Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is finally out on the Nintendo Switch 2, bringing an extremely polished portable experience of the 2024 Game of the Year to Nintendo’s hybrid console. We already got a taste of the game through the lengthy demo released earlier for the Nintendo Switch 2, but having the final version in our hands, it has proven to be even more impressive.
We have already covered the full game on PS5 and later on PC, but the Switch 2 version still impressed us because of how well it scales to Nintendo’s hybrid hardware. While there is a significant sacrifice with the drop to 30 FPS compared to the PS5 and PC versions, the visuals still look great and often hold up surprisingly well alongside the PS5 version, even if some textures and details have been scaled back.
Story-wise, this is a continuation of Final Fantasy VII Remake, picking up right after its ending. The story continues the multi-disc journey of the original Final Fantasy VII, following Cloud and his companions as they travel to new locations in search of Sephiroth. The developers have taken plenty of creative liberties with the Final Fantasy VII remake project, so this is not a 1:1 retelling. Instead, it feels more like an expanded version of the original narrative, packed with a huge amount of new content and additions. This also extends to the gameplay, with the combat being refined and improved over the previous game.
The character roster has been expanded once again. While the first game focused on Cloud, Tifa, and Barret, the sequel adds Cait Sith and Red XIII as party members, which helps open up the combat system even further. There are even sequences featuring Sephiroth, allowing players to take control of one of the coolest villains in JRPG history. I really like the hybrid combat system, which combines real-time action with the Active Time Battle mechanics that longtime Final Fantasy fans will remember from the earlier games. It strikes an interesting balance, offering fast-paced action while still retaining a layer of strategy through command-based abilities. Rebirth also introduces several new combat options, including aerial combos and Synergy Skills, giving players even more ways to approach battles.
One area where the visuals do feel a little dated is the open world, though this was not an issue exclusive to the Switch 2 version. I noticed it in the PS5 version as well when I first played the game. On Switch 2, the level of detail and overall foliage density have been reduced noticeably, resulting in more pop-in while exploring and less dense vegetation compared to the PS5 version. It is only a minor drawback, however, and one I am happy to accept in exchange for the polished portable experience that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth delivers on Switch 2.
The sequel also adds a huge number of minigames, to the point where they can sometimes feel excessive. I do wonder how much development time and resources went into creating so many unique activities. While they are generally fun, they often feel more like additional side content than meaningful ways to advance the story. Even so, I would not consider them a negative. They feel like a good fit for the overall experience, and the portable nature of the Switch 2 made it easy to revisit them at a relaxed pace.
If you are a fan of the Final Fantasy franchise, and especially if Final Fantasy VII is your favorite game or ranks among your top five in the series, then Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the ultimate wish come true. It is packed with content, including minigames, side quests, and lore that expands upon the original game in meaningful ways. The Switch 2 version is highly polished and technically impressive, standing up well alongside the console versions aside from the 30 FPS cap. Even then, the performance is remarkably stable, with hardly any frame drops. I remember performance dipping in towns during the demo, but that issue appears to have been resolved in the final release.
At its launch price, this feels like an easy recommendation. It is one of the best JRPGs currently available on the Switch 2, and if you pick up both Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth, you can easily get more than 200 hours of portable gameplay. The ports themselves are excellent and will likely be remembered as some of the system’s biggest technical achievements, even by the end of the Switch 2’s life cycle. Hopefully, the same level of quality carries over to the upcoming third entry in the remake trilogy.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Game Information
- Price: $49.99
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Developer: Square Enix
- Platform: Switch 2 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
