After dedicating 145 hours and coming from an experience filled with hype, I can confidently say that I feel Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth between light and shadow has its moments of brilliance, but also some flaws. On one hand, it is an impressive work with moments of absolute brilliance; on the other, certain details prevent it from reaching perfection.
The game shines brightly in areas like its story (up until the final chapter), spectacular graphics, a deep combat system, and cinematics that leave you breathless. Additionally, the connection between characters and their friendship system, which affects combined attacks, adds an emotional dimension that few works manage to achieve. All of this makes it an unforgettable experience in many ways.
However, not everything is perfect. As you progress, the sense of repetition in the open world and weaknesses in the resolution of the main story dampen what could have been a truly rounded experience.
The Best of the Game: A Work that Shines in Many Aspects
One of the greatest successes of Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth between light and shadow is its ability to keep you hooked for most of the time. The main story is designed to thrill and surprise, while many side missions add depth and narrative value. Special mention goes to those related to the proto-materia and the card game, which stand out for their creativity and challenge.
The combat system, while overwhelming at first, is spectacular. Mastering it becomes a rewarding experience that adds dynamism and excitement to every encounter. Along with this, the graphics and cinematics not only fulfill their role but elevate the narrative to a cinematic level. If you enjoy “movie games,” this title is a 10/10.
Finally, the characters are simply impeccable. The relationships between them, the development of their personalities, and the way they work as a team make every interaction memorable.
The Weaknesses: A Limited Open World and a Problematic Conclusion
Despite its grandeur, the game has flaws that can’t be overlooked. The open world, although impressive at first, quickly loses its freshness. Each region offers similar activities, which creates a sense of repetition that can become tedious.
The mini-games are also inconsistent. While some, like the card game, are particularly noteworthy, most are simple and don’t invite much depth. This reduces the variety of an experience that initially promised to be richer.
And then there’s the final part of the story, which is the game’s biggest flaw. Without diving into spoilers just yet, the conclusion doesn’t provide the expected answers or offer a satisfying resolution.
Spoilers: The Key Moments of Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth between light and shadow
The Final Proto-Materia Mission
One of the most exciting moments in the game is the final proto-materia mission. Connecting the pirate treasure hunt with the legendary soldier and facing summons in two-on-two battles is simply epic. The difficulty and creativity of this mission make it one of the high points of the experience.
Card Game: A Memorable Surprise
The card game is an unexpected gem. Facing the Red Queen in the final match was thrilling, especially with the strategy I used to navigate the board as if it were a battle. This level of detail and challenge is something that the rest of the mini-games failed to reach, which makes it stand out even more.
The Game’s Ending: A Disappointment
Here lies the biggest issue with Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth between light and shadow. The conclusion feels overly confusing and packed with twists that unnecessarily complicate the plot. Key issues, like Aeris’s fate, remain unresolved, and the truth about Zack and Cloud is not explored in depth, even though it seemed fundamental based on the setup.
It’s frustrating that the game doesn’t explain certain crucial moments, such as why Tifa doesn’t remember seeing Cloud in the reactor or how Zack fits into the story. This lack of clarity makes the ending lose emotional impact and leaves the player with more questions than answers.
Conclusion: An Incredible Experience with Highs and Lows
Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth between light and shadow is a game that deserves to be played for its ability to move you, its combat system, and the connection it establishes with its characters. However, the issues with its open world and, especially, its conclusion, prevent it from being the perfectly-rounded title many of us expected.
Although it surpasses its predecessor in many ways, the ending doesn’t generate the same emotional impact as the remake did. And while many consider it a GOTY contender, for me, it’s not the undisputed winner it could have been.
That said, it remains a spectacular work that I recommend to fans of the series and to those seeking an epic experience, albeit with clear light and shadow moments.
