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During our recent Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth preview, we got to see quite a few new features that are coming to the game in 2024. While what we have featured below isn’t the entire list of new content coming to the game, it is some of our favorite additions that were visible in the recent demo. The footage we were given after showed teases of the Gold Saucer, board games, and so much more.
However, we’re going to look at more immediate features coming to Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth that we’ve experienced firsthand. There’s a great deal to be excited about, as the 100-hour, two-disc game will feature an open world the likes of which Final Fantasy fans have yet to experience. Here’s what’s on the way in 2024.
What new features are coming to Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth?
1) Party loadouts
This is one of the features that really made a lot of sense for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Now that we have more characters in the party, players are going to often feel like the team they have simply won’t cut it. During the preview, we had the ability to check this out on a limited basis. We couldn’t adjust the party loadouts, but we had the ability to swap groups.
While not in battle, swap between three or so groups of party members. I assume we’ll have more control over this outside of the demo, and I really liked this feature. The party grows by a pretty serious number in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, so the ability to have several group types fits well.
You might want two ranged/one melee, or one melee/two dedicated healers, or whatever you desire. This is going to be a very popular decision I think.
2) Item crafting/new items
We only got to do a little of this in the demo, but I do like the addition. You can make, at the very least, a wealth of restorative items, like Potions, High Potions, and Cushions. Cushions are a new type of item that can only be used at Chocobo Stops. It will be very curious to see what players can do with this system in February 2024’s Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
The only real downside is that items in combat still require you to use ATB. Nevertheless, your items are still quite useful outside battle. We saw a lot of new curative potions too, such as Mist Potions, which heal your whole party for a certain amount.
3) Lots of new Materia
I’m such a huge fan of the new Materia coming in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Of course, we didn’t see everything, but we did see several pieces that I’m a huge fan of. I’ll highlight a few of my favorite pieces below:
- Spare Change Materia
- Level Boost Materia
- Lightning and Wind Materia
- Auto-Cast Materia
Auto-Cast, for example, has you cast the attached spell when they aren’t being controlled, which can be incredibly useful. You also have Level Boost, which increases the level of the connected Materia by 1.
Lightning and Wind Materia is new and unique, because it features two different spell elemental types on it. You can look forward to some incredible new powers in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
4) Fiend Sightings
In addition to side quests and other optional missions, you’ll occasionally see a special icon on your map: Fiend Sightings. Upon arriving at these more powerful monsters, Mai will come over to your communicator and explain what makes them special and interesting. You’ll also have a trio of challenges to complete for these.
The challenges at this point in the game were pretty generic, for the most part. You need to prevent certain attacks from happening with the Zemzelett, while the other enemies wanted you to Pressure them, Stagger them, and then win in a certain time frame. They’re fun challenges with useful rewards.
5) Synergy Skills/Abilities
Synergy Skills and Synergy Abilities are fairly similar at their core. They’re team-up skills that the party members have access to in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. There’s a nice wide variety of them in the demo. The Synergy Skills are more basic, and can be used more or less at will.
The Synergy Abilities have great cutscenes, and require you to use the ATB meter to trigger them. They have a definite Chrono Trigger feel, and offer a new way to make your battles more exciting.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is going to launch on February 29, 2024, and will be a huge title. A two-disc PlayStation 5-exclusive, the game promises to give Final Fantasy 7 fans an experience they’ll never forget.
