Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is the definitive version on console, an outwardly beautiful and stunning retelling of a classic. INTERmission is a fantastic piece of side content, justifying a brief return and hinting at what may be to come with Remake as a whole.
Waxing poetically nostalgic on Final Fantasy VII is a difficult task for me.
As a longtime gamer, one of the most culturally significant JRPGs is, in fact, a massive hole in my book of accomplishments. For all its availability on multiple platforms, for the numerous magazines I owned with it gracing the cover, for the dozens of hours I’ve watched Advent Children, I’ve never played the original Final Fantasy VII.
Being a tried and true Nintendo fan, I went for a N64, laughing at proponents of the Sony PlayStation with bravado. For all my adolescent cockiness, I lamented a number of games I couldn’t play. Often I would rent a PS1 game and beg my uncle to let me borrow his console for the few hours over the weekend I would spend at my grandparent’s house.
But yeah… Final Fantasy VII is one of my most shameful blind spots.
Still, that doesn’t make me immune from its charm. Despite not having played the game, I intensely understand its significance. I’ve spent many an hour reading up on the lore of Midgar and how Crisis Core and Dirge of Cerberus connect to the main story. Final Fantasy VII is and always will be a classic. One day, when I’m older, I may make the time to dust off my dwindling time on this earth and play it as it originally existed.
Final Fantasy VII Remake, however, is both a game and a concept I comprehend. Knowing the full weight of the game, how a beloved classic could be reimagined in a less constrictive way. I would want that for Final Fantasy X, my first. I would want that for Ocarina of Time, or Donkey Kong Country, or Dynamite Headdy, or a million other personal classics that still glisten despite the passage of time. Of course I remember Square Enix’s multiple teases, acting bashful but fully aware of the fury they were inciting. Despite my anticipation at finally diving into this classic for the first time, I barely touched the copy of Remake I bought. Blame Covid. Blame a million things. Honestly, blame the knowledge that the PlayStation 5 was going to be arriving sooner rather than later.
In a way, I’m happy to have waited to experience Final Fantasy VII Remake on PlayStation 5, dubbed Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, because Square loves its naming conventions. Finally, the best looking version of this game I would likely have on a console. Finally, a taste of Final Fantasy VII‘s plot, despite it being a retelling.
As much as I love to reflect on my past as a gamer and apply that to what I’m writing about or experiencing in the present, it would serve me little purpose to try and trump the words Eric Layman wrote in his original review of the PlayStation 4 version of the game. Where I am succinct, Eric is doubly so. Where I like to be verbose, Eric tends to be significantly more eloquent. Plus, he writes his review from a place of deep knowledge not only for the original Final Fantasy VII but for the breadth of PlayStation 1 JRPGs.
How could I better sum up, compare, contrast, and make intelligent points? Know this: if you want a comprehensive review on Final Fantasy VII Remake, do yourself a favor and check out that review.
As for myself, the terms of Intergrade are easy to define. For those who didn’t touch Remake when it was first available, Intergrade is an essential touchstone in your gaming library. It may frustrate those who want the full picture of Final Fantasy VII Remake because we certainly have no idea when this saga will reach an eventual endpoint. Those who owned Remake on PlayStation 4 have little reason to avoid at least dipping their toes in because of the free upgrade path.
Intergrade is mind-numbingly beautiful in its presentation. Remake was already a technical high point when it was released last year and being on the PlayStation 5 truly allows the stunning visuals to breathe. The game becomes sharper, more colorful in its presentation. Volumetric fog, new textures, better shadows working in conjunction with global illumination, and more. On PlayStation 5, players can choose 4K visuals with 30 fps gameplay or reduced resolution and 60 fps gameplay. Because I don’t play enough games at 60 fps, it’s hard for me to notice the advantages in gameplay but I was keenly aware that the game’s frantic action did feel smoother. But I’m not going to drift away from the 4K mode on here because truly, Intergrade makes a stunning game that much more spectacular.
In terms of PlayStation 5-specific benefits, players should expect drastically reduced load times, down to a handful of seconds in most cases. A serviceable photo mode will allow digital photographers the chance to bring out the best of Midgar. As for the DualSense, don’t expect much out of the haptic feedback and trigger resistance. There’s a bit to it but not much. Really, what you should expect from Intergrade is the same wonderful experience of Remake, just with a wealth of visual polish.
Those wishing for more justification to return to Remake can set their eyes on the INTERmission Episode featuring Yuffie, a character who was not required to complete Final Fantasy VII. Clocking in at about 5-7 hours, INTERmission, focuses squarely on Yuffie, the Wutai Materia Hunter, as she arrives in Midgar seeking out the Ultimate Materia with the help of Avalanche.
The events of INTERmission run concurrent with those of Remake, yet it’s a bit jarring that Square didn’t find a way to weave Yuffie’s story in with the main narrative. Because of that, some players might see the new content as supplementary but it really does provide a lot of new insight into Yuffie’s character. Additionally, players are introduced to Sonon, another member of the Wutai who accompanies Yuffie on her journey. Sonon’s story ties in with the events of INTERmission to help give the new characters involved a bit more meat on the bone. I find it interesting how the writing team is integrating new characters and elements into such a well known story, providing new or additional context that sheds new light or expands the universe of Final Fantasy VII.
Unlike Cloud and his compatriots, players only control Yuffie and direct Sonan to attack without taking control of him directly. Playing with Yuffie turns the game almost into an action title like Devil May Cry as she moves in with melee hits and attacks from a distance with her massive shuriken. Supplementing Yuffie’s story is the return of Fort Condor as a minigame in which players duel against the forces of another opponent. Fort Condor is an entertaining distraction, acting as tower defense with a blend of strategy elements. There’s also a few side quests to engage with in addition to the main narrative.
While Episode INTERmission can feel like a tease, acting as supplemental material to Remake, it gives me hope that Square has plans to do the same with other Final Fantasy VII-adjacent content. Could we expect the same with Vincent or even Zack? It’s hard to say but the Yuffie content is just enough of a new taste for those thirsty for more, even if it is another two or more years away.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is the definitive way to play Final Fantasy VII Remake for console players. The addition of sweeping visual upgrades as well as enhanced loading times and a 60 fps mode will give newcomers and veterans a reason to dive into this highly experimental retelling of a classic. Episode INTERmission further contextualizes a once optional character into the larger beats of the story, while providing just enough new content to satiate for what will likely be another couple years of drought for Remake.
