For a first playthrough, either start with the original Final Fantasy VII or begin the modern remake sequence: Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade → Final Fantasy VII Rebirth → Final Fantasy VII Revelation when it releases. The original-first route gives you the 1997 game as context; the remake-only route gets you straight into the newer presentation. Crisis Core –Final Fantasy VII– Reunion is a prequel, but it is better saved until after the main story.
What order should I play the Final Fantasy 7 games in?
Choose the route that matches how you want to experience the story. Square Enix identifies Intergrade as the first game in the remake series, Rebirth as the second, and Revelation as its concluding third installment.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII Remastered - Twin Pack (Nintendo Switch) | $34.29 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Final Fantasy VII Remake: Material Ultimania | $20.26 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Final Fantasy VII Poster Collection | $17.34 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Poster Collection | $28.60 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Core Crisis - Final Fantasy VII – Reunion | $20.13 | Buy on Amazon |
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| Route | Order | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Original first | Final Fantasy VII → Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade → Final Fantasy VII Rebirth → Final Fantasy VII Revelation when released | Players who want to experience the original story before the remake project. |
| Remake only | Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade → Final Fantasy VII Rebirth → Final Fantasy VII Revelation when released | Players who prefer the newer remake presentation or do not want to start with the original game. |
The original Final Fantasy VII first released for PlayStation on January 31, 1997, according to the Square Enix Final Fantasy Portal. Starting there is an editorial recommendation, not a mandatory order set by Square Enix.
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You do not have to. The original-first route lets you encounter the 1997 game before the modern entries; the remake-only route begins with Intergrade and follows the announced remake sequence. Pick the original route if seeing the source game first matters to you. Pick remake-only if you would rather start with the newer presentation and follow the remake trilogy as it arrives.
#1 Best Overall
- Final Fantasy VI - The following extra features are included:
- 3X speed mode
- ability to turn battle encounters off
- battle enhancement mode
- final FANTASY VIII remastered - The following extra features are included.battle assist options (HP, ATB gauge, and limit break boosts).game speed boost (X3.no random encounters
What is the order of the FF7 remake trilogy?
- Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade — the first remake-series game.
- Final Fantasy VII Rebirth — the second.
- Final Fantasy VII Revelation — the concluding third installment, planned for spring 2027.
Square Enix announced the order and spring 2027 window on June 8, 2026. The announcement lists the planned platforms as PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, Windows, Steam, and Epic Games Store. It does not establish a specific launch date or price. The first two games are listed as available; check current regional listings for platform and edition details. See the Square Enix announcement.
Should I play Crisis Core before FF7?
No, not for a first playthrough. Crisis Core –Final Fantasy VII– Reunion is a remaster of the original Crisis Core, follows Zack Fair, and begins seven years before Final Fantasy VII. Its earlier setting makes it a chronological prequel, but that does not make it the best newcomer starting point: playing it first can bring story revelations forward. Save it until after the original or remake story if you want to avoid that risk.
Rank #2
Square Enix describes the remaster as having upgraded graphics, soundtrack, interface, and combat. Its December 16, 2022 availability announcement lists PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, and Steam. Confirm current platform and edition listings before buying. Details are on the official game page and in Square Enix’s platform announcement.
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Where do Ever Crisis and other FF7 stories fit?
Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis
Ever Crisis is supplementary, not a required starting point. Producer Shoichi Ichikawa said the mobile game launched on September 7, 2023, and was intended to let players experience the broader Final Fantasy VII story, including compilation titles. It added Before Crisis chapters in three parts during July and August 2026. Ichikawa’s July 8, 2026 notice schedules the end of service for both Japanese and global versions for October 6, 2026 at 11 PM PDT. Because service is ending, it is not a durable way to begin the franchise. Read the producer’s notice.
Rank #3
Advent Children, Dirge of Cerberus, and books
Advent Children, Dirge of Cerberus, and the books are optional further exploration, not prerequisites for the two routes above. Square Enix’s sources cited here do not establish a complete mandatory chronology for every legacy compilation entry or book, so there is no need to force them into a single required play order.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Remaster of the original CRISIS CORE - FINAL FANTASY VII-, featuring a complete HD graphics overhaul, a remastered soundtrack, a reimagined UI, and an updated combat system.
- The story begins seven years before the events of FINAL FANTASY VII (1997) and follows Zack Fair, a young and ambitious Shinra SOLDIER operative. Zack is tasked with tracking down a missing SOLDIER 1st Class operative named Genesis Rhapsodos.
- But as his adventure unfolds, he discovers the dark secrets of Shinra's experiments and the monsters they create. The game features a number of characters from the FINAL FANTASY VII franchise such as Cloud, Sephiroth, Aerith and others.
Rank #4
Which route should you choose?
- Choose original first if you want the 1997 game as context for the remake project.
- Choose remake-only if you prefer the newer presentation and want to follow the remake sequence directly.
- Wait for Revelation if you want the planned third installment included in your playthrough; its announced release window is spring 2027.
- Save Crisis Core Reunion for after the main story if you are sensitive to prequel revelations.
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