The newest model of Last Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade brings a 2021 PlayStation 5 improve of a 2020 PS4 sport to a 2025 gaming handheld hybrid in 2026. It’s a superb port of an excellent sport and suggests a vibrant future for third-party blockbusters on Swap 2 from publishers prepared to speculate the time and sources into doing it proper.
I performed the brand new model, out January 22, for round 4 hours, racing again via the early part of the sport in time to satisfy again up with Aerith and stroll via a few of the extra taxing areas within the early sport. I used to be struck by two issues throughout my transient return to the slums of Midgar. The primary was simply how linear, centered, and cinematic the Last Fantasy VII Remake is in comparison with its sprawling successor, Rebirth. It was enjoyable, refreshing, and nostalgic—all of the issues that made the 2020 sport value its lengthy wait.
The second was how not often it felt like I used to be taking part in a nerfed model Last Fantasy VII Remake, one compromised for a transportable system (I performed virtually completely in handheld mode). It’s locked at 30fps as an alternative of one thing larger however that by no means felt like a drag. The textures, lighting, and particle results by no means drew consideration for the incorrect causes. I by no means sat there in a boss battle or cutscene considering, “That is advantageous however I needed it seemed higher.”
It’s a vibe test backed up by technical analyses from the consultants. A really thorough evaluate of Last Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade‘s efficiency on Swap 2 by Digital Foundry finds that it’s weaker than the PS5 model in some areas however typically higher than the PS4 one throughout the board. There isn’t a infamously low-res texture eternally ready to load on Cloud’s seventh Heaven condo door. Pop-in is usually a non-issue. The lighting in lots of scenes is extra detailed than within the PS4 model as nicely.
The one actual place the Swap 2 port falters is in relation to hair in handheld mode. It’s a small challenge however a noticeable one for a sport whose hero’s most defining function is a Chocobo’s nest of spikey blond hair. From Tifa’s lengthy ponytail to Aerith’s brunette braids, there’s typically dithering and fuzziness. A few of the UI parts sometimes really feel particularly small or arduous to learn in handheld mode as nicely. It didn’t shatter my immersion however the sport isn’t fully freed from small downgrades right here or there that remind you you aren’t taking part in on one of many high-end house consoles (the Swap 2 model arrived alongside the Xbox Collection X/S ports).
If you happen to’re somebody who by no means owned a PS4, PS5, or PC that would play Last Fantasy VII Remake, I’d advocate the Swap 2 model with out hesitation. If the Swap 2 is the one console you’ve ever owned, I’d even name it a “should purchase” relative to the remainder of the console’s library proper now. PlayStation house owners take entry to video games like this as a right. For Nintendo followers, it’s nonetheless a particular deal with, and hopefully the primary of many.
