Fans of the classic RPG Final Fantasy 7 can rejoice! A demo for the upcoming remake, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, is now available on PlayStation 5. The demo gives players a taste of what’s to come in the full game, bringing back memories of the original while showing off stunning new graphics and gameplay.
Reliving a Classic FF7 Moment
The Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth demo is split into two parts. The first part, available now, is the Nibelheim episode. This section lets players take control of Cloud Strife as he revisits his quiet hometown of Nibelheim along with the sinister Sephiroth. It serves as a recreation of the iconic opening sequence from the original Final Fantasy 7, now with today’s cutting-edge graphics capabilities.
Walking through the streets of Nibelheim transports longtime Final Fantasy 7 fans back to where the epic story began. The quaint village looks gorgeous brought to life with the power of the PS5. Square Enix meticulously recreated the look and feel of Nibelheim, down to the smallest details like street signs and house interiors. It’s a blast from the past, but better looking than ever.
Stepping Into Cloud’s Shoes
In the Nibelheim demo, players directly control Cloud from a third-person perspective just like the original game. Movement and combat feel smooth and responsive with the DualSense controller. Cloud’s iconic Buster Sword swings feel suitably weighty and impactful. Slicing and dicing enemies as Cloud again is immensely satisfying, especially with the excellent haptic feedback from the PS5 controller.
Having Sephiroth along as an AI companion also heightens the nostalgia. Hearing his taunts and battle cries while exploring Nibelheim makes it feel like 1997 all over again. The tense dynamic between Cloud and Sephiroth is palpable during this sequence, foreshadowing the game’s epic events to come.
A Stunning Visual Treat
While gameplay and story are exceptional, the Nibelheim demo also shows off the visual splendor that next-gen hardware enables. The character models for Cloud and Sephiroth are incredibly detailed, looking almost photorealistic. The textures on clothing, hair, and skin are practically life-like. Surrounding environments and objects are also stunningly rendered with great lighting and particle effects.
Seeing Final Fantasy 7 looking this gorgeous is a dream come true for long-time fans. It adds greater emotional impact to reliving this iconic sequence from gaming history. Square Enix set a new bar for visual quality with Final Fantasy 7 Remake, and Rebirth looks ready to leap over it.
Junon and New Playable Characters Coming Soon
The second part of the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth demo isn’t available yet, but it promises to expand the playable experience. Set in the bustling city of Junon, this portion will enable players to explore the streets and engage in combat with a party of characters.
In addition to Cloud, fans will also get to control Tifa Lockhart, Aerith Gainsborough, Barret Wallace, and Red XIII. This opens up testing out different combat styles and abilities. Barret’s gun-arm, Aerith’s magical prowess, and Red XIII’s beastly power should offer diverse gameplay compared to Cloud’s focused sword skills.
Exciting Action/RPG Hybrid Combat
Combat in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth aims to blend the turn-based action of the original with the real-time gameplay of Final Fantasy 7 Remake. The developers have stated it will be an evolution of Remake’s system. Action will be fast-paced but also contain tactical, command-based elements.
Having access to five playable characters in the Junon demo will provide the best sense yet of how combat will feel. Players can determine which styles suit them best and start devising party strategies. The demo should reveal just how seamlessly Rebirth fuses old-school and modern Final Fantasy combat mechanics.
The Chance to Explore Midgar
While the starting city of Midgar was expansive in Remake, Junon represents a brand-new location players have never been able to explore in past Final Fantasy 7 games. The city’s advanced magitek architecture towering over the ocean should be a stunning treat for the eyes.
Wandering the streets of Junon, interacting with citizens, discovering hidden items and Easter eggs promises to add life and depth beyond combat. It builds anticipation for how Rebirth will flesh out other iconic locales like the Golden Saucer and Cosmo Canyon.
Demo Provides a Tantalizing Tease for Fans
After years of waiting, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is less than a year from release. This demo provides hungry fans a welcome, if brief, first taste while development wraps up. Both parts of the demo are smartly chosen to evoke maximum nostalgia.
Revisiting Nibelheim in stunning new graphics mirrors our own memory of this pivotal sequence. The Junon portion represents our excitement to explore new regions and see how combat evolves. Together they stoke anticipation for the full Rebirth experience.
For Final Fantasy 7 devotees, the demo is a dream come true. It captures the essence of what made the original so special while enticing us with the technical capabilities of modern gaming. Rebirth appears poised to deliver an unforgettable RPG experience that respects the past but doesn’t dwell in it.
Key Details on the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Demo
- Currently only 1 part available (Nibelheim episode)
- Lets you play as Cloud with Sephiroth as AI companion
- Faithful recreation of FF7’s opening sequence
- Stunning next-gen graphics bring environments/characters to life
- Combat with Cloud’s Buster Sword feels weighty and satisfying
- Second part set in Junon coming soon
- Junon demo will feature Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, Barret + Red XIII as playable
- Combat blends original turn-based style with Remake’s real-time action
- Provides exciting sneak peek at full Rebirth experience
Answering Key Questions on the Rebirth Demo
How long is each part of the demo?
The Nibelheim episode clocks in around 30-40 minutes depending on playstyle. Junon is expected to be 1-2 hours with more exploration and combat.
How does it run on PS5?
Buttery smooth. Frame rate is rock solid 60 FPS at 4K resolution. Loading times are lightning fast thanks to the PS5’s SSD.
Is there DualSense controller support?
Absolutely. haptic feedback and adaptive triggers are utilized to make combat more immersive. You’ll feel every swing of Cloud’s sword.
Will progress carry over to the full game?
Unfortunately no. The demo exists standalone, but unlocks a special Sephiroth theme reward for the full game.
How does combat differ from FF7 Remake?
More tactical options similar to turn-based games. Ability to pause and issue commands adds new strategy element.
Standout Details That Impressed Us
Here are some standout details that really impressed upon playing the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth demo:
- Incredibly realistic facial expressions and lip sync
- Photorealistic environmental textures and objects
- Smoke, fire, water and magic effects are gorgeous
- Haunting, evocative new rearrangements of FF7’s iconic music
- Tifa, Aerith, Barret and Red XIII’s character models are top-notch
- Responsive, strategic hybrid combat system
- Great mix of nostalgia and fresh content
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