To start things off, I do think this game is better than FF7 Remake. There is way more to do, the game is full of visual splendor and the character interactions in the party as well as expanded lore and character backgrounds are splendid for the most part. The combat has been expanded too with additional ways to build out your party too.
But I also think that the game has some super lows and largely share the same problems I have with FF7 Remake. I genuinely think your enjoyment with FF7 Rebirth (and this remake series as a whole) depends on how much you can deal with the weird stuff it's doing to the story. While I was intrigued in the beginning, the more it went on with cryptic scenes and Sephiroth showing up saying nonsense that I began to realize I genuinely didn't care. In my eyes, it felt like it was elongating a story that could be told in a much more concise manner in the most confusing way.
Speaking of elongating, while the open areas are a wonderful addition to the corridor-centric design of FF7 Remake, it sure does feel like typical open-world design with towers to unlock icons and activity icon spread about the map. It's fun at the beginning but when you notice the same set of activities in each area you visit, you may begin to feel the fatigue. The game also doubles down on my main gripe with the OG FF7...minigames. There are SO many of them. Yes, some of them are fun (Queen's Blood is the most I've gotten sucked into an optional card game than I ever have) but this also may feel unnecessary to some.
The thing I noticed from playing this game is that FF7 is bigger than ever now. Everything seemed to be built around the overarching metaseries of games, media projects and products that must tie into each other (Some of the nods and winks in this game went right over my head). And for me, I think I just like the original game and that's it. I'm super happy for all the folks that are super engaged and loving being in this world but perhaps I won't see myself playing Part 3 in four years.
But I also think that the game has some super lows and largely share the same problems I have with FF7 Remake. I genuinely think your enjoyment with FF7 Rebirth (and this remake series as a whole) depends on how much you can deal with the weird stuff it's doing to the story. While I was intrigued in the beginning, the more it went on with cryptic scenes and Sephiroth showing up saying nonsense that I began to realize I genuinely didn't care. In my eyes, it felt like it was elongating a story that could be told in a much more concise manner in the most confusing way.
Speaking of elongating, while the open areas are a wonderful addition to the corridor-centric design of FF7 Remake, it sure does feel like typical open-world design with towers to unlock icons and activity icon spread about the map. It's fun at the beginning but when you notice the same set of activities in each area you visit, you may begin to feel the fatigue. The game also doubles down on my main gripe with the OG FF7...minigames. There are SO many of them. Yes, some of them are fun (Queen's Blood is the most I've gotten sucked into an optional card game than I ever have) but this also may feel unnecessary to some.
The thing I noticed from playing this game is that FF7 is bigger than ever now. Everything seemed to be built around the overarching metaseries of games, media projects and products that must tie into each other (Some of the nods and winks in this game went right over my head). And for me, I think I just like the original game and that's it. I'm super happy for all the folks that are super engaged and loving being in this world but perhaps I won't see myself playing Part 3 in four years.