Final Fantasy VII Remake is updated on PS5 with new graphics and an adventure starring Yuffie. We tell you everything about the Intergrade version.
There were many doubts with Final Fantasy VII Remake , and it is that remaking what is probably Square Enix’s most beloved game, with an episodic format and changes in the story or the combat system seemed the perfect cocktail for the project to derail. However, Final Fantasy VII Remake was released on PlayStation 4 and garnered near unanimous applause from veteran fans, new players, and critics. Yes, we can discuss the intention of the new team to modify the story – of which we are not going to spoil – or that the combat completely discarded the classic turns despite giving a fairly similar option, but it left even the skeptics satisfied. Now we will haveA new chance to enjoy the remake or discover it for the first time with Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade , the review of PlayStation 5.
‘Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade’ arrives on PS5 on June 10, with graphical improvements and a new story starring Yuffie.
There are still years to see the next episode of the remake and know the new aspect of Gold Saucer, Junon, Nibelheim, Wutai and all those locations that will presumably be part of the sequel. Until then Square Enix’s plan is clear: to give a new impetus to the Final Fantasy VII universe , what 15 years ago was called Compilation of Final Fantasy VII , which was nothing more than a collection of games, movies and novels with the objective to expand the story of the original game through prequels, sequels and spin-offs . That served to launch Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII , Dirge of Cerberus and mobile games or Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children–A CGI movie- and Final Fantasy VII: Last Order –animated movie-. So many projects muddied the original plot a bit by the inclusion of new plots and characters, but with a license as powerful as this, it would be delusional to think that it would not be exploited.
Final Fantasy VII Remake achieved the business goal and laying the first brick of a project that will likely span a decade or more , and will not come alone. Together with him we will see Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis , an adaptation by episodes of the entire saga that will look for something similar to the PS4 remake , with the technical possibilities of modern mobiles, but covering all the titles of the compilation. On the other hand, we have Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier , a battle royale for iOS and Android that has as its great attraction the universe of soldiers. And of course there is Intergrade , the improved and expanded version for PS5
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The update will be free for buyers of the remake on PS4 – the PS Plus version is excluded.
The graphical and playable improvements of Intergrade
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is a PS5 update to the PS4 game. As you might expect, this brings a series of technical improvements that will enhance the experience compared to the original, whether we play it on PS4, PS4 Pro or PS5 with backward compatibility. In addition, this update will be free for buyers of the game, not for the version included in PS Plus of March 2021 ; therefore, PS5 users who wish to enjoy it in the best conditions must purchase the original or the new edition, which will go on sale on June 10 . Nomura explains that the name Intergrade is a tribute to Final Fantasy VII International-The version of the original in the West, superior to the Japanese version- already “intermediate” in the sense of a transition to the new hardware and the next game.
Focusing on the visual changes, Intergrade will bring two graphic modes already common in almost any new generation launch: the possibility of prioritizing resolution (4K / 30 fps) or the rate of images per second (60 fps) . Given that in practice the combats are as fast as those of an action game – even if it is a hybrid system and there is the possibility of pausing during the selection of commands – greater fluidity seems very necessary during the most intense scenes.
But Square Enix has worked on more than just a performance patch. The first comparisons show a greater amount of fog effects to intensify the humid atmosphere, more realistic lighting and higher quality textures . Even if Final Fantasy VII Remake was one of the most spectacular games of its generation, one of the complaints in terms of graphics was the textures of certain places, below average – not to mention the famous bug in a door in the room. from Cloud, never fixed. It is hoped that intergrade pula all these details. “In terms of graphics, the main adjustments are lighting and textures, but they have also been addedEnvironmental effects like fog to further enhance the sense of realism and immersion in the world, “said director Tetsuya Nomura.
The review also adds a photo mode , the typical function that pauses the game to take the best snapshot of its exploits and in the process apply some filters, changes in exposure, angle, etc. As for difficulties , the Normal (Classic) is added , with the comfort of the classic mode – the character we control attacks and defends itself automatically, so that we only have to deal with the magic commands, objects or special abilities – but with the same Difficulty than normal mode.
Textures, lighting, fog effects and above all, the modes at 60 fps or 4K, will give an even more dazzling appearance to the game.
Taking advantage of the possibilities of PlayStation 5, the loading times have been optimized to minimize the load between chapters, and it will make use of the advantages of the DualSense although in a limited way – for example, the adaptive triggers for the motorcycle sections. However, for other novelties of the generation such as 3D audio or a deeper haptic response, we will have to wait for a development designed from the beginning for PS5.
Yuffie, protagonist of the new content
All of the graphical enhancements listed above will be free to buyers of the PS4 game on PS5. But Intergrade brings new adventures starring Yuffie Kisaragi for those who still want to spend more hours in Midgar over two extra episodes. The young friend of the alien and especially of the subjects returns by surprise and, as the players of the original PlayStation will remember, Yuffie was one of the two optional characters that could join our group – the other was Vincent – who did not appear in the early hours of Final Fantasy VII ; its story took place in Wutai, a warrior town with Asian aesthetics. For this reason, his episode runs parallel to what was seen with Cloud and he will not cross paths with them.
What we know about this content is that Yuffie aims to infiltrate the Shinra Electricity and Energy Company to steal the supreme matter developed in their laboratories and restore glory to his homeland – the same intention as in the original when he steals the materials from the group of heroes – secretly commissioned by the new Wutai government. There will be news in the fighting, exploration – Yuffie’s agility allows us to run through walls, just like Red XIII did – we will meet new characters and the return of others . Among the former is Sonon Kusakabe, a member of one of the many Avalanche cells that exist around Midgar outside of Barret’s group. Sonon, who shows grudges against Shinra, will become Yuffie’s companion., and from what we have seen, it seems that there will be combined attacks between the two – another of the playable novelties.
“[The battles] are a bit different from the main game system because you can’t control Sonon directly, Yuffie is always handled. What you can do is select commands for Sonon in pause mode. As a new feature, Yuffie can coordinate with Sonon in team combos. I think fans will have fun with a slightly different version of the Final Fantasy VII Remake matches . ” Apparently it will not be a guest without interaction like Red XIII could be, but it will have its own limit bar, ATB, health and magic points. For his part, Yuffie fights with a huge shuriken that allows him to attack at short and long distances, being flexible to any situation in and out of battles – for example, he can activate mechanisms at a distance.
We weren’t expecting to see Yuffie so soon, but ‘Intergrade’ will give us a chance to play with her before she joins Cloud’s party.
As for character returns, we refer to Weiss, one of the antagonists in Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII . Although it is not clear what role he will have in Intergrade , Nomura explains that with Sephiroth already featured in Cloud’s story another compelling rival was sought for Yuffie, and Weiss was always planned as a secret boss; we do not know if only in the fighting simulator or also with its own story. The mogurito costume with which Yuffie tries to go unnoticed in Midgar is another nod to Dirge of Cerberus , the PS2 action game.
“We originally planned the Yuffie story as a little extra episode, but it really is a satisfying experience to sink your teeth into and it has become something you can’t miss . Dueling Weiss in the combat simulator also offers an enemy. formidable “, sums up the director.
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Yuffie and Sonon bring new features to the combat system, such as cooperative attacks.
The downloadable episode starring Yuffie can be purchased independently on the same date as Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade , on June 10, and at the moment Square Enix has only talked about this expansion for PS5, not on PS4. In addition to the standard edition – physical or digital – a Digital Deluxe Edition will be available on the PS Store that adds a reduced soundtrack and a digital picture book. Pre-orders of any edition reward the Cactiestrella weapon to use in the Yuffie episode.
Back to midgar
Whether you were planning a new return to Final Fantasy VII Remake or if it is your first remake game, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade will be the best option to enjoy this remake / reboot of this legendary RPG . The graphic enhancements will breathe new life into the streets of Sector 7, the slums, the sewers, the bustling Mercado Muro or the modern Shinra building; Final Fantasy VII Remake is one of the most prominent titles of 2020 and promises to give a lot to talk about this summer among PS5 users . Who knows if Yuffie’s adventure will give us new clues of what we will see in the expected next remake.
