Critics Proclaim FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH "An Absolute Must-Play," a "Masterpiece," "One of the Best RPGs Ever Made"
LOS ANGELES, February 29, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The groundbreaking fantasy is reborn. FINAL FANTASY? VII REBIRTH, the new chapter in the epic FINAL FANTASY VII remake project, is now available worldwide for the PlayStation?5 (PS5?) console. Having earned a Metacritic "Must-Play" award, FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH has garnered over 50 perfect review scores from global gaming critics and has been heralded as "the best Final Fantasy of the century" by The Washington Post, "a must-play RPG" by Screen Rant and "awe-inspiring" by IGN.
A celebratory Launch Trailer for the title was also released today and can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/KOhs9ZLImgE
In FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, players take on the role of mercenary Cloud Strife and his comrades as they pursue legendary swordsman Sephiroth, a haunting figure from Cloud’s past bent on ruling the planet, across a vast and vibrant world rife with danger, adventure, joy and uncertainty. These unlikely heroes, including beloved, iconic characters Tifa, Barret, Aerith and Red XIII, join forces with new companions like the spirited ninja operative Yuffie and the wisecracking, feline-shaped robot Cait Sith. FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH delivers an unforgettable experience to players filled with unexpected twists, memorable characters and jaw-dropping set pieces that longtime fans and newcomers can both enjoy.
"As the director of the original FINAL FANTASY VII, I feel very proud that we were able to introduce a whole new generation to role-playing games and show so many newcomers a wider world of storytelling. Today, I’m filled with the same sense of pride when I look at what our development team has accomplished with FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH. This adventure offers rich rewards to longtime fans while welcoming in newcomers to begin their FINAL FANTASY adventure here and experience a similar sense of wonder as they would have felt in 1997. I hope that both fans and those who have never played FINAL FANTASY before will enjoy this game." -Yoshinori Kitase, Producer
"FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is a labor of love and our tribute to adventure – a massive world of compelling stories and our most ambitious game to date. Like those who first brought us the original FINAL FANTASY VII, we’ve reached for something that was never possible before today’s technology: a deeper portrayal of our main cast of friends, comrades and people of the Planet. By combining their powers in battle and strengthening their bonds through your choices, we hope you feel a powerful, connection with these characters and the world they inhabit." -Naoki Hamaguchi, Director
"For many years, I wondered what a remake of FINAL FANTASY VII could look like. Above all else, I felt we would need to do justice to the characters and story that had become so beloved by fans around the world. FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH delivers on this vision and vastly expands upon the original title not only in the size of its world, but in the quiet moments shared by party members, where warmth, joy, sorrow and tenderness can be found. As they press on and forge deeper bonds en route to their ultimate fate, I hope you will open your heart to feel these feelings alongside them. As the second title in a trilogy, we’ve enjoyed hearing our fans’ feedback from the previous title and incorporating elements into FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH for a truly breathtaking follow-up. Thank you for playing our vision for a remake, in which the past is honored by the possibilities of the present to reimagine a story for future generations." -Tetsuya Nomura, Creative Director
The FINAL FANTASY VII remake project began when FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE released in 2020 to universal acclaim from players and critics around the globe. After earning more than 20 perfect scores from media and being selected as a PlayStation? "Editor’s Choice" pick, FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE became the highest-selling digital release on the PlayStation? platform in SQUARE ENIX’s history, exceeding more than 7 million shipments and digital sales worldwide since its release.
Players eager for more FINAL FANTASY VII content can download FINAL FANTASY VII EVER CRISIS, the hit mobile RPG that has been downloaded over 7.77 million times, through the App Store, Google Play or STEAM for free, and take part in a limited-time FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH crossover event within the game. As a part of this event, players can experience the infamous Mt. Nibel incident and receive various in-game bonuses. For more information, visit the official FINAL FANTASY VII EVER CRISIS social channels.
A free, two-part demo available now lets players experience both the game’s opening chapter and a special preview of part of the massive in-game world set several hours into the main storyline. Players who complete the first part of the demo, "Fall of a Hero in Nibelheim," will receive the Kupo Charm and Survival Set demo incentives and be given the option to skip the same section in the full game* if desired. Download the "Fall of a Hero in Nibelheim" and "Dawn of a New Era in Junon" demo here.
* To skip the Nibelheim section in the full game, plus receive the Kupo Charm and Survival Set demo incentives, players must ensure they have the latest update installed for the full game.
First released in 1997 on the PlayStation? computer entertainment system, FINAL FANTASY VII celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2022. The game is universally regarded as a hallmark title of the RPG genre. The original title received high praise for its epic storyline, unique characters, and movie sequences that utilized the most cutting-edge technology of the time. Since then, the game has sold over 14.4 million copies worldwide and continues to receive widespread acclaim from critics and fans around the world. The popular game has even expanded into spin-offs, films and merchandise.
The first game of the FINAL FANTASY VII remake trilogy project, FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE, released in 2020, has been praised by both players and critics across the globe, earning more than 20 perfect scores from media, and was selected as a PlayStation? "Editor’s Choice" pick. The game also became the highest-selling digital release on the PlayStation? platform in SQUARE ENIX’s history, exceeding more than 7 million shipments and digital sales worldwide since its release. FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, the second game in the trilogy and standalone story, is now available worldwide for the PS5?.
About FINAL FANTASY VII EVER CRISIS
FINAL FANTASY VII EVER CRISIS is a chapter-structured RPG experience that will cover key elements of the FINAL FANTASY VII timeline, including the events of the original game, plus new story elements penned by FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE story and scenario writer Kazushige Nojima surrounding a young hero, Sephiroth. The game is now available through the App Store, Google Play, and STEAM.
About Square Enix, Inc.
Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX? and TAITO? branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix group of companies. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY?, which has sold over 185 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST?, which has sold over 88 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS?. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
CHARACTER DESIGN: TETSUYA NOMURA / ROBERTO FERRARI
LOGO ILLUSTRATION:? YOSHITAKA AMANO
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