As with the previous game, it’s a full-length, standalone experience that reimagines the iconic Final Fantasy VII for the modern era. In this new standalone game, Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Aerith and Red XIII have left the bustling metropolis of Midgar and are about to take their first steps into the wider world. The group pursues the legendary SOLDIER Sephiroth across these vast lands.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth  is the second entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake project, which retells the story of the iconic fantasy game that redefined the RPG genre in three distinct games. At launch, Final Fantasy VII Remake was celebrated by players and critics alike, selling over five million copies worldwide.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is being designed so that people can enjoy this game whether they know the original game or not. In fact, new players might even enjoy starting their Final Fantasy VII journey with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Cloud and his friends embark on a new journey in this game, and I believe that the scenes that they witness after leaving Midgar will give players a fresh, new experience. I can’t wait to share the intention behind naming the first title, “Remake,” and the second title, “Rebirth.” In time, I hope to reveal what the third title will be called, and where this journey will ultimately lead.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth picks up with iconic heroes Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Aerith and Red XIII after they escape from the dystopian city Midgar and sees them embark on a journey in pursuit of Sephiroth, the vengeful swordsman from Cloud’s past who was thought to be dead. In this standalone adventure, players will explore an expansive world, all brought to life with a new level of graphical fidelity, developed specifically to leverage the power of the PS5 console. As players unravel a gripping narrative rich with mysteries to uncover, they will also witness the personal journey of each party member and strengthen their bonds to work together and face off against powerful enemies.

Narrated by none other than Red XIII, it retells the events of Final Fantasy VII Remake - perfect if you want a refresher ahead of the new game, or plan to dive right into the series with FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH.

let’s look at some of the things you’ll see in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, including some regions of the world, new characters, combat and more.

Regions of the world

The world is comprised of multiple regions, each boasting unique environments for you to explore and experience on your adventure.

Let's take a look at a couple:

• Kalm - A halcyon hamlet kept safe from the outside world by a sturdy stone wall. Though it lacks a reactor of its own, it thrives thanks to a steady supply of mako piped in from the metropolis of Midgar, which is visible from atop the town’s famous clock tower.
• Mythril Mine - A once-bustling mine that connects the grasslands with Junon. Though once prized for its rich mythril deposits, the quarry fell into disuse after Shinra developed a superior mineral of their own, and the miners that once worked its tunnels have been replaced with monsters.

New characters

Next up, we'll introduce a couple of new characters you'll meet on your journey!

• Broden (Voice Actor: Mick Lauer): Owner and operator of the Inn at Kalm. He bears a grudge against Shinra, and offers to help Cloud and friends escape their would-be corporate captors. His gaunt appearance may be due to his recent bout with an unknown illness.
• Rhonda (Voice Actor: G.K. Bowes): Mayor and sheriff of Under Junon. Her home, once a prosperous fishing village, fell into decline after Shinra constructed a military fortress overhead and a deep-sea mako reactor offshore. Despite Cloud and friends’ status as alleged terrorists, Rhonda still allows them to pass through her town.
• Priscilla (Voice Actor: Reese Warren): A cheerful young girl who lives in Under Junon, often seen swimming with the dolphin she trains. The offshore mako reactor has contaminated the surrounding waters, and Priscilla fears for the safety of her dolphin friend and other aquatic creatures.
• Billy (Voice Actor: Paul Castro Jr.): Grandson of Bill, owner of a chocobo ranch in the grasslands. Having lost his parents at a young age, he and his sister were raised by their grandfather. This young ranch hand kindly offers to teach Cloud and company the ropes of chocobo wrangling - on the condition that they patronize his sister’s shop.
• Chloe (Voice Actor: Trinity Bliss): Billy’s younger sister, she runs a shop on the ranch where she sells crafting materials and other curios. Warm and kindhearted, she engages politely with Cloud and company and is grateful for their patronage. At the same time, she is worried about her brother’s fixation on making money.

Combat: Red XIII and Aerith

Next up, we'll look at some of the combat abilities for Red XIII and Aerith.

• Red XIII: Basic attacks - Red XIII slashes at foes with his sharp claws. Hold down the button to unleash a wide-range attack that helps build ATB quickly.
• Red XIII: Abilities - Red XIII boasts a vast array of skills, from lightning-fast physical strikes to ranged magical attacks. Stardust Ray conjures an exploding orb of light that scorches all foes caught in the blast.
• Red XIII: Vengeance Mode (Unique Ability) - Block incoming attacks to fill the vengeance gauge, and unleash that energy to enter vengeance mode, enhancing his physical attacks and his evasive prowess. Siphon Fang delivers a powerful blow while absorbing some of the enemy's HP - all without expending ATB.
• Aerith: Ward Shift (Unique Ability) - Aerith can instantaneously warp to any sigils she has created, allowing her to move about the field with ease and maximize the impact of her magic.

Combat: Synergy Abilities

Synergy abilities are powerful attacks in which two characters team up to turn the tide of battle. More abilities will unlock as you increase the party level - a numerical expression of how closely-knit your team is, and deepen the affinity between party members. Fill the synergy gauge by using abilities, then unleash a synchronized assault!

Here are some more examples:

• Cloud/Tifa: Relentless Rush - Cloud launches Tifa toward an enemy to attack in tandem.
• Barret/Red XIII: Overfang - Barret sends Red XIII flying toward an enemy at high velocity.

Combat: Synergy Skills

Two party members can team up to activate useful abilities without consuming ATB. These commands can be executed while blocking, and provide a wide array of beneficial effects. Each pair has their own unique set of abilities; some deal damage, while others offer support.

Here are some examples:

• Cloud/Aerith: Spell Blade- Gather strength, then team up to unleash a charged magical attack.
• Barret/Cloud: Mad Dash - Team up to charge forward while guarding against incoming attacks. Activate in sequence to trigger a three-hit combo.

Combat: Summons

Setting summoning materia will grant access to the power of the gods. A conjured deity will follow the player's lead and fight enemies automatically, but you can also instruct them to use special abilities.

Before they depart the battlefield, summons will unleash one final attack that will wreak immense havoc.

Kujata

A bovine deity that charges around the battlefield wielding the power of fire, ice, and lightning. It throws foes with its enormous horns and unleashes magical attacks that strike even distant enemies’ weaknesses. Kujata bounds towards foes with reckless abandon and manipulates its elemental affinities to deliver magical attacks. Blazing Horn launches a concentrated burst of fiery energy at an enemy, blasting them back. Kujata unleashes Tri-Disaster just before leaving the battlefield, a powerful wide-range attack imbued with the powers of fire, ice, and lightning--sure to hit many foes right where it hurts and potentially wipe them out.

World Intel

Chadley enlists your help with deepening his understanding of the world. As you explore the various regions, you will uncover new areas rich with treasures and natural wonders. Data points accumulated in your travels can then be spent to develop useful new materia.

Protorelics

Protorelics are artifacts of unknown origin that emit a unique energy signal. These elusive antiquities are hidden throughout the world─but with the aid of activated remnawave towers, Chadley should be able to point you in their direction. Be warned, however: they seem to alter space-time, and are known to cause strange phenomena.

Materia Development

Assisting Chadley with his world-spanning research will allow you to accrue data points, which can then be spent to develop new materia. Some offer access to spells of multiple affinities, while others grant the use of unique abilities - all of which are sure to prove useful against even the most formidable foes.

World: Chocoboutiques

Chocobo ranches are also home to chocoboutiques, stalls at which you can freely customize and recolor your bird’s equipment from head to talon. Gear will impact its performance in chocobo races, so find an ensemble that suits your style and go for the gold!

Combat Styles / Difficulty Levels

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth offers multiple combat styles and difficulty levels for players of all persuasions.

• “Active” mode offers players total control over their characters’ every move, allowing them to execute advanced strategies.
• “Classic” mode automates characters’ basic actions, giving players time to focus on specific command selection.

Easy” difficulty allows people to focus on the story rather than battles, while “Normal” provides a reasonable challenge for most players. In the newly added “Dynamic” difficulty, enemies grow stronger as your characters do - perfect for players who crave constant challenge.

We have one final treat - please enjoy this stunning new art featuring Aerith and the Highwind airship:

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is coming to PS5 on February 29, 2024.