I played Remake first on PS5, but I actually played the original FF7 on the PS1 when I was a kid. Back then, I didn't even own a memory card, so every single time I stopped playing, I had to start from the absolute beginning next time. But even with that, I remember being completely addicted to the opening cutscene, the themes, the music, and the combat. After finishing Remake, I was absolutely blown away by the game and the direction the story was heading, so I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into Rebirth.
Playing it on PC has been incredible. Running it at 4K on High settings, it easily hits a rock-solid 60 FPS without breaking a sweat. It runs like an absolute dream, and the overall presentation is immaculate. Story-wise, I’m coming into this trilogy fresh without any massive, deep knowledge of the wider Final Fantasy series, so I was just massively invested in seeing what exactly was going down with Cloud, Sephiroth, and Aerith. The narrative kept me completely hooked, and it’s safe to say I cannot wait for the final chapter.
The coolest thing is how these remakes have actually made me appreciate turn-based combat. This game has been the perfect entry point for exploring that style of fighting. Activating the tactical turn-based mode completely changes the game—it turns what would usually just be an intense button-masher into a proper game of chess and strategy. It kept me thoroughly entertained the whole way through.
And we have to talk about the music. The soundtrack in this series is nothing short of incredible. It is easily one of the most memorable scores in gaming, to the point where I literally just listen to it often around the house. On top of that, I developed a seriously unhealthy addiction to Queen’s Blood. I am pretty sure I spent at least 30% of my entire playtime glued to that card mini-game alone.
If there's one downer, it’s the shift into a full open-world. I didn't really love that move. The game definitely feels heavily padded in some sections, and by the end, trying to push through to the finish line of the mainline campaign started bordering on feeling like a chore purely because of the open-world fluff.
The Good Stuff
Stunning PC performance: Hits a flawless 60 FPS at 4K High settings. Immaculate presentation.
Brilliant combat system: Turn-based mode turns real-time action into an addictive, strategic game of chess.
God-tier soundtrack: Absolutely incredible music that stays stuck in your head long after you turn off the PC.
Queen's Blood: Warning: this card game will completely hijack your life and consume hours of your playtime.
Gripping story: Keeps the momentum from Remake going strong and sets up an epic final chapter.
The Annoying Stuff
Open-world bloat: The transition to an open world brought a lot of padding that slows the game down.
Pacing issues: Some chapters feel needlessly stretched out, making the final push for the main story feel a bit like a chore.
The Verdict
Despite the open-world padding trying its best to slow things down, Rebirth is an absolute masterpiece of an RPG. Between the flawless 4K PC performance, the amazing story, the strategic combat, and a card mini-game that will ruin your sleep schedule, it’s a phenomenal ride. I’m completely sold, and I can't wait to see how they wrap up the final chapter!
