When Final Fantasy VII made its debut in North America, it was nothing short of a cultural phenomenon. The marketing campaign was robust, featuring captivating commercials that showcased stunning cutscenes, capturing the imaginations of countless children. While some young gamers found themselves disillusioned by the game’s polygonal graphics and the absence of the promised motorcycle combat, many others were drawn in by its rich narrative and immersive world.
<blockquote class="tdquotebox tdboxleft” readability=”5″>Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Developer: Square Enix
Platform: PC
Release Date: 10/23/2025
As a child of the Nintendo era, my access to this groundbreaking title was limited until fate intervened during a family shopping trip. To my astonishment, I stumbled upon a PC version of Final Fantasy VII. The hours I devoted to this game are countless, and while the control scheme often felt perplexing, the PC ports of the Final Fantasy series have always held a special place in my heart. This trend continues with my recent experience of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, which I am excited to review.
Presentation
Having previously explored Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on the PS5, I won’t dwell on aspects already discussed. However, the visual artistry of this game warrants reiteration. The graphics are stunning, and the overall aesthetic is perfectly suited for a PC environment. Characters are vibrant and expressive, towns are intricately designed, and the voice acting adds a layer of depth to the dialogue that was sometimes ambiguous in the original 1997 release. Yet, it is the battles that truly dazzle.
Every encounter, from minor skirmishes to epic boss battles, feels like a cinematic event reminiscent of Advent Children. Characters dart across the screen, and the particle effects from sword strikes and magical attacks create a visual feast. The transition from PS5 to PC has been executed nearly flawlessly, allowing players to revel in this spectacle.
However, I did notice some peculiarities with the lighting. While I cannot confirm if this issue existed in the PS5 version, I found the lighting in certain areas to be oddly inconsistent. Many buildings and caves appeared shrouded in darkness when viewed from the outside, only revealing their details upon entering. Light behaves strangely, shifting dramatically with slight movements, creating a disconcerting experience. This lighting anomaly is primarily confined to dungeon and town settings, while the open-world areas are beautifully illuminated, enhancing exploration.
Gameplay
The gameplay has transitioned smoothly to the PC platform, though a caveat exists: the game strongly recommends using a controller. This recommendation somewhat diminishes the significance of different controller schemes, as they tend to yield similar experiences.
For those without a gaming controller, I ventured through parts of the game using a mouse and keyboard to provide a comprehensive review. Fortunately, the game performs admirably in this format. Basic combat actions are easily mapped to the left and right mouse buttons, with dodging assigned to the space bar. However, switching characters can be cumbersome with default key settings, and blocking attacks requires holding the shift key, which can disrupt the timing needed for the new perfect block mechanic. Additionally, changing spell potency involves awkwardly moving away from the mouse, which can be disruptive during intense moments.
On a positive note, the game offers extensive key customization options. Players can assign primary and alternate keys for both keyboard and mouse commands, allowing for a tailored experience that suits individual preferences. However, the absence of the PS5’s adaptive triggers is felt during interactive cutscenes, where the tactile feedback enhances immersion. Without it, these sections can feel tedious.
Tech Specifications
A common concern among PC gamers is whether their systems can handle new titles. As graphics continue to evolve, players often find themselves upgrading their hardware to keep pace with demanding games.
I shared this concern, as my PC is not equipped with the latest components. Nevertheless, I was pleased to discover that FFVII Rebirth ran smoothly on my RTX 2070 Super graphics card and AMD Ryzen 5 3600 CPU. Although my setup met only the minimum specifications, I was able to play on high graphics settings with minimal slowdowns. Remarkably, these slowdowns did not occur during combat, even amidst the chaotic visual effects of intense battles. The only instances of stuttering were during the transition to in-engine cutscenes, which quickly resolved.
Overall, I am quite satisfied with the performance of the game on PC.
Final Thoughts
While this review highlighted several critiques of the PC release of Rebirth, it’s crucial to note that these issues did not detract from my enjoyment of the game. The lighting inconsistencies were mildly bothersome, and any challenges with mouse and keyboard controls can be easily mitigated by utilizing a compatible controller.
In essence, my experience with this game has been thoroughly enjoyable. Fans of the Final Fantasy VII Remake series who do not own a PlayStation 5 can now celebrate, as they too can immerse themselves in the dedication and craftsmanship that Square Enix has infused into this title. Together, we look forward to the concluding chapter of this new fantasy adventure.
