The game Final Fantasy VII Rebirth brings back a mix of nostalgia and emotion.

I can't help but think that my opinion on Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is necessarily biased. Like many others, my passion for video games was born in part with Final Fantasy VII, cult RPG released in 1997 on the first PlayStation. At the time, we didn't count the number of pixels and we didn't care about playing a guy made up of flashy polygons. These visual barriers did not prevent anyone from enjoying an immense adventure, the scene of unforgettable moments. These moments that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth respects and cajoles with a duty of modernity.

So how does the fan of Final Fantasy VII of yesteryear could he not succumb again to these sequences in 4K UHD HDR? The polygons, which have become cute over time, give way to fashion plates, impeccable hairstyles, tailor-made suits and even more striking facial expressions. How can you not marvel at the enchantment of the Gold Saucer, an amusement park whose atmosphere finally finds a setting to match its stature? How can we not fear the inevitable disappearance of a key character, when we have already experienced the tragedy and have already mourned? Final Fantasy VII Rebirthit’s all of that at the same time.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is incredible, despite its flaws

I spent over 40 hours in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, leaving a little piece of me there. I came out with a little smile on my face, a tear almost appearing in the corner of my eye. I was amazed by this crazy story that hasn't aged, carried by charismatic characters who seem to survive everything. Supposed to have been buried for decades, the memories of Final Fantasy VII original, offered in one piece on PlayStation, have reappeared as if they had never left. We then appreciate all the strength of a story which has spanned the ages and has established itself as evidence, if not a reference. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth first prove that Final Fantasy VII was a great game, in turn trying to be.

Square Enix must be recognized for its desire to honor its RPG with a design worthy of its generosity. Visually, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth knows how to provide shots that will make you dizzy, with settings that are as luxuriant as they are varied – which is a change from the cold gray of Midgard in Final Fantasy VII: Remake. Furthermore, the casting modeling is incredibly precise, with immense work on the costumes. Only certain textures are really difficult to see (we saw sections of mountain with a rendering worthy of a PlayStation 3), while the lighting management is sometimes strange (we go from very dark to very light in a few seconds).

Other proof that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth has a careful welcome: the wonderful soundtrack is as we left it, with notes that make you feel at home. From the first music, we are immediately enveloped by a tasty atmosphere, which has the good sweet taste of a Madeleine by Proust. Square Enix understood what lever needed to be pulled to grab the fans and never let them go. In any case, they would not have forgiven any form of betrayal: the company was obliged to excel in form. Final Fantasy VII is too popular to tolerate misconduct.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth has the added bonus of a sophisticated combat system. It builds on the excellent foundations laid by Final Fantasy VII Remake, with a turn-based adaptation in a more dynamic format. We are delighted to see that it still works just as well four years later, with this interesting mix between spectacular action and necessary tactics (facing bosses, especially). The reinvention is total, especially as Square Enix adds even more options to personalize its team (more playable characters, each with their moments of bravery), its arsenal (addition of a “spherier” to improve its skills) and its approach. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is quite dizzyingly deep, so much so that you can get lost in its menu with multiple tabs.

With all these qualities, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth feels like a waking dream, a window in a pretty house with a view of a beloved past. However, the game can still be extremely frustrating. As soon as he tries to do something other than what he knows best (action, narration), he sometimes makes a fool of himself. This is evidenced by this cascade of mini-games, for the most part optional (fortunately), or these forced interactions which stiffen the gameplay. We still laugh at the climbing sequences, since the heroes display an almost robotic lack of flexibility. We still have nightmares about these infiltration phases that are completely off the mark. We still curse these goals that ask us to play cards. We still complain about those moments when we have to throw objects with precision, without really being able to do it. As for Segway rides… what's the point other than falling into the grand guignolesque.

Square Enix gives the feeling of having tried too hard. The most extreme aficionados will say that mini-games are part of the essence of Final Fantasy VII. But a little cleaning wouldn't have hurt to modernize the RPG even more and avoid offering cartridges to those who criticize the genre for its deviations. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is never as good as when it aligns everything in the service of wonder. And he's never as bad as when he asks us to race Chocobos or learn choreography for a parade (examples, among many others). By eliminating this superfluity, the game would have gained in rhythm.

By spreading yourself less, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth would also have had a shorter lifespan. It took me more than 40 hours to complete the ten chapters (yes, I'm repeating myself), without taking the time to visit all the open areas that the map offers (much more extensive than in Final Fantasy VII Remake). In terms of content, it's colossal and we could easily reach a hundred hours if we want to do everything. Provided, of course, that you are motivated by the idea of ​​activating towers, capturing Chocobos, digging up artifacts… From one area to another, these generic objectives are repeated, which leaves one to think that Square Enix has fallen into anecdotal filler. Fortunately, the story of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is sufficient in itself. After 40 hours, when the emotions subside, we want to move on while waiting for the third and final part. Luckily, we'll have time to recover.