FF7 Remake’s Bold Gamble Changed Gaming Forever

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The following contains spoilers for Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

Over time, many games labeled as “remakes” have fallen short, offering minimal changes or just upgraded versions of existing games. Standing tall amidst these are epic titles like “Final Fantasy 7 Remake” and its sequel, “Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.” Five years have passed since the debut of the first installment in this trilogy, a reimagining of the original “Final Fantasy 7,” and it has set a new standard for what a video game remake can achieve. By pushing beyond the boundaries of the original game, it not only demonstrated the potential of a remake but also paved the way for its successors to excel in their endeavors.

The title of Final Fantasy 7 Remake holds a dual meaning when you think about it. On one hand, it represents the initial installment in a trilogy aimed at updating the gameplay, graphics, and music of Final Fantasy 7. However, what makes it truly unique is its bold approach to reimagining the original game’s narrative. So, while Final Fantasy 7 Remake serves as a revamp for the classic game, it also provides a new perspective on the story for modern gamers without straying too far from its roots. Instead of making sweeping changes to the original game, though, Final Fantasy 7 Remake paved the way for alterations that would later be amplified by Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, causing some debate along the way.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Paved the Way for Rebirth to Change the Story

Final Fantasy 7 Remake’s Whispers Trivialized the Original Game’s Canon

In the Final Fantasy 7 Remake, some alterations were made to the storyline of the original game, but these changes were relatively small compared to the role played by the Whispers. These Whispers are spiritual beings whose job is to ensure the events in the original Final Fantasy 7 remain consistent and adhere closely to the plot of the 1997 classic. For instance, when Sephiroth suddenly stabs Barret in the game, the Whispers bring Barret back to life to preserve continuity between the original Final Fantasy 7 and the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy.

As a dedicated gamer diving into the world of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, I can’t help but feel excited about the integration of the Whispers. This addition ensures that the remake remains true to the original game’s storyline while still venturing off on new narrative paths, at least for now. Fast forward to the end of the remake, and our protagonists square off against the Whispers, eventually triumphing over them. This victory paves the way for the subsequent parts of the trilogy to make daring decisions about the Final Fantasy 7 canon. Most significantly, these choices will undoubtedly shape the narrative when Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth hits the scene approximately four years later.

Despite being novel, the idea has inevitably puzzled dedicated fans of “Final Fantasy 7”, yet the trilogy persists in sticking to its narrative approach, carrying it over even to “Final Fantasy 7 Remake” Part 3.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Followed Suit With Altered Storylines

Due to the eradication of the Whispers in the remake of Final Fantasy 7, the storyline split into various alternate realities, a trend that became significant in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. This game’s narrative, characters, and world-building all revolve around these divergent realities. Characters like Zack Fair, who perished in the original game, are alive in an alternative reality depicted in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Similarly, by the end of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Aerith is believed to have survived in another timeline, contrary to her death in the original game.

Essentially, the Final Fantasy 7 Remake made a daring move about half a decade back when they included the characters known as Whispers. Although their defeat potentially contradicted the original game’s storyline, if these characters hadn’t been introduced in the first place, it’s plausible that the original story of Final Fantasy 7 would have remained consistent within the Final Fantasy 7 Remake series. Whether this choice was “good” or not depends on who you ask, but there’s no disputing the innovation shown by Final Fantasy 7 Remake five years ago and even now, as well as its potential impact on future video game remakes.

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2025-04-10 13:28