New Final Fantasy 7 Remaster Met with Fan Backlash

While the gaming community eagerly anticipates the conclusion of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, a fresh iteration of the 1997 masterpiece has unexpectedly arrived on PC. This new “definitive” edition has officially superseded the 2013 release on the Steam storefront. However, early impressions are far from celebratory; players are expressing significant dissatisfaction, citing a slew of performance bottlenecks and jarring visual inconsistencies that detract from the classic experience.

The original Final Fantasy 7 debuted in 1997, instantly cementing its legacy as one of the most transformative and influential RPGs ever created. In the decades since, Square Enix has revisited the title through various ports and remasters. Aside from the high-budget Remake and Rebirth projects, the 2013 Steam version was previously the standard for modern hardware, offering high-resolution support and achievement integration. Around that same time, a Japan-exclusive version introduced sought-after quality-of-life features, such as a high-speed mode and the ability to disable random encounters—features that have finally been integrated into this global update.

Image: FINE Co., Ltd./Square Enix

This updated build launched on Steam this week and is available at no extra cost to those who owned the previous digital version. While the 2013 edition has been delisted from the store, current owners can still access it, though it is important to note that save data is not compatible between the old and new versions. While the narrative remains untouched, the update introduces several modern conveniences: a 3x speed toggle for combat and exploration, an autosave function, the option to disable non-scripted battles, and a “Battle Enhancement” mode that refills HP/MP and maxes out the Limit gauge instantly.

Unfortunately, the reception has been overwhelmingly negative. At the time of writing, the game holds a “Mostly Negative” consensus on Steam across nearly 300 reviews. The player base has flagged a litany of technical grievances, ranging from frame rate issues that cause erratic combat speeds to blurry textures and stability problems that prevent the game from launching entirely. Although Square Enix has begun deploying patches to rectify some of the speed-related bugs, the launch of this definitive edition remains remarkably turbulent.

For those looking to experience this iconic journey without the current technical headaches of the Steam version, the classic iteration is currently available on GOG. It is currently featured at a massive 60% discount, offering a stable and cost-effective alternative for fans of the franchise.

Source: Polygon