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Play FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE first, then FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH. Square Enix identifies Intergrade as Part 1 and Rebirth as Part 2 of its three-game remake project. Rebirth includes a video recap and is marketed as a standalone adventure for newcomers, so you can begin there, but doing so means entering the middle chapter without the full character and story context established in the first game.
If you already own Rebirth or want to start immediately, its recap makes that possible. For the intended sequence, however, buy or play the enhanced first entry—listed as FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE—before moving on to Rebirth.
The direct answer: Remake Intergrade, then Rebirth
The order is straightforward because these games are numbered parts of one remake project rather than unrelated Final Fantasy stories. Square Enix’s project page labels FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE as Part 1 and FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH as Part 2. A third entry is planned as Part 3.
That numbering describes the intended narrative progression. Remake presents the opening Midgar stage of this retelling. Rebirth begins after Cloud and his companions leave Midgar and pursue Sephiroth, with the journey continuing toward the Forgotten Capital. Starting with Remake lets you experience that transition in sequence instead of relying on a summary.
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You do not need the 1997 original, another Final Fantasy title, or a separate prequel to understand the basic setup. The decision is specifically whether to play Part 1 before Part 2.
How the two games fit together
| Question | FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE | FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH |
|---|---|---|
| Role in the remake project | Part 1 | Part 2 |
| Story setting at the start | The Midgar stage of the retelling | After the party escapes Midgar |
| Primary narrative function | Introduces the remake project’s version of Cloud, his allies and the central conflict | Continues the pursuit of Sephiroth beyond the city and toward the Forgotten Capital |
| Can a newcomer begin here? | Yes; it is the natural starting point | Yes, according to Square Enix, with an in-game Remake recap |
| Best place for a first playthrough | First | After Remake Intergrade |
The table does not mean Rebirth is an expansion that requires the first game’s save file. It is a separate release with its own story presentation. “Part 2” refers to its place in the larger narrative, not to a technical requirement that your console or PC must contain Part 1.
Why playing Remake first gives the better experience
You meet the cast in the intended order
Remake establishes the relationships and motivations that Rebirth expects you to recognize. Playing it first gives those introductions room to develop instead of compressing them into a recap. When Rebirth refers back to earlier events, you will have experienced them directly rather than learning about them retrospectively.
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Remake is focused on Midgar. Rebirth opens the story outward after the escape, following the group through a broader journey. That change in scale is easier to appreciate when you have just completed the contained first stage.
You avoid learning the first game’s major setup through a summary
A recap is useful, but it is designed to refresh your memory or help a new player orient themselves. It cannot provide the same context as playing the scenes, conversations and decisions in full. If you are interested enough in Rebirth to ask which game comes first, the complete Part 1 experience is normally the more satisfying preparation.
The recommendation follows the publisher’s structure
This is not a fan-made order based on optional lore. Square Enix’s official remake-project page names Intergrade Part 1 and Rebirth Part 2. The simplest way to follow the project is to use that order.
What the Part 1-to-Part 2 transition actually means
Think of the project as a continuing journey presented in separate releases. Remake concentrates on the Midgar portion, while Rebirth picks up once Cloud and his companions have escaped the city. That distinction explains why the games feel like different stages of one story without requiring you to treat Rebirth as downloadable content for Remake.
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Rebirth’s description points toward the party’s pursuit of Sephiroth and the Forgotten Capital. You do not need a plot lecture to make the purchase decision: the useful spoiler-light fact is simply that the second game assumes the first stage has already happened. Playing in order lets the setting, cast and central pursuit widen naturally.
Square Enix calls the project three standalone titles. “Standalone” here means each release can present a playable story to someone who has not bought every earlier game; it does not mean the parts are interchangeable. Part 1 remains the clearest beginning, and Part 2 remains the continuation.
Can you start with Rebirth instead?
Yes, but treat it as a compromise rather than the recommended route. Square Enix describes Rebirth as a standalone adventure for fans and newcomers and says its menu includes a video summarizing Remake’s story. Its official FAQ also states that you do not need to have played a previous Final Fantasy game because each entry has its own story.
Those statements answer the practical question: Rebirth is designed to be playable on its own. They do not change its position as Part 2. You will still be entering a continuing remake project after the Midgar portion has ended.
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- You already have access to Rebirth but not Remake.
- You want to play the newest release immediately and are comfortable watching the recap first.
- You are more interested in the broader post-Midgar journey than in completing the opening chapter before beginning.
- You are borrowing or sharing a copy and cannot obtain Part 1 right away.
Starting with Rebirth is less suitable when:
- You want every major introduction and transition in chronological order.
- You prefer not to have the first game’s setup condensed into a video.
- You are planning to play both games and have not purchased either one yet.
- You want the clearest understanding of why the party is pursuing Sephiroth when Rebirth begins.
If you begin with Rebirth, watch its built-in Remake summary before judging whether the story feels complete. If the recap leaves you wanting more context, you can stop and play Intergrade before continuing; the games do not require a particular save-file order.
What “Intergrade” means for your first purchase
When shopping for the first game, look for the full name FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE. Square Enix uses that title for the enhanced release designated as Part 1 on the remake-project page.
Do not interpret “Intergrade” as a separate sequel or as an alternative to Rebirth. It is the enhanced version of the first part. Rebirth remains the second part, regardless of which edition of Remake you play.
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Store listings can use different product labels, bundles and platform-specific terminology. Before paying, confirm that the listing actually says FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE, that it is compatible with your system, and that the included language and format match your needs.
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| Your situation | Best choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| You own neither game | Buy or play Remake Intergrade first | It is Part 1 and provides the complete opening context before Part 2. |
| You own Rebirth only | Use the in-game recap, then decide whether to continue | Rebirth is newcomer-accessible, but the recap is a substitute for Part 1 rather than the intended order. |
| You have finished Remake | Move directly to Rebirth | Rebirth continues after the party leaves Midgar. |
| You are replaying the project | Remake Intergrade, then Rebirth | The numbered-part sequence remains the clearest route on a replay. |
| You are choosing between a single game and a bundle | Choose the option that gives you Part 1 before Part 2 | A twin pack can be convenient where offered, but availability varies by platform and region. |
What to check before buying
Square Enix’s purchase information lists physical and digital options, including physical standard and deluxe editions for Rebirth and physical Remake-and-Rebirth twin packs on supported consoles. Exact availability is not universal: retailers, platforms and countries can show different editions.
- Confirm the platform. Check the product page for your specific console or PC storefront. A listing for one platform is not evidence that the same edition exists on another.
- Confirm the part and title. For the first game, look for FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE. For the continuation, look for FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH.
- Choose physical or digital deliberately. Physical stock and included discs can differ by region; digital purchases are tied to the relevant storefront account and platform.
- Read the edition contents. Standard, deluxe and bundled listings may not contain identical items. Do not assume that a higher-priced edition is required to follow the story.
- Check regional storefront information immediately before purchase. Square Enix’s availability pages and local retailers can change, so use the store serving your country for the final compatibility check.
You do not need to buy both games in a twin pack. It is simply a convenience when that bundle is offered for your system and region. Buying the titles separately works as long as you begin with Part 1.
Common buying and ordering mistakes
- Confusing Intergrade with a sequel: Intergrade is still Part 1, not an additional chapter between the two games.
- Assuming “standalone” means “unconnected: Rebirth can orient a new player, but it remains Part 2 of the same remake project.
- Buying a prequel as the required first step: Crisis Core Reunion is optional and does not replace Remake.
- Assuming a bundle is mandatory: A twin pack is only one purchasing route; separate copies are valid.
- Ignoring regional differences: Edition names, physical stock and platform availability can vary by country and storefront.
These mistakes are easy to avoid if you identify the part number first, then verify the exact platform and edition. The most important purchase check is not whether a box says “deluxe”; it is whether you are actually getting the first entry before the second.
Where Crisis Core fits
CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION is separate from the remake project’s numbered parts. Square Enix describes it as a prequel focused on Zack Fair. It is optional context, not Part 1.
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Do you need the original 1997 Final Fantasy VII?
No. Square Enix’s FAQ says that each entry has its own story and that no previous Final Fantasy game is required. The remake project is designed to be a starting point for people who have not played the original.
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The original game can provide additional historical context if you choose to explore it, but it is not a prerequisite for understanding the order or beginning the modern remake project. You should not delay Remake or Rebirth while trying to complete other Final Fantasy games first.
Recommended play paths
The complete first-time path
- Play FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE.
- Finish its Midgar-focused story.
- Start FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH.
- Use Rebirth’s recap only as a refresher after a long gap, not as a replacement for Part 1.
The Rebirth-first path
- Start Rebirth if that is the game you currently have.
- Watch the included Remake story video before continuing.
- Accept that character and plot context will be abbreviated.
- Play Remake Intergrade later if the recap makes you want the full opening chapter.
The prequel-curious path
- Play Remake Intergrade first for the main remake-project sequence.
- Play Rebirth second.
- Try Crisis Core Reunion separately if you want optional Zack-focused prequel material.
How to decide if you only want one game right now
If you can purchase or play only one title today, your choice depends on whether you value the intended beginning or immediate access to the newer chapter. Remake Intergrade is the better single purchase for a newcomer who expects to continue later because it establishes the project from Part 1. Rebirth is the practical choice if it is the only title available to you, provided you use its recap and understand that you are starting with Part 2.
There is no requirement to buy a deluxe edition to understand the story. Standard editions provide the relevant game; higher-priced listings and bundles should be judged by their included extras, format and platform compatibility rather than by the assumption that they contain essential narrative material.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What not to use as a deciding factor
The available official material does not establish a meaningful numerical comparison of completion time, review scores, sales, combat quality, difficulty or performance between the games. Those measures are not necessary to answer the order question and can vary by player, platform and edition.
Likewise, do not choose based on the assumption that Rebirth is a replacement for Remake. Its newcomer-friendly recap makes it accessible, but it remains the continuation of the same remake project. If your priority is narrative continuity, the part numbers are more useful than an unsupported score or playtime estimate.
Bottom line for different readers
- New to the project: Start with Remake Intergrade.
- Already own Rebirth: You can begin there after watching the recap, but expect less context than you would get from Part 1.
- Finished Remake: Rebirth is the next game.
- Considering Crisis Core: Treat Reunion as an optional prequel, not as the first numbered remake entry.
- Shopping for a copy: Verify the exact title, platform, edition and regional availability before checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Rebirth without playing any other Final Fantasy game?
Yes. Square Enix says Rebirth is designed as a standalone adventure for newcomers and that no previous Final Fantasy game is required. Playing Remake first still provides fuller context because Rebirth is Part 2.
Is Remake Intergrade the same thing as Rebirth?
No. Intergrade is the enhanced release of Part 1. Rebirth is Part 2 of the remake project.
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Should Crisis Core Reunion come before Remake?
No required order places it there. Crisis Core Reunion is a separate Zack Fair prequel and is optional for the Remake-to-Rebirth sequence.
Are twin packs available everywhere?
No. Square Enix lists twin-pack and edition options for supported consoles, but platform and regional availability can change. Check your local store listing.
Do I need a Remake save file to play Rebirth?
No. Rebirth is a separate release with its own story presentation. Part 1 is recommended for context, but the game is marketed as playable by newcomers and includes a Remake recap.
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Which version of the first game should I buy?
Look for the full title FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE. Confirm that the edition matches your platform and that the listing is not merely a different bundle or regional format.
Can I play Crisis Core after Rebirth instead?
Yes. Crisis Core Reunion is optional prequel material, so it can be played separately rather than inserted into the required Remake-to-Rebirth order.
Is the original 1997 game required first?
No. Square Enix’s FAQ says each entry has its own story, and no previous Final Fantasy game is required.
The Bottom Line
Recommended order: FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE first, then FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH. Rebirth’s recap makes a Rebirth-first start possible, but Remake Intergrade is Part 1 and gives you the intended narrative context. Treat Crisis Core Reunion and the original 1997 game as optional, and verify platform, edition and regional availability before buying.
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