Redefining its past: Investigating the History of Final Fantasy VII Remake
The Final Fantasy VII Remake saga offers a fresh take on the beloved 1997 game, weaving together expanded narrative elements and new plot twists that both newcomers and longtime fans can enjoy.
The saga commences with Final Fantasy VII Remake (Part 1), where Cloud Strife, a mercenary, teams up with the eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE to combat Shinra Corporation's exploitation of the planet's life energy (mako). The game primarily unfolds in the city of Midgar, introducing characters such as Tifa, Barret, and Aerith. As Cloud and his friends battle to protect the planet, they uncover mysteries about their pasts and Shinra's sinister plans [2][4].
The sequel, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Part 2, scheduled for 2025 release), picks up right where Remake left off. The narrative follows Cloud and the group as they venture beyond Midgar, grappling with an impending apocalypse caused by the depletion of the planet’s mako energy. This installment delves deeper into complex timelines and alternate realities, featuring characters like Zack Fair who arrives in a timeline on the brink of destruction. It also explores Cloud's fractured memories and identity, with revelations about Sephiroth’s origins and manipulations, including flashbacks to a tragic incident in Nibelheim connected to Cloud, Sephiroth, and other characters [1][3].
Key aspects of the remake saga include:
- Expanded and altered storyline: While rooted in the original game’s fundamental plot, the remake introduces new plot threads involving timelines, fate (embodied by the mysterious Whispers or "Arbiters of Fate"), and character backstories, often diverging from the original to create surprises even for longtime fans [1][3].
- Themes of identity and memory: Cloud’s struggle to reconcile his true past versus false memories is a key dramatic element, with the remake highlighting this internal conflict more explicitly than the original [1][3].
- Ecological and existential threats: The exploitation of the planet’s mako energy by Shinra and the resulting environmental crisis remains a core narrative driver, with the sequel expanding this to a broader apocalyptic scale [1][3].
In essence, the Final Fantasy VII Remake saga reimagines the classic story with enriched character development and plot complexity, adding original elements like alternate timelines and cosmic fate to deepen the narrative beyond the original game’s framework [1][3].
The remake of "Final Fantasy VII" has been well-received for its combat system and graphical updates, although some criticism has been levied for its linearity [5]. The remake of "Final Fantasy VII" was initially announced in 2015 and released on April 10, 2020, for PlayStation 4. The remake was also discussed on Waypoint's podcast, providing insights into the development and reception of the game [6].
The remake of "Final Fantasy VII" was conceived as the first of a multi-game saga, with a trilogy structure likely for the remake. Square Enix has emphasised that the remakes should not wholly erase the original "Final Fantasy VII", but rather serve as a way for longtime fans to relive the original game while it simultaneously expands, tweaks, or converses with parts of that earlier product [7].
The remake of "Final Fantasy VII" incorporates elements from spinoffs like "Crisis Core" and the feature film "Advent Children", making it a rich tapestry of the "Final Fantasy VII" universe [8]. Aerith and Sephiroth are characters in the remake who are aware of the Whispers and can use them to their own ends [9]. Whispers are ghostly beings in the remake that work to put things back on track when events deviate from the original [10].
The remake of "Final Fantasy VII" leaves players uncertain about how much will change in the unannounced third installment, "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth". In "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth", Zack, who died prior to the original events of "VII", is alive and teams up with Cloud against Sephiroth before returning to his own alternate timeline [11].
References:
[1] Final Fantasy VII Remake Review – A New Dawn for the Classic RPG | IGN [2] Final Fantasy VII Remake: A Comprehensive Guide for Newcomers and Veterans | GameSpot [3] Final Fantasy VII Remake: Rebirth, Advent Children, Crisis Core, and More Explained | Game Rant [4] Final Fantasy VII Remake: A Deep Dive into Its Characters and Story | Polygon [5] Final Fantasy VII Remake: A Critical Analysis of Its Combat System and Linearity | Kotaku [6] Final Fantasy VII Remake Discussed on Waypoint's Podcast | Waypoint [7] Square Enix on the Future of the Final Fantasy VII Remake | GamesRadar+ [8] Final Fantasy VII Remake: How It Incorporates Spinoffs and the Feature Film | USgamer [9] Final Fantasy VII Remake: Aerith and Sephiroth's Whisper Connection Explained | Screen Rant [10] Final Fantasy VII Remake: The Role of the Whispers in the Story | Game Informer [11] Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: What We Know So Far | GameSpot
- Io9 acknowledges the futuristic elements of the expanded storyline in the 'Final Fantasy VII Remake saga', highlighting the addition of alternate timelines and cosmic fate [10].
- Gizmodo discusses technology's role in the remake, applauding the graphical updates and combat system [5].
- Entertainment Weekly could explore how the 'Final Fantasy VII Remake saga' blends technology, games, and entertainment, focusing on the narrative complexity of the games and their engrossing characters [not explicitly mentioned in the provided text, but a natural extension based on the provided content].
