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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallFor a first playthrough, start with FINAL FANTASY VII (1997), then follow the separate Remake project in order: REMAKE INTERGRADE, REBIRTH, and, when it releases, REVELATION. CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION and the film ADVENT CHILDREN are optional additions best enjoyed after the original game.
Recommended order for a first playthrough
- FINAL FANTASY VII (1997) — Begin with the original game. It establishes the story and context that later works build on.
- CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION (optional) — This modern remaster of the Zack Fair prequel is set before the original, but playing it afterward preserves the original game’s introductions and reveals. Square Enix describes Crisis Core as a prequel following Zack Fair in its spinoff guide.
- FINAL FANTASY VII ADVENT CHILDREN (optional film) — Watch after the original game. Square Enix describes the film as following the events of FINAL FANTASY VII in its anniversary feature.
- FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE — Start the distinct Remake project here. INTERGRADE is the expanded version of REMAKE and includes the Yuffie-focused EPISODE INTERmission story.
- FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH — Play this after REMAKE INTERGRADE; it is the second Remake-project entry.
- FINAL FANTASY VII REVELATION — Square Enix announced this as the Remake project’s final entry, with a spring 2027 release. As of October 7, 2026, it was not yet available.
You do not need every related title to follow this route. DIRGE OF CERBERUS, BEFORE CRISIS, and EVER CRISIS are optional.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII Remastered - Twin Pack (Nintendo Switch) | $32.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Final Fantasy VII Remake: Material Ultimania | $20.26 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Final Fantasy VII Poster Collection | $17.34 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Poster Collection | $28.60 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Core Crisis - Final Fantasy VII – Reunion | $20.13 | Buy on Amazon |
Why “in order” has more than one answer
Release order is the clearest first-time route
The franchise includes prequels as well as follow-ups. Starting with the original game means you encounter the core story before playing a prequel that adds background to its characters. The official FINAL FANTASY VII title lineup shows the breadth of related works; release order is a practical way to avoid placing prequel material ahead of the story it contextualizes.
Story chronology puts prequels first
If you are replaying the series or deliberately want events in timeline order, begin with prequel material such as CRISIS CORE, then play the original FINAL FANTASY VII, followed by ADVENT CHILDREN and later sequel material. That is a chronology option, not the recommended first-play order: knowing the prequel’s background first can change how the original game’s introductions and revelations land.
#1 Best Overall
- Final Fantasy VI - The following extra features are included:
- 3X speed mode
- ability to turn battle encounters off
- battle enhancement mode
- final FANTASY VIII remastered - The following extra features are included.battle assist options (HP, ATB gauge, and limit break boosts).game speed boost (X3.no random encounters
The Remake project has its own sequence
Play REMAKE INTERGRADE, then REBIRTH, then REVELATION when available. The Remake project reworks and expands the FFVII story; it is not simply one game replacing the 1997 original. You do not need to finish every Compilation title before beginning it.
Should I play Crisis Core before or after FF7?
For a first playthrough, play the original FINAL FANTASY VII first and CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION afterward. Crisis Core follows Zack Fair, and Square Enix says its story begins seven years before FINAL FANTASY VII. Its earlier setting does not make it the better starting point: it supplies background intended to deepen the original game’s story. On a replay, you can choose chronology and play it first.
Rank #2
Do I need to play the original before Remake?
No. The Remake project is a distinct entry point, and its own order is REMAKE INTERGRADE → REBIRTH → REVELATION. The 1997 original remains the safest choice if you want the original story and context for later works; beginning with the Remake project instead means following its expanded retelling on its own terms.
Which other Final Fantasy VII works can I skip?
- ADVENT CHILDREN: An optional animated follow-up to the original game, not a prerequisite for understanding it.
- DIRGE OF CERBERUS: A later Compilation game; you do not need it before starting the Remake project.
- BEFORE CRISIS: A legacy mobile Compilation title. The official lineup confirms it as part of the franchise, but current broad availability is not established, so it is reasonable to skip.
- EVER CRISIS: An optional, chapter-based mobile experience that revisits key parts of the timeline, including original-game and Compilation material, and adds new story content. It is not a required substitute for the full original game.
Square Enix describes EVER CRISIS and REBIRTH in its 2023 announcement.
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Current game availability and what to check
As of October 7, 2026, Square Enix lists REMAKE INTERGRADE as available on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in its January 2026 availability announcement. It lists REBIRTH on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in its June 2026 announcement. Platform and physical-format availability can vary by region, so check the edition and platform listed for your location.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Remaster of the original CRISIS CORE - FINAL FANTASY VII-, featuring a complete HD graphics overhaul, a remastered soundtrack, a reimagined UI, and an updated combat system.
- The story begins seven years before the events of FINAL FANTASY VII (1997) and follows Zack Fair, a young and ambitious Shinra SOLDIER operative. Zack is tasked with tracking down a missing SOLDIER 1st Class operative named Genesis Rhapsodos.
- But as his adventure unfolds, he discovers the dark secrets of Shinra's experiments and the monsters they create. The game features a number of characters from the FINAL FANTASY VII franchise such as Cloud, Sephiroth, Aerith and others.
Rank #4
- Confirm that you are buying REMAKE INTERGRADE, not an edition that lacks the expanded content and EPISODE INTERmission.
- Check platform compatibility before purchase; do not assume a disc or code works across console generations.
- Choose between physical and digital formats based on local availability and your preference; formats may differ by region.
- Treat REVELATION as announced, not currently playable, as of October 7, 2026.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
