The Pros and Cons of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's Classic Combat System

At the recent Summer Game Fest, fans were treated to a sneak peek at a number of exciting new titles, as well as a closer look at some old favorites. The show wrapped up with an in-depth preview of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the highly-anticipated sequel to the critically-acclaimed 2020 masterpiece. As Cloud, Tifa, and Barret continue on their journey after leaving Midgar, there are still many unanswered questions surrounding the Square Enix sequel. Some of these mysteries are sure to be revealed when players finally get their hands on the game in 2024.

While much remains unknown about Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the trailer shown during the June presentation confirmed that some features will remain, and others will be developed to make the game even better than its predecessor. Combat has been tweaked, rather than completely overhauled, which will come as a relief to fans who enjoyed it in Final Fantasy 7 Remake. However, with the level design being less linear this time around, there is a risk that the battle mechanics could become repetitive. It will be up to the developer to find a way to keep things fresh and engaging.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake’s Combat was a Perfect Fusion of Old and New

Persona and Shin Megami Tensei have proven that turn-based combat can still thrive in the AAA gaming world. However, with Final Fantasy 15's emphasis on action combat as the future of the franchise, Final Fantasy 7 Remake faced the challenge of staying true to its roots while embracing this new approach. The result was a battle system that many consider to be the best in Final Fantasy's history. It required players to not only dodge attacks in real time, but also to carefully manage menus and choose the right time to use items, summon a primal, or execute a powerful attack. The combat was both fluid and strategic, requiring players to be highly organized and strategic in their approach. Given the success of Final Fantasy 7 Remake's combat, it's no surprise that Final Fantasy Rebirth will be following a similar philosophy.

Final Fantasy Rebirth’s Open World Could Render the Combat Repetitive

The core battle system in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth may undergo some changes, but the Summer Game Fest footage suggests that it bears a strong resemblance to its predecessor. The previous game had a linear structure with limited side missions, resulting in encounters with enemies that were more prescribed and on-rails. However, the open world nature of Rebirth means that facing off against adversaries is optional and should provide a more fluid experience. While games like Assassin's Creed and The Witcher 3 integrate combat seamlessly, open-ended JRPG titles like Ni No Kuni 2 and Tales of Arise require a more technical arena-type environment to avoid feeling repetitive. The anticipation for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is high, and the combat system looks to be an improvement on something already amazing. However, featuring too much combat in an open world could potentially be a disadvantage, and the game must impress to avoid falling into the trap of repetition.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth launches early 2024 for PS5.