The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Spoiler note: The main comparison is spoiler-light. A clearly marked section below discusses Rebirth’s endpoint at the Forgotten Capital and one major difference in the games’ route.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is not a scene-for-scene remake of the original FF7. It is the second game in Square Enix’s three-part reimagining: Final Fantasy VII Remake expands the Midgar story, while Rebirth takes the party into the wider world. That changes the story coverage, scale of exploration, combat options, optional activities and progression between releases.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
How the trilogy changes the original story’s structure
The original Final Fantasy VII tells its story in one game. Square Enix instead presents the remake project as three standalone titles. Director Tetsuya Nomura said, “We have announced that the Final Fantasy VII remake project will be a trilogy and that each entry will be a standalone game in its own right.” (PlayStation Blog interview.)
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minute| Game | Story coverage |
|---|---|
| Final Fantasy VII (original) | The complete original game’s story. |
| Final Fantasy VII Remake | Midgar through the party’s escape. Square Enix says this installment goes deeper into the events there than the original does. (Square Enix.) |
| Final Fantasy VII Rebirth | The journey after the escape from Midgar, across multiple regions, through the Forgotten Capital. (Square Enix.) |
So “remake” here does not mean that one new release retells every scene from the original. To compare the full original story with the new project, you have to consider all three installments; Rebirth covers only part of that larger arc.
#1 Best Overall
- Immerse yourself in the city of Midgar like never before, with improved textures, lighting, and background environments
- Players can switch between two game modes: o "Graphics Mode" prioritises 4K high-resolution graphics o "Performance Mode" prioritises smooth action at 60 frames per second
- Capture and share your memorable moments from the game with a fully customisable “Photo Mode”
- Players can enjoy immersive battles by using the DualSense PlayStation 5 controller with its haptic feedback integration
What changed in the story and route?
Rebirth follows the party beyond Midgar, but its location order does not exactly match the original. Nomura said some locations are reordered and that Wutai is not on Rebirth’s route; it is being saved for the next game. (Square Enix interview.) This is a reworked, divided narrative rather than a straightforward retelling on the original game’s timetable.
Square Enix describes Rebirth as a new story within a reimagining of the original. That establishes the project’s intent and scope, not a universal judgment about whether its changes are more faithful or better. Those assessments depend on what a player values in the original and in the new version.
Rank #2
- Weight: 0.25 lbs
- Great Gift Idea.
- Satisfaction Ensured.
- Produced with the highest grade materials
- Great for everyday use.
How the world and exploration differ
Remake is centered on Midgar; Rebirth shifts to a journey across a broader world of distinct regions. Developer Naoki Hamaguchi described rebuilding the large world map with towns and dungeons. He also outlined a structure that mixes story, battles and minigames, with the option to return to earlier regions after the main quest has moved on. (PlayStation Blog interview.)
Recommended Free Tools
The practical change is one of scale and variety: Rebirth moves between regions rather than concentrating its setting in one city. Whether that makes its open-world exploration more enjoyable is a matter of taste; the developers’ descriptions explain the design, not a settled quality verdict.
Rank #3
What changed in combat and the party?
Square Enix describes Rebirth’s combat as a mix of action and strategy, with new synergy skills and abilities. These additions give party members more ways to act together; they are concrete changes to the system, not proof that it is objectively better than the original’s combat. (Square Enix.)
Red XIII, who accompanied the party in Remake, becomes an official playable party member in Rebirth, according to Nomura. (PlayStation Blog interview.) That makes him a direct addition to the playable lineup, not merely a character present in the story.
Rank #4
- The Amazon Exclusive Edition includes a FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH PS5 controller skin (inside the case) featuring Cloud and Sephiroth. This PS5 controller skin provides full coverage without buttons or sensor interference.
- An Expansive World: As the party searches for Sephiroth, explore the beautiful, expansive regions of the world and open up new areas to discover through unique forms of transportation
- Deepen their relationships to unleash powerful team based combos
- An Evolved Battle System: Combine strategic thinking with thrilling action combat alongside your comrades, including newly added characters
- Beyond the Walls of Fate: In this standalone adventure for fans and newcomers, Cloud and his comrades venture across the planet, their fates unwritten, making each step outside the dystopian city of Midgar fresh and mysterious
How much optional content does Rebirth add?
Rebirth offers optional stories, battles, minigames and opportunities to revisit regions. Hamaguchi characterized the volume of side content as “nearly double” that of the main quest in a 2023 interview. This is a developer’s comparison of content volume, not a measured playtime figure or a guarantee that any player will spend twice as long on optional activities. (PlayStation Blog interview.)
Do levels and abilities carry over from Remake?
No. Hamaguchi said the trilogy’s games are balanced independently, so levels and abilities do not carry from one installment to the next. Players with eligible save data from the previous game can receive limited bonuses instead; these do not import a character build. (PlayStation Blog interview.)
Square Enix’s FAQ gives summon materia as an example of bonuses for eligible Remake save data on PS5 or PC. Check the current eligibility details for the platform and edition you own. (Square Enix FAQ.)
Can you start with Rebirth, and where can you play it?
Square Enix calls Rebirth a standalone game for fans and newcomers, and says it includes an in-game recap video for Remake. Starting with Rebirth is therefore an option rather than a stated prerequisite. For a clearer grasp of the ongoing plot and character relationships, playing Remake first is a sensible recommendation, not a hard requirement. (Square Enix FAQ.)
Square Enix currently lists Rebirth for PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S. Availability can depend on the platform and region; consult the publisher’s product page for current details. (Square Enix product information.)
Rebirth’s endpoint and a major route difference (spoilers)
Spoilers for Rebirth’s story endpoint and its route: Rebirth’s portion of the story reaches the Forgotten Capital. It does not include every location from the original game: Wutai is held for the next installment, and Nomura said the order of locations differs. These are differences in coverage and sequence; the trilogy’s story is not complete in Rebirth.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
