Restore points (aka benches) only refill HP and not MP.

4. Can skip one scene at the start of Chapter 4.

But honestly, just go play the game if you're a fan of Final Fantasy or just starting.  Jessie is now my home girl with Tifa a close second.

 

[Gloves | 11,776]

2 minutes ago, demanufacturedmario said:

Just playing this on hard mode (only accessible after you beat the game). Notes:

1. You can skip chapters to get missables that weren't picked up on your first playthrough (don't worry about picking everything up, even if you explore...just enjoy the game!)  The missables are listed for each chapter, but not their location.

2. It's more of a new game+.  You keep literally everything and your levels stayed the same.  EXP and AP that you receive in battles are now doubled and tripled respectively.

3. Cannot use any items in the game (both outside of the battle and in battle).  Enemy health is the same.  Restore points (aka benches) only refill HP and not MP.

4. Can skip one scene at the start of Chapter 4.

But honestly, just go play the game if you're a fan of Final Fantasy or just starting.  Jessie is now my home girl with Tifa a close second.

 

1) I'm curious if/how the ability to level up and/or run through a "new game+" style play through will impact further progress in the game when the next piece releases. 

2) Jessie was always bae. 

[demanufacturedmario | 13]

34 minutes ago, Gloves said:

1) I'm curious if/how the ability to level up and/or run through a "new game+" style play through will impact further progress in the game when the next piece releases. 

2) Jessie was always bae. 

I'm going to assume that they aren't going to keep any progress (as there's really isn't any "choice" to be made by the main characters except the sidequests).  Maybe if the sidequests are completed or not completed could impact a few things in the future releases.

If you think Jessie was bae from the OG, you will love her in this.

[Gloves | 11,776]

14 minutes ago, demanufacturedmario said:

I'm going to assume that they aren't going to keep any progress (as there's really isn't any "choice" to be made by the main characters except the sidequests).  Maybe if the sidequests are completed or not completed could impact a few things in the future releases.

If you think Jessie was bae from the OG, you will love her in this.

This is part of my concern with the longevity and potential future replayability. 

Consider also that PS5 is expected to be coming out "soonish". FF7 Remake is going to span multiple console generations - look forward to the FF7 Remake Part 1 Remaster on PS5 (goodie!). I'm planning to wait for the PC release, but it's tough cuz god knows when that'll happen. Stupid BS exclusivity nonsense.

[demanufacturedmario | 13]

21 minutes ago, Gloves said:

This is part of my concern with the longevity and potential future replayability. 

Consider also that PS5 is expected to be coming out "soonish". FF7 Remake is going to span multiple console generations - look forward to the FF7 Remake Part 1 Remaster on PS5 (goodie!). I'm planning to wait for the PC release, but it's tough cuz god knows when that'll happen. Stupid BS exclusivity nonsense.

They will probably develop the rest of the game for PS4 as people have them now.  I think they said that the PS5 will be PS4 backwards compatible so who knows at this point.  All I can say is that it's a great start and cannot wait for the later release(s?).

[Gloves | 11,776]

20 minutes ago, demanufacturedmario said:

They will probably develop the rest of the game for PS4 as people have them now.  I think they said that the PS5 will be PS4 backwards compatible so who knows at this point.  All I can say is that it's a great start and cannot wait for the later release(s?).

Yeah I think it'll be a great game overall. People seem to really dig it. Honestly I'll be easy to please, I enjoyed Advent Children. 

[fox | 1,666]

About 10 hours in, at the second Mako Reactor,  I haven't even gotten Aeris yet so I feel like I have a ton more to do.

It seems very faithful to the original story and characters, just expanded upon.  Combat is fast and fun and feels kind of a mix of final fantasy and kingdom hearts. The visuals look great.  Soundtrack is amazing, building upon those classic tracks you know so well and adding some extra instrumentation in the mix.

If I have to nitpick, I'd say some of the starting area side quests are just way too bog standard starter town quests.  I mean we go from fighting giant robots and blowing up power plants to save the planet, to fighting rats in the sewer for the un-named item shop.  Then he wants you to tell everyone this that "This is my fav shop in the citadel."  It is done un-ironically, like you couldn't come up with a more cliche' starter quest if you tried.  At least Cloud kind of no sells it and gives his typical "no $hits given" attitude.  It is also optional, you might just linebacker past it.

[Nintegageo | 582]

I might get into it once the game is actually done (not just 1 'chapter'), but I also sorta don't want to give them money. I have hated what that company became nearly since day 1, which sucks because individually they were both amazing.

So ignoring that rant, have not played it but am glad people are enjoying their game.

[DoctorEncore | 3,691]

7 hours ago, fox said:

About 10 hours in, at the second Mako Reactor,  I haven't even gotten Aeris yet so I feel like I have a ton more to do.

It seems very faithful to the original story and characters, just expanded upon.  Combat is fast and fun and feels kind of a mix of final fantasy and kingdom hearts. The visuals look great.  Soundtrack is amazing, building upon those classic tracks you know so well and adding some extra instrumentation in the mix.

If I have to nitpick, I'd say some of the starting area side quests are just way too bog standard starter town quests.  I mean we go from fighting giant robots and blowing up power plants to save the planet, to fighting rats in the sewer for the un-named item shop.  Then he wants you to tell everyone this that "This is my fav shop in the citadel."  It is done un-ironically, like you couldn't come up with a more cliche' starter quest if you tried.  At least Cloud kind of no sells it and gives his typical "no $hits given" attitude.  It is also optional, you might just linebacker past it.

Jason Schreier's book, Blood, Sweat, and Pixels, talks about how CD Projekt Red managed to make almost every side quest in The Witcher 3 interesting. Basically they workshopped double the amount of quests they needed and then cut  the worst 50%. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like any other developer in the world has that kind of commitment, time, or freedom. Hopefully they continue the trend in Cyberpunk. And hopefully Square can improve the side quests in future installments now that they have the engine, battle system, and so many assets completed.

[Hammerfestus | 3,833]

28 minutes ago, DoctorEncore said:

Jason Schreier's book, Blood, Sweat, and Pixels, talks about how CD Projekt Red managed to make almost every side quest in The Witcher 3 interesting. Basically they workshopped double the amount of quests they needed and then cut  the worst 50%. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like any other developer in the world has that kind of commitment, time, or freedom. Hopefully they continue the trend in Cyberpunk. And hopefully Square can improve the side quests in future installments now that they have the engine, battle system, and so many assets completed.

I have the same hope for cyberpunk.  The side quests were so good in Witcher 3 that it was really easy to get lost in them and forget there was an actual story to advance.  I actually played it shortly after I played through final fantasy XV (which was the first game I played when I got the system) and it was like night and day.  The Witcher sidequests made me excited to wander the world aimlessly to see what would pop up next while FFXV was like wandering a vast barren wasteland and occasionally getting involved in some mindless fetch quest.  

Anyways, I’m currently in the Wall Market part and so far I’ve got to say that the more linear game really helps it to not get bogged down even if they aren’t the greatest side quests.  They’ve generally been quick and I’ve enjoyed them.

Edited April 20, 2020 by Hammerfestus

[SpoonMan Abrams X | 697]

I'm honestly not a fan of what I have heard about, how to put it, certain "expansions on the plot" especially toward the end. Jim Sterling's recent video covers it;

Spoiler

 

My thoughts

Spoiler

Tetsuya Nomura went and Nomura'd the plot and instead of being simply being about tracking down the big bad and stopping his evil plans, went and is all now "defying fate" and all kinds of other retcon shenanigans.

At what point is it really a "remake" when your treading into heavily altering the plot to make it not really the same game. Theseus's RPG? At this point its really only starting to look like FF7 in name only. I'm much more less optimistic then Sterling is, especially when he essentially lampshades the retconing/alterations by (rightly) pointing out that "all this subversion [might be] just an excuse to rescue Aerith".

It's coming friends; the party somehow manages to save Aerith because by god that's what absolutely needs to be done

 

[CMR | 519]

I thought the stuff they added on kind of gimped the plot and pacing.  I also agree the side quests could have been better.  All that said, It's a lot of fun, and I'm enjoying it.  I'll always have and love FF7, but this is a fun alternate reality version.