Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade Review 2026 — Story, Episode INTERmission, Platforms, PC Requirements & Buying Guide
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is the enhanced version of Final Fantasy VII Remake, bringing improved visuals, smoother performance, faster loading, photo mode and the Yuffie-focused FF7R Episode INTERmission. In 2026, it is still one of the best ways to begin the modern Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, especially now that the game is available across more platforms.
Quick verdict:
Play Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade if you want a cinematic action RPG with excellent characters, stylish combat and one of the most iconic cities in gaming. Skip it if you dislike linear pacing, story-heavy cutscenes or occasional filler sections.
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 |
| PS5 release | 10 June 2021 |
| PC release | Epic Games Store in 2021; Steam on 17 June 2022 |
| 2026 platforms | PlayStation 5, PC, Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC |
| Included extra story | FF7R Episode INTERmission featuring Yuffie Kisaragi |
| Mode | Single-player |
Table of contents
- What is Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade?
- Story and characters
- Combat review
- Episode INTERmission review
- Best platform to play in 2026
- PC system requirements
- FAQ
What is Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade?
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is the enhanced edition of Final Fantasy VII Remake. It includes the main Midgar story and, depending on platform and edition, the additional FF7R Episode INTERmission story starring Yuffie Kisaragi.
The game reimagines the opening Midgar section of the original Final Fantasy VII from 1997. Instead of being a short early-game chapter, Midgar becomes a full-length cinematic RPG with expanded characters, new story moments, side jobs, boss fights and modern action-based combat.
It is also the first major entry in the modern Final Fantasy VII Remake project. If you plan to play Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, this is the best place to start.
Story and characters
The story begins in Midgar, a massive industrial city controlled by the Shinra Electric Power Company. Shinra extracts mako energy from the planet, giving the city power while slowly damaging the world around it.
You mainly play as Cloud Strife, a former SOLDIER turned mercenary. Cloud joins the anti-Shinra group Avalanche for a reactor bombing mission, but the job quickly becomes much larger than a simple contract.
The cast is the biggest strength of the game. Cloud, Barret, Tifa and Aerith are given far more screen time than in the opening hours of the 1997 original. Their personalities, doubts and relationships make the story feel emotional even when the pacing slows down.
The game is at its best when it focuses on character drama, cinematic scenes and major story events. Some smaller sections can feel stretched, but the strongest moments still make the journey worth playing.
Do you need to play the original Final Fantasy VII first?
No. You can start with Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade without playing the 1997 original. The game explains its main characters and setting clearly enough for new players.
However, players who know the original will notice many changes, references and mysterious story details. If you enjoy comparing remakes with classic games, playing the original later can make the whole project more interesting.
Combat review
The combat is one of the best parts of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade. It mixes real-time movement with command-based RPG decisions. You can attack, dodge, block and switch characters, but magic, abilities and items still use the ATB system.
- Real-time action keeps battles fast and cinematic.
- ATB commands add strategy through magic, abilities and items.
- Materia builds let you customize characters with spells and passive bonuses.
- Stagger mechanics reward smart pressure and enemy weakness targeting.
- Party switching makes every character feel useful in battle.
Cloud feels powerful up close, Barret is useful at range, Tifa is excellent for pressure and stagger damage, and Aerith is strong with magic. The game rewards you for switching between characters instead of controlling only one hero.
Boss fights are usually the highlight. They are cinematic, loud and full of spectacle, but still require proper use of healing, elemental weaknesses, blocking and ATB timing.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent hybrid action and command combat | Some chapters feel stretched or padded |
| Strong cast with memorable character moments | Linear level design may disappoint open-world fans |
| Great music, cinematic presentation and boss fights | Side quests are not always exciting |
| Episode INTERmission adds a fun Yuffie campaign | Intermission is short compared with the main game |
Visuals and performance
Intergrade improves the original remake with better lighting, improved textures, faster loading and smoother performance. On PlayStation 5, the Performance mode targets smoother 60 FPS gameplay, while the Graphics mode focuses more on higher visual quality.
On PC, the experience depends on your hardware. The game can look excellent at higher resolutions, but you should keep enough storage available and use settings that match your GPU. A stable frame rate is more important than forcing maximum resolution.
Even in 2026, Midgar still looks impressive. Neon streets, reactor interiors, slum neighborhoods and major cutscenes all help make the world feel expensive and memorable.
Is the pacing good?
The pacing is mixed. The main story moments, boss battles and character scenes are excellent. But some sections include slow walking, narrow corridors, small side tasks or extended routes that can feel like filler.
This issue comes from turning the Midgar portion of the original game into a full RPG. Sometimes the expansion works because it gives characters more time to grow. Other times, it feels like the game is stretching content longer than needed.
If you enjoy cinematic RPGs, this probably will not ruin the experience. If you want constant action and open exploration, you may find some chapters slow.
Episode INTERmission review
FF7R Episode INTERmission is a separate story campaign starring Yuffie Kisaragi, a young ninja from Wutai. She arrives in Midgar to infiltrate Shinra and steal powerful materia with help from Sonon.
The episode is shorter than the main game, but it adds a fresh style. Yuffie is fast, flexible and fun to control. She can fight at close range, throw her shuriken for ranged attacks and use elemental ninjutsu to exploit enemy weaknesses.
Sonon is not directly controlled like a normal party member, but you can give him commands and combine his abilities with Yuffie through synergy attacks. This gives the DLC its own combat rhythm.
Fort Condor and side content
Episode INTERmission also includes Fort Condor, a small strategy mini-game where you place units on a board and try to destroy the opponent’s base. It is simple, but it gives the DLC a nice break from combat and story scenes.
The side content in INTERmission is not huge, but the smaller structure helps it feel tighter than some parts of the main game. The episode is best played after finishing the main story because it connects better when you already understand Midgar and Shinra.
What is included in Intergrade?
The package can vary slightly by platform and edition, but Intergrade usually includes the main Final Fantasy VII Remake game and FF7R Episode INTERmission. PC versions also include several bonus items such as accessories, armor, summon materia and the Cacstar weapon for Yuffie’s episode.
If you are upgrading from a PS4 copy of Final Fantasy VII Remake, check the PlayStation Store carefully because Episode INTERmission may need to be purchased separately depending on your edition and eligibility.
Best platform to play in 2026
The best platform depends on how you want to play.
- PlayStation 5: A strong choice for a smooth console experience with fast loading and simple graphics modes.
- PC / Steam: Best if you want flexible settings, Steam Deck support and access to the wider PC ecosystem.
- Xbox Series X|S / Xbox on PC: A strong 2026 option for Xbox players, especially with Xbox Play Anywhere support.
- Nintendo Switch 2: Useful if you want a modern portable console option for the first Remake entry.
The 2026 Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC versions also include a Streamlined Progression feature. This can make the game easier for players who mainly want to experience the story.
PC system requirements
Below are the official Steam PC 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 |
Is Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade worth playing in 2026?
Yes. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is still worth playing in 2026, especially if you enjoy cinematic RPGs, strong characters, emotional storytelling and action combat with strategic depth.
It is not perfect. Some chapters feel stretched, some side quests are basic, and the game is more linear than many modern RPGs. But the combat, music, characters and world design are strong enough to make it one of Square Enix’s most important modern RPGs.
Best for:
Players who enjoy Final Fantasy, JRPGs, cinematic storytelling, stylish combat, strong soundtracks and character-focused adventures.
Safe official links
Use official stores and publisher pages only. Avoid unofficial installers, unknown mirrors, modified game files and suspicious multi-part downloads because they can be unsafe, outdated or illegal.
- Steam: Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Steam
- PlayStation Store: Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on PlayStation
- Xbox Store: Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Xbox
- Square Enix: Official Square Enix platform update
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Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade FAQ
Is Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade the full original Final Fantasy VII story?
No. It covers the Midgar portion of the original Final Fantasy VII and expands it into a full-length modern RPG. The story continues in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
Does Intergrade include Episode INTERmission?
Most modern Intergrade purchases include Episode INTERmission, but upgrade situations can vary. If you are upgrading from a PS4 copy, check the store page carefully before buying.
Is Episode INTERmission worth playing?
Yes. It is short, but Yuffie is fun to control, the combat feels fresh, and the episode adds useful story context for fans.
Is Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade open world?
No. It is mostly linear with hub areas, side quests and chapter-based progression. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is much more open by comparison.
Can beginners start with Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade?
Yes. New players can start here without playing the 1997 original, although longtime fans will notice more references and changes.
Is Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Xbox?
Yes. The game is available on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC in 2026.
Is Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Nintendo Switch 2?
Yes. The game is available on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026.
How much storage does Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade need on PC?
The official Steam requirement lists 100 GB of available storage space.
Is Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade worth it in 2026?
Yes. It remains a strong action RPG and the best starting point for the modern Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy.
Final verdict
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is the best version of the first Remake chapter. It improves the original with better performance, stronger presentation and the excellent Yuffie-focused Episode INTERmission.
The game still has some pacing problems, and not every side activity is exciting. But when it focuses on combat, characters, music and major story scenes, it becomes one of the most memorable modern RPG experiences.
Best for: Final Fantasy fans, JRPG players, cinematic action RPG fans and anyone preparing to play Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
Skip if: you want a fully open-world RPG, dislike long cutscenes or prefer games with minimal story focus.
Facts checked with official Steam, PlayStation, Xbox and Square Enix pages. Last updated: 6 October 2026.