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The direct answer: start with Remake Intergrade
The recommended sequence is straightforward:
- FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE (Part 1)
- FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH (Part 2)
This is not merely a fan-made ordering. Square Enix’s official remake-project description labels FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE as Part 1 and FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH as Part 2. The publisher also identifies a third, unnamed entry as Part 3. Rebirth is designed to continue directly from the first game rather than function as an unrelated retelling.
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If you already own Remake, use that version before Rebirth. If you are buying the first game now, look specifically for the enhanced release titled FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE. “Intergrade” is the first part in enhanced form; it is not a separate sequel or an alternative order.
How the two games fit together
Remake Intergrade is the opening chapter
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE retells the opening Midgar stage of the 1997 Final Fantasy VII story. In Square Enix’s project structure, the Intergrade edition represents Part 1. It establishes Cloud and the party, introduces the setting and central conflict, and ends before the broader journey outside Midgar.
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For a first-time player, this first chapter supplies context that Rebirth assumes you will either know or learn from its recap. Character relationships, motivations and the significance of leaving Midgar have more room to develop when experienced in sequence. You do not need to have played the original 1997 game, another Final Fantasy title or any older spin-off to begin here.
Rebirth is the journey beyond Midgar
Square Enix describes Rebirth as the next story in the remake project. Its setup begins after Cloud and his companions have escaped Midgar and are pursuing Sephiroth. The journey expands beyond the city and continues toward the Forgotten Capital. That premise makes Rebirth a continuation, not a replacement for Remake.
The publisher calls Rebirth a standalone adventure for both existing fans and newcomers. “Standalone” means you can launch and complete the game without owning the previous title; it does not mean the narrative order is interchangeable. Rebirth is still Part 2, and its opening assumes that the events and people introduced in Part 1 matter.
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Why the order matters even when both games are accessible
The distinction between can play and should play resolves most of the confusion around this choice. Rebirth has enough onboarding to let a new customer start it, while Remake Intergrade is the intended beginning of the project. Those statements are compatible, not contradictory.
Playing Remake first lets you encounter the Midgar setting before the story opens outward. It also means that the party’s departure, the pursuit of Sephiroth and the move toward the Forgotten Capital arrive as developments rather than as information you must reconstruct from a summary. That continuity is especially useful if you care about why characters are traveling together and how their relationships were established.
Starting with Rebirth is therefore a question of tradeoffs, not a secret alternate order. You gain immediate access to Part 2, but you give up the gradual introduction delivered by Part 1. You can recover the broad facts through the recap; you cannot recreate the exact first-playthrough sequence afterward.
Can you start with Rebirth?
Yes, but it is the compromise option. Rebirth contains an in-game video that summarizes Remake’s story. Square Enix’s FAQ also explains that no previous Final Fantasy game is required because each entry has its own story. Those provisions make Rebirth a practical starting point for someone who cannot access Remake or wants to play only the newest release.
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The recap gives you the broad sequence of events needed to follow the premise. It cannot provide the same gradual introduction as playing Part 1 yourself. You will meet characters, locations and conflicts after their first major development, and you may encounter references whose emotional weight is clearer after Remake. The result can still be understandable, but it is a different experience from following the intended progression.
Use this rule:
- Choose Remake Intergrade first if you want the complete narrative setup, care about character context or expect to continue through the full remake project.
- Choose Rebirth first only when access, platform ownership or personal preference makes the first game impractical, and accept the built-in recap as your background.
Remake vs. Rebirth at a glance
| Question | Remake Intergrade | Rebirth |
|---|---|---|
| Place in the remake project | Part 1 | Part 2 |
| Story position | The opening Midgar stage of this retelling | After the party escapes Midgar; the pursuit of Sephiroth continues toward the Forgotten Capital |
| Can a newcomer launch it directly? | Yes; it is the project’s opening entry | Yes; Square Enix includes a Remake-story video and markets it as a standalone adventure |
| Best use in a first playthrough | Play first for the intended introduction and context | Play second as the continuation |
| Is another Final Fantasy game required? | No | No; the official FAQ says previous Final Fantasy games are not required |
| What to look for when buying | The enhanced release named FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE | A current edition compatible with your platform and region |
The table explains why there is no meaningful “winner” between the games for this particular question. They serve different positions in one project. Rebirth is the larger next step in the story, while Remake Intergrade is the correct entry point.
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Which order should different kinds of players use?
You have never played Final Fantasy VII
Play Remake Intergrade, then Rebirth. This route introduces the remake’s version of the world in the same order Square Enix presents it. You can then continue into Rebirth without stopping to reconstruct earlier events from a video summary.
You played the 1997 original
Play Remake Intergrade first anyway. Familiarity with the original may help you recognize the setting, but the remake project is presented as a new three-part retelling. Knowledge of the older game is optional context, not a substitute for Part 1.
You have played Remake but not the enhanced edition
Move on to Rebirth after finishing the version you own. Intergrade is the enhanced release to seek when purchasing the first game now; it does not create a new story-order requirement for someone who has already completed Remake.
You can access only Rebirth
Start Rebirth, watch its included Remake summary and treat it as a deliberate Part 2 entry. This is the most defensible reason to reverse the recommended order. If you later gain access to Remake Intergrade, playing it afterward can fill in background, but the events will no longer be arriving in their intended sequence.
You want to sample the newest game before committing
Rebirth’s recap makes a trial run possible, but it is not the best test of the project’s opening. If you are deciding whether the remake’s storytelling works for you, Remake Intergrade gives the more representative first chapter and avoids judging a continuation without its setup.
You are buying for someone who has never played a Final Fantasy game
Give that player Remake Intergrade first unless their platform makes it unavailable. The official FAQ does not require prior Final Fantasy knowledge, so there is no preparatory title they must complete. A new player can begin with the remake project itself.
What “standalone” does and does not mean
Square Enix’s wording matters because it resolves a common confusion. Rebirth is a standalone title in the practical sense: it has its own installation, can be purchased separately and contains a story summary for newcomers. It is not standalone in the sense of being narratively detached from Remake.
Think of the recap as an orientation tool. It tells a new player what happened before Rebirth begins, while Remake provides the scenes, pacing and relationship-building that made those events matter. If your priority is simply understanding the immediate premise, Rebirth can work. If your priority is experiencing the remake project as structured, Remake Intergrade comes first.
Standalone also does not mean that Rebirth is Part 1 of a new series. Square Enix calls it the “highly anticipated new story” in the remake project and describes the original game’s reimagining as three standalone titles. Each title can be entered independently, but together they form the planned sequence.
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Where Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion belongs
CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION is separate from the remake project’s numbered parts. Square Enix describes it as a prequel focused on Zack Fair. It is not Part 1, and it is not required before either Remake Intergrade or Rebirth.
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For a first playthrough centered on the remake project, do not insert Crisis Core Reunion between the two main games. The clean order remains Remake Intergrade followed by Rebirth. Consider the prequel optional background only if you specifically want a Zack-focused story after establishing the main sequence.
Chronological-prequel status is not the same as recommended first-play order. Choosing Crisis Core because its events occur earlier can introduce a different set of characters and expectations before you have experienced the project’s own opening. Keep it separate unless your specific goal is exploring Zack’s story.
How to buy the right first game
Check the exact title
Search for the full name FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE. Listings that mention only “Final Fantasy VII” or “Remake” can refer to different editions, so verify the title on the product page before paying.
Match the edition to your system
Square Enix lists physical and digital options, but the available edition depends on platform and region. Confirm all of the following on your local store listing:
- The supported platform matches the console or computer you actually use.
- The listing is for Intergrade if you are buying Part 1 now.
- The product is a complete game license rather than an upgrade entitlement that assumes another edition.
- The store region, language options and account region are compatible with your setup.
Compare a twin pack only after checking local availability
Square Enix’s purchase information includes physical editions of a Remake and Rebirth twin pack on supported consoles, along with physical standard and deluxe editions for Rebirth. Availability is not universal: storefront inventory, formats and supported platforms vary by country and can change. A twin pack is useful when its contents and platform match your system, but it does not alter the recommended order.
Do not assume the newest platform listing is the same everywhere
Rebirth’s platform and edition information should be checked against a current local retailer or the platform store you intend to use. Official pages may show different options by region, and a product page in one country does not guarantee that the same physical or digital package is sold in another.
Physical versus digital is a convenience decision
Neither format changes the story order. Choose physical if you want a boxed copy and your local store stocks the compatible edition; choose digital if the platform store is the simpler route. In either case, confirm that the product includes the complete game you expect and is not merely an upgrade or add-on listing.
A practical first-playthrough plan
- Choose Remake Intergrade as Part 1. Confirm the exact title and platform before downloading or ordering.
- Finish Remake before opening Rebirth. This preserves the narrative transition from Midgar to the journey beyond it.
- Install or purchase Rebirth for the same compatible ecosystem where possible. Check your local store because format and platform availability vary.
- Begin Rebirth without treating the recap as mandatory. It remains available as a refresher if time has passed since you completed Remake.
- Keep Crisis Core Reunion optional. It is a separate Zack-focused prequel, not a prerequisite or replacement for Part 1.
If you begin with Rebirth because that is the only accessible option, watch the summary before making decisions about the wider project. The summary is there specifically to reduce the context gap for newcomers; it does not turn Rebirth into Part 1.
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If a long gap separates the games, you can replay the recap before Rebirth even after completing Remake. Treat it as a memory aid, not as a reason to skip the first game. The recommended sequence stays the same whether you play the titles close together or months apart.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common mistakes to avoid
Mistake: treating “standalone” as “Part 1”
Standalone describes Rebirth’s accessibility, not its position. The official project order still places it second.
Mistake: buying a spin-off as the opening game
Crisis Core Reunion is a prequel centered on Zack Fair. Buying it first because it is chronologically earlier is a different approach from following the remake project’s release and part order.
Mistake: assuming the original game is required
It is not. The official FAQ says previous Final Fantasy games are unnecessary. Start with Remake Intergrade if you are new to the series.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallMistake: assuming every store lists the same package
Physical, digital, standard, deluxe and twin-pack options can differ by platform and region. Read the local listing’s title and compatibility details rather than relying on a search-result thumbnail.
Mistake: expecting a numeric comparison to answer an order question
There is no need to choose a game based on an invented score, completion-time estimate or performance claim. The decisive evidence is structural: Remake Intergrade is Part 1 and Rebirth is Part 2.
Mistake: assuming Intergrade is a separate sequel
Intergrade is the enhanced release of the first entry. It does not sit between Remake and Rebirth, and owning it does not create an extra story chapter that must be played separately.
Decision guide
| Your situation | Best choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| New to the series and able to buy both | Remake Intergrade first | It is the official opening part and supplies the full introduction. |
| Already own Remake | Finish it, then play Rebirth | Rebirth continues after the Midgar portion. |
| Only Rebirth is available on your platform | Start Rebirth with its recap | The publisher designed it to be accessible to newcomers, with a built-in summary. |
| Considering Crisis Core Reunion | Keep it optional and separate | It is a Zack-focused prequel, not Part 1 of the remake project. |
| Choosing between physical and digital | Use the format supported by your system and region | Official purchase options vary by storefront and location. |
| Buying a bundle | Verify every included title and platform | Twin-pack availability and contents can vary by market. |
Bottom line
Play FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE before FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH. That order follows Square Enix’s own Part 1 and Part 2 structure and gives Rebirth the context it was built to continue. Rebirth’s recap makes a first-game bypass possible, but it is a fallback for access or preference, not the better default. Crisis Core Reunion is optional prequel material and should not displace the two main remake entries.
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Can I play Final Fantasy VII Rebirth without playing Remake?
Yes. Rebirth includes an in-game video summary and Square Enix markets it as a standalone adventure for newcomers. However, Remake Intergrade is still the recommended first game because it is Part 1 and provides the intended character and story buildup.
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Should I play Remake Intergrade before Rebirth?
Yes. Play FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE first, followed by FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH. Intergrade is the enhanced release of the project’s first entry, not a separate sequel.
Do I need to play the 1997 Final Fantasy VII first?
No. Square Enix’s FAQ says previous Final Fantasy games are not required. New players can begin with Remake Intergrade.
Is Crisis Core Reunion part of the Remake order?
No. Crisis Core Reunion is a separate Zack Fair-focused prequel. It is optional and should not replace Remake Intergrade as Part 1 or be inserted between the two main remake titles.
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You can play the version you own and then move to Rebirth. Intergrade is the enhanced edition to seek when buying Part 1 now, but it does not create a new required order for someone who has already completed Remake.
Is Rebirth Part 1 because it is described as standalone?
No. “Standalone” means it can be purchased and played independently, with a recap for newcomers. Square Enix still identifies Rebirth as Part 2 of the three-game remake project.
Can I buy a Remake and Rebirth twin pack?
Square Enix lists physical twin-pack editions on supported consoles, but availability, formats and contents vary by country and platform. Check your local retailer or platform store before buying.
Should I choose physical or digital editions?
Either format works for the recommended order. Choose the option compatible with your system and region, and verify that the listing is a complete game license rather than an upgrade entitlement.
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The Bottom Line
Recommended order: FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE, then FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH. Rebirth’s recap makes it playable for newcomers, but Remake Intergrade remains the proper starting point. Crisis Core Reunion is optional prequel material, not a required first step.
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