The Enchanting and Heartrending Experience of Junon in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

In early 2024, the highly anticipated Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is set to be released, marking the next installment in the FF7 Remake trilogy. While the extent of its coverage of the original Final Fantasy 7 remains unknown, this new game promises to transport players, alongside Cloud and the party, into the vast and captivating world map of Final Fantasy 7 for an exhilarating globetrotting experience. Building upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will unveil to players the expansive world beyond Midgar's walls, generating great anticipation regarding the breadth and depth of the content that this title intends to incorporate.

Considering that FF7 Remake introduced new story elements, it would be unrealistic to expect Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth to bring players to the conclusion of the original game. However, the game will allow players to explore significant portions of Gaia, starting from the town of Kalm and continuing through iconic locations such as Cosmo Canyon and the Gold Saucer. While it is logical for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth to reserve some later areas for the trilogy's grand finale, it does mean that one major city will not be fully realized yet.

This article contains content spoilers for Final Fantasy 7.

Junon's First Appearance Is Short But Sweet

Following a break in Kalm, Final Fantasy 7's next few hours are dedicated to traversing the expansive world map. While some players might find the occasional pauses and optional content somewhat tiresome after the fast-paced action in Midgar, the momentum picks up again soon enough. While Midgar stands as the most densely populated city in Final Fantasy 7, thanks to Shinra's influence, it is not the only metropolis of its kind. Positioned on the southern coast of the eastern continent, Junon emerges as another refined hub of civilization. Yet, players cannot help but remain cautious as they lay their eyes upon the foreboding Mako Cannon looming over the city.

After Midgar, Junon could potentially claim the title of being the second-largest city in Final Fantasy 7. Notably, it served as the original headquarters for Rufus Shinra. Similar to Midgar, this town adheres to a Plate-based layout. However, Lower Junon's unfortunate fate has been sealed by the widespread pollution caused by the advanced features present in Upper Junon. Despite players not dedicating significant time to this location, it manages to leave a lasting impression with its initial encounter featuring a formidable boss fight. Furthermore, the city offers a myriad of engaging minigames and a surprisingly expansive urban environment that offers abundant discoveries and opportunities for purchases.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Must Split Junon Between Two Games

After sending Rufus off following his inauguration, the party secretly boards a Shinra boat and embarks on a journey to the western continent. While Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth may enhance Junon's size, the player's exploration will still be limited to mere sightseeing, similar to the original FF7. The towering presence of the Mako Cannon will continue to be an enigma, as FF7 Rebirth will likely not have the opportunity to offer any explanations.

In Final Fantasy 7, players revisit Junon twice, but only after their initial visit to the Northern Crater. These trips are not included in FF7 Rebirth, as the game is expected to conclude either at Aerith's death in the City of the Ancients or at the Northern Crater. Unfortunately, this means that certain elements such as the Mako Cannon, the Shinra base connected to the Cannon, and the Underwater Reactor with the submarine will be excluded. Although FF7 Rebirth may accurately depict the streets of Junon, the city's most significant moments will not be realized. While this is necessary for the pacing of FF7 Rebirth's story, it is bittersweet to acknowledge that the Remake trilogy may have less time in this area compared to the original Final Fantasy 7. FF7 Rebirth is set to launch in early 2024 on the PS5.