Common Sense Media Review
By Chad Sapieha
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
PS5 upgrade adds a loveable new character, more heartbreak.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
Parent and Kid Reviews
What’s It About?
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE is a special edition of Final Fantasy VII Remake for PlayStation 5 with upgraded graphics and five hours of new content. The original game -- which tells the story of Cloud Strife and his ragtag band of rebels fighting the evil Shinra Corporation to free Midgar of its evil and murderous influence -- is presented in its entirety, with visual upgrades including more detailed textures, fog, and lighting effects, as well as quicker load times and a new photo mode. If you already own the PlayStation 4 edition, you can download the upgrade for free on your PlayStation 5. But if you aren't buying it for the first time, you'll need to spend $20 to access the new story chapters. These chapters take place concurrently with the events of the main narrative. The star is Yuffie, a spunky teenage ninja who comes to Midgar to join the rebels in their fight against Shinra, and maybe find some powerful new materia (magic orbs) while she's at it. She's strong right off the bat, beginning at level 25, and has the handy ability to throw shuriken at distant objects to break crates and hit switches. She also gets up to a few side activities, including a board game mini-game called Fort Condor, that sees two sides pitting automated units against each other in a sort of super-simplified version of a MOBA or multiplayer online battle arena (think League of Legends).
Is It Any Good?
If Final Fantasy VII Remake was pretty, this enhanced edition is downright jaw-dropping. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is about as easy on the eyes as games get, with subtle upgrades to textures and effects that breathe life into the world and crank up the level of spectacle in combat to eleven. This is especially true when exploring Shinra headquarters, with its intricately detailed factory environments and mind-bending boss battles. And with virtually no load times, you're never jarringly removed from the world as the next area is cued up. If you've never played the game before you're in for a treat, and if you played on PlayStation 4 it's absolutely worth downloading the free upgrade just to see how the developers have turned up the graphical goodness.
The real draw for returning players, though, will be Yuffie's story. She has an upbeat attitude and loads of self-confidence with the combat skills to back it up. Tossing her boomerang or shuriken and tapping the square button to keep hammering enemies from a distance feels both unique and satisfying. Her occasional clumsiness only makes her that much more likeable. And while she only gets a handful of side quests -- such as collecting posters for a local pub owner -- they help provide a bit of backstory about who she is and where she comes from. Her chapters don't really change or affect anything in the original story, but it's a safe bet that she'll return as a key playable character in the sequel, making this quick story something close to essential for serious fans of the series. With its stunning visual enhancements and exciting new story add-on, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is the definitive way to experience the first part of Square Enix's epic retelling of its most famous game.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about character strengths. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade's new character, Yuffie, is all smiles and enthusiasm at the start, but what lessons does she learn and how has she grown by the end of her story?
How does music affect our experience of both real life and fictional stories? What role does music play in movies and games? How does music affect your own mood in day-to-day life?
Game Details
- Platform: PlayStation 5
- Pricing structure: Paid (Players who own Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergade for PlayStation 4 can download the Intergrade upgrade for free on PlayStation 5, though they will need to pay $20 extra for the new story content.)
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release date: June 9, 2021
- Genre: Role-Playing
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Adventures , Robots
- ESRB rating: T for Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Last updated: June 14, 2021
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
What to Play Next
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate