With anticipation building for Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, the closing chapter of Square Enix’s ambitious Remake trilogy, one big question keeps coming up: do you need to have played the original 1997 Playstation classic to understand what’s going on? According to the game’s lead, the answer is reassuring for newcomers — though the original RPG still plays a vital role in the trilogy’s DNA.
The Original FF7 Is Woven Into the Remake Trilogy
Speaking about the upcoming sequel, the lead on Final Fantasy 7 Revelation explained that the original 1997 RPG “is very much enshrined within the story” of the Remake project. Rather than simply retelling the beloved classic beat-for-beat, the trilogy has been designed as an experience that honors and carries the spirit of the original while telling its own evolving narrative.
In other words, longtime fans don’t need to worry that the original game is being sidelined. Its characters, themes, and iconic moments remain the emotional backbone of Remake and Rebirth — and Revelation will continue to draw from that legacy as the story reaches its climax.
Knowledge of the Original Isn’t Required
Despite the original being deeply embedded in the trilogy’s foundation, the developer confirmed that newcomers can absolutely jump into the Remake trilogy without having touched the 1997 original. In fact, when discussing how new players might approach the series, the lead even suggested that experiencing the story this way “might also be a better way of doing it.”
It’s a notable stance. The Remake trilogy reorders events, expands character arcs, and introduces new story threads that simply didn’t exist in 1997, giving first-time players a fresh, self-contained journey through Midgar and beyond.
Why the Remake Trilogy Works as an Entry Point
For anyone who has played Final Fantasy 7 Remake (2020) and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (2024), this approach makes sense. Both games spent considerable time fleshing out characters like Jessie, Biggs, Wedge, Yuffie, and Vincent in ways the original could only hint at. Newcomers aren’t missing essential context — they’re getting a more gradual, detailed introduction to the world of Gaia, the Shinra Electric Power Company, and Cloud Strife’s complicated past.
A Story That Rewards Both Old and New Fans
That said, veteran players are experiencing something entirely different: a meta-layer of mystery and nostalgia. Longtime fans notice the deviations, the whispers of fate, and the subtle nods to spin-offs like Crisis Core and Advent Children. The trilogy essentially operates on two levels — a complete story for newcomers and a layered reimagining for those who know the original inside out.
With Revelation set to conclude the saga, expectations are sky-high. Fans are eager to see how the trilogy resolves its biggest divergences from the 1997 storyline, particularly the fates of certain beloved characters — a moment that remains one of the most infamous in gaming history.
The Perfect Time to Start the Journey
If you’ve been waiting on the sidelines, there’s arguably never been a better moment to dive in. With two-thirds of the trilogy already available and Revelation on the horizon, new players can experience the full arc — Remake, Rebirth, and Revelation — as one continuous, cinematic adventure, exactly as the developers seem to envision it.
Looking to start your journey through Gaia? You can grab Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Rebirth game codes, PlayStation Store gift cards, and more at TURGAME.com, your go-to store for digital game keys and gift cards at great prices.
Source: GamesRadar
Source: GamesRadar