Final Fantasy 7 Remake Critique: Attempting The Impossible

[@reliableprez]

These videos take A LOT of time to put together so if you did enjoy it a simple Like would mean a lot more than you realise, and if you're feeling extra supportive a comment and sub would be amazing (This was one of the most stressful videos I've had to make with many technical issues but managed to make it work in the end even if some bits aren't exactly as planned, hopefully you enjoy it regardless)

[@aegrelius]

as someone who has not played the original ff7, I fell in love with ff7 remake. the combat system felt fresh to me, I could connect to almost all the characters and react emotionally to their decisions an consequences, and damn it certainly is a beautiful game! good job on the video and analysis, it's really well done!

[@reliableprez]

100% agree, also appreciate the feedback

[@somethingwitty309]

I absolutely loved 7Remake. I played through the first half of the original in preparation for it and it only made me love the remake even more. I know some people don’t like the “changes” they made with the game’s ending, but man I find it soooooo much more enticing this way. The original ff7 has existed for so long now that many of its major plot points are basically common knowledge now, even to those who haven’t actually played it. So this new direction is soooo exciting for me. It’s something new. Something different. I know that many wanted a 1 to 1 remake, and I get that. I really do. But to me, that would have been a little derivative. The original will always remain as a high point in the series (even from my limited time with it, I can see just how special it is even today) so this new direction may very well fail to live up to the original’s lofty standards, but the potential for something special is there. At least we’re in store for something surprising. Something unknown.

[@jamesgravil9162]

"I played through the first half of the original in preparation for it" You mean the first five or six hours. The Midgar section is nowhere near the first half of the original game; it's more like an extended prologue. The halfway point is probably somewhere around the Temple of the Ancients or the Forgotten City. (Disc One is longer than Disc Two, and Disc Three is just side-quests and the final dungeon.) Having said that, Midgar is the most story-dense part of the original FFVII, and has about a quarter of the game's dialogue. So it certainly feels longer than it is.

[@somethingwitty309]

@@jamesgravil9162 Nah I actually played quite a bit past midgar, since I was enjoying it so much. I think I continued until a bit after we learn Barrett’s backstory. That said, maybe “half” is a stretch.

[@kunmatita2892]

You may have missed this but Aerith is slowly losing her "future memories" whenever the whsipers touch her. That's why at the end of the game when other people ask her things she makes it clear that she doesn't know what the answer. Whatever her plan was, she has mostly forgotten, and "follow the yellow flowers" is most likely all that's left

[@jamesgravil9162]

Because the more they change the timeline, the harder it is to know what's going to happen. It's _Back to the Future_ logic. When Marty McFly changes history in the first film, the future photograph of him and his family shows his siblings gradually disappear, until he himself starts to fade from existence. I wouldn't be surprised if some of FFVII: Remake's writing staff were BttF fans, so they might have taken inspiration from that idea.

[@davesinsanestudio8072]

I can explain some of the stuff with Aerith and Sephiroth just from what remake gave us with compilation material. So in OG when Sephiroth just let's his memories be washed away after he dies he realizes he can't return to the surface of the planet because he doesn't have any memory of who he was, and he realizes the only connection he has is Cloud. We don't know how yet but he somehow goes back drags Cloud into some back alley and tells him his mothers dying words to make Cloud remember for him and he keeps pushing him to have this anger. Going forward Cloud starts doing things he wouldn't normaly do. Like trying to kill Johnny or Reno and the more he does this the more whispers appear. When Sephiroth appears at the end party is about to fight him and he's happy about it because now whispers all come to him. He cuts through into lifestream and calls Cloud to follow him and there you fight Jenova and the 3 other Sephiroth clones from AC. When you kill the harbinger you release Sephiroth and he absorbes whsipers inside him and make you do his dirty work for him. The Sephiroth you see at the end in edge of creation is a more complete version of him like before he went insane and fell under Jenovas influence and the wing you see on the side Sephiroth is standing is reffered to as universe of death while the weird red thing behind Cloud that looks like Jenova is reffered to as universe of creation. So based of that we right now assume we are dealing with more complete Sephiroth who's not Jenovas puppet. As for Aerith it's kinda like she says in that one cutscene. Every time whispers touch her she loses part of herself and is lost. At least that's all we know for now. Great video. I personally don't mind the changes. The story is gonna be way different even if it is still gonna be ff7, but my hope is not so much don't change it as much I hope the new story is good and the mystery was worth it in the end. I don't even need Zack to be this 10 out of 10 idea thst changes gaming. If it's just good I'll be happy with it.

[@theperson8539]

I'll be honest, if we get the opportunity to save Aerith in any way, then I'll be happy. Obviously, the rest of the story ought to be great as well, but I hope it is leading up to that.

[@MidwestArtMan]

I just realized how quickly I finished this game. I started a bit after this video went up and just finished it yesterday. I agree with a lot of what you have to say, especially the part about some sections being really slow. I'm glad they're going with a different story because there were a few points where I knew what the next major plot point was and it took hours longer than expected to get there.

[@liamnehren1054]

I did like Aerith quite a bit as a child and later her appeal has only grown but I understand some of what might have put you off of her coming from crisis core, this is probably due to misunderstanding her as the last ancient. She talked to spirits as she mentions or her mother mentions early on and had no real understanding of death beyond "I can't touch them anymore but the ones who want to be are here." so in the original game when she met Cloud... Zack was probably right there with them and asked her to take care of him.... She knew from moment one a lot more than her party but didn't tell them because she didn't want to hurt them or trivialize their struggles but some things were also kept from her by the life stream until she needed to know. The fact that Zack was with her actually comes up in a Japanese only book about her that I had read snippets of, which mostly takes place when she is already dead. He accompanies her throughout the story and into Advent Children (yes that is actually her in advent children and not Cloud's longing for his two friends) as she fixes people stuck in their regrets and prepares the way behind the scenes for her still living friends. She becomes but always kind of was the Avatar of the life stream.

[@Comicbrooke]

I let out an audible “YOOOOO!” when I saw this in my subscription box 🙌

[@reliableprez]

Eyyy love that energy!

[@akiinmoonlight79]

I watched through this is one sitting and omg, this is imo your best video everything is on point; from the lenght, to the sharp editing, the script, the perfectly placed music and the fact that i'm in love with your voice ~ It all feels so perfect idk how to describe 🥰 Yeah the remake is despite some flaws a modern-day jrpg masterpiece that will be a perfect guideline for SE to deliver something magical and phenomenal for part 2 Also yep that VA for Zack is horrible, start a petition and count me in ~~~ ( praying that the algorythm will pick up this video in order for it blow up bcs this hard work and dedication deserves a large audience 😫❤ )

[@reliableprez]

It’s all up to KZbin now if it wants people to see it😂 appreciate the feedback makes this whole thing worth so much more

[@captainpep3]

VA for Zack doesn’t sound horrible, it’s just a different take. And after hearing crisis cores remake he sounds a lot better (and in integrade too, it’s just that one scene in remake that sounds spotty)

[@theperson8539]

Wait... the VA was fine, what're ya talking about? Wait, what language?

[@apathy2454]

This is by far one of my favorite final fantasy games it’s amazing I like it more than the original so far ! The music !? OMG it’s so good I was just listening to the OST at work last night . Gameplay is fun as hell the characters look gorgeous the voice acting !? Just wow

[@reliableprez]

Chef’s kiss truly

[@julienossola]

FF7 was my first Final Fantasy, and its my favorite too. Years later I played FF6 and loved it, today, they are both my favorite Final Fantasy games.

[@reliableprez]

@@julienossola FF6 video will be next...just sayin

[@jamesgravil9162]

41:25 "Just imagine three or four games where going into it, you know who the final boss will be." Mario and Zelda: **

[@sharkgamez505]

I don't know if you remember me but I commented on your KH1 video and man after finishing the series I loved it! I really need to get og ff7, I loved the remake!!

[@reliableprez]

That’s sick! Actually dope to hear that haha which was your favourite in the end? ( That means you can watch all the future KH critiques😏)

[@sharkgamez505]

@@reliableprez Hell yeah I can and KH2 definitely my favorite! Can't wait to see your future KH critique videos!

[@reliableprez]

@@sharkgamez505 KH2 video is easily what I'm most excited to make this year, hoping for July release

[@spiritdancer36]

25:46 I am one of those people who chose to play FF7R without playing the OG FF7 and just want to say that even though I didn’t have the OG to pull from, I felt it. This game was created with some intangible magic. I felt the emotion somehow. The moment we see Areriths house for the first time it feels somehow sacred for lack of a better word. I felt emotional just walking up to it. Probably not like someone who played the OG game but I still felt it. The game left me feeling the same magic that I felt the first time I played Zelda Oot back in 98’.

[@sagewaterdragon]

The timing on this upload is really great - I just beat the DLC for the first time yesterday and I only completed the game for the first time about a week and a half ago. It was almost like you were waiting for me to finish! Regardless, this video was one of your best. There are a few things I'm not sure about (Cloud being the easiest character, for example - a really good Barrett build will tear things up!), but the overall perspective on the project was insightful and good. Besides, this won me over from the moment you pointed out Aerith's eyes. You were right!

[@reliableprez]

I mean maybe I was?👀 As for the Cloud thing I definitely meant mostly early game before others unlock their best potential

[@bwcenter95]

FFVII is my first multi disc jrpg game on PSone, and watching the remake playthrough on KZbin really hits different, watching the scene i remember as a little kid but in more refined graphic is wonderful! At least for the part1 the story mostly stay true, cant wait to watch the part 2 (& what story its offer) when it is released. I dont buy PS console anymore since PSone, and my notebook isn't a gaming one. So watching other playthrough is already makes me happy (probably cause it has nostalgic feel to it too). Can't wait the other remake they're planning to releases for mobile phone. For surely gonna play it.

[@Mark-fc7tu]

14:47 I've noticed that a lot of modern, ''cinematic' games have the trend of slow sections for presentation and loading time. The FF7 remake has it, God of War 4 has it, the newer Tomb Raider games have it.

[@reliableprez]

The more games do it the more we’ll notice

[@saniakshay12]

I think it is fantastic that they used the word REMAKE so smartly. It was literally them REMAKING the world. It is perhaps one of the gutsiest moves I've seen in recent AAA games.

[@Yeaster]

Aerith is so special. She was my favorite in the OG, yet she's even better in the remake. The game highlighted everything that made her amazing in the OG. She's still sweet, but has a street edge. Briana White really was fantastic Chapter 9❤

[@cargudelos]

Can really tell how much effort you put in these videos and I love them!

[@mythriljojo]

I loved FF7R and not knowing what's gonna come next. I beat FF7 sometime a few years ago and I'm ready to see where this story leads. I also hope story-wise that in Zack's timeline, Sonon is gonna be the one who survived the mission with Yuffie and joins Zack on his quest. And if the timelines would end up converging that would be a powerful character beat if Yuffie and Sonon got to fight together again near the end of the Remake Saga.

[@seasustrai6547]

Don't mind me, just dropping a comment to help in the algorithm and congratulate you on the wonderful job here

[@gregmysta]

You're videos are the best!! Can't wait for more! 🤘🤘

[@reliableprez]

Yoo thanks a lot!

[@jessewalters811]

So FF7Remake was my first Final Fantasy game ever! I fell in love with this game, Now I have nearly played every single one.... All thanks to Remake. Agree I absolutely love Aerith 👍 Playing the original then playing the remake again what's cool is this is not a "remake" but a sequel with a unknown journey ahead, I truly can not wait for Part 2. Not many games can make me feel the way Remake made me feel, I'm glad I tried the game and it's definitely a must play! These characters feel so real, music is so good. Need Part II ASAP!!!!

[@ChrisPTenders]

I find it frustrating that lots of apologists for this game will admit the original needed a remake because it was too old looking for people engage with, and then go on to justify this game's deviations by saying the original will always be there. I have a love hate relationship with Remake. I find what they're doing very interesting, even kinda cool. But I hate that it leaves behind so many of my favorite qualities of the original, especially when it seems to have done so much that would have improved the execution we got in the original, only to make those improvements irrelevant by changing course to an entirely new direction in Remake. So many of my favorite moments were set up and built up to so much better in Remake... and then they didn't happen. Or worse, they happened and barely mattered. I love what they did with the characters, combat, music, and visuals. But the overall story telling is a huge mess, and they justify it all with the hook that now we won't know what's coming? I don't know how to feel about that. Is that worth never seeing the near perfect original story in this modern quality? To me, if that answer is gonna be yes, they have to make these changes matter a LOT more to the characters and their personal journeys... that's what's at stake with these changes that is unnervingly uncertain at this point. I can't say I'm not excited for the future, if for no other reason than I know the characters will be lovable personalities and the combat will get even better, but I'm dreading what they do with the story. I don't know if what they do will be good as much as it is exciting to anticipate, because honestly Part 1 gets away with a lot of storytelling mistakes on the premise of being a Part 1.

[@MrRPGcrazy]

I personally loved the game and Its my favorite game of the generation. I have no real problem with the pacing of the game with the exception of the Chapter 12 in the train graveyard. Removing the old train station and the 2 bosses would have made that chapter much stronger I think. Mabye in Chapter 14 we would have a very invovled side quest that you learn about the ghosts and fight eligor at the end of that quest. I have no real problem returning to sewers in chapter 14 even if chasing the Shoat for the pendant and fighting Abzu again was unnecessary. Even if I think Chapter 6 is not even close being one of the best chapters in the game, I still think the combination of the good lore, character banter and good combat makes that chapter atleast valuable to me atleast, plus Its a pretty short chapter aswell. I dont know, for someone who read every interview before the game came out(that I could get my hands on). The developers have been pretty honest that this project is not going to be a 1 for 1 retelling of the original story. I think most people are just hung up on the word "Remake", wich is a word that is not defined well. I have talked to so many people when it comes to ports, remasters, remakes and so on. When it comes to these definitions people just interpret in many different ways. To me it was pretty clear that FF7R was going to be a familiar but a different experience. To the developers FF7 is just not only the original but the compilation aswell. I have total understanding for those who did not like the remake because I was certain there were going to be some controversy before the game even came out. Its hard to say what public opinion of game is because I think 5% or even less people actually go to some internet site and express their opinion on a game in general. Sequels always sells worse and worse for each installment but Its going to the best measurement to see how well this project is actually doing. Btw Awesome review, it was very well done. I could clearly see you put alot of effort and love into it. Looking forward to the KH2 video, one of my personal favorite games.

[@wren7195]

Arguably the best, most sincere, thoughtful, and well-presented "review" that I've experienced. And I'm not saying that because I agree with you a thousand percent (although I do. There have been a lot of even more glowing, and more glaring, reviews of this game). I'd be lying though if I said I didn't burst into giggles at "and just seven seconds later" ( SEVEN SECONDS UNTIL THE END) ...but yeah, I'm a die hard fan. Grew up with this dang thing, hell grew up with Final Fantasy. Like, the original "why don't we just make a racing game?" Final Fantasy on the NES. Stupid girl outside her house stealing wood slats from a fence to make the Excalibur and Masamune in first grade. I definitely don't have a PS5 sadly, so I'm going to have to skip the Intergrade portion of the video... but overall I think you very politely described how "superfans" feel about this thing as well as casual FF fans. It's a very good game, it's got pacing issues, it's VERY emotive (and I like that, the directors trusting their CGmodel actors with that lower half of the face and dialogue acting!!) and lovely, overall it's a decent love letter. I'm... just frankly terrified that it's literally going to practically beat for beat become their new Kingdom Hearts, both in terms of convolutions, delays, and melodrama. Great video, new subscriber, best wishes and thank you so much for your hard work, I really enjoy these kinds of deep dives. Heh your very fun little quirky comments and screenshots are a pure delight.

[@reliableprez]

Much appreciated support! Look forward to the channel growing

[@holy9781]

I cant belive its been 2 years already.so part 2 should be next year

[@reliableprez]

FF16 this year then hopefully remake part 2 in 2023

[@RIELSG]

LOLLLL good luck with that

[@jayjjey1400]

This makes me super excited for the next part AGAIN

[@julienossola]

I went for subscribing and than I saw I already am. Ths video was amazing. I'm speachlees. Thank you.

[@reliableprez]

Eyyy gang

[@Kjeldvk]

I greatly enjoyed watching this video. Very nicely structured and a great perspective.

[@SfromWisconsin]

I was originally a Tifa fan too, but this version of Aerith seems so much more intriguing. I think I'll like her a lot more in the remake. I plan on playing this someday, but I'm currently playing FFX and Kingdom Hearts with my kids. 😊

[@monopolymcc]

Loved the vid man, subbed for all your future stuff!!!

[@reliableprez]

Appreciate it!

[@greenebean4902]

This is an amazing take, big props to you, You can tell how much time and effort has been put into this video. Great job.

[@reliableprez]

Much appreciated

[@jamesplayle7728]

Ff7 remake is my first final fantasy and now I want to play them all

[@ES-kw7hq]

Great video…can’t wait for the next game and your next review

[@RIELSG]

I can wait to see part 2 sales. Only then we will see if this project will be a success or flop. I hope the ending won't be a novel to read like FF15.

[@kittenburger_prime]

Sorry to post on two videos, but it is really funny that the presentation is getting such negative attention while in its time the graphics were considered light years ahead of its time. Those simple cgi still shots were plastered everywhere. Journalists were going nuts. The gaming landscape was much smaller back then and this game was a monster.

[@raymontyoungblood4453]

Great work man

[@enyalieTheWriter]

I realy have to say, I did enjoy the video and Im totaly agreeing with you. I realy hated like chapter 6 I think it was, the one with the lights and the train graveyard. They took forever! But I love that I have the chance to wittnes a new story, new things to explore. I love remakes but what I even more love then just have a polished game is a new story in that Universe why? Because and this is realy important now. I have the chance to witnes more of this world, not the same story but more. More things to explore, to know, to witness. Just more Final Fantasy 7. I also can kinda understand why people just wanted a sick looking OG FF7, but at the end think about it. Putting that hate aside, what do you get and how cool it is just as you say, to not KNOW what wikll happen but instead to have it back. These WOW moments these pure joy, the excitement we had back then we played the Original.

[@reliableprez]

Whilst not perfect it was refreshing and like you pointed out just more of a great universe being expanded upon

[@inukazega]

Wonderful work

[@jonnyreinhardt1961]

Saving for later. About to replay ff7 and get the trophies AND then do ff7r. I’ll be back to this video tho

[@reliableprez]

Doing a Platinum playthrough atm myself, good luck lol

[@RU5TY82]

keep up the passion dude

[@makojuicer]

Great video! Here’s to the algorithm gods

[@reliableprez]

Hoping they bless the video

[@We_Are_Borg_478]

Final Fantasy 7 was beloved because it was a one of a kind entity, never to be experienced again by other entities. Remaking the game diminished it. It took everything that made the original unique, and turned it into a generic action rpg. The fact that they are making up the game as they go and releasing it in dlc packages should have set off everybody's red flags. This game will only lead to disappointment, and everybody who disagrees with this comment will have no choice but to concede. Good games are well thought out and released as a whole, not made up on the fly and chopped into sections to charge as much money as possible.

[@tuomo846]

Great vid!

[@reliableprez]

Appreciate it

[@zenrolaldus]

Do retrospective on the pixel remasters! especially VI

[@reliableprez]

FF VI Video is next!

[@derekschommer1465]

Echo-s is the remake everybody wanted. Change my mind

[@perunarieska9182]

It's truly a shame that Rebirth / Part 2 didn't sell that well. I'm worried now for part 3 development, I hope they won't slash the budget to cut corners. Part 3 should be the most ambitious of the trilogy, and if they fail to deliver then this Remake-trilogy will be remembered as a failure.

[@sephirothjc]

I speak as as much of die hard fan of the original game as you can get, and I too like the idea of a new story. I mean, FFVII was my first FF and I was really disappointed when I learnt these games were disconnected stories. What I've always wanted is more FFVII rather than the same FFVII with better graphics. Crisis Core was great and I enjoyed Advent Children too but this is better for me, a sequel of sorts with my favorite characters and a chance to rewrite history in a game whose story, as much as I absolutely love it, is admittedly pretty depressing.

[@eywsa23]

Great video

[@reliableprez]

Thanks a lot🤙🏼

[@neptunian751]

There's some dissapointment for me. 1. To little variety of items for stealing , should add some weapons/armors/accessories. And at least 1-2 item is pain in the a... to steal. 2. Just a few available enemyskill, should add 3-4 more. 3. Just one summon materia is availble for equipment, should at least 2 for each character. 4. Only 6 weapon for each characters, should be 7 xD 5. FF7R is way too short. I know is just about Midgar but should add some more sector. Im still waiting for 6 sector mini Gold Saucer like area. Where we can win/buy the last weapon (7 weapon slot) xD Im still missing 10GB. It says 100GB on the cover but the file is just 90GB But still this game is 9,5/10 :P Cause this game feels really GOOD...nooo...GREAT :P I love the org FF7 and i did really enjoyed the Remake.

[@stadthaus.7266]

I disagree with a lot of what you said Think they ruined it, with the dementors and changes, dragged it out way too long. Hopes and expectations for the future are very low. Thumps up for the effort you put into this anyway

[@Dayv018]

It's a little amusing to hear stuff about "misleading" by Square on the idea of the Remake. Frankly there are so many interviews by the directors and creators (some dating back literally to a day after the 2015 trailer at E3) where they blatantly state over and over they will not be doing a 1:1 remake of the original game. While they are somewhat vague overall, it's obviously because they didn't want to spoil what changes they actually had in mind. But for those that cared to listen and look, the information has been out there for a very long time to not be "misled". This isn't directed towards this critique in the video solely, either, but just the general narrative that people were "lied" to. It's simply not the case.

[@AzazinNote]

Neat.

[@flawedperfectionrpgs8738]

Wow I love this vid!❤

[@calvinmatthews1527]

I wouldn't say it's impossible to criticize this game. But when getting pass the amazing production values, one can find a few flaws with this game. FF7R is a very solid game, but I can't help but compare it to the recent Dragon Quest & Tales games. All three games have a great amount of care put into them, but 7R feels more like a product of recent Square Enix, where its content is somewhat bloated and commercialized. Hence the reason to divide it into multiple parts with DLC. Don't get me wrong, what they did, they did well, that being the combat, extra character depth, and look of the world.

[@cynicalidealist11]

Personally, this was the best game I've ever played.

[@liamconverse8950]

Imagine if they did a Xenogears remake like this

[@DOC_951]

Hmm… idk about your comment that “there are a lot of paths, but only one route to advance.” Every game has only one path to progress the plot or mission… including the original FF7

[@DutchDread]

I don't understand people who liked how remake handled Aeriths character. My biggest gripe with the entire thing is how it murdered everything that made Aerith special. Not briannas fault though, she did a great job, but Aerith is the one character that I feel was ruined by the remake.

[@Wierie_]

I stopped playing this game because I came across a massive spoiler. I haven’t played the original but I did like a lot of this version, apart from the gameplay.

[@xbdaddyx]

Except its not impossible, update the graphics, add to the open world, sidequests and minigames, and MAYBE refresh the battle system (DQ11 had turn based which was fine). Boom great game released all at once, not 3-4 years apart in installments..........I hate SE for this clear money grab of crap they released. Why would I want to play a whole game in Midgar which is meant to basically be the tutorial before unleashing you into an open world.

[@raphaelcalado4335]

Choose FFIX over 7’s because graphics and ignoring that 9’s battle system is slow as a dying turtle with multiple broken legs… What a joke…

[@lazygamer4746]

I am not a fan of the remake. The OG is so much better.

[@GreyException]

This isn't a critique...

[@akiinmoonlight79]

First 🥰❤

[@3dgelord187]

Too much tedium in this game