If FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE is a proof of concept in stress testing the Switch 2’s processing power, consider it passing with flying colors. It’s the same incredible FFVII remake that’s been available on multiple platforms since its original release in 2020. While it doesn’t add anything new for first time players, it’s the best example of a AAA port done exceptionally well on the Nintendo Switch 2. If you’re a Final Fantasy fan, Switch 2 owner, and have been waiting to play VII REMAKE INTERGRADE all this time, now is the best time to play. If you’ve been waiting to play a AAA port on your new Switch 2, this is assuredly the best port that should be added to your library.
Nintendo’s hardware has never been known for graphically intensive nor detailed games. As Sony and Microsoft waged their neverending war over high-fidelity, cross-platform AAA franchises of varying degrees of fun, Nintendo has consistently floated by with solidly innovative, very fun, and endlessly charming first-party titles that could only be played on a Nintendo console. In recent years, AAA ports on the Nintendo Switch have ranged from moderately okay to outright horrifying, such as the case of Mortal Kombat 1.
I digress.
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE, the first of three chapters of the remade FINAL FANTASY VII, is now available on the Nintendo Switch 2. Knowing that Nintendo Switch ports have been released in questionable states, I had very low expectations of this port for the Nintendo Switch 2. This is especially true given my experience reviewing FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH on the PC a literal year ago.
I cannot believe that I am saying this, but FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE on the Nintendo Switch 2 is giving me hope that Nintendo’s latest little-console-that-could is capable of some beautifully-designed AAA games. I’m even more excited for a potential reality of replaying REBIRTH on this console assuming it’s ported and released in a similarly stellar state. Even though REMAKE INTERGRADE is now six years old, it’s blowing ports of 10+ year-old games out of the water. I’m looking at you, Skyrim.
In my original review of REBIRTH on the PC, I admitted that FFVII in its entirety was unfamiliar territory. Coming into REMAKE INTERGRADE I had a decent idea of VII’s story, but I had intimate knowledge of why VII should be respected in the grander scheme of gaming writ large. Final Fantasy VII is one of Square Enix’s crown jewels in their Final Fantasy series; its remake into a deeper epic spread out across three games (the final of which is yet unreleased) reinvents the blockier edges of the PlayStation One era into a masterpiece trilogy of epic proportions.
With the release of REMAKE INTERGRADE on the Nintendo Switch 2 (and XBOX Series S|X, I guess), this is now the third time we here at DigitalChumps have covered the game. While we have no problem doing so, especially for a game that has more than earned its accolades, I don’t think that it’s worth going deep into what we’ve already said and/or you already know. In his original review, fellow Chump Eric Layman describes this entry as a “forty-hour epic that breathes remarkable life into the streets of Midgar through a sophisticated blend of tactical combat and deeply humanized character arcs.” One year later, fellow Chump Ben Sheene praised REMAKE INTERGRADE as the “definitive way to play” this “mind-numbingly beautiful” and “highly experimental retelling of a classic.”
What more is there to say? What more can I say that doesn’t border on repetitious? I guess…I should focus on the quality of the port. It’s simply outstanding. It’s simply unexpected. It’s the port of REMAKE INTERGRADE that Nintendo Switch 2 players deserve.
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE expands on the first five hours of the original FFVII, exploring the city of Midgar along with ex-SOLDIER operative turned mercenary, Cloud Strife. Cloud’s character development is more thoughtful and deliberate in this entry, offering a deeper inspection into his past along with his relationships with Aerith, Sephiroth, and the other members of Avalanche (the eco-terrorism organization who hired Cloud to assist in their noble yet explosive aims). It is here where we see what Midgar looks like and why Cloud’s involvement is tantamount to saving the world and taking a path of vengeance far later. Seeing the evil lurking within Midgar helps drive the vehicle that contains Cloud and co.’s actions, making the remake a far more compelling play than the original.
The combat of FFVII REMAKE is fluid and action-packed. Similar to FINAL FANTASY XVI’s gameplay loop, REMAKE INTERGRADE keeps the player fully engaged throughout fluid transitions between cutscenes. I control a single character at any given time, but I have the option of swapping between other party members and issue them commands necessary for exploiting weakpoints or saving my team from peril. On the Nintendo Switch 2, the compacted control scheme of the Joy-Cons take quite a bit of getting used to especially when coming from the larger DualSense controller. It’s not enough to feel like the Joy-Cons are insufficient, however.
In comparison to the PlayStation 4 version of REMAKE INTERGRADE, the Switch 2 version runs nearly flawlessly in portable mode. There are very few noticeable dips/staggers in framerate in a handful of circumstances, but nothing that outright interrupted gameplay or made it feel like I was playing a subpar port of a six-year-old game. Docked mode felt most comparable to the PS5 in terms of consistency and stability, albeit locked at 30fps instead of 60fps. Even when environments were most visually busy (like fiery or foggy flashbacks), the game retained its fluidity and crispness. It’s glorious to see individual characters individually act and react, other NPCs talk and interact with each other, and
To the most discerning eye, some edges and textures look slightly aliased on the Switch 2. This is especially true when rotating the camera to get a closer look at a character’s model. But, how often are you going to be rotating the camera and attempting to zoom in to absurd degrees? The majority of the environments and animations are crisp, sharp, and discernable even when playing in portable mode. This is an astounding feat because of how much is often happening during the intense boss battles and critical moments of the story.
Best yet, there are virtually no loading times. Cutscenes and gameplay merge together effortlessly, retaining the game’s cinematic approach. I don’t understand what Square Enix tapped into on the black magic side to get this game up and running. If you don’t believe me, check out the free demo that’s available on the Nintendo Shop. Your progress will carry over to the full game, should you decide to go all in.
Unique to this release is the “Streamlined Progression” featureset, which effectively turn the game into a Game Shark-ified runthrough where HP/MP are fully maxed and damage dealt to enemies is set to 9,999. Items are maxed, as well. These features can be found in the menu and enabled/disabled at will. If you wanted to avoid grinding for money or accelerate weapon abilities, or even just gain increased (2x) XP. I didn’t feel the need to enable these features, but they’re a welcome quality of life addition for those who aren’t down for the grindier portions of REMAKE INTERGRADE. Hopefully, these settings make their way to REBIRTH.
It’s unfortunate that Square didn’t add anything else “new” to this port, be it additional/exclusive costumes or unique side quests. If you’ve already played REMAKE INTERGRADE there’s little reason for you to consider the Switch 2 version other than wanting to take it on the go (assuming you don’t own a portable PC system like the Legion Go S). Lack of new content in this port, though, Square Enix did the near unthinkable in getting this game to play nice and retain its beauty on the Switch 2. I am thankful that time and energy were spent to release the game in a gorgeous state.
Publishers and developers should take careful note with this release: If FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE (a six-year old game!) can be released in this state, there’s no reason why older games can’t be released in a similar way. If you build and support it, it will be enjoyed on the Nintendo Switch 2.
With that said, let’s wrap this up.
If FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE is a proof of concept in stress testing the Switch 2’s processing power, consider it passing with flying colors. It’s the same incredible FFVII remake that’s been available on multiple platforms since its original release in 2020. While it doesn’t add anything new for first time players, it’s the best example of a AAA port done exceptionally well on the Nintendo Switch 2. If you’re a Final Fantasy fan, Switch 2 owner, and have been waiting to play VII REMAKE INTERGRADE all this time, now is the best time to play. If you’ve been waiting to play a AAA port on your new Switch 2, this is assuredly the best port that should be added to your library.
