Square Enix's ambitious Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy continues with Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, which picks up immediately after the events of Rebirth. The game's opening chapter, as experienced in a 40-minute PlayStation 5 Pro demo, plunges players into the Northern Crater and focuses on Cloud's deteriorating mental state. This section of the game rapidly reacquaints players with the party's dynamics, personalities, and concerns as they venture deeper into the Mako-infused environment.
The Northern Crater Reimagined
The Northern Crater, originally depicted as a stark, dark abyss in the PS1 classic, has been reimagined with a more vibrant, cosmic aesthetic. Massive crystalline formations and shimmering aurora borealis now dominate the landscape, offering a visually striking departure from the original's muted presentation. This visually enhanced environment serves as the backdrop for several encounters as the party progresses towards the Planet's core.
New Playable Characters and Combat Mechanics
Revelation introduces two new playable characters: Vincent Valentine and Cid Highwind. Vincent operates as a hybrid ranged attacker, capable of transforming into a tanky, werewolf-like Galian Beast. Cid, initially appearing more difficult to grasp, unleashes a rapid series of polearm stabs when his basic attack button is held, and possesses dragoon abilities that involve leaping attacks. Both characters are presented as comparable in power to the existing party members.
The demo also offered a glimpse at the new FITS (Function-Integrated Tactical Suitwear) system, a job-like mechanic allowing for customizable skill loadouts. The previewed Summoner FIT enabled Cloud to channel Ifrit, Shiva, or Titan for elemental attacks and Synergy tag-team moves. While visually engaging and potentially useful for challenging fights, the addition of Synergy skills echoes the author's previous sentiment that they felt superfluous in Rebirth, raising questions about the necessity of this new layer of customization.
Story Progression and Character Developments
From a narrative standpoint, the initial segment of Revelation effectively re-establishes the core cast. A notable change from the original game is Red XIII being addressed as Nanaki, his true name, and speaking with a youthful voice, a departure from his more mature portrayal in previous titles. This shift is presented as a welcome development, aligning with his friends using his actual name.
The plot intensifies when Sephiroth confronts Cloud. The role of Sephiroth has been recast for Revelation, with Travis Willingham taking over from Tyler Hoechlin, who was unavailable for the third game. This voice actor change was noted as being more jarring than expected.
Sephiroth taunts Cloud, highlighting his lack of a numbered tattoo seen on other Shinra test subjects, and presents a black-and-white depiction of the Nibelheim incident. This revelation triggers Cloud's memory of Zack Fair, though the full story remains unclear. Driven by Sephiroth's taunts, Cloud presses onward into a phantasmic recreation of his hometown, eager for further revelations. The demo concludes at this pivotal moment.
A Sense of Finality
Overall, the preview suggests that Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is imbued with a sense of triumph and finality. The game's presentation, from the new FITS system to the more colorful in-game menus, contributes to this atmosphere. As the fate of humanity and the Planet hangs in the balance, even the desolate Northern Crater appears more vibrant and alive, building anticipation for the game's release on April 8, 2027, for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.