Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade review – A must-have on Switch 2

Final Fantasy VII is one of the best games ever made. So of course the pressure was on when it was revealed that Square Enix was going to remake it. With it needing to be split into three parts to fulfil the company’s vision, it’s still being remade, in fact, with the final part yet to be released. But now, years after being made available on PlayStation formats and PC, the first part of the trilogy, Final Fantasy VII Remake, is finally available on Xbox Series X/S and Switch 2.

The truth is, Final Fantasy VII Remake is more than what it seems on the surface. It’s more than just a remake, as it totally overhauls the original game’s gameplay while also adding new story elements. It’s perhaps best to view it as a companion piece, if anything; it sits alongside the original Final Fantasy VII, adding to it rather than replacing it. Without spoiling anything, it’s probably a good idea to play through the original game before jumping into Final Fantasy VII Remake if you can.

For those who have already played the original Final Fantasy VII, what a treat Remake is. It reunites players with characters they’ve come to know and love but presents them in greater detail than ever. It’s easier to warm to the likes of Cloud Strife and Aerith Gainsborough thanks to brilliant voice acting and character animation, while side characters such as Jessie and Biggs play bigger roles. And when it comes to the world they all inhabit, we get to both see and explore it from a whole new perspective.

It’s the combat of Final Fantasy VII that has undergone the biggest change here, though. No longer strictly turn-based, you’re able to take direct control of Cloud and co., attacking enemies, performing unique actions, dodging incoming threats and taking a defensive stance as required. As you perform these actions, however, a gauge charges which allows you to perform additional actions such as casting spells and making use of special skills. It’s a system which sits somewhere between the turn-based combat of old and full-on real-time combat, then, and it’s fantastic.

Just completing the main story here will take around 30-40 hours for most players, despite it only covering a small amount of the original game. And with it being the Intergrade edition, you also get an additional standalone episode to play through which features Yuffie Kisaragi. So, considering its asking price of just £39.99/$39.99 on Switch 2, you get a lot of bang for your buck. With it being so late coming to Switch 2, players get the benefit of a myriad of bug fixes and tweaks since its original launch, too.

And there’s more. New to this release, though also now patched into the PS5 and PC versions, is the option to begin the game with a head start, boosting character levels while also providing powerful Materia and more, making it easier to make progress for those who wish to focus on the game’s story. There’s also a new Streamlined Progression menu, where players can tweak a variety of gameplay parameters such as maxed-out character health and MP, increased EXP and AP gain, and a whole lot more. Not everyone will want to make use of them, but they’re a nice addition nonetheless.

The main thing of importance here, though, is that Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade feels right at home on Switch 2. Whether you play handheld or docked it looks absolutely fantastic; the presentation here is close to the PS5 version, which is very impressive indeed. And while you’re stuck playing at 30fps on Switch 2, it feels smooth and responsive, with only the occasional drop in performance during the busiest of scenes.

If you’re yet to play Final Fantasy VII Remake, Switch 2 is now as good a place as any to do so. It might even be the best way to play, in fact, due to its portability. It may be some years old now, but this is a title that’s still impressive in all ways, with its captivating story enhanced by its stunning visuals and sensational soundtrack. And with its brilliant sequel, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, set to land on Switch 2 in the near future, now’s the time to jump in. Consider this a must-play.