Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Review: 100 Hours Later, Here's What Nobody Tells You

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth demands far more than the advertised 40-hour completion time. After diving deep into 100 hours of gameplay, this sprawling adventure reveals layers of complexity that most reviews barely scratch the surface of. While the main story pulls you through stunning recreations of familiar locations, it's the hidden mechanics, unexpected difficulty spikes, and secret late-game content that truly define this experience. Beyond the flashy combat sequences and emotional story beats lies a game filled with surprising depth - from intricate party combinations to decision points that genuinely matter. If you're planning to step into this reimagined world, here's what you really need to know about the journey ahead.

The First 20 Hours: Getting Started

The journey through Final Fantasy VII Rebirth begins with a substantial three-hour introduction before the true adventure unfolds. After leaving Midgar, the party regroups in Kalm village, setting the stage for Cloud's pivotal recounting of the Nibelheim mission with Sephiroth.

Initial Learning Curve

For both action combat enthusiasts and traditional Final Fantasy fans, Rebirth presents a distinct learning curve that rewards dedication. The combat system builds upon the Active Time Battle (ATB) mechanics, seamlessly blending real-time action with strategic decision-making. Rather than button mashing, success depends on mastering each character's unique abilities and understanding their roles in combat.

Early Game Challenges

Upon reaching Kalm, players receive the Item Transmuter, a crucial tool for crafting consumables and armor. Accordingly, creating every new recipe becomes essential as you gain Transmuter experience and unlock better items. Furthermore, resource management proves vital - the game caps material collection at 99 units, making regular crafting necessary to avoid waste.

Basic Combat Mechanics

The foundation of combat revolves around several key principles:

·        ATB gage management - Basic attacks serve primarily to fill the ATB meter, which enables the use of abilities, spells, and items

·        Perfect blocking - Precisely timed blocks negate all damage and build ATB faster

·        Character switching - Actively controlling different party members accelerates ATB generation, as AI-controlled characters build gage more slowly

Subsequently, Chadley's Combat Simulator becomes an invaluable training ground. The Combat Training simulations teach essential mechanics for each character, particularly beneficial for mastering Red XIII as a new playable party member. Additionally, completing these training sessions rewards players with valuable Materia.

The Assess Materia emerges as another fundamental tool, revealing enemy weaknesses and stagger conditions. Pairing it with First Strike Materia allows for immediate tactical advantage, especially against new opponents. Moreover, the effects stack with accessories like the Whistlewind Scarf, granting additional ATB charge at battle start.

For optimal progression, focusing on the primary objective markers until unlocking Chocobo riding proves most efficient. Afterward, the game opens up considerably, though fast travel between regions occasionally locks during specific story segments. Nevertheless, nothing remains permanently missable - from enemy intel to side quests, all content eventually becomes accessible.

The synergy system introduces another layer of complexity through two distinct types of abilities. First, special attacks that consume ATB charges, followed by charge-based moves available during blocking. Though not mandatory for progression, these abilities significantly enhance combat variety and effectiveness.

Hidden Combat Mechanics That Change Everything

Mastering the intricate combat system in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth reveals a wealth of hidden mechanics that fundamentally alter the battlefield dynamics. These advanced techniques separate novice players from veterans who understand how to maximize their party's potential.

Advanced Party Combinations

The original trio of Cloud, Tifa, and Aerith remains formidable, yet specific team compositions unlock devastating synergies. Cloud excels as a close-range fighter, Aerith provides magical support, and Tifa delivers unmatched burst damage when enemies are staggered.

A crucial discovery involves Tifa's unique ability to amplify stagger damage multipliers. By maintaining three Chi levels and executing Rise and Fall, Omnistrike, and Whirling Uppercut in sequence, she dramatically increases damage output against staggered foes.

For ranged combat superiority, pairing Aerith with Barret creates a potent combination. Red XIII serves as an ideal third member, keeping enemies occupied with rapid claw attacks while the ranged specialists maintain constant pressure. Notably, Red XIII functions effectively as a projectile weapon - Barret can launch him with his arm, while Aerith infuses him with magic for devastating area attacks.

Secret Synergy Moves

The game's depth extends far beyond basic abilities through an intricate Synergy system. Unlike standard moves, Synergy Skills consume no resources and actually generate ATB charges faster than normal attacks. These skills become accessible by holding R1 to enter guard stance, with offensive moves mapped to triangle and square, defensive options to circle and X.

Some lesser-known yet powerful combinations include:

·        Cloud's Voidshatter with Sephiroth, unleashing devastating blade strikes

·        Zack's Defensive Dash, which creates openings through coordinated attacks

·        Cait Sith's Special Moogle Slots, which only activate while riding the moogle

The most impactful hidden mechanic involves Synergy Abilities, which require specific charge counts. Once characters accumulate three to four Synergy charges through weapon abilities, they can execute powerful joint techniques. These grant one of four crucial buffs:

1.      Raising Limit Break levels for both characters

2.      Extending stagger duration and increasing damage

3.      Providing temporary unlimited MP

4.      Enhancing specific combat attributes

A sophisticated strategy emerges when combining these mechanics with Tifa's stagger manipulation. Players should build Tifa's Chi to level 3 just before stagger begins, activate a stagger-extending Synergy Ability, then chain her Chi attacks while rebuilding charge through Unbridled Fury.

The Assess Materia plays an essential role in unlocking these advanced strategies. Beyond revealing basic weaknesses, it provides detailed information about pressure and stagger conditions, enabling players to optimize their approach for each enemy type.

Understanding character roles proves vital - Cloud functions as a close-range fighter but not necessarily a tank, Aerith balances offensive and support magic, and Tifa specializes in burst damage. However, these roles can shift dramatically based on equipped Materia, weapons, and accessories.

The Real Story Progression Timeline

Spanning across 14 chapters, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth offers a meticulously crafted narrative journey that rewards both story-focused players and completionists alike.

Chapter Length Breakdown

The game's pacing varies significantly between chapters, with early segments requiring 2-6 hours depending on playstyle. Chapters 2 through 5 each demand approximately 4-6 hours for thorough exploration. The mid-game chapters, specifically 7 and 8, emerge as the most substantial, consuming 5-7 hours each due to their dense content and crucial story developments.

As players progress toward the finale, chapters 12 through 14 maintain a more focused pace. Chapter 13 stands out as particularly extensive, whereas chapter 12 offers a shorter, yet pivotal experience. Altogether, completing just the main story takes roughly 33 hours, although thorough exploration can extend playtime beyond 100 hours.

Key Decision Points

Throughout the narrative, players encounter numerous dialog choices that shape relationships between characters. These decisions carry weight beyond simple conversation, influencing future story developments through a hidden affection point system.

Critical decision moments surface in several chapters:

·        Chapter 6 introduces beachwear choices affecting character relationships

·        Chapter 7 presents strategic path selections in Mount Corel

·        Chapter 8 showcases the results of previous choices at Gold Saucer

Interestingly, each region contains optional conversations that must be completed prior to specific story triggers. For instance, speaking with all party members becomes essential before entering Cloud's room or approaching certain story-advancing locations.

Story vs Side Quests Balance

Despite its expansive world, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth remains remarkably accessible to time-constrained players. The main narrative maintains consistent quality even without extensive side content engagement. Nevertheless, certain optional activities prove worthwhile:

·        Green side quests provide valuable experience points alongside additional story context

·        Chocobo unlocking in each region significantly enhances exploration efficiency

·        World Intel tasks unlock crucial combat advantages through Chadley's development system

Primarily, the game allows remarkable flexibility in approach. Players can focus solely on the main story initially, since chapter selection becomes available post-completion, enabling revisitation of any missed content. Most notably, the game introduces a unique feature in subsequent playthroughs - dialog choices receive star ratings, allowing players to optimize their responses for desired outcomes.

Difficulty Spikes Nobody Warns You About

Unexpected difficulty spikes lurk throughout Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, catching even seasoned players off guard. A noticeable surge in enemy strength emerges after Chapter 7, where foes begin dealing substantially more damage with increased frequency.

Challenging Boss Encounters

The game's most formidable challenges often surface in unexpected places. Mindflayer missions with two minions prove particularly demanding, requiring hours of attempts even on Dynamic difficulty. Similarly, the Mythril Mine boss presents a significant hurdle, consuming entire gaming sessions as players adapt their strategies.

Boss encounters demand precise timing and tactical awareness:

·        Midgardsormr can permanently remove party members without revival options

·        Odin's ultimate attack instantly eliminates the entire team, yet careful timing can delay its execution

·        The Forgotten Specimen battle intensifies through three distinct forms

·        Gi Nattak activates a countdown timer at 75% health depletion

Rufus Shinra stands as a formidable opponent, utilizing long-range shotgun attacks combined with devastating counterstrikes. Meanwhile, certain optional encounters, such as tracking a Cactuar, present challenges surpassing main story bosses.

Required Level Thresholds

Understanding level requirements proves crucial for maintaining combat effectiveness. Early game benchmarks suggest reaching:

·        Level 20 by Chapter 2's conclusion

·        Level 24 upon finishing Chapter 3

·        Lower 40s before entering Chapter 13

·        Level 50 typically marks endgame progression

Interestingly, completing side content can result in over-leveling, yet this doesn't necessarily trivialize endgame encounters thanks to dynamic difficulty adjustments. Most players finish the main story between levels 49-51, certainly those who engage with optional content reach these thresholds naturally.

Beyond raw levels, materia loadouts plus general combat proficiency significantly influence success rates. Regular enemies sometimes pose greater threats than bosses, particularly in areas like the tower following the train graveyard. These encounters feature aggressive enemies who consistently interrupt attacks, making ATB gage building challenging.

The game's difficulty management system encourages strategic thinking over pure grinding. Even at higher levels, proper materia configuration plus tactical approach remain essential. For instance, a well-timed magnified Blizzaga from Aerith can eliminate multiple fiends swiftly.

Certain locations offer efficient leveling opportunities:

·        Nibelheim's cat side quest features an endlessly spawning Queen Bee

·        Gongaga contains repeatable enemy encounters

·        Experience materia dramatically accelerates level gains, enabling jumps from 50 to 70 in mere minutes

The arena challenges introduce additional complexity through boss combinations. King Zu consistently proves troublesome, soaring above standard difficulty expectations. The ten-round missions demand extensive preparation, particularly Challenge 4 with its intricate fight sequences.

Late Game Content Worth Your Time

Beyond the main storyline, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth conceals a treasure trove of post-game activities that reward dedicated players with unique experiences and powerful rewards.

Best Optional Bosses

After completing the main story, players unlock access to formidable opponents that surpass even the final boss in difficulty. The legendary warrior Gilgamesh emerges as a standout challenge, becoming accessible only after collecting Protorelics from each region. Defeating this iconic swordsman yields the coveted Gilgamesh Summoning Materia.

The Musclehead Colosseum introduces intense three and six-party battles that test players' mastery of combat mechanics. Upon defeating Gilgamesh, Chadley's Combat Simulator unveils six Brutal Challenges that push tactical abilities to their limits. These encounters offer exceptional rewards, including additional Elemental and Magnify Materia orbs.

Most Rewarding Side Activities

Chapter 12 presents an astonishing array of side quests that wrap up numerous character arcs. Essential missions include:

·        "Beneath Still Waters" - concludes the Seventh Infantry storyline

·        "Gold Cup or Bust" - resolves Billy's conflict with Sam

·        "Lament of the Damned" - unlocks a late-game battle simulator

·        "Can't Stop, Won't Stop" - provides the rare gambler's materia

The Saga of the Seaside Inn quest chain unlocks a unique collection system featuring 88 displayable items [18]. These collectibles primarily come from achieving top ranks in mini-games, offering completionists a compelling reason to master every activity.

Unique Character Stories

The post-game content delves deeper into character relationships through meaningful interactions. Barret's journey allows for relationship development with Cloud, offering chances to strengthen their bond. Likewise, Tifa and Aerith's stories can blossom into potential romance depending on player choices.

Red XIII's tale expands through additional missions, whereas Yuffie brings her distinctive energy to optional adventures. Cait Sith joins as a fully playable character, contributing unique combat abilities and story perspectives. Vincent, formerly a mysterious figure, reveals more of his background through specialized missions.

Hard Mode introduces fresh challenges by disabling item usage and preventing MP restoration at benches. This heightened difficulty setting rewards players with essential manuscripts that boost SP for skill development. Completing all 14 chapters on Hard Mode becomes necessary for maximizing character potential.

The game's Chapter Selection feature enables players to revisit any segment while retaining their progress. This system proves invaluable for completing missed content or experiencing alternative dialog choices, which now display star ratings to indicate optimal responses. Furthermore, players can skip Zack sequences and enable auto-collection for materials, streamlining subsequent playthroughs.

Wrap Up:

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth stands as a masterful achievement that transcends its advertised scope. Though marketed as a 40-hour experience, dedicated players will find themselves immersed in nearly 100 hours of meaningful content. The game's true depth emerges through its layered combat system, where mastering synergy moves and character combinations becomes essential for tackling later challenges.

Particularly noteworthy, the difficulty spikes after Chapter 7 separate casual players from those willing to dive deeper into the combat mechanics. These challenges prove especially rewarding when paired with the game's extensive post-game content, including legendary battles against Gilgamesh and the demanding Brutal Challenges.

The relationship system adds another dimension entirely, making every dialog choice and side activity feel consequential. Character interactions evolve naturally throughout the journey, while the Chapter Selection feature ensures players never miss crucial moments or alternative story paths.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth ultimately delivers far more than expected - a sprawling adventure that rewards both strategic combat mastery and emotional investment in its characters. Whether focusing solely on the main story or exploring every optional path, the game offers satisfying progression through its perfectly paced chapters.

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