Just a day after wrapping up my first-ever playthrough of the original FF7 (you can check out my review here: https://www.backloggd.com/u/Druadan/review/1432508/), I dove straight into Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade for the third time.
Let me explain. Despite coming close to finishing it twice before when it first came out, I never quite got there. But now, after all this time, I've finally completed it – and in Japanese, no less.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade feels like a tribute to the OG fans while also serving as an open invitation to newcomers. Even though I sped through much of it, it still took me a solid 21 hours to see it through. The game introduces new scenes, characters, and moments, some of which might divide opinions. I can't really pass judgment on these changes without experiencing how they play out in the upcoming installments. Right now, I'm on the fence about a few of them, to be honest.
Veteran players will easily spot the alterations, which inject fresh tension into a story we all know so well. It seems like the developers aimed to cater to long-time fans while throwing in some extra content. But whether or not we asked for this extra content is up for debate. For those who hold the original story in high regard, these additions might be a bit disappointing.
As for playing the game entirely in Japanese, it was a treat. The story and dialogue are skillfully written, the voice acting is superb, and the use of Japanese is clever and witty. Just like in the OG, each character has their own unique quirks, and everyone speaks in their own distinct way. Once again, language plays a crucial role in shaping the characters.
In terms of difficulty, the Japanese version was mostly manageable for my level, ranging from easy to normal. Sure, there were times when I had to look up some words, especially when they delved into complex scientific topics, but overall, it was smooth sailing. I didn't encounter any major struggles while playing.
However, if I were to nitpick, I'd say that the game suffers from some serious bloat and pacing issues. It's something I didn't notice during my first or second playthrough, but now, on my third run, it's hard to ignore. There are too many parts of the game filled with slow mini-games, repetitive fights, and endless treks back and forth across sprawling areas and villages.
Let me explain. Despite coming close to finishing it twice before when it first came out, I never quite got there. But now, after all this time, I've finally completed it – and in Japanese, no less.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade feels like a tribute to the OG fans while also serving as an open invitation to newcomers. Even though I sped through much of it, it still took me a solid 21 hours to see it through. The game introduces new scenes, characters, and moments, some of which might divide opinions. I can't really pass judgment on these changes without experiencing how they play out in the upcoming installments. Right now, I'm on the fence about a few of them, to be honest.
Veteran players will easily spot the alterations, which inject fresh tension into a story we all know so well. It seems like the developers aimed to cater to long-time fans while throwing in some extra content. But whether or not we asked for this extra content is up for debate. For those who hold the original story in high regard, these additions might be a bit disappointing.
As for playing the game entirely in Japanese, it was a treat. The story and dialogue are skillfully written, the voice acting is superb, and the use of Japanese is clever and witty. Just like in the OG, each character has their own unique quirks, and everyone speaks in their own distinct way. Once again, language plays a crucial role in shaping the characters.
In terms of difficulty, the Japanese version was mostly manageable for my level, ranging from easy to normal. Sure, there were times when I had to look up some words, especially when they delved into complex scientific topics, but overall, it was smooth sailing. I didn't encounter any major struggles while playing.
However, if I were to nitpick, I'd say that the game suffers from some serious bloat and pacing issues. It's something I didn't notice during my first or second playthrough, but now, on my third run, it's hard to ignore. There are too many parts of the game filled with slow mini-games, repetitive fights, and endless treks back and forth across sprawling areas and villages.