10 Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Locations That Feel Way Bigger Than Anything In the Series

Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth needed to be more expansive than the first remake game, but the developers carefully chose which areas to focus on making bigger and more impressive.

Many previously minor locations were greatly expanded, and while some of these changes were positive, others felt unnecessary and even detracted from the overall experience.

We’ll be exploring locations in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth that are much larger and more expansive than anything we saw in the first game, Remake.

10. Junon

Fall in Line, Soldier

Junon in Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth is significantly larger than it was in the original game – it’s almost as expansive as the entire city of Midgar in Final Fantasy 7 Remake. It feels like a game within the game, packed with events. You’ll explore many buildings, including a memorable (and exclusive) club, and then navigate a large-scale battle to escape as Cloud when things take a turn.

The famous marching sequence is even more impressive in this game. Compared to the remake, this part feels the most similar in scale, but it’s immediately obvious that everything in Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth is much more expansive and detailed. It’s not just visually larger; the world feels bigger thanks to the abundance of things to do and interact with.

9. Nibel Region

More Than Meets the Eye

The Nibel region in Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth is surprisingly large and offers a lot to explore. You can wander through Nibelheim town, climb Mt. Nibel, and along the coast, either on foot or by riding a Chocobo to reach distant areas. It’s easy to get lost in this area for hours, discovering interesting side quests and challenging enemies along the way.

The game is full of memorable story scenes, and the large areas of the Nibel Region feel expansive and rewarding to explore. You’ll find lots to do, from engaging in small chats with characters and discovering background information, to facing unexpected and challenging mini-bosses. Completionists will especially appreciate this region, as it’s designed with a lot of hidden depth – like a set of nested dolls. Even a single layer of exploration feels grander in scope than anything found in the remakes.

8. Shinra Mansion

Killing an Icon

Shinra Mansion is a memorable location from the original Final Fantasy 7, and it’s been massively expanded in Rebirth – it’s about ten times larger! The game builds on the idea of a hidden lab beneath the mansion, taking it to a whole new level. Compared to Final Fantasy 7 Remake, it feels like Rebirth fully realizes the potential of areas like the Mako Reactors and Shinra Tower, offering the expansive exploration that those sections hinted at.

Let me just say, bigger isn’t always better when it comes to games. Resident Evil: Rebirth feels overly padded, largely because of Cait Sith and his repetitive box-pushing mini-game – I honestly don’t understand why they included it. It completely ruined the spooky atmosphere and created a frustratingly long gameplay cycle that felt deliberately tedious. That said, the Spencer Mansion itself is still remarkably expansive and detailed, far surpassing any location in the Resident Evil Remake.

7. Gongaga

The Beautiful Maze

As a long-time fan, I was blown away by Gongaga! It feels so much bigger and more detailed than anything in the first game, and honestly, it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever explored in a game. After those tight, narrow corridors of the original, getting to roam around Gongaga is just fantastic. It’s stunning to look at, and riding a Chocobo through the area is a real joy. There’s so much to discover if you take the time to explore, and the side quests actually feel connected to the environment. The town itself still has that charming, familiar feel, but now, all those areas you used to just see on the world map are fully realized and you can actually go there – it’s incredible!

This sequel feels like a natural step forward from the original game, which had a dark, city-focused feel. With Rebirth, the game really opens up to a vast wilderness, and Gongaga is a perfect example of that. It’s a stunning but perilous jungle with a lot of depth, and it all builds to the introduction of powerful new enemies and an exciting boss battle. It’s a standout moment in the game – though it can be a little confusing to navigate, it’s still incredibly fun.

6. Cosmo Canyon

The History of the Planet

Cosmo Canyon stands out as a visually striking location in Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth, thanks to its distinctive red cliffs and sands which create a truly alien atmosphere. Exploring this area is a memorable experience, and discovering Red XIII’s home is a particularly powerful moment in the game.

The area feels vast due to its height and layered design, something the original game didn’t emphasize as much, as its locations were generally more down-to-earth. Cosmo Canyon successfully creates a sense of a secluded yet important place to discover, and the areas around it really help to capture the mystical atmosphere the game is aiming for.

5. Mythril Mines

A Lot to Dig Through

The Mythril Mines are a major area you’ll encounter early in the game. I thought they were significantly expanded compared to their small role in the original, but considering how short the locations were in the Remake, it makes sense they fleshed this one out so much.

Mythril Mines suffers from being overly expansive, but it offers a lot to do – splitting up your group, exploring diverse areas, challenging bosses, finding hidden items, and battling numerous enemies. It’s a large location that could benefit from being more focused, but ultimately, it extends the playtime, and for some players, that’s enough. It achieves its goal of providing a lengthy experience.

4. The Grasslands

Out of the Frying Pan

The Grasslands are among the first areas players will explore in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and it’s a smart choice to introduce them early. This region immediately showcases how much more expansive and adventurous this game feels compared to the original Remake. It really emphasizes the sense of freedom and open exploration that wasn’t as prominent in the first game, making it a noticeably different experience for series fans.

The game’s interface can be distracting, with lots of icons competing for your attention when you just want to start playing. There’s a lot to take in – different enemies, towers to discover, and bits of story scattered around – which makes it feel quite different from the original game, which focused on a single, large adventure.

3. The Corel Region

The Fun Zone

The Corel Region is a massive and impressive area, showcasing Square Enix’s skill in world design. There’s so much to explore and do here – you could easily spend over five hours discovering everything it offers. You’ll find several towns with plenty of side quests, and the Golden Saucer is larger and more detailed than anything in the original Remake. While the region’s lighthearted atmosphere briefly shifts the story’s tone, its sheer size and scope are undeniable.

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Traveling around the Corel Region is an adventure in itself, and the scenery is stunning. The large size of the area is easily forgiven thanks to the beautiful views. Beyond the main path, there’s lots to explore for players who enjoy finding extra content, including diverse environments like deserts, coastlines, and more. You can expect to see a wide variety of landscapes here.

2. The Meridian Ocean

Taking to the Seas

The Meridian Ocean area in Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth provides the open-world exploration fans have been waiting for. While it’s not the full airship travel coming in the next game, the large area with optional locations is a significant step up from the first Remake. It’s a really satisfying feeling to finally be able to roam freely, and even though you unlock it later in the game, it makes going back to previously visited places much easier and more natural.

This game offers a much grander sense of scale compared to the previous one. While the last game largely focused on a single city, Midgar, this new installment lets you visually track your progress and see all the places you’ve explored – and haven’t. It’s a fantastic feature that wasn’t essential, but really highlights the incredible level of detail and effort put into creating this huge world.

1. The Temple of the Ancients

The Secrets Unearthed

The Temple of the Ancients is a major highlight of Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth, and it truly delivers. It’s vastly larger and more detailed than anything in the original Remake. This expansive area features moments where the party separates, challenging boss battles, and significant story developments. Exploring the temple takes several hours, filled with hidden secrets and breathtaking environments that you have to experience for yourself.

If you questioned the game’s visual quality up to this point, the Temple of the Ancients will change your mind. It’s stunning and truly impressive, and the game saves it for last to deliver a powerful impact. Once you’re inside, its massive scale and atmosphere are far more immersive than anything in Final Fantasy 7 Remake.

2026-05-02 23:41