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Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade Review 2026 — Story, Combat, INTERmission, Platforms & PC Requirements

Read our 2026 Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade review covering story, combat, Episode INTERmission, platforms, PC requirements, buying advice and f

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade Review 2026 — Story, Combat, INTERmission, Platforms & PC Requirements

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade key art showing Cloud Strife in Midgar

Midgar, rebuilt from the opening chapter of the 1997 classic into a full modern RPG. Image credit: Square Enix

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is the enhanced edition of Final Fantasy VII Remake. It improves the original release with better visuals, smoother performance, faster loading and the Yuffie-focused FF7R Episode INTERmission. In 2026, it remains the best way to start the modern Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, but it is important to know that this is only the Midgar part of the original story.

Quick verdict:

Play Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade if you want cinematic storytelling, excellent hybrid action-RPG combat and stronger character development. Skip it if you want the complete Final Fantasy VII story in one game or a fully open-world RPG.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade at a glance

Game Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
Developer Square Enix
Publisher Square Enix
Genre Action RPG, JRPG, adventure, story-driven RPG
Original Remake release April 2020 on PlayStation 4
Intergrade release June 2021 on PlayStation 5; December 2021 on Epic Games Store; June 2022 on Steam
2026 platforms PlayStation 5, PC, Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC
Story coverage The Midgar chapter only
Extra episode FF7R Episode INTERmission featuring Yuffie Kisaragi
Mode Single-player

Table of contents

Important: this is not the whole Final Fantasy VII story

This is the most important thing new players should know before buying.

The 1997 original starts in the industrial city of Midgar for the opening part of the game. After that, the party leaves the city and the larger world opens up. Final Fantasy VII Remake ends when the party leaves Midgar.

That means many famous locations and events from the original Final Fantasy VII are not in this game. The modern Remake project is split across multiple entries:

  1. Final Fantasy VII Remake / Intergrade — the Midgar chapter.
  2. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth — the journey beyond Midgar.
  3. The third Remake entry — in development to conclude the trilogy.

If you buy Intergrade expecting the complete 1997 story in one package, you may be disappointed. If you buy it as part one of a trilogy, it makes much more sense.

What does Intergrade add over the base Remake?

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is the improved version of the base game. It adds visual and technical upgrades and includes the Yuffie-focused FF7R Episode INTERmission depending on platform and edition.

  • FF7R Episode INTERmission — a separate Yuffie campaign set during the events of the main story.
  • Improved presentation — better lighting, textures, fog and overall image quality compared with the PS4 release.
  • Performance mode on PS5 — smoother 60 FPS gameplay.
  • Photo mode — useful for capturing Midgar, characters and combat moments.
  • Faster loading — especially noticeable compared with the original PS4 version.

On PC, Intergrade is the main available version. On PlayStation, Episode INTERmission does not run on PS4. If you are upgrading from a PS4 copy, check the PlayStation Store carefully because the Yuffie episode may need to be purchased separately depending on your edition.

Episode INTERmission is worth playing. Yuffie is fast, flexible and fun to control, and the episode connects to characters and ideas that become more important later in the Remake trilogy.

How does the combat work?

The combat is the strongest part of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade. It is not fully turn-based, and it is not a simple action game either. It is a real hybrid system.

You directly control one party member in real time. You attack, block, dodge and move around the battlefield. These actions build ATB gauges. When an ATB gauge fills, you can spend it on spells, special abilities, healing or items.

This creates a smart balance between action and strategy. You are always moving and fighting, but the most important decisions still come from classic RPG-style commands.

  • Cloud is strong in close-range sword combat.
  • Barret is useful for ranged pressure and flying enemies.
  • Tifa is excellent for building stagger damage.
  • Aerith is powerful with magic and support abilities.
  • Yuffie in Episode INTERmission can fight up close and at range with her shuriken.

The Stagger system is central to boss fights. Exploiting weaknesses and pressuring enemies fills a stagger bar. Once staggered, enemies take much more damage. On harder difficulties, understanding stagger, materia and ATB timing becomes very important.

Materia also returns. You slot magical orbs into weapons and armor to unlock spells, passive effects and combinations. This keeps the spirit of classic Final Fantasy customization alive inside a modern combat system.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade combat showing Cloud fighting with the ATB gauge system

Real-time action feeds into a menu-driven ATB layer. The system works very well.

How faithful is it to the original?

For most of its runtime, Remake expands the original instead of replacing it. Midgar is much larger, side characters receive more attention, and scenes that were short in 1997 become full cinematic chapters.

This helps characters like Jessie, Biggs, Wedge, Barret, Tifa and Aerith feel more developed. The extra time makes the Avalanche group feel like real people instead of simple background characters.

However, the final chapters introduce new story elements that clearly show this trilogy is not trying to repeat the 1997 game exactly. Without giving major spoilers, the ending tells players that the future may not follow the original story beat for beat.

This is the most divisive part of the game. Some players enjoy the bold reinvention. Others wanted a more faithful remake. Both reactions are understandable, so it is better to know this before starting.

What are the weaknesses?

Padding is the biggest problem. Turning the Midgar section into a full game means adding new content, and not all of it feels necessary. Some chapters include slow walking, narrow corridors, simple errands and repeated routes that can feel stretched.

Side quests are mixed. Some help build the world, but many are simple fetch or combat tasks. They are not as strong as the main story missions.

The structure is linear. Midgar is detailed and memorable, but it is not an open world. If you want wide exploration, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is closer to that style.

Episode INTERmission review

FF7R Episode INTERmission stars Yuffie Kisaragi, a young ninja from Wutai. She enters Midgar to infiltrate Shinra and steal powerful materia. Her story runs alongside the main campaign and gives players a new view of the city.

The episode is shorter than the main game, but it feels energetic. Yuffie can fight at close range, throw her shuriken, use elemental ninjutsu and combine attacks with Sonon. She is one of the most fun characters to control in the entire package.

The DLC also includes Fort Condor, a simple but enjoyable strategy mini-game. It is not deep enough to carry the episode alone, but it gives players a nice break from combat and story scenes.

Best platform to play in 2026

The best platform depends on how you like to play.

  • PlayStation 5: A strong choice for simple console play, smooth performance and fast loading.
  • PC / Steam: Best if you want flexible settings, Steam Deck support and easy access to the wider PC library.
  • Xbox Series X|S / Xbox on PC: A good 2026 option, especially because Xbox Play Anywhere support lets players continue across supported Xbox and PC devices.
  • Nintendo Switch 2: Best for players who want a portable console version of the first Remake entry.

The 2026 Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC versions also include Streamlined Progression. This optional feature can make the game easier for players who mainly want to enjoy the story.

Is the PC version good?

The PC version is good overall, but it is not perfect. It can look excellent on strong hardware, and the Steam version is a good option for players who prefer PC or Steam Deck. However, some players may still notice uneven frame pacing or older low-resolution background assets in certain areas.

PC tuning advice: choose a stable frame-rate target instead of chasing the highest possible number. Lower shadow quality first if performance is unstable. Also make sure the game is installed on fast storage, because the official PC requirement lists 100 GB of available space.

PC system requirements

Below are the official Steam system requirements for Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade.

Component Minimum Recommended
OS Windows 10 64-bit, version 2004 or later Windows 10 64-bit, version 2004 or later; Windows 11 also suitable in 2026
CPU AMD FX-8350 / Intel Core i5-3330 AMD Ryzen 3 3100 / Intel Core i7-3770
RAM 8 GB 12 GB
GPU NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 / AMD Radeon RX 480 with 3 GB VRAM NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 / AMD Radeon RX 5700 with 8 GB VRAM
DirectX Version 12 Version 12
Storage 100 GB available space 100 GB available space

Safe official links

Use official stores and publisher pages only. Avoid unofficial installers, unknown mirror sites, modified game files and suspicious multi-part archives because they can be unsafe, outdated or illegal.

Buying advice:

Choose Intergrade if possible because it is the most complete version of the first Remake entry. Before buying, check whether Episode INTERmission is included with your platform, edition or upgrade path.

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Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade FAQ

Does Remake cover the whole of Final Fantasy VII?

No. It covers only the Midgar section of the 1997 game and expands it into a full modern RPG.

What is the difference between Remake and Intergrade?

Intergrade is the enhanced edition with improved visuals, smoother performance and the Yuffie-focused FF7R Episode INTERmission, depending on platform and edition.

Do I need to play the 1997 original first?

No. Remake is written so new players can start here. Knowing the original makes some changes and ending details more meaningful, but it is not required.

How long is Episode INTERmission?

Most players can finish Episode INTERmission in around 4 to 5 hours, with extra time for Fort Condor and optional content.

Should I play Remake before Rebirth?

Yes. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth continues the story after Remake and assumes you know the events of Midgar.

Is the combat turn-based?

No. It is a hybrid system. Real-time attacks build ATB gauges, and ATB commands let you use spells, abilities and items through a tactical menu.

Is Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade open world?

No. It is mostly linear with hub areas and side quests. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is much more open.

Is Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Xbox?

Yes. In 2026, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is available on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC.

Is Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Nintendo Switch 2?

Yes. In 2026, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is available on Nintendo Switch 2.

How much storage does the PC version need?

The official Steam requirement lists 100 GB of available storage space.

The verdict

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade turns the Midgar chapter of a 1997 classic into a cinematic modern RPG with one of Square Enix’s best combat systems. Midgar has never looked this detailed, and the expanded characterization gives Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Aerith and Avalanche more emotional weight.

It is not flawless. Some chapters feel padded, the side content is ordinary, and the ending will still divide fans. But as the opening chapter of the Remake trilogy, it is a confident and mostly successful reinvention.

Best for: players starting the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, JRPG fans and anyone who enjoys hybrid action-RPG combat.

Skip if: you want the complete Final Fantasy VII story in one game, full open-world freedom or very little cutscene-focused storytelling.

Facts checked with official Steam, PlayStation, Xbox and Square Enix pages. Last updated: 6 October 2026.

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