Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Sales Facing Competition from Remake

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth has been well-received by players so far, but it may be lagging in sales compared to its predecessor, according to a recent report. The game, which is the second installment in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake series, was released last week and continues the story from where the first game left off, as Cloud and his friends escape the city of Midgar to evade the Shinra forces. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth faithfully follows the original 1997 PS1 classic, expanding on the story with new content and side quests.

Reviews for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth have been extremely positive, with much of the praise focused on its captivating storyline and extensive gameplay. It currently holds the fifth-highest rating in the renowned JRPG franchise, trailing behind only Final Fantasy 9, Final Fantasy 6, Final Fantasy 12, and Final Fantasy 10. Despite this, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade, the 2021 PS5 update for the original game, ranks lower than FF7 Rebirth by a few positions. However, the first entry may still be ahead of its sequel in terms of sales.

According to Christopher Dring, head of GamesIndustry.biz, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is currently behind FF7 Remake in box sales in the UK. Its opening weekend sales are down by almost 30%. FF7 Remake faced challenges with physical sales due to COVID-19 lockdowns when it was first released in the UK. However, it's important to note that these sales comparisons only involve physical copies. The digital sales data for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will be available later this week.

Twitter article posted by Christopher Dring

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s Physical Sales Are Down From FF7 Remake

The recent post by Christopher Dring sparked discussions about why Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's physical sales are lower than the FF7 Remake. Many believe this could be because fewer people are buying physical copies and opting for digital games instead. Another factor suggested is that the PlayStation 5 has a smaller player base compared to the PS4 when the FF7 Remake was released in 2020. This is partly due to supply shortages caused by COVID during the early years of the PS5's launch.

final-fantasy-7-rebirth-chapter-3-walkthrough1 - In any case, it bears repeating that Christopher Dring’s report of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth falling behind Final Fantasy 7 Remake in sales only applies to physical copies, and only in the UK to boot

It's important to note that the news about Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth lagging behind Final Fantasy 7 Remake in sales is based solely on physical copies sold in the UK. However, once the digital sales data is taken into account, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth might actually show higher sales figures. This is especially likely considering the game has received positive reviews since its release in late February.

Editor's P/S:

The article provides an overview of the initial sales performance of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, highlighting its lower physical sales compared to its predecessor, Final Fantasy 7 Remake. While this news may raise concerns, it's crucial to consider the broader context and await digital sales data before drawing definitive conclusions. The shift towards digital gaming and the smaller install base of the PlayStation 5 may have influenced these initial physical sales figures.

Moreover, the article emphasizes the overwhelmingly positive reviews that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth has garnered, suggesting that the game's overall reception is highly favorable. This bodes well for the game's long-term success, as positive word-of-mouth and strong digital sales could potentially offset any shortfall in physical sales. It remains to be seen how Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will fare in the long run, but its critical acclaim and the anticipation surrounding the series suggest that it has the potential to be a commercial success despite its initial physical sales performance.