Square Enix has released the first part of a two-part demo for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. The new demo allows players to experience the opening chapter of the most anticipated game of 2024. Click here to download it from the PlayStation store!
The second playable section will be available on February 21, giving players a chance to explore a part of the expansive game world before its February 29 launch, exclusively on the PlayStation 5 console.
The demo, titled "Fall of a Hero in Nibelheim," features an extended flashback as Cloud Strife recalls an earlier mission in his career as a SOLDIER. Take control of a younger version of Cloud Strife and the legendary Sephiroth as they investigate the sudden appearance of monsters in the mountains above Cloud's hometown.
The Final Fantasy VII Rebirth demo will receive an update on February 21st, opening another playable section entitled “Dawn of a New Era in Junon.” This preview will let you explore a small piece of the massive in-game world around the harbor town of Junon. The Junon area featured in this demo has been altered to make the content more compact, so progress will not be carried over to the full game when it is released.
Players with saved data from the demo will receive the Kupo Charm and Survival Set in the full game. These players will also be able to skip past sections covered in the “Fall of a Hero in Nibelheim” demo.
The full State of Play presentation contained a wealth of new information and gameplay footage. The game’s distinct yet interconnected regions were displayed on the zoomed-out World Map. Traversal methods like chocobos, the Tiny Bronco plane and the desert buggy will transport players across the world to hidden treasures, mysterious anomalies, Combat Assignments, minigames and side content in the form of Odd Jobs.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the new story in the critically acclaimed Final Fantasy VII remake project. This standalone adventure sees Cloud, Tifa, Barret, Aerith, and Red XIII escape from the dystopian city of Midgar into the wide world beyond. To hunt down Sephiroth, these unlikely heroes join forces with new companions like the spirited ninja operative Yuffie and the wisecracking, feline-shaped robot Cait Sith.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth follows the first game in the trilogy, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Remake, which was released in 2020.
About Final Fantasy
The "Final Fantasy" series is a highly successful and influential video game franchise, renowned for its intricate plots, innovative gameplay mechanics, and contributions to the video game industry and pop culture. Here's a brief summary of its origin, release history, and impact:
Hironobu Sakaguchi, who worked for Square Co., Ltd. (now Square Enix), created the franchise. He named it "Final Fantasy" because he believed it would be his last attempt at making a successful game, and if it failed, he would have gone back to university.
The first game of the series, "Final Fantasy," premiered in 1987 for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It was a commercial and critical success, leading to a franchise that has lasted more than 30 years, with main entries, spin-offs, movies, anime, and merchandise.
The series is credited for popularizing and advancing the role-playing game (RPG) genre, introducing or refining mechanics such as the Active Time Battle (ATB) system, detailed storylines, and extensive world-building.
"Final Fantasy" consistently pushed the boundaries of video game technology, with titles like "Final Fantasy VII" being praised for its use of 3D graphics and full-motion video on the PlayStation.
The franchise is also renowned for its music, composed by Nobuo Uematsu among others, which has been celebrated with concerts around the world.
Characters from the series, such as Cloud Strife and Sephiroth from "Final Fantasy VII," have become cultural icons, influencing other games, media, and even fashion.
The franchise's expansion into movies (e.g., "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within" and "Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children"), anime, and novels has broadened its appeal beyond gamers to a wider audience.
A vibrant fan community has grown around the franchise, producing fan art, fiction, and games, and hosting large fan conventions.
"Final Fantasy" has inspired numerous game developers and has been referenced in various forms of media, including television shows, films, and music.
The franchise has sold millions of copies worldwide, making it one of the most successful video game franchises, but its legacy goes beyond its commercial success and extends to its lasting influence on the video game industry, setting high standards for storytelling, gameplay, and technological innovation.