“Well, at this time it’s best not to say whether Cissnei will appear or not, but there is one thing I can tell you,” replied Hamaguchi. “This Final Fantasy 7 Remake series is not simply a recreation of the original work, but rather, our goal is to create a single, new Final Fantasy 7 that incorporates the settings and concepts of all the previous spin-off titles, such as Advent Children, Dirge of Cerberus, and Crisis Core. Therefore, the appearance of Cissnei and the inclusion of Dirge of Cerberus Soldiers in the DLC, all have that meaning.”

“So, since that concept will of course carry over into Revelation as well, not limited to Cissnei, for the last entry, there will be characters that have appeared in the various FF7 compilation games that I think will be there, and each of these characters has a large and dedicated fanbase, so we want to create a work that can satisfy the feelings of those people.”

He went on to talk about how Cissnei has a lot of fans. “Whenever I talk to the media or fans, they very often ask me if Cissnei will appear or say they like Cissnei,” he laughed.

Fans of the original Final Fantasy 7 and its spin-offs shouldn’t find this too surprising, since we’ve seen many references to these spin-offs and even cross-media stories like novels throughout the trilogy so far. Final Fantasy 7 Remake, for instance, featured an appearance of Leslie Kyle during its Wall Market sections. This character made his first appearance in Final Fantasy VII The Kids Are Alright: A Turks Side Story – a story published in Japan back in 2011. The same game also features the main antagonists of Dirge of Cerberus – Weiss and Nero – as VR missions in its Episode INTERmission DLC, which eventually got included with the base game as Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth saw similar inclusions. Along with the appearance of Cissnei, the title also included smaller references to other stories in the same universe, such as Tifa having a cat.

Earlier this month, Hamaguchi also spoke about how he had played through Final Fantasy 7 Revelation around 40 times, and how a certain emotional scene always ended up leaving him in tears.

Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is being developed for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2, and will be coming out in Spring 2027. For more details about why Square Enix decided to call the third entry in the trilogy Revelation, take a look at what Hamaguchi had to say about potentially calling it Resolve.

Getting a game as massive, ambitious, and demanding as Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth to work well on the hardware of the Nintendo Switch 2 – a console with decidedly more constrained specs than the PS5 – was always going to be a challenge for the developers, so it obviously is best to head into Rebirth’s Switch 2 version with lower technical and graphical expectations. What’s heartening, however, is that even with those compromises, the game doesn’t loose any of its charm and mastery.

What exactly are those compromises, however? Well, for the most part, they are exactly what you would expect from a lower spec release of a technically demanding game. The gap between Rebirth’s Switch 2 and base console versions on this front is (unsurprisingly, given the generation gap between the two games) more pronounced than it was for Final Fantasy 7 Remake’s Switch 2 version. You see the biggest and most blatant hits with things such as texture pop in, the downgrade in the level of detail, foliage density, and the like, and other similar aspects such as shadows and draw distances (especially draw distances, in fact).

"What exactly are those compromises, however? Well, for the most part, they are exactly what you would expect from a lower spec release of a technically demanding game."

More than a few times, including in the very early hours of the game (or most times you’re out in an open world section), I have seen textures and assets abruptly loading in right before my eyes, while there have also been a few instances of frame rate drops during both cutscenes and gameplay, all of which is certainly the sort of thing that can – at least momentarily – pull you out of the experience. On top of that, it’s also a shame that, just like Final Fantasy 7 Remake’s Switch 2 release, Rebirth doesn’t offer a 60 FPS option on Nintendo’s platform. While the compromise is understandable given the Switch 2’s hardware constraints, it still feels like a notable omission, particularly given the fast paced and action heavy nature of Rebirth’s combat and general gameplay.

Personally, I tend to be the sort of player that can forgive a game’s technical deficiencies, especially if it’s pulling its weight in the gameplay and design departments (which is most definitely true for Rebirth), but those deficiencies are admittedly hard not to spot here. While they don’t take away from Rebirth’s inherent gameplay and narrative strengths, I certainly do hope the developer will be addressing those issues with post launch patches in the near future.

As much as Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s Switch 2 version comes with noticeable downgrades on its original release, at the same time, there’s no denying that, by and large, the game still looks really good. Environments look lush and enticingly massive and explorable, character models and animations boast impressive attention to detail and personality, and nearly every new map, town, and city you visit is brimming with its own unique visual hook and aesthetic. A constant sense of discovery, joy, and wonder was among the things that helped Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth stand out when it first launched in 2024, and thankfully, on the Nintendo Switch 2, even with the necessary cuts it makes in the technical department, it doesn’t lose that sense of awe and luster.

And of course, when it comes to the act of actually playing the game, this is still every bit the unmissable, spectacular designed experience that it was when it launched on the PS5 a couple years ago. When I reviewed Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth upon its original release, I described it as the long overdue and long awaited realization of the modern open world Final Fantasy formula that the series had been hinting at since the PS2 generation, and going back to it on the Switch 2, I find myself just as enamoured with the game.

That’s because Rebirth is and remains a genuine, unmissable masterpiece – and I don’t use any of those words lightly. It touts easily the best combat I have ever experienced in a Final Fantasy title, and arguably the best non-turn based combat I have seen in any game, period. Rebirth manages to build on Remake’s incredible combat in meaningful ways, delivering a blistering experience that, with an ingenious combination of tight mechanics, meaningful improvements, and consistently well-designed and varied enemy encounters and boss fights, ensures that it never runs out of ways to always keep you on your toes.

"Rebirth is and remains a genuine, unmissable masterpiece – and I don’t use any of those words lightly."

Meanwhile, each character boasts ridiculous mechanical depth and variety, to the extent that each could be the star of their own game. On top of that, the progression and customization mechanics – between the different weapons, Materia builds, stat upgrades, and what have you – add an even greater level of depth and nuance, so that combat and everything surrounding it manage to feel consistently rewarding and addictive even after you have clocked multiple dozen hours into the game.

Outside of the combat, meanwhile, Rebirth continues to tout an equally impressive level of depth and variety. There’s multiple massive open world maps to explore, each boasting a plethora of things to do, their own unique design gimmicks and traversal mechanics and visual hooks, and more; there’s a multitude of different minigames and optional side activities to track down and explore, including, of course, the fan favourite card game Queen’s Blood (which you can and very well may sink an inordinate amount of hours into); and so, so much more. It’s not often that a game that demands a time investment as massive as Rebirth does can successfully hold on to the player’s attention without letting monotony set in, but this one manages to do that with surprising confidence.

The game also does so through solid storytelling- which is one area will mileage will probably vary more than most others. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth doubles down on its predecessor’s decision to be as much of a sequel (or sidequel) to the original FF7 as a remake, and obviously, the decisions it makes in pursuit of that vision will ruffle some feathers, especially given how ambitious (and, often, bizarre) it can be with its ideas. Personally, I have been on board with the developer’s decision to chart a new path for this iconic story for a while now, and in my view, Rebirth does an excellent job of balancing those two conflicting sides. It’s a nonstop rollercoaster with its bombastic storytelling, high octane set pieces, wonderfully performed characters, and more, and from its first minute to its last, it never stops being a compelling experience, even if it isn’t necessarily one that always makes total logical sense.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth was a breathtaking experience when it came out a couple years ago, and it still is now that it has released for the Nintendo Switch 2. Yes, it comes with some technical cutbacks that often are hard not to notice, and hopefully the developer will be ironing out these kinks with future updates. But even as it stands right now, Rebirth’s Switch 2 version is still a great way to experience one of Final Fantasy’s most spectacular and unforgettable outings of all time.

This game was reviewed on Nintendo Switch 2.

Rebirth continues to be a confident, emotionally charged Final Fantasy title, and it’s easy to see why it’s among the franchise’s top earners. Let’s begin with the story, which feels familiar but not entirely predictable. It continues to sustain the challenge of balancing the old and the new that Remake began, taking the time to honor iconic characters, places, and emotional beats without being a scene-by-scene recreation of the original game.

"Of course, the people you meet along the way are a huge part of Rebirth’s allure."

It constantly toys with your expectations by leaving enough of the game for long-term to leaving enough for longtime fans to recognize, while managing to remain as cryptic as it can be about where things are headed. That’s not an easy feat to achieve, but this one does it with style. I do think you’d have a better time making sense of it all if you play Remake Intergrade, but there’s enough on offer in this one to make it stand on its own two feet. It brings a sublime blend of mystery, momentum, and sheer scale to make it quite hard to put down, even on a replay.

Of course, the people you meet along the way are a huge part of Rebirth’s allure. Cloud, Aerith, Barret, Tifa, and all the others from the game’s cast are brought to life in ways that differentiate them from their appearances in the original game. There’s a lot of new dialogue between various characters, all of which injects them with more personality than you might remember through additional lines of banter as you make your way across a gorgeous map.

They’re more vulnerable and willing to lean on their comrades when their conviction seems to falter, and some of the game’s best moments leave the spectacle of it all behind to bring more quiet, meaningful interactions that add emotional weight to the party’s dynamics and specific scenes. That makes the entire adventure feel like an insightful look into their motivations, and it’s an expansion of the original game that continues to be a welcome presence. They feel like a travelling group of comrades now more than ever, and that’s a very good thing in any RPG.

Of course, that isn’t to say that there isn’t any spectacle on offer. It wouldn’t be a Final Fantasy game without it. This is a massive game, but it manages to consistently bring new ideas and mechanics to keep you entertained for the entire experience. You could spend a quiet moment relishing an emotional story beat before being whisked away into a massive set-piece that has your heart flitting between empathy and exhilaration, with you being none the wiser.

"It’s rare that an RPG manages to pack in so much into its runtime, giving us an adventure that actually feels like we’re on a mission across a vast world."

It brings incredibly designed boss fights, addictive minigames, and a LOT of detours to take as you explore the open world, all of which serve character-driven moments very well. It’s rare that an RPG manages to pack in so much into its runtime, giving us an adventure that actually feels like we’re on a mission across a vast world, our only comfort being the ones who choose to travel by our side against forces that seem overwhelming, but cannot be left free to achieve their nefarious schemes. It’s deliciously old-school but with a layer of modern production values that make it a very potent blockbuster.

The revamped approach to the world design on offer helps with that, and the decision to move away from a rather linear structure in Remake to more open regions that come with so much variety that they feel distinct in their identity while providing visual splendor that continues to have me stopping to admire the sights every now and then, despite several playthroughs already under my belt. From The Grasslands to Costa del Sol to the Gold Saucer, each environment has its own identity, a facet that’s made possible by unique side activities, traversal quirks, and atmospheric touches.

It’s a world that feels like there was a lot of intent behind it, which makes it feel like it was lovingly crafted as opposed to being mechanically built to fill up vast swathes of land with things for players to do. That brings me to the nearly overwhelming amount of side content there is, most of which is purposefully baked into the experience to either expand what you know about the world, deepen the bonds you foster between your crew, or simply reward your curiosity while feeding progression.

All of that makes for a gameplay loop that continues to be quite hard to put down. Start a playthrough of this one, and you’re going to be thinking about it even when you’re away from your consoles. I will say that the activities you take on will depend on your personal tastes, but you’re sure to find something to like amid stuff like hunting down intel about the world, the Protorelic questlines, chocobo activities, or all the things you can do in the Gold Saucer. This one’s dense as they come, and it’s also generous enough to make the RPG side of things feel very rewarding indeed.

"There are more playable characters, which brings a wider range of tactical options for you to utilize. Combat encounters are similarly flexible, letting you take varying approaches to problem-solving on the fly."

That’s because this one’s not just an action game with a bit of customization thrown in to make it feel like an RPG. Instead, it’s an RPG through and through, with a bunch of mechanics that feed into the options you have at your disposal to create synergies between party members. You’ve got Materia, weapon upgrades, Folios, crafting, transmutation of items, a great gear system, and a lot of build potential to let you decide how your party operates when they come under enemy fire. If you’re the type who enjoys finding unique ways to take advantage of well-crafted systems, this one’s probably going to keep you occupied for a while.

Of course, all of the energy you spend on creating the perfect party setup has to feed into something, and that’s where the combat system comes in. It’s easily my favorite part of the entire game, building on the hybrid between action and the ATB system from Remake. There are more playable characters, which brings a wider range of tactical options for you to utilize. Combat encounters are similarly flexible, letting you take varying approaches to problem-solving on the fly.

Your party members’ abilities synergize very well once you sink a little time into enabling such interactions, and with options like character switching, managing your stagger bars, blocking, and dodging based on your enemy’s attacks forming the crux of your basic toolkit, that’s already a lot to wrap your head around. Throw in features like Limit Breaks, Synergy Abilities, Summons, and Materia combinations, and you have a combat system that feels like you’re the conductor of a very talented opera, one that manages to sustain a spellbinding performance on the grand stage that this one offers you.

It all comes together so beautifully that you can’t help but marvel at it all. Between the story, combat, and all that the world has to offer you, Rebirth is a title that delivers the best combat in the series while framing it within a narrative and exploratory loop that makes it stand out instead of diminishing it. Everything you do in this game feeds back into an important layer of the experience, and it works very well to make you fall in love with it.

"If you’ve got an Xbox, know that this one isn’t a compromised late arrival, but a strong offering in the platform’s RPG space, and a title that’s very easy to recommend wholeheartedly."

The Xbox Series X port of the game offers three different graphics modes. One is the Graphics mode, which pushes the game to its maximum visual fidelity while rendering at 4K resolution. There are two performance modes, one that sharpens the rendered image and the other that smooths it out. All modes did a decent job with regard to their performance targets, but we preferred the Graphics mode since this is where the game shines the best, thanks to overall high-quality visuals and assets.

With all that’s been said about it, and not for the first time, you’ve probably already guessed that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a superb RPG and a very welcome addition to your library of Xbox games. It brings a bold story, a very memorable cast of characters, a world that does not let you remain idle for too long, and outstanding combat, all of which are woven together so seamlessly that it makes this one among the most impressive titles in years.

Yes, flaws like a bit of stiffness to traversal mechanics, and some slightly exaggerated moments in the story are there. But they’re largely ignorable in the face of an experience that does everything else so darn well. If you’ve got an Xbox, know that this one isn’t a compromised late arrival, but a strong offering in the platform’s RPG space, and a title that’s very easy to recommend wholeheartedly.

It aims for the clouds, with little strife to be found on the gameplay front (pun intended), and it’s been a pleasure to return to it once again.

This game was reviewed on the Xbox Series X.

In the meantime, Square Enix has a new trailer that brings a lot of style and gives you a good idea of what to expect from the game if you’re going in blind (which is no small task given how long it’s been out). There’s a reason it’s the second-highest rated game in the series, after all. Well, there are several, but we’d pick the way it brought fresh layers to a familiar story as our top one.

Those playing on the Switch 2 might want to free up a little space, though, since Rebirth could require over 100 GB of installation space. If you’re curious about trying it out first-hand, a free demo is available on Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S with save data carrying over to the base game.

BrokenLore: FOLLOW

After UNFOLLOW, Serafini Productions now wants you to FOLLOW with its addition to the BrokenLore franchise. What exactly is happening? Well, we don’t know, aside from the fact that Anne is back and still dealing with extensive trauma, including but not limited to issues with her mother, bullying, feelings of worthlessness, and so on. And if that wasn’t bad enough, she contended with all kinds of horrors, like a giant gagged head shuffling through the halls and Mini Anne, a sentient doll. If this is truly the end of her journey before we move on to scary climbing in Ascend, then here’s hoping Anne finds some peace when BrokenLore: FOLLOW launches on June 1st for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2)

The second chapter in the remake trilogy features a much bigger world to explore, far deeper combat, enough mini-games to trip over, and of course, more Sephiroth. With Midgar left behind, Cloud and company venture across new locations, which are more expansive open-world-esque fields with enough enemies to test out the new Synergy attacks and Summons. And if you’re just here for the story, the Streamlined Progression features allow limitless HP and MP, easier ways to earn weapons, XP boosters, and much more, keeping the focus entirely on exploration and getting to know old and new friends, including Red XIII and Cait Sith. Currently available on PS5 and PC, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2 players will finally get their chance to join the adventure on June 3rd.

Gothic 1 Remake

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but regardless of the many clones over the years, nothing quite captured the feeling of the original Gothic. On June 5th, Alkimia Interactive is bringing the legend back to life, complete with contemporary visuals, expanded questlines, new abilities, and combat that promises to be more “fluid and dynamic.” However, the core experience of wandering around the Colony, which is a venerable ecosystem in its own right, and choosing which camps to ally with while uncovering this massive world and its stories, remains intact. If an open-world RPG that doesn’t hold your hand sounds good, then Gothic 1 Remake may be worth your while when it launches on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions

If you’re looking for a break from No Man’s Sky, perhaps a more structured co-op experience, then Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions may be your jam. It enters early access on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S on June 11th, and diverges from the original’s terraforming gameplay loop in favor of more adventure. Through the ESS Starseekeer, you’ll meet other players, pair up for expeditions, and venture to various planets to complete objectives (along with materials and loot to earn). The twist is that you have a limited amount of oxygen and avenues for violence, so you’ll need to repel creatures, explore the environment – including diving into unknown depths – and work alongside your crew to survive. With a much more polished base and monthly updates planned, it could serve as a worthwhile co-op distraction…in space.

EA Sports UFC 6

Much like EA Sports FC, Madden, and College Football, you know what you’re getting into with a new UFC title. UFC 6 sports a few new modes at the very least, including Hall of Legends, which feels like it’s taking a page out of the WWE 2K Showcase mode with its mix of gameplay and live-action footage from famous fights across UFC history. Meanwhile, The Legacy has you playing as a prospect who fights all the way to the top to become champion, offering a more narrative bent. But you still have Career Mode, where you can create a fighter and plot their career with a much larger number of choices and the option to hold and defend two belts. With its June 19th launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, maybe it could break the mold and bring some excitement to an otherwise familiar formula. Just like EA Sports is renowned for!

The 7th Guest Remake

As obtuse and impossible as the old-school adventure games were, it’s nice to see the more contemporary remakes capturing their essence with updated visuals. The 7th Guest Remake, based on Trilobyte’s critically acclaimed 1993 adventure, offers the same mystery as before. You’re the titular seventh guest, investigating a mystery surrounding the previous six and the villainous Henry Strauf in a dark mansion. Numerous puzzles await, unraveling more of its secrets while bringing you ever closer to the truth. Perhaps more intriguing, however, is that the remake retains the original’s use of live-action actors in 3D environments, except with newly recorded footage that looks far crisper. The 7th Guest Remake launches on June 4th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, so if you covet adventure mystery titles with a dash of horror, this might just be another worthy addition to the collection.

#DRIVE Rally (Consoles)

Sega will continue dragging its feet and never give us a brand new Sega Rally title, so in the meantime, efforts like #DRIVE Rally will have to suffice. Currently available on PC, it’s coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2 on June 18th, packing six massive locations and 25 customizable vehicles in three classes. If you’re serious about competition, there are multiple Championships to earn and leaderboards to compete in (complete with ghosts), or you can kick back in Free Roam and add some sweet interior decorations to your collection. #DRIVE Rally definitely leans more towards the arcade side of racing, especially with its aesthetic, but it still offers some fun off-roading action.

NBA The Run

Remember the good old days of NBA Street? Play by Play Studios is seemingly trying to capture some of that magic with NBA The Run, a $30 street basketball title coming to Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. The main goal is to win the Run the World Tournament. Four rounds, knockout rules, winner is crowned the champion. Pair up with two other players, taking control of a single player in Knockout Squads or control the entire team in Knockout Solos. Private Tournaments are also possible in Knockout Friends, and you can either take on the AI alone, with other players, or organize a massive competition with a staggering 48-player limit. And even with the indie studio budget, there are still over 30 NBA superstars to control, as you make a run for the top.

Star Fox

The audible groan of certain communities when this was revealed to be a remake of Star Fox 64 was palpable. But the latter arguably remains the series’ peak, and Star Fox for the Switch 2, launching on June 25th, retains everything that made it so great, save for completely overhauled visuals. You can experience the story on three different difficulties, either solo or in co-op, or partake in Challenge Mode with different objectives. Even multiplayer has been revamped to support multiple objective-based modes pitting Star Fox and Star Wolf against each other. It may not be the next big Switch 2 exclusive, but personally, it’s great to see the franchise return and looking so good.

Hell Let Loose: Vietnam

After bringing the brutal conflicts of World War 2 into the multiplayer space with unrelenting realism and a massive scale, Expression Games has its eyes set on Vietnam. Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, out on June 18th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, leverages Unreal Engine 5 to deliver six massive maps where one side attempts to annihilate the other. With 17 different combat roles, new aerial units like helicopters, patrol boats, to battle across extensive rivers, dragging allies away to help them recover, revamped movement and the ability to tunnel for ambushes, this could be the definitive war sim shooter experience of the year.

It is worth noting that either of the file sizes would still end up making Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth the largest game on the Nintendo Switch 2, taking the role from Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade, Split Fiction, and Cyberpunk 2077 Special Edition, which weigh in at 90.4 GB, 71 GB, and 60 GB, respectively.

The large file size also means that players won’t really get the choice of getting their hands on a physical copy of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on the Nintendo Switch 2, which contains all of the game’s data on the cartridge. Rather, the physical release will end up being a Game-Key Card, since the title is much larger than even the largest-sized game kart offered by Nintendo.

Director Naoki Hamaguchi has spoken about Game-Key Cards in the past, and while he noted that the Nintendo Switch 2 audience would have preferred the full game to be on the kart, performance and storage constraints prevented Square Enix from being able to fit the entire game into it.

“There’s simply no way around key cards in certain respects,” said Hamaguchi. “If you compare loading directly from a game cartridge (containing all game data) to loading from the Nintendo Switch 2’s internal storage, the load speed difference is roughly double. Some have expressed concern that multiplatform development may impose constraints not only on graphics but even on game design itself. However, this is precisely why we didn’t choose a cartridge.”

Hamaguchi also revealed some technical aspects by discussing how the game is designed around loading data into memory as needed. This would run counter to Nintendo Switch 2’s game cards, which focus on loading all game data upfront, and no further data being loaded over the course of a level. This, along with the fact that SSD and UFS storage options tend to offer faster read speeds, made the decision quite easy for the developers.

“Our game design isn’t built around loading all data upfront, with nothing further being loaded afterward,” Hamaguchi explained. “Even during gameplay, data is constantly swapped in and out, and given that premise, the loading speed from a game card would inevitably be insufficient, leading to stress for the player. In addition, with currently available cartridge capacity, there is the practical limitation that the full game data simply wouldn’t fit in the first place.”

“However, as long as we can secure the high-speed storage read speeds, such as SSD or UFS (on Switch 2), the design we’re aiming for becomes achievable within the scope of optimization for each platform. For the third game in the trilogy, we’re proceeding with development with the goal of delivering a large-scale experience similar to Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, so please rest assured on that point.”

The Nintendo Switch 2 release of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will be joined by an Xbox Series X/S launch. For more details on the latter, here is everything you need to know.

Hamaguchi also noted that we will see more of his character arc evolve, especially with his tendency to talk too much when he finds a subject he is keenly interested in.

“We understand that many fans are fond of Chadley,” he said. “However, whether he’s become a playable character is something we’re unable to comment on at this time.”

“That said, Chadley will continue to play an important role even in the final installment of the trilogy. His strong curiosity and tendency to talk a bit too much – inherent traits that he’s aware of and somewhat self-conscious about – will be further explored in the third game, too. It’d make me happy if players could warmly follow how Chadley becomes involved in the story and what role he takes in supporting it.”

Chadley was introduced quite early in Final Fantasy 7 Remake, acting as the central hub for players to take on additional combat challenges through VR missions. Through him, players could also unlock new summon materia. Chadley also gave us additional side objectives that could be completed over the course of the game, like using the Assess skill on a certain number of enemies or causing specific enemies to get Staggered.

Through this, players could get their hands on powerful materia like Parry, First Strike, and Skill Master. Completing all of Chadley’s challenges also opened up a final optional boss fight—Bahamut—which rewarded players with the Bahamut Summon materia.

The character returned in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, frequently appearing in new towns that players traveled to and giving out more optional objectives to complete. Chadley, along with an AI he created named MAI, was also responsible for many of the game’s open-world activities. However, his presence in the game started to wear thin for many players owing to how often he would keep talking.

Chadley’s impact on the story in Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 remains to be seen. However, Hamaguchi had previously said that the team has no plans to bring in large changes to the original Final Fantasy 7 story. He spoke about trusting the game’s writer, Kazushige Nojima, to not bring in large changes, since it was “one of the aspects of development we were most sensitive about.”

“When it comes to the overarching story, I place my trust in what Kazushige Nojima writes and have no intention of altering that based on my judgment,” he said. “However, with the significant increase in visual fidelity in these remakes, arranging events and the passage of time exactly as they were in the original game can sometimes result in scenes that feel implausible.

“When changes in time or dates don’t feel convincing, it also breaks the player’s emotional engagement.”

In the meantime, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S on June 3rd. For more details, here is everything you need to know about its Xbox Series X/S release.

Standalone Second Entry in a Remake Trilogy

First released in 2024, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second title in a planned remake trilogy of the revered 1997 action RPG. Following Cloud Strife and his band of eco-warriors, Rebirth picks up where Remake left off, taking you into the wider world en route to The Forgotten Capital following the collapse of Midgar. If you’re unfamiliar with the story, that’s really all you need to know. The developer has expanded the original game’s story sufficiently enough that dropping in midway shouldn’t hamper the overall experience – Rebirth is a standalone entry.

Mix of Real-Time and Turn-Based Combat

Unlike the 1997 predecessor, which featured exclusively turn-based combat, the Remake Trilogy uses a hybrid system, weaving real-time action into its original three-party-member design. Rebirth, however, introduces some refinement over Remake, making combat much more fluid and fast-paced: aerial manoeuvres, for one, are more common amongst characters, while many utility moves are now a part of a character’s standard moveset. Blocks and Parries negate damage whilst building Active Time Battle (ATB) Points, which can be spent in turn on special abilities, magic, or utility items. Whilst there’s a lot for novices to understand, FF7 Rebirth’s combat caters to a variety of skill levels. It can be as simple or as complex as you like.

Synergy Abilities Unlock Your Potential

That said, if you want to become a true master of Rebirth’s hybrid combat system you’ll need to execute Synergy Abilities, where two characters combine techniques to unleash more powerful attacks; made all-the-more devastating if you’ve worked your enemy into a “Stagger” state. Synergy systems, overall, have been expanded for Rebirth, supported further by a Party Levelling System which upgrades your chosen group simultaneously, reinforcing their bond and strengthening their combinable abilities.

Xbox Version Launches with Streamlined Progression

Whether you’re unconvinced by Rebirth’s combat, you’re desperate to engage with the story, or you simply don’t want to grind, then Streamlined Progression – launching with the Xbox version – will make progressing through fights a trivial breeze. When active, all hits deal colossal damage, while resources such as Materia Points – the magical weapon and armour augments – health, and ATB gauges will remain at their maximum. Limit Breaks – special moves ordinarily charged by taking damage, using specific Synergy abilities, or staggering enemies – will be freely available in Streamlined Progression mode too.

Enhanced Visual Modes on Xbox Series X

On Xbox Series X, FF7 Rebirth offers multiple visual modes, with the standout being a 4K-targeting Graphics Mode which will prioritise image fidelity, environmental detail, more defined character models, plus overall clarity. This mode, however, won’t operate at a consistent 60fps, so a Performance Mode is also available if smoothness is your preference.

VRR Support and SSD Optimisation

The game also supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) which should help to smooth any performance friction during visually demanding sections. Combined with optimisation for the Xbox Series X|S SSD, load times are kept short, allowing for quick transitions across the ginormous open world, whether by fast travel or riding a Chocobo across the plains.

Spatial Audio and HDR10 Support

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s Xbox Series X|S enhancements go beyond visual with full support for Xbox Spatial Sound. Bringing immersive 3D audio positioning, from enemies approaching from off-screen or environmental ambience breathing life into the world. Three formats are supported: the free Windows Sonic, and paid for Dolby Atmos and DTS Sound Unbound. Elsewhere, HDR10 support rounds out the overall presentation on Xbox Series X|S, improving contrast, brightness, and colour depth. Collectively, these Xbox-specific features bring richness and dynamism to players on Microsoft’s console platform.

Supports Xbox Play Anywhere and Cross-Save

Xbox Playwhere Anywhere support means a single digital purchase of FF7 Rebirth can be played across both Xbox consoles and PC at no extra cost. Sweetening the deal further, cross-save functionality ensures that your progress carries over seamlessly between platforms, ensuring that if you were to switch from console to handheld PC, for instance, your game will continue without losing momentum.

Returning Remake Players Can Access Exclusive Bonuses

If you have an existing save file from Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on your Xbox or PC you can unlock exclusive Leviathan Summon Materia bonuses in Rebirth. Now, this bonus isn’t found in the world, but accessed via the system’s DLC menu, and it’s worth doing as Leviathan is a powerful summoning option. Furthermore, if you’ve played through Yuffie’s Episode INTERmission DLC, and have a save file to back it up, then you’ll also be able to acquire a Summon Materia.

Xbox Velocity Architecture Support

Both Xbox Series X and Series S versions will take advantage of Xbox Velocity Architecture, which hastens storage and data streaming, significantly reducing loading bottlenecks by freeing up processing power otherwise reserved for CPU-related overheads. Together with other speed-related systems, like the game’s SSD optimisation, it allows for smoother world traversal by rendering detail quickly – a point especially crucial given the importance of expansive exploration throughout Rebirth.

Series X vs Series S Differences

While both consoles deliver the full FF7 Rebirth experience, there are, as expected, a handful of technical differences. Xbox Series X, of course, targets higher resolutions and more stable performance through the aforementioned Graphics and Performance modes, while Series S opts for a lower maximum pixel count in the region of 1440p at 30fps with Graphics enabled and 1080p at 60fps during Performance. Series S, however, also includes a “Balanced” mode, striking a middle ground between fidelity and performance, with a purported 800p at an unstable 60fps offering you more flexibility in how you experience the game.

Digital Deluxe Edition Overview

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s Digital Deluxe Edition includes the base game alongside a selection of bonus DLC content including Magic Pot Summoning Materia, a Reclaimant Choker accessory, and Orchid Bracelet Armour. Also includes access to Digital Artbooks; for the relatively light jump in price over the Standard Edition, the Deluxe Edition could prove a worthwhile upgrade.

Release Date, Price, and Pre-Order Bonuses

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is set to release on Xbox Series X|S on June 3rd. Pricewise, you’re looking at $49.99 for the Standard Edition, and $64.99 for the Deluxe. There are a handful of bonuses if you pre-order, not least the 20% discount across the Xbox store running until release, but a pre-purchase DLC pack too. This contains: Moogle Trio and Posh Chocobo Summoning Materia, Shinra Bangle and Midgar Bangle Mk II armour.

No Game Pass Plans

For now, at least, presently there are no announced plans to bring FF7 Rebirth to Xbox Game Pass. However, the already-mentioned early purchase discount does make the game slightly more accessible if you’re planning to jump in at launch. Whether the game eventually lands on Game Pass remains to be seen.

Free Demo With Transferable Progress

If, after all this, you still need tipping over the edge there is a free demo available via Xbox’s online store, allowing you to play through an early portion of the game without committing to a purchase. What’s more, progress made during the demo can be transferred to the full release, while completing the demo entirely unlocks a bonus Kupo Charm and a set of consumables, including potions and ethers.

Director Naoki Hamaguchi previously said the trilogy won’t bring “large changes” to the original’s overarching narrative. So you can imagine his surprise at how far speculation has gone, especially for the third part of the remake. Don’t expect him to acknowledge or deny it anytime soon, either, since he obviously doesn’t want to spoil the surprise.

Speaking to Nintenderos (translation via GamesRadar), Hamaguchi said, “The moment we start doing that, the story ceases to be an experience to be received and becomes a search for the ‘right answer.'” If that sounds like there’s enough room for interpretation, that’s exactly what the team intended.

“The fact that this has generated so much discussion among fans is, to me, a clear sign that this design is working as we intended.” Of course, not all of it has been positive, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Hamaguchi accounted for this.

Otherwise, it’s the same old story – no release date for Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3, much less an official title (though it has been decided internally). Announcement preparations are “steadily underway,” but when and where remains the big question. Thankfully, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2 users can experience Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on June 3rd, at long last. Check out our review of the PS5 version to learn more about it.

That is not to say that Hamaguchi believes that turn-based games should go away, however. He noted that the genre also has its own strengths. “Games where you evaluate the situation, contemplate your moves, and build upon the decisions you make are deeply universal, closely tied to the very nature of human thought.”

He even went on to bring up other recent games—like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, for example—that are able to bring in real-time action elements despite their combat systems being turn-based. “It’s also true that when we look at younger players, they increasingly favor more real-time experiences in games,” he said. “I believe they’re a generation that’s naturally accustomed to receiving instant feedback upon input.”

“With that context in mind, it may have been inevitable for turn-based games that incorporate real-time decision-making through action elements to gain prominence. I think this reflects players’ desire for both the excitement of strategy and the immediacy of response.”

With the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, Hamaguchi said that the development team was concerned about how moving the 1997 original into the world of real-time action combat would “reduce the room for strategic thinking and the momentary tension of choosing commands that were present in the original game.”

Ultimately, however, the studio was able to bring in elements of the original Final Fantasy 7‘s Active-Time Battle system into the Remake trilogy by allowing players to pull off special moves after a certain number of regular attacks filled up an ATB bar.

It is worth noting that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was far from the first game to blend real-time elements with turn-based combat in an RPG. Titles as old as 1996’s Super Mario RPG on SNES featured similar elements. We would also see these elements make their way into other titles like 2008’s Xbox 360 JRPG Lost Odyssey, as well as Nintendo’s Mario & Luigi franchise.

Interestingly, Final Fantasy 16 producer Naoki Yoshida had expressed the belief that a modern audience would be more receptive to real-time combat in RPGs rather than turn-based systems. In an interview from 2022, he spoke about growing up with turn-based RPGs, as well as opinions about the combat systems from younger players these days.

“I’m from a generation that grew up with command and turn-based RPGs,” Yoshida said. “I think I understand how interesting and immersive it can be. On the other hand, for the past decade or so, I’ve seen quite a number of opinions saying ‘I don’t understand the attraction of selecting commands in video games.’”

Recently, Hamaguchi had also spoken about the decision to turn the remake of Final Fantasy 7 into a trilogy, and how there was simply no other way to achieve the level of detail and world density that Square Enix wanted.