Category Archives: Blind Playthrough

Blind Playthrough: Final Fantasy VII Remake Demo

White Playstation 4 controller on top of journal
Photo by Faris Mazlan from Pexels

Final Fantasy VII is one of the most popular and beloved games in the Final Fantasy series. My friends, including my brother, spoke about Cloud Strife’s cool backstory and hairstyle. Cloud just seemed like a sad, broody pretty boy. That’s nothing new to me. Honestly, I didn’t get it.

I didn’t grow up playing the Final Fantasy VII. Final Fantasy X was my first Final Fantasy game. I wasn’t invested in Final Fantasy VII’s story or characters, even with the countless storyline videos I watched on YouTube. Of course, I need to play the game to truly understand what makes it exceptional. Now that Final Fantasy VII Remake Demo is out, I’m determined to understand what it is about Final Fantasy VII that made fanboys cry and fangirls swoon (or vice versa).

Please note, my playthrough of Final Fantasy VII Remake Demo is a blind playthrough. I haven’t played the original Final Fantasy VII for the PlayStation or played the Steam version on the PC. I’ve watched Final Fantasy VII storyline videos on YouTube, but that’s barely enough to understand the game’s complex world.

First Impression

The graphics and CGI in Final Fantasy VII Remake Demo are outstanding. Every character and enemy I encountered were beautifully, even lovingly created. For most of the video games I played, including next-gen games, enemies and secondary characters looked like crap. In Final Fantasy VII Remake Demo, the secondary characters are made to look just as important as the main characters.

Everything, from the floor to the ceiling to Cloud’s sword, the Buster Sword, had a worn-out texture overlay on it. All frequently used times actually looked like they were used. The world felt alive and lived in. I was convinced that Midgar, the city where Final Fantasy VII Remake Demo’s opening takes place, is a real and thriving city.

Gameplay

Final Fantasy VII Remake Demo’s real-time gameplay is fast and exciting. The gameplay is comparable to Square Enix’s previously released game in the series, Final Fantasy XV. According to an article in TheGamer, FFVII Remake Demo fixes two significant problems in FFXV’s gameplay: spam healing and hindered fighting in closed spaces. I absolutely agree. Final Fantasy XV’s real-time gameplay can cause a lot of confusion during a battle, especially in terms of mobs.

FFVII’s gameplay fixes both of these problems with an ATB gauge system and a shorter movement range. The gameplay also reminds me of SoulCalibur’s fighting style.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Demo, so far, makes me excited for what’s to come. Final Fantasy VII Remake comes out for PlayStation 4 on April 10, 2020.

Make sure to book an entire day off or seven.