Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade - Much More Than a Simple Port

With FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE, Square Enix is preparing to release one of the most ambitious and discussed reinterpretations in video game history on Nintendo Switch 2. But in this specific case, we are not talking about a simple port, but the most complete and refined version of the Midgar experience, enriched by both the extra Intermission chapter and a series of intelligently designed options to make the game accessible to both new players and historical fans. And on Nintendo Switch 2, the work finds a surprisingly solid new home, once again showcasing how this remake has been able to evolve without losing its identity, as well as surprising with its technical solidity and overall quality, demonstrating a level of care that goes far beyond a simple port.

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The Story of FFVII Remake Intergrade

The narrative retraces the initial events of the original Final Fantasy VII, focusing entirely on the city of Midgar, here expanded and deepened like never before.

As Cloud Strife, a former SOLDIER with a fragmented past, you will immediately be put to work in the operations of Avalanche, a rebel group fighting Shinra, an industrial giant responsible for exploiting the planet's life energy.

The Remake does not limit itself to expanding narrative content but reinterprets it, with Midgar becoming a living, oppressive city, vertically and socially divided. The lower sectors tell stories of poverty, marginalization, and survival, while the upper plate represents privilege and detachment from the consequences of one's actions. This dichotomy is explored with great attention, making the setting one of the true protagonists of the adventure.

The iconic characters of the original work receive a narrative treatment of the highest level. Cloud appears more vulnerable, often confused and distant, but precisely because of this, more human. Tifa is the emotional heart of the group, torn between ideals, friendship, and guilt. Aerith shines with charisma and mystery, becoming the symbol of a fragile but tenacious hope. Barret, finally, confirms himself as a surprisingly complex character, capable of alternating anger, irony, and profound humanity.

The Remake also dares where few expected, introducing narrative deviations and new emotional elements that question the very concept of destiny. A courageous choice, which obviously divided the public upon the first release of this version, but which contributes to making the experience unpredictable and stimulating even for veterans.

Gameplay and Performance: 30 FPS and Reduced Loading Times

The gameplay of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade represents, even after some time, one of the best modern examples of a fusion between action and classic role-playing. The combat system is based on an extremely refined balance between direct character control and strategic planning, maintaining the ATB (Active Time Battle) system as the core of the experience.

Clashes occur in real-time, giving you the ability, during combat, to move freely, attack, dodge, and parry. But as mentioned earlier, the true

tactical heart emerges in the management of ATB bars. Once charged, these allow you to use special abilities, magic, summons, and items. Changing characters in real-time becomes fundamental to exploit group synergies and enemy weaknesses, focusing each combat more on strategy rather than a simple test of reflexes.

At the start of a new game, the game defaults to Normal difficulty, designed to offer a balanced and rewarding experience throughout the journey in Midgar. It is a carefully calibrated difficulty, which progressively introduces new mechanics, without ever being too punitive or unbalanced, but which still requires attention and understanding of the game systems. However, one of the most appreciated aspects of this re-edition is the total freedom you will be given in deciding the difficulty level, which can be changed at any time from the game menu, without suffering penalties.

For those who desire a more carefree approach, Classic mode is available, where characters automatically attack, defend, and dodge, leaving you with only the task of planning strategic actions once the ATB bar is full. It is an intelligent solution that makes the game accessible even to those who do not like frantic action.

One of the most interesting novelties of this reinterpretation is the Simplified Progression feature, designed specifically for players who want to focus primarily on the story.

This mode introduces a series of customizable options that can drastically simplify combat and exploration, including always-max health and magic points, enemy damage fixed at 9999, and constant availability of the maximum number of items. Simplified Progression is not a simple simplification of the experience, but a flexible tool that allows you to shape the experience according to your desires. It is ideal both for those facing the game for the first time without wanting to face frustrations, and for veterans who wish to replay the story at a faster, more narrative pace.

The INTERmission Episode: The Debut of Yuffie Kisaragi

The icing on the cake of this REMAKE INTERGRADE edition is the extra content Intermission: a complete narrative chapter that enriches and deepens the Final Fantasy VII Remake universe. The story unfolds parallel to the main events and stars Yuffie Kisaragi, a young ninja from the rival nation of Wutai.

While Cloud and Avalanche fight their battle against Shinra, Wutai sends Yuffie, a special unit, to Midgar with the goal of recovering the legendary ultimate materia, presumably developed by Shinra itself. Tasked with the mission, our heroine comes into contact with an Avalanche cell and meets her new partner Sonon.

Together, and with the help of the Avalanche rebels, the two embark on an infiltration mission that combines action, tension, and moments of contemplation.

Intermission introduces unprecedented combat mechanics, based on Yuffie's great mobility and a cooperation system with Sonon that adds an additional tactical layer to the clashes.

From a narrative point of view, the chapter deepens the political conflict between Shinra and Wutai, offering new perspectives and laying the groundwork, we hope, for future developments. The tone is slightly lighter than the main story, but it does not lack dramatic and significant moments.

Technically Splendid on Nintendo Switch 2

One of the most surprising aspects of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Nintendo Switch 2 is the quality of the technical work done. The optimization is evident from the first minutes of gameplay: the title runs stably, with a solid frame rate and a visual rendering that manages to maintain the cinematic impact of the original work.

Character models are detailed, fluid animations combine with dynamic lighting in a sublime way, making Midgar a credible and damn evocative environment. Particle effects during combat, although slightly scaled down compared to more powerful versions, remain spectacular and noticeable.

The ability to play both in portable and docked mode without significant compromises represents one of the great strengths of this edition. Switch 2 proves to be an ideal platform to experience the adventure of Cloud and companions, offering flexibility and surprising performance.

The audio compartment is simply excellent. The soundtrack, today as then one of the most beautiful ever, reworks the historical themes of Final Fantasy VII with modern arrangements, ranging from orchestral to electronic, perfectly adapting to the tone of each scene. Iconic tracks are reinvented without losing their identity, accompanying the player on a constant emotional journey.

The voice acting, available in English and Japanese, is of the highest level and contributes decisively to the characterization of the characters. Environmental sound design and sound effects during combat complete an audio compartment of absolute excellence.