Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Nintendo Switch 2 Review: An immense world in the palm of your hand

After the incredible work done with Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Nintendo Switch 2, it was inevitable that all fan attention would immediately shift to Rebirth. The first chapter had already shown how Square Enix had managed to achieve something surprising on Nintendo hardware, bringing a technically impressive experience to portable mode without sacrificing too much of its spectacle. And it is precisely for this reason that the arrival of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on Switch 2 generates even more curiosity, expectations, and, it's useless to deny, some apprehension.

Because Rebirth is not simply a sequel, but it is a much bigger, more ambitious, and immensely vaster game than Remake. If the first episode focused mainly on the more cinematic and linear Midgar, here the journey finally opens up to the entire world, giving that sense of epic adventure that historical fans still fondly remember decades later.

Personally, one of the most beautiful feelings during the first hours of gameplay was realizing how much this Nintendo Switch 2 version manages to amaze again. Finding oneself immersed in enormous environments, spectacular battles, and such meticulously crafted cinematic scenes on a hybrid console still feels almost unreal. And it's even more impressive considering how colossal Rebirth is from every point of view.

Square Enix did not limit itself to creating the second chapter of a remake, but built a true modern reinterpretation of one of the most important JRPGs in history. Rebirth expands everything: the narrative, the gameplay, the exploration, the relationships between characters, and even the very sense of the journey. The result is a gigantic, emotional, and continuously surprising adventure.

The real curiosity, however, surrounding this Nintendo Switch 2 version inevitably concerns the technical aspect. Already the previous Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Switch 2 had amazed everyone with the quality of the work done by Square Enix. Many expected a scaled-down or heavily compromised conversion, but instead, the final result was surprisingly excellent, managing to maintain much of the original experience's spectacle even in portable mode.

And it is precisely for this reason that the arrival of Rebirth on the new Nintendo console generates even more interest. If the first chapter managed to convince from a technical point of view, this second episode represents a much more difficult challenge. Rebirth is in fact an enormously vaster, more open, more detailed, and decidedly more ambitious game than Remake. The size of the maps, the quantity of content present, and the general complexity of the experience inevitably test the hardware much more intensely.

Will Square Enix have succeeded in the endeavor once again? Will this new chapter truly live up to the excellent work done with the previous episode? And above all, does it really represent the ideal way to experience this gigantic adventure on the go, while waiting for the third and final chapter of the trilogy?

Let's find out together 

From the closed world of Midgar to an open-world adventure: what really changes

One of the most evident transformations of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth compared to Remake inevitably concerns the very structure of the game. If the first chapter of the trilogy offered a strongly linear adventure, almost "compressed" within the city of Midgar, Rebirth completely breaks that philosophy and embraces a much broader and freer dimension.

The feeling one gets in the first hours is that of finally being in front of the true journey of Final Fantasy VII. The vast plains, scattered villages, mountains, desert areas, and richly detailed cities immediately restore that adventurous atmosphere that made the original 1997 game immortal.

The difference is not only about the size of the maps, but also the overall pace of the experience. Remake focused heavily on cinematic narration and guided sequences, while Rebirth continuously alternates exploration, side quests, mini-games, combat, and narrative moments. This makes the game much more dynamic and less "closed" than its predecessor.

The overall tone also changes significantly. Rebirth manages to be lighter, more colorful, and even more ironic at various points, without losing the emotional depth that characterizes the saga. The presence of many mini-games and side activities strongly recalls the spirit of the original title, providing a huge sense of variety.

On the gameplay front, the combat system is further refined. Character synergies add strategic depth and make clashes even more spectacular. Each party member possesses extremely different abilities, which continuously encourages experimenting with new combinations.

Regarding the differences between the various console versions, it must be said that Nintendo Switch 2 performs surprisingly well. Obviously, PlayStation 5 remains the reference platform from a purely technical point of view, thanks to higher resolution, more defined textures, and more advanced lighting management. However, the Switch 2 conversion succeeds in maintaining the game's identity intact.

In docked mode, the visual impact is remarkable, while in portable mode, the impact remains incredibly fascinating considering the technical scope of the production. Some environmental details are slightly reduced, and in certain particularly vast areas, some minor compromises on the frame rate can be noticed, but overall the experience remains absolutely enjoyable.

Indeed, playing Rebirth on the go almost adds a new dimension to the adventure. Being able to immerse oneself in a JRPG of this magnitude wherever you are creates a truly special feeling, especially during long sessions dedicated to exploration or completing side activities. 

Narrative and characters: why Rebirth's story hits even harder

Talking about the story of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth without going into too much detail is extremely difficult, because much of the game's strength comes precisely from its narrative component. However, what can be said without spoiling the surprises is that this second part incredibly manages to amplify everything that made the original journey memorable.

Cloud and his group finally leave Midgar to pursue Sephiroth across the world. From here, a gigantic journey unfolds, full of discoveries, encounters, doubts, and continuous revelations. Each new city visited deepens the game's lore and helps build a universe rich in nuances.

One of the best aspects of the narration concerns how the characters are developed. Rebirth dedicates a lot of time to human relationships, allowing the player to get to know each party member much better. Tifa, Aerith, Barret, Red XIII, and Yuffie receive splendid narrative moments that manage to make them even more profound and believable.

Cloud naturally remains the emotional center of the entire story. His mental fragility, his confused memories, and the weight of the past are explored even more intensely than in Remake. The game continuously manages to convey that sense of unease that accompanies the protagonist throughout the journey.

Sephiroth, on the other hand, continues to be a magnetic and terrifying presence. Each of his appearances manages to completely change the tone of the scenes, conveying a constant sense of threat. He is an antagonist who does not need to be continuously present to leave his mark: a glance, a phrase, or a simple background music is enough to make his weight felt.

What is most surprising is the maturity of the writing. Rebirth addresses very profound themes such as pain, destiny, loss, guilt, and the desire to find one's place in the world. Despite this, the game always manages to alternate dramatic moments with lighthearted and even amusing situations.

The emotional component works magnificently also thanks to the cinematic direction. Some sequences are simply spectacular, with shots, music, and dialogues capable of truly leaving their mark. It is one of those games that continuously makes you want to keep going just to find out what happens next. 

Combat system and gameplay: Square Enix's most successful system in recent years

The gameplay of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth probably represents one of the best combat systems ever created by Square Enix in recent years. The team has managed to perfect almost every element introduced in Remake, creating a much deeper, more varied, and more satisfying experience.

The combat system continues to blend real-time action and classic strategy. Clashes are very fast, spectacular, and incredibly dynamic, but at the same time require tactical attention, ability management, and intelligent use of Materia.

The real novelty is the synergistic abilities between characters. These special techniques allow party members to collaborate in combat through extremely spectacular combined attacks. It's not just an aesthetic addition: synergies concretely change the approach to clashes and continuously encourage experimenting with new strategies.

Each character has a completely different style. Cloud remains versatile and powerful, Tifa is devastating in speed, Barret excels in ranged attacks, Aerith dominates magical support, while Red XIII introduces more aggressive and technical mechanics. This makes every combat extremely dynamic.

Exploration represents another huge step forward compared to Remake. The maps are vast, full of secrets, and packed with optional activities. You constantly find yourself deviating from the main path to complete side quests, face optional bosses, or simply explore new areas.

The mini-games deserve a special mention. Rebirth contains an impressive quantity of them, and many are incredibly well-crafted. Chocobo races, card games, musical challenges, and many other activities contribute to creating that variety typical of great classic JRPGs.

The progression system is also extremely satisfying. Powering up Materia, developing new abilities, and upgrading equipment creates a continuous sense of growth. Each new weapon unlocked concretely changes the playstyle.

The boss fights are simply extraordinary. Some clashes reach truly impressive levels of epicness, thanks to spectacular direction and mechanics that force the player to constantly adapt.

The longevity is enormous. Completing only the main story already requires many hours, but those who wish to explore every secondary content can easily exceed one hundred hours of gameplay. 

Nintendo Switch 2 Version: Graphics, Performance, and that "Technical Miracle" that Still Amazes

From a technical standpoint, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on Nintendo Switch 2 represents something that until a few years ago would have seemed almost impossible. Square Enix has succeeded in the feat of bringing a colossal experience to portable hardware while maintaining much of the original work's visual quality.

The environments are enormous and rich in detail, cities appear alive, natural areas are fascinating, and the overall visual impact often manages to amaze. Of course, compared to PlayStation 5, some compromises are inevitable, with less defined textures, simplified shadows, and lower resolution. However, the optimization work remains impressive.

Fluidity generally remains stable, and the game manages to offer a surprisingly solid experience in both docked and portable modes. This latter mode is perhaps the most incredible aspect of the entire conversion: being able to experience such a huge adventure on a portable screen creates a truly special impact.

Character animations are also excellent. Facial expressions, movements during dialogues, and cinematic sequences maintain very high quality. Some moments almost feel like an interactive movie.

The artistic direction is simply magnificent. Each area possesses its own distinct visual identity, and the art direction continuously manages to convey wonder. From vast plains to the smallest villages, everything contributes to creating a credible and memorable world.

On the sound front, Rebirth reaches absolutely extraordinary levels. The soundtrack is a continuous celebration of the history of Final Fantasy VII. Classic music is reinterpreted masterfully, alternating epic orchestrations with more intimate and emotional versions.

Some tracks literally give you chills, especially during the most important scenes of the story. It's a gigantic, varied, and almost maniacally curated soundtrack.

The voice acting also does an excellent job. The characters feel believable, and the performances perfectly enhance every emotional moment.