Summary
Final Fantasy 7 RemakeandFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthare rare examples of when something is not, in fact, too good to be true.The recreation of the 1997 classicis done with extreme care and attention to detail to fully bring the beloved world ofFinal Fantasy 7into the modern age.
Oddly, some characters are a little weaker than once before. It is not as black and white as their power levels being reduced, though. Sometimes, something in their character fundamentally changes to make them more vulnerable. This is ultimately a positive change since it makes them more interesting and more relatable.
5Cid Highwind
The Last Mandatory Party Member
Cid Highwind is originally introduced in Rocket Town where the party is quickly acquainted with his curmudgeon attitude and disrespect toward Shera. Shortly after, he joins the party and players can use him in battle whenever they please. He’s quite a handy fellow to have in battle, too, mostly having the characteristics of a dragoon with his spear.
InFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth,however, we see none of this. The party first meets him when they order a ride to Cosmo Canyon on the Tiny Bronco. He eventually follows the heroes to the Temple of the Ancients, but he never engages in combat. Those who never played the original game have no idea if he is adept at combat or not.
Though Rocket Town is absent inRebirth,it is difficult to imagine it not showing up in the third game.
4Dio
He’s A Lot Nicer Now But Seems To Have Less Control
Dio is the scantly clad owner and manager of theGold Saucer amusement park. In addition to being a hub for many of the title’s minigames, it also hosts many key story events.Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthchanges Dio’s personality slightly, making him a little nicer to the party while also making it seem like he has less control over his establishment.
During the mysterious shootings in Chapter 8 ofRebirth,he makes a deal with the party for them to find the real killer before he charges them with the murders. In the original game, he simply tosses the party into the desert prison. The subplot in Chapter 12 of him battling Don Corneo for the naming rights is also nonexistent in the 1997 game. He never needs help from Cloud and can take care of himself in that title unlike inRebirth.
Speaking of Don Corneo, he is adversely more powerful and more sinister inRemakeandRebirth. His role in general is significantly expanded upon as well.
3Tonberry
Usually Saved For The Last Dungeon
The Tonberry is a staple of theFinal Fantasyseries, generally showing up in either late-game dungeonsor in harder side quests. Their whole shtick is looking harmless while actually possessing some of the most powerful attacks of any enemy. They show up in bothFinal Fantasy 7 RemakeandRebirthas an obstacle for the party, and they are not formidable in either of them.
Compare this with the Tonberry from the 1997 game, who only shows up in the last dungeon. With the Tonberry already being familiar to the party, how will they be utilized in the third part of this trilogy? Will a more powerful variant show up in a side quest or as a regular enemy in the final dungeon?
2Red XIII
His Insecurities Show
Players first run into Red XIII during the assault on Shinra HQ. InRemakehe is merely a guest character who players cannot control. InRebirthhe is a full-fledged member of the party who players get to know more as they travel through the world on their quest.
The original game gives him a great character-building segment in Cosmo Canyon where the game more deeply explores his past. It is sweet but does not expand upon the character in the same wayRebirthis able to. The 2024 game reveals all of his insecurities and everything he does as a shield, from changing his voice to wanting to beaccepted into the Queen’s Blood tournament. This is implied in the original game, but it is on full display inRebirth.
In combat, Red XIII can be one of the most useful combatants. His role most closely resembles sentinels or tanks, as he becomes more powerful the more hits he takes while guarded.
1Sephiroth
He Has Already Been The Last Boss Twice
When comparing the original game toRemakeandRebirth, it is shocking how little players see Sephiroth for a large chunk of the journey. The first time he is shown in the former is on the ship between Junon and Costa del Sol. By this time in the new trilogy, players not only see him several times, but they fight him as the last boss inFinal Fantasy 7 Remake.
It makes sense for his place to switch around a bit considering they need a climactic fight for the end of the first game and there is a new story thread involving multiple universes that still is not fully explored. However, it is hard to believe the scariest and most powerful villain in the continuity being so easily bested by the party just as they leave Midgar, especially when considering what level the party would be at in the 1997 title.
