Square Enix recently lifted the curtain on Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, the next chapter in its ambitious remake trilogy, and early hands-on impressions are rolling in. Following an hour-long playable demo session, IGN’s preview came away with a mixed but ultimately hopeful verdict: the combat remains the gold standard for action RPGs, but there’s a nagging worry that the game’s world may be drowning in optional busywork.
Best-in-Class Combat Returns in Fine Form
The headline takeaway from the preview is unambiguous: Final Fantasy 7 Revelation continues to deliver what the outlet calls its absolute favorite action RPG combat to date. That’s high praise in a genre crowded with heavyweights, and it’s a testament to how far the remake trilogy has come since 2020’s Final Fantasy 7 Remake first reimagined the classic ATB system as a hybrid of real-time action and strategic command inputs.
For longtime fans, this should come as welcome reassurance. The remake series has steadily layered in deeper party synergy, expanded character kits, and more fluid switching between party members, and it appears Revelation is carrying that torch forward. If the hands-on session is any indication, the moment-to-moment fighting — dodging, staggering, chaining abilities, and unleashing Limit Breaks — remains as satisfying as ever.
Why the Combat Remains the Star
The remake trilogy’s combat has always thrived on tension: pausing time with Tactical Mode to issue commands while the battlefield churns around you creates a rhythm few action RPGs match. With Revelation, the preview suggests that formula is still firing on all cylinders, preserving the identity that made its predecessors critical darlings.
The Concern: Side Content for Side Content’s Sake
But it wasn’t all Limit Breaks and victory fanfares. The preview’s predominant concern is that Revelation may be getting carried away with stuffing its world with side content for the sake of it. The hour-long demo window was packed to bursting, prompting questions about whether the final game will spread itself too thin.
To be fair, the reviewer acknowledges this density might simply be a symptom of cramming as much as possible into a limited preview build — a common trade-off when publishers want to showcase everything a game offers in a short session. Still, it raises a legitimate question about pacing and focus in the full release.
A Familiar Pattern for the Trilogy
Anyone who played Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth knows this concern isn’t baseless. The trilogy’s second installment was packed with minigames, open-world activities, and optional quests — beloved by some players, overwhelming to others. If Revelation follows suit without tightening its focus, the fear is that its exceptional combat could get buried beneath a mountain of filler. On the other hand, optional content is, by definition, optional — and players who prefer the critical path can arguably skip the fluff. The real test will be whether that side content feels meaningful or merely present.
Early Verdict: Cautious Optimism
Despite the reservations, the core takeaway is positive. Combat is the beating heart of any action RPG, and Revelation appears to have that foundation rock-solid. If Square Enix can rein in the content bloat and keep the experience focused, the finale of this beloved trilogy could be something truly special.
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Source: IGN