The eagerly awaited definitive edition of the iconic role-playing game, Final Fantasy 7, has arrived on Steam, replacing its 2013 predecessor. However, this updated version has been met with a wave of dissatisfaction from players, who cite a range of technical problems and visual inconsistencies. While fans continue to anticipate the third installment of the Remake trilogy, this latest iteration of the original title faces an uphill battle to win over its dedicated fanbase.
First launched in 1997, Final Fantasy 7 solidified its place in history as one of the most pivotal RPGs ever created. Over the years, the game has undergone several re-releases and enhancements. A notable update came in 2013, offering high-resolution support and achievements on Steam. Concurrently, Japan received an exclusive version with unique features such as the ability to disable random encounters and a faster gameplay mode.
This week saw the debut of the enhanced 2013 version on Steam, provided free to existing owners of the original. Although the 2013 edition remains playable, it is no longer available for purchase, and save files are not transferable between the two versions. While the new Final Fantasy 7 maintains the original narrative, it introduces several gameplay modifications. These include a 3x speed boost for battles, travel, and specific events, an option to bypass non-story encounters, an autosave function, and a battle enhancement mode that automatically restores HP/MP and maximizes the Limit gauge.
However, the current sentiment among players is largely negative. As of now, the new Final Fantasy 7 has garnered 281 reviews on Steam, culminating in a "Mostly Negative" rating. Players have reported a multitude of problems, including frame rate inconsistencies affecting battle speed, unclear graphics, and even game launch failures. While some patches have been released to address speed-related issues, the overall reception for this updated version has been remarkably troubled.
For those still interested in experiencing this legendary game despite the mixed reviews for the remastered version, it is also available on GOG with a significant 60% discount for a limited period, offering an alternative for fans looking to revisit or discover this classic.
