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FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE retells and expands the story’s Midgar section; FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is the next installment, following Cloud and his companions beyond the city into a much wider world. Remake is the more tightly focused, story-led experience. Rebirth keeps a dramatic main story but gives players more room for exploration, side quests, and minigames. For the intended story order, play Remake first, then Rebirth.
At a glance: Remake vs. Rebirth
| What you’re comparing | FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE | FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH |
|---|---|---|
| Place in the series | The first main installment of the remake project, focused on Midgar. | The second installment in the remake trilogy. |
| Story setting | Midgar, ending with the party’s escape from the city. | Begins with the escape from Midgar and follows the party across the wider world. |
| Structure | More tightly focused on its central narrative, with expanded scenes and story layers. | Combines the main story with broader exploration, side quests, and optional activities. |
| Notable included content | Includes FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, a Yuffie-led side story, as well as enhancements associated with Intergrade. | Includes new areas and activities, including minigames such as Queen’s Blood. |
| Recommended order | Play first. | Play after Remake. |
The games are successive parts of a multi-game retelling, not alternate editions of the same adventure. Rebirth continues the story after Remake’s Midgar section rather than revisiting that same portion of the original game. The simplest way to understand the difference is that Remake expands one major chapter of the original story, while Rebirth moves the party beyond that chapter and into a wider setting.
That change affects both what the games cover and how they are structured. Remake keeps the focus on Midgar and the events leading to the party’s departure. Rebirth starts from that departure and gives players a broader world to explore, with optional activities alongside the continuing main plot. Neither is presented as a replacement edition for the other; they are consecutive entries in the remake project.
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Remake builds out the Midgar chapter
Remake Intergrade concentrates on the Midgar portion of the original FINAL FANTASY VII. It expands that material with additional scenes and narrative layers, developing the events that lead to the party leaving the city. The result is a full installment centered on one part of the larger story, rather than a remake of the entire original game in a single release.
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So if you are comparing the games by story coverage, think of Remake as the Midgar installment. Its story does not cover the full journey through the original game’s world. Instead, it gives this section room to unfold as the first part of a larger retelling. That is why the ending point—the party’s escape from Midgar—is important for understanding where Rebirth fits.
Intergrade also includes FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, which follows Yuffie on a mission in Midgar during the same general period. It offers a parallel perspective on events; it is a separate side story, not the next main chapter after Remake. In other words, INTERmission adds another viewpoint and more story content to the first game’s package, but it does not replace the main sequence leading into Rebirth.
Rebirth follows the party after they leave
Rebirth starts with Cloud and the party’s escape from Midgar and follows their journey through the world beyond it. Its locations include Junon, Costa del Sol, the Gold Saucer, and Cosmo Canyon. The change in setting is also a change in scale: the story is no longer centered on Midgar and its surrounding conflicts.
Square Enix Co-Director Motomu Toriyama described the transition this way: “FFVII REBIRTH starts with Cloud and the party’s escape from Midgar, and tells the story of their journey across the vast world of FFVII.” That distinction answers a common question about whether Rebirth is simply another version of Remake. It is not: it is the second installment, continuing from the point at which the first game leaves off.
That shift matters if you are choosing which game to start with. Rebirth assumes the story has already reached the point where the characters leave Midgar. Starting with Remake gives you the earlier installment’s events and context before that journey continues. If you have already played Remake, Rebirth is the follow-on chapter rather than a parallel retelling of the same Midgar material.
How the gameplay structure changes
Remake is more tightly story-led
Director Naoki Hamaguchi described the original Remake as “very much a story-driven game.” That is a description of emphasis, not a claim that Remake has no exploration or optional content. Its central experience is comparatively focused on the Midgar narrative and the events moving it forward.
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- Immerse yourself in the city of Midgar like never before, with improved textures, lighting, and background environments
- Players can switch between two game modes: o "Graphics Mode" prioritises 4K high-resolution graphics o "Performance Mode" prioritises smooth action at 60 frames per second
- Capture and share your memorable moments from the game with a fully customisable “Photo Mode”
- Players can enjoy immersive battles by using the DualSense PlayStation 5 controller with its haptic feedback integration
This is the useful comparison if you are deciding what kind of pacing to expect. Remake gives its Midgar story the central role, with the overall experience organized around that focused installment. The key point is not that one game has a story and the other does not. Both are narrative-driven adventures; the difference is how much room the game gives to roaming through the setting and choosing optional activities alongside the main plot.
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Square Enix’s developers said they responded to requests for more choice by adding more freedom, choice, and exploration to Rebirth. Alongside the main story, players can explore a larger setting, take on side quests with their own storylines and activities, and play minigames such as Queen’s Blood.
Hamaguchi described the design change in a Square Enix developer interview dated February 29, 2024: “We’ve definitely tried to respond to that and added many more layers of freedom, choice, and exploration into FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH.” Read this as a difference in emphasis rather than a promise that every part of Rebirth is open from the start. The opening chapter remains story-focused; the broader mix of exploration and activities comes as the adventure progresses.
The main story remains a major part of Rebirth. Its opening chapter is story-focused; the more open mix of exploration, side quests, and minigames becomes available as the adventure progresses. In practical terms, Remake is the more focused choice if you want a concentrated narrative, while Rebirth better suits players who want to decide how much time to spend on activities beyond the main plot.
That flexibility also means players can approach Rebirth at different rhythms. You can keep your attention on the main story or spend more time on side quests, exploration, and minigames. The side quests are not described merely as generic diversions: Square Enix’s account highlights distinct storylines and activities. Still, they sit alongside the main narrative rather than replacing it, so the broader structure does not mean the central story disappears.
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Intergrade is the enhanced version of Remake. Square Enix lists improved textures, lighting, and background environments, along with Graphics and Performance modes, Photo Mode, and PS5 DualSense features. It also bundles FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, the Yuffie-led episode. The official store lists June 10, 2021, as Intergrade’s release date.
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These are enhancements and package details, not a change to the basic place of the game in the series. Intergrade remains the Remake entry focused on Midgar, and the included Yuffie episode is an additional story set during the same general period. If the question is “What does Remake Intergrade include?”, the concise answer is the enhanced version of Remake plus the INTERmission episode, with visual, mode, photo, and DualSense features listed by Square Enix.
The listed enhancements are tied to Intergrade’s presentation and supported features. Graphics and Performance modes offer options, while Photo Mode and DualSense support add platform-specific features. They do not make Intergrade a separate story installment that should be played after Rebirth: it remains the Remake entry to play first.
Which one should you play first?
- Start with FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE. It establishes the Midgar events and ends with the party leaving the city. Its included Yuffie episode provides a parallel side story.
- Continue with FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH. It picks up after the escape and follows the party into the wider world.
You do not need to treat the Yuffie episode as a third main installment. It is additional story content included with Intergrade. The straightforward play order is Remake Intergrade, then Rebirth; the episode is part of the first game’s package.
For someone new to the remake project, that order makes the story transition easiest to follow: first the Midgar events, then the journey after the party leaves. For someone who has finished Remake, the next main installment is Rebirth. The recommendation is about story sequence, not a claim that a particular platform or edition is mandatory. Choose the version available for the system you intend to use, and check its current listing for exactly what that edition includes.
Platform and edition details to check
Square Enix support says the game content is the same across platforms, while graphics and optional settings can vary according to hardware. That distinction means the story comparison applies across platforms, but specific visual features and settings may not be identical on every system. Platform availability and edition listings can change, so check the current store listing for the platform you plan to use rather than assuming every edition is available everywhere.
When comparing a store listing, separate three questions: which game is being sold, which platform the listing is for, and what edition-specific content or features it names. The story order does not change with platform, but the precise graphics options or other optional settings may. Intergrade’s listed enhancements include Graphics and Performance modes, Photo Mode, and PS5 DualSense features; do not assume that every feature applies identically to every platform.
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- Immerse yourself in the city of Midgar like never before, with improved textures, lighting, and background environments
- Players can switch between two game modes: "Graphics Mode" prioritizes 4K high-resolution graphics; "Performance Mode" prioritizes smooth action at 60 frames per second
- Capture and share your memorable moments from the game with a fully customizable “Photo Mode”
- Players can enjoy immersive battles by using the DualSense PlayStation 5 controller with its haptic feedback integration
- Play the brand-new episode featuring Yuffie and experience new combat and gameplay additions
There is no reliable price comparison to make from the official product and support descriptions alone. Current prices, stock, regional listings, and retailer terms can change, and they are not established by Square Enix’s descriptions of the games. If you are shopping, compare the live listing for the correct platform and edition rather than relying on an old price or assuming a particular bundle is currently available.
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The supported comparison is about content and design direction, not current price, stock, or regional availability. Those details depend on the live listing and are not established by the game descriptions. The same caution applies to retailer or affiliate links: identify the platform clearly and confirm the current listing and terms rather than implying a price or availability that may no longer be accurate.
Which game is the better fit?
- Choose Remake Intergrade first if you want to follow the intended story sequence, experience the Midgar portion, or begin the remake project from its first installment.
- Choose Rebirth as your next game if you have already played Remake and want the continuation beyond Midgar, with a broader world and more optional activities.
- Expect a different pace in Rebirth if you prefer to prioritize the central plot: its larger setting offers more things to do, but those activities sit alongside—not in place of—the main story.
If your main criterion is story scope, the answer is straightforward: Remake covers the expanded Midgar section, and Rebirth follows the party beyond the city. If your criterion is structure, Remake is the more tightly focused, story-led installment, while Rebirth adds more freedom to explore and select optional activities. If your criterion is included content, Intergrade is the one with the Yuffie-led INTERmission episode and the listed enhancements.
There is no need to choose between them as though they were competing editions of one game. The more useful choice is whether you need the first installment or are ready for its continuation. Remake Intergrade is the starting point; Rebirth is the next chapter. If you are buying either one, check the platform and exact edition in the current listing, since availability and included-package details can vary by listing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
What’s different between Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth?
Remake Intergrade retells and expands the Midgar portion of the original story, ending with the party’s escape from the city. Rebirth is the second remake-series installment and follows Cloud and the party through a wider world. It also puts more emphasis on exploration, side quests, and minigames alongside its main story.
Is Rebirth a sequel to Remake?
Yes. Square Enix describes Rebirth as the second installment in the remake project. It begins with the party’s escape from Midgar and continues their journey, rather than covering the same Midgar portion again.
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- The Amazon Exclusive Edition includes a FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH PS5 controller skin (inside the case) featuring Cloud and Sephiroth. This PS5 controller skin provides full coverage without buttons or sensor interference.
- An Expansive World: As the party searches for Sephiroth, explore the beautiful, expansive regions of the world and open up new areas to discover through unique forms of transportation
- Deepen their relationships to unleash powerful team based combos
- An Evolved Battle System: Combine strategic thinking with thrilling action combat alongside your comrades, including newly added characters
- Beyond the Walls of Fate: In this standalone adventure for fans and newcomers, Cloud and his comrades venture across the planet, their fates unwritten, making each step outside the dystopian city of Midgar fresh and mysterious
Do I need to play Remake before Rebirth?
The intended order is Remake Intergrade first, then Rebirth. Remake establishes the Midgar events and ends with the escape that leads into Rebirth. Starting with Remake gives you that earlier story context.
What does Remake Intergrade include?
Intergrade is the enhanced version of Remake and includes FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, a Yuffie-led side story set during the same general story period. Square Enix also lists improved textures, lighting, and background environments; Graphics and Performance modes; Photo Mode; and PS5 DualSense features.
Is INTERmission the next main game after Remake?
No. INTERmission is an additional Yuffie-led side story included with Intergrade, not a third main installment. Rebirth is the second main entry and continues after the party leaves Midgar.
Does Rebirth have more exploration than Remake?
Rebirth places more emphasis on freedom, choice, and exploration, with a broader setting, side quests, and minigames such as Queen’s Blood. Its opening chapter is still story-focused, and the more open mix of activities becomes available as the adventure progresses.
Are the games’ content and features identical on every platform?
Square Enix support says game content is the same across platforms, while graphics and optional settings can vary with hardware. Check the current listing for the platform and edition you plan to buy, since availability and feature details can change.
Which one should I buy if I’m new to the remake series?
Start with Remake Intergrade, then continue with Rebirth. Intergrade is the first installment and includes the Midgar story plus the Yuffie episode; Rebirth follows the party beyond Midgar. Check the live store listing for the exact platform, edition, and current price.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE is the Midgar-focused first installment, enhanced and bundled with Yuffie’s INTERmission episode. FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is the second installment, following the party into a wider world with more exploration, side quests, and minigames. Play Remake first and Rebirth next, and check current platform listings for edition details and prices.
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