Square Enix has offered an extended look at Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the penultimate entry in the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, detailing key features that will shape players' experience. The upcoming title promises a more open-world approach to exploration, greater player agency in combat and party customization, and the return of beloved mini-games and characters.
World Exploration and Traversal
The game introduces the Highwind airship as a primary means of traversing the open world, allowing players to descend onto various locations akin to a 'Fortnite-dive.' Once on the ground, the Chocobo companion, Pico, will serve as both a mount for faster travel and a playable party member. Players can choose to fight while riding Pico or dismount for traditional combat. Adding to traversal options, Yuffie has been shown utilizing a grappling hook for swift movement across areas. Rocket Town, the hometown of Cid, is also confirmed as a new explorable location, with fast travel available to previously visited areas.
Combat and Character Customization
Rebirth will feature the new FITS system, comprising four outfits—Warrior, Knight, Black Mage, and Summoner—that alter each character's abilities and combat style. The notes indicate that Summoners can work in conjunction with summonable entities, while Knights offer a more defensive approach. The game is leaning into an "Everyone Is Here" philosophy, permitting players to control any party member at any time, excluding Aerith, with the ability to swap characters on the fly. This freedom extends to quests, where certain sidequests will dynamically change based on the lead character, offering variations in both story progression and gameplay.
Returning and New Features
The Highwind airship will also function as a mobile base of operations, where players can interact with their crew. As the story progresses, the airship may evolve, potentially introducing new functions or crew members. A photo mode feature will allow players to capture images of the in-game environment and its inhabitants, with an example showing Yuffie photographing cats in Wutai. The popular card game Queen's Blood, featured in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, will return in Rebirth with Red XIII as the star of its substory, introducing new mechanics and enemies. Characters from across the Final Fantasy VII compilation are slated to appear, though the extent of their integration, whether from previous Remake titles or broader media, remains to be fully detailed. For players seeking a faster playthrough or replay experience, an option to speed up cutscenes will be available.
Post-Launch Content
Following its April release, Square Enix has confirmed at least two post-launch story expansions. One of these will center on Sephiroth, while the other will explore Vincent's history with the Turks before the events of the original Final Fantasy VII.