Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (PS5)

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth erweitert das Spielerlebnis des Originals an vielen Stellen gekonnt, scheitert aber vor allem bei der Welt selbst und den vielen Nebenaktivitäten, durch merkwürdigen Designentscheidungen. Dafür überzeugt das Gameplay umso mehr, als noch in Remake und alleine für den riesigen Umfang an Hauptmissionen und netten Überraschungen für Fans der Serie, muss man hier trotz aller Bedenken auf jeden Fall zugreifen.

Gelungenes Remake zwischen nostalgischer Erinnerung und Fortsetzung mit einem starken Kampfsystem – in einem umfangreichen Abenteuer mit kleinen Fehlern, aber auch vielen liebevollen Kleinigkeiten.

Thankfully, what Final Fantasy Rebirth succeeds at eclipses what it fumbles. It's a superbly designed gameplay experience that instills a sense of freedom while also making exploration rewarding in a meaningful way. Refined gameplay that makes character synergy a focal point breathes new life into the slick and satisfying combat, and all the while it reinforces the underlying themes of the story. As a game that has the unenviable task of living up to one of the strongest legacies in the medium, it is a worthy second chapter. Whether Square Enix can bring it all together in the third and final part will be the subject of much discussion from here on out. Just like at Destiny's Crossroads, an unknown future beckons once again, and anything is still possible.

This sequel went wide, and while that comes with benefits, like new ways to explore this beloved world and its various sights, it also comes with drawbacks. They aren't unlike anything fans of the genre have experienced before, and playing as cherished characters certainly eases the pain, but the tedium and bloat of the open-world checklist can sometimes get in the way of where Rebirth truly shines. The best of Remake exists in Rebirth, but the various open-world areas surrounding it – the parts that make Rebirth unique from its predecessor – sometimes miss the mark.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a beautifully crafted experience that fans old and new will absolutely love. It almost goes too far in correcting the first game's linearity with broad open areas stuffed with things to do, but there's also key additions to the combat, and the story running through this middle chapter is masterfully retold. Really the biggest problem you'll have once the credits roll is knowing that it will be far too many years before we can finish the trilogy.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth somehow manages to spin multiple plates without smashing any of them. It’s over-the-top serious when it wants to be, and it’s utterly absurd in the next moment. Great Final Fantasy games have always managed to walk this line, and it’s a testament to how the brand has stayed relevant for decades on end.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is, for all intents and purposes, a phenomenal second act in the Remake series. Though it’s open world design isn’t perfect, the game is finely honed in every other area and provides as luxurious of an experience as FF VII Remake did. It’s well worth a look for new and old fans alike, and is sure to keep everyone occupied while we wait for the conclusion to this reinvented epic.

Rebirth is a playful take on an emo classic that's bloated but full of character in a bid to justify its own existence.