Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Full Review (spoilers)

CriticalGaming

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Y'know, even though I never actually finished FF7R1 myself (I have watched a playthrough), I think I might have to get R2 once I finish (or give up on) Elden Ring after reading this. My interest's piqued.
Do it! Fuck playing all the REs play ff7!

I will convert all of you!! Mwahahahhahaa
 

FakeSympathy

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Chapter 8 is done. And holy cow, what a rollercoaster of emotions.

Gus's crew were a bit annoying to sit and listen to, but at least I can minimize the contact with them.

Barret's 1v1 fight with Dyne was sad, but at the same time I came to realize just how much he needs to have other party members; He's a great tank, but also not as nimble as others. There were so many moments where I swore I dodged out of the attack range, but got hit anyways. And none of Barret's attacks really seemed to do that much damage. Granted it's probably how I've been building him, but I think this is the first time I spammed mega potions.

Dyne's death was emotional, and I felt really bad for Barret. However, I am not the biggest fan "going out in a blaze of glory" end. Like, it was sad, but I much prefer the original version of him jumping off the cliff. It's much more somber, and given Dyne's personality and his mental state, it makes more sense to him to go out quietly like that.

I like Zach as a character, but his section are starting to feel kinda bland. The only time I got to battle with him as at the very beginning of the game, and so far it has just been walk here, interact with this item, talk to that guy, etc.

Oh well, going back to the gold saucer to get more prizes, and a special scene at the skywheel
 

CriticalGaming

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Barret's 1v1 fight with Dyne was sad, but at the same time I came to realize just how much he needs to have other party members; He's a great tank, but also not as nimble as others. There were so many moments where I swore I dodged out of the attack range, but got hit anyways. And none of Barret's attacks really seemed to do that much damage. Granted it's probably how I've been building him, but I think this is the first time I spammed mega potions.
You just didn't prepare to fight as Barret alone. One thing about Rebirth is that the materia system is built to be broke. And you can absolutely set any character up to be stupidly strong. What I really like about the materia system is that while you can break the game with it, it's not obvious with how to do so. You don't know it, but you absolutely have the tools to kill Dyne in about 40 seconds. You didn't use those tools and you could argue you had a more exciting fight.

Dyne's death was emotional, and I felt really bad for Barret. However, I am not the biggest fan "going out in a blaze of glory" end. Like, it was sad, but I much prefer the original version of him jumping off the cliff. It's much more somber, and given Dyne's personality and his mental state, it makes more sense to him to go out quietly like that.
I agree, as much as I like the remake setting. I feel like I would have liked a modernized version of the sad OG scene. I think the majority of the scene in Rebirth is better because in the OG there was less backstory and you don't have as much reason to care. But they kind of.....not ruined it, but rushed it in Rebirth to move things along too quickly I feel.


I like Zach as a character, but his section are starting to feel kinda bland. The only time I got to battle with him as at the very beginning of the game, and so far it has just been walk here, interact with this item, talk to that guy, etc.
You never played as Zack in the original, so why would you expect to play him here? He shouldn't even be here.
 
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Chimpzy

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Jeez, this game is hard.
Some tips:

- Always have an Asses materia equipped on whatever character you mainly control in battles. This'll tell you what you need to do to pressure them. Good habit is to asses every time you fight a new enemy the first time. As a bonus, this also works towards unlocking more challenges in the combat simulator.

- Use your full toolset. Not just using magic to exploit enemy elemental weaknesses, but also your weapon abilities, synergy skills/abilities, use summons, and so on.

- Dodge rolling has its uses, but imo learning to perfect block is way better for a lot of enemy attacks since it reduces damage to zero, fills your ATB meter a bit, often fills their stagger meter too, and sometimes knocks them on their ass, cancelling their attack altogether, so you can then wail on them.

- Spending ATB bars is how you do all the effective stuff, so anything that increases your speed stat or buffs the rate at which the bar fills is really good.

- A fair few of the materia you get from the combat simulator are really good, and unavailable from stores, or you can get them before they become available in stores.
 
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CriticalGaming

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- Always have an Asses materia equipped on whatever character you mainly control in battles. This'll tell you what you need to do to pressure them. Good habit is to asses every time you fight a new enemy the first time. As a bonus, this also works towards unlocking more challenges in the combat simulator.
I love how this perfectly showcases how well designed Rebirth actually is. Everything benefits you. Assess enemies not only tells you how to beat them, but also unlocks combat trials, which then also offer you new materia to use. The intel open world stuff grants party exp to learn new abilities, but also allows you to buy new materia from Chadley. Everything you do provides you something and sometimes provides you layers of things, which is just fantastic game design.
 
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Gergar12

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Some tips:

- Always have an Asses materia equipped on whatever character you mainly control in battles. This'll tell you what you need to do to pressure them. Good habit is to asses every time you fight a new enemy the first time. As a bonus, this also works towards unlocking more challenges in the combat simulator.

- Use your full toolset. Not just using magic to exploit enemy elemental weaknesses, but also your weapon abilities, synergy skills/abilities, use summons, and so on.

- Dodge rolling has its uses, but imo learning to perfect block is way better for a lot of enemy attacks since it reduces damage to zero, fills your ATB meter a bit, often fills their stagger meter too, and sometimes knocks them on their ass, cancelling their attack altogether, so you can then wail on them.

- Spending ATB bars is how you do all the effective stuff, so anything that increases your speed stat or buffs the rate at which the bar fills is really good.

- A fair few of the materia you get from the combat simulator are really good, and unavailable from stores, or you can get them before they become available in stores.
It's the bosses—everything else I can handle, even the timed missions. As for the analysis assessment material, yeah, maybe I should use it.
 

Chimpzy

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It's the bosses—everything else I can handle, even the timed missions. As for the analysis assessment material, yeah, maybe I should use it.
Yeah, a lot of bosses have some kind of gimmick to them that can screw you if you're not prepared and Asses pretty much tells you how to counter.
 

Gergar12

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Yeah, a lot of bosses have some kind of gimmick to them that can screw you if you're not prepared and Asses pretty much tells you how to counter.
I got through Chapter 2's Snake Boss after collecting everything for that intel douche. Hated that thing.
 

Chimpzy

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I got through Chapter 2's Snake Boss after collecting everything for that intel douche. Hated that thing.
Ah yes. Chadley. I had a looksie whether there's a mod to shut him and Mai up, but alas, there isn't. Not for Rebirth at least.

Sadly, even without those two Rebirth would not lack for annoying characters.
 

FakeSympathy

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So now i'm deep into chapter 9..... And holy shit, this game has suddenly turned dark. I mean Cloud was already going crazy before, but my god, this chapter really shows just how much mako has fucked up his head.

And my god, it is heartbreaking to see Cloud not remembering Zack in front of his parents. He would've had much more interesting conversation, plus breaking the bad news.

Kinda mad that I didn't get to nail that ***** Scarlet (yet, I hope). Tifa's memory sequence was okay, if it wasn't for the fact that it was done hundreds of times in various games. Cloud opening up to Tifa, and her saying she'll always be there for him was so sweet... until Caith and Yuffie ruined it. Thanks guys.

Gongada's jungle looks great, but kinda annoying to navigate through. So far exploring regions was completely doable whether on foot or chocobo, but this region practically screams the usage of the green chocobos all the time. Mushroom launchers are fun enough, but for some reason I struggled with accidentally stepping on them and sending me flying.
 
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CriticalGaming

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So now i'm deep into chapter 9..... And holy shit, this game has suddenly turned dark. I mean Cloud was already going crazy before, but my god, this chapter really shows just how much mako has fucked up his head.

And my god, it is heartbreaking to see Cloud not remembering Zack in front of his parents. He would've had much more interesting conversation, plus breaking the bad news.

Kinda mad that I didn't get to nail that ***** Scarlet (yet, I hope). Tifa's memory sequence was okay, if it wasn't for the fact that it was done hundreds of times in various games. Cloud opening up to Tifa, and her saying she'll always be there for him was so sweet... until Caith and Yuffie ruined it. Thanks guys.

Gongada's jungle looks great, but kinda annoying to navigate through. So far exploring regions was completely doable whether on foot or chocobo, but this region practically screams the usage of the green chocobos all the time. Mushroom launchers are fun enough, but for some reason I struggled with accidentally stepping on them and sending me flying.
I enjoy watching your feelings progress through the game. Everything is going according to plan. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
 

Chimpzy

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Meanwhile, I'm still in Nibelheim, faffing about in/under the mansion. Hojo supremely punchable as per usual. Met Vincent. Still such an edgelord. Boss fight against him is probably the toughest one yet. Just relentless offense.. And that's where I left off. Also maxed out the Tifa relationship, or at least got all pips in her smiley icon filled up, while the other party members' isn't (yet).

Learned putting Quaga + Synergy plus another Quaga + Magnify plus First Strike on Aerith, putting down Arcane Ward, then swapping to another character is hilarious. Or at least it would be if she would stay in her goddamn ward!
 
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