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If you want a modern first experience, play FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE, then FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH. If you want to understand the original story before seeing how the newer games rework it, start with the original FINAL FANTASY VII and then play those two games. Neither route is mandatory: director Naoki Hamaguchi says newcomers can start with the Remake series, while knowing the original can help you recognize what has changed.
The short version: choose the original first for context, or REMAKE INTERGRADE first for a modern entry. The official catch-up path for the announced final Remake-series game is the first two modern entries, in order.
Choose the starting point that suits you
There are two sensible answers to “Where should I start with Final Fantasy VII?” The best one depends on whether you would rather meet the story in its original form or begin with the modern series. Both routes lead into REMAKE INTERGRADE and REBIRTH, the first two entries in the Remake project.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →| Start here | Choose this if… | What you gain | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| FINAL FANTASY VII, the original game | You want to experience the original narrative before encountering the reimagining. | Context for the Remake series’ relationship to the original and for noticing changes. | You are choosing the original-first route, not following a requirement imposed by the newer games. |
| FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE | You want a modern first encounter with the story and prefer not to begin with the original. | A direct start to the modern Remake sequence, which Square Enix recommends newcomers play in order. | This installment covers the escape from Midgar, not the whole original game. |
Think of the decision across three axes. For story context, the original-first route gives you a baseline for recognizing how the Remake series relates to the original. For presentation, the Remake games are modern productions and can be your first encounter with the story. For commitment and coverage, the original is one game, while the modern project is a multi-entry series; moreover, REMAKE covers only the Midgar portion of the original story. Choosing it does not mean you have already experienced the whole original narrative.
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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
Hamaguchi described the original storyline as “very much enshrined” in the Remake series, and said that knowing it can help players notice changes. He also said the newer games are designed so that someone who has not played the original can jump in and have a good experience. His conclusion was that the choice comes down to preference rather than a single correct order. GamesRadar+ interviewed Hamaguchi on September 26, 2026.
Route A: start with the modern games
- FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE
- FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH
- FINAL FANTASY VII REVELATION, when it is released
This is the clearest route if you want to begin with a modern production and follow the Remake project as it unfolds. Square Enix’s newcomer guidance says to play the first two entries, REMAKE INTERGRADE and REBIRTH, to catch up before REVELATION arrives. That is an official catch-up recommendation for the modern sequence; it does not say you must play the original or any spinoff first. See the Final Fantasy Portal announcement.
Square Enix’s wording is direct: “Newcomers and fans alike can catch up on the series before FINAL FANTASY VII REVELATION arrives by playing the first two entries, FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH.” In other words, you do not need to assemble a franchise-wide checklist before beginning. If your goal is to follow the announced modern sequence, those two games are the named preparation.
One point matters when deciding how much story you are taking on: REMAKE is a standalone first game in the Remake project, but its story reaches the party’s escape from Midgar. Square Enix describes it as expanding those events beyond what the original depicted. It is not a retelling of the entire original game, and completing it does not mean you have covered the full original narrative. The official FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE page describes its scope and standalone status.
That distinction helps set expectations. “Standalone” means it is the first installment in the project and an entry point, not that it contains the whole story of the 1997 game. If you want the original narrative as a whole, the original game is the direct route; if you want the newer series’ interpretation, continue from REMAKE INTERGRADE to REBIRTH.
What the announced next entry means for newcomers
As announced by Square Enix in 2026, REVELATION is the final entry in the Remake series, with a planned release window of Spring 2027. The announcement lists PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Spring 2027 is a target window, not an exact date, and platforms or timing may change. Check the official announcement for the latest details before planning a purchase.
Rank #2
- The award-winning FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE* retells the original story up to the escape from Midgar, with breathtaking visuals, fast-paced gameplay, and additional story elements. This RPG delivers unforgettable characters, a powerful narrative, and a hybrid battle system that blends real-time action with strategic, command-based combat. It also includes FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, a side story starring Yuffie Kisaragi that offers a fresh perspective running in parallel to Cloud’s journey.
- STUNNING VISUALS - Explore Midgar like never before with stunning visuals and richly detailed environments that bring the city’s layered, industrial districts to life, all while staying true to the spirit of the original game.
- DYNAMIC COMBAT WITH STRATEGIC DEPTH -The innovative battle system combines strategic command-based gameplay with fast-paced action. Seamlessly switch between characters, harness the power of materia, summon iconic creatures, and unleash devastating limit breaks.
- ICONIC CHARACTERS, UNFORGETTABLE STORY - Follow Cloud Strife, an ex-SOLDIER turned mercenary, as he joins Avalanche to take on the Shinra Electric Power Company. Cloud and his allies Barret, Tifa, and Aerith are pulled into a battle that will decide the fate of the planet.
- EXPANDED CONTENT - FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE offers quests, mini-games, and missions set in expanded areas of Midgar. Encounter new characters and experience exciting content that adds even more depth to the story.
The platform list applies to the announced final entry; it should not be assumed to describe every earlier title, edition, or film. If you are choosing hardware around this sequence, verify the individual listings for the games you intend to play. The announced newcomer route is still straightforward regardless of that purchase question: REMAKE INTERGRADE, then REBIRTH, then REVELATION when available.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesRoute B: play the original first
- FINAL FANTASY VII, the original game
- FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE
- FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH
- FINAL FANTASY VII REVELATION, when it is released
Choose this sequence if you want to encounter the original narrative before the modern interpretation. It gives you a basis for recognizing where the Remake series follows, expands, or otherwise changes what you know. That context is a reason to choose this route, not a prerequisite: Hamaguchi explicitly says a newcomer can start with the Remake series.
There is no need to treat “original first” as the only serious or complete way to begin. It is simply a different first experience. If you would rather discover the story through the modern games and later decide whether to explore the original, the modern-first route remains a supported choice.
Hamaguchi’s comments point to a useful balance: the original matters to the Remake series’ story, but players do not have to know it to enter the newer games. As he put it, the Remake games are “designed very much so that even someone who’s not played the original can jump in on any of them [and] still have a really great experience.” He also said the order is “down to people’s preferences” and “not as clear cut as one way or the other.” That is why choosing based on the kind of first experience you want is more useful than looking for a single mandatory sequence.
Where the film and spinoff fit
CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION
CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION is an optional prequel focused on Zack Fair. Square Enix describes it as following Zack’s growth from rookie to SOLDIER 1st Class; its spinoff guide identifies its place as additional material connected to Final Fantasy VII.
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Its prequel label tells you that it is set before the central game’s events, but that alone does not make it the best first game or establish a spoiler-safe position relative to every Remake entry. For a straightforward first playthrough, follow one of the two routes above and add CRISIS CORE when you want more context about Zack. There is no established requirement here to play it before or after a particular Remake game.
Rank #3
- 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" Prioritises 4K high-resolution graphics & - "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 dual sense PlayStation 5 controller with its haptic feedback integration
If you are asking, “Should I play Crisis Core before or after Remake and Rebirth?” the careful answer is that it is optional, and the fact that it is a prequel does not settle the question. For newcomers who want the least complicated path toward REVELATION, follow Square Enix’s two-game catch-up order first. If you are interested in Zack’s story, you can choose to add REUNION as extra material without treating it as a required step.
FINAL FANTASY VII: ADVENT CHILDREN
FINAL FANTASY VII: ADVENT CHILDREN is a film in the wider Final Fantasy VII story. If you want to include it, a practical editorial choice is to watch it after experiencing the main story rather than using it as your introduction. That placement is guidance for a newcomer, not an official viewing-order rule. A complete official chronology across the games, films, novels, mobile titles, and other releases is not established by the sources linked here, so an exhaustive “everything in order” list would suggest more certainty than is available.
Accordingly, treat ADVENT CHILDREN as optional further viewing, not as an item you need to watch to understand the official newcomer game route. Exact worldwide availability and editions for all the related media can vary, so check current listings if you are looking for a specific release.
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You can start with the main-game route without trying to consume every connected story. The official guidance for catching up before REVELATION names the first two Remake entries. The additional material discussed here—CRISIS CORE and ADVENT CHILDREN—is optional rather than part of that newcomer instruction.
- Want the shortest route into the announced final entry? Play REMAKE INTERGRADE, then REBIRTH, and continue with REVELATION when available.
- Want original-story context before the modern games? Play the original FINAL FANTASY VII first, then follow the same modern sequence.
- Interested in Zack’s story? Add CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION as optional prequel material, without assuming chronological order is automatically the best play order.
- Want to include a film? Treat ADVENT CHILDREN as further viewing after the main story, not as a required entry point.
These choices answer different questions: which version of the story you want to encounter first, how much context you want before the Remake project, and whether you want optional stories as well as the main games. There is no need to mistake a larger franchise for a required checklist.
Be cautious with lists that claim to give a definitive chronological order for every connected release. The available official statements establish the modern sequence and identify CRISIS CORE as Zack’s prequel, but they do not establish a complete official chronology across every game, film, novel, mobile title, and discontinued release. The most useful order for a newcomer is therefore the one that answers your actual goal: original context or modern entry.
Rank #4
- 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
Buying and platform details to check
The announced platforms for REVELATION are PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, according to Square Enix’s 2026 announcement. That platform list applies to the announced final entry; it does not establish the platforms or current availability of every earlier game or film. Editions and regional listings can vary, so check the official game pages and current retailer listings for the specific title and device you plan to use.
Square Enix’s 2026 announcement also listed a US price of $59.99 for the REMAKE INTERGRADE and REBIRTH Twin Pack. That is an announced bundle price for the US, not a guarantee of current pricing in every territory or retailer. Prices and offers can change, so compare the current listing with the titles you actually need before buying. The original game remains a separate option for the original-first route; editions and availability vary. Square Enix also lists a FINAL FANTASY VII and FINAL FANTASY VIII remastered twin-pack, but check its current platform and regional availability rather than assuming it suits your device.
The Square Enix Store page for REVELATION contains product and format information, but physical-media requirements and editions are volatile. Confirm the current listing for your region and platform before buying, particularly if you require a particular physical format or have limited storage or internet access. The current US store page says PS5 and Xbox physical versions require an internet connection to download additional game data. It describes the Switch 2 physical release as a Game-Key Card that requires a download and at least 130 GB of available storage. These specific conditions may change, so verify them on the store page at the time of purchase.
For REMAKE INTERGRADE, the named edition is the first entry in the modern route. Check the listing for the exact edition and platform you want; the same title name does not establish that every retailer or format is identical. A purchase query for the original FINAL FANTASY VII should likewise be checked against your chosen device and region, since editions vary.
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If you are still unsure, decide which first experience sounds more appealing. Start with the original FINAL FANTASY VII if you want to know the original narrative before seeing the newer games’ relationship to it. Start with REMAKE INTERGRADE if you want to enter through a modern production without first playing the original. Then play REBIRTH; add REVELATION when it releases. Save CRISIS CORE and ADVENT CHILDREN for when you want optional stories beyond that route.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What order should I play Final Fantasy VII in?
For the modern Remake sequence, play FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE, then FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, then FINAL FANTASY VII REVELATION when it is released. Square Enix names the first two as the newcomer catch-up route for the final entry. If you want original-story context first, play the original FINAL FANTASY VII before those games.
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- STUNNING VISUALS - Explore Midgar like never before with stunning visuals and richly detailed environments that bring the city’s layered, industrial districts to life, all while staying true to the spirit of the original game.
- DYNAMIC COMBAT WITH STRATEGIC DEPTH - The innovative battle system combines strategic command-based gameplay with fast-paced action. Seamlessly switch between characters, harness the power of materia, summon iconic creatures, and unleash devastating limit breaks.
- ICONIC CHARACTERS, UNFORGETTABLE STORY - Follow Cloud Strife, an ex-SOLDIER turned mercenary, as he joins Avalanche to take on the Shinra Electric Power Company. Cloud and his allies Barret, Tifa, and Aerith are pulled into a battle that will decide the fate of the planet.
- EXPANDED CONTENT - FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE offers quests, mini-games, and missions set in expanded areas of Midgar. Encounter new characters and experience exciting content that adds even more depth to the story.
- ICONIC SOUNDTRACK - The epic soundtrack has been fully remastered, with re-arranged and orchestrated tracks that dynamically respond to the action, offering an immersive, emotionally charged musical experience.
Do I have to play the original Final Fantasy VII before Remake?
No. Director Naoki Hamaguchi has said newcomers can start with the Remake series. Playing the original first can give context for noticing changes, so this is a preference rather than a requirement.
Should I play Crisis Core before or after Remake and Rebirth?
CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- REUNION is an optional Zack Fair prequel, but its prequel status alone does not establish the best or spoiler-safe placement relative to the Remake entries. For the simplest official catch-up path, play REMAKE INTERGRADE and REBIRTH first; add CRISIS CORE if you want more of Zack’s story.
Where does Advent Children fit?
FINAL FANTASY VII: ADVENT CHILDREN is an optional film in the wider story. Watching it after experiencing the main story is practical editorial guidance, not an official viewing-order rule.
When does Final Fantasy VII Revelation come out, and what platforms are announced?
Square Enix announced a Spring 2027 release window for FINAL FANTASY VII REVELATION, with PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC listed. Spring 2027 is a window, not an exact release date; check Square Enix’s latest announcement for changes.
Is there a bundle for Remake Intergrade and Rebirth?
Square Enix’s 2026 announcement listed the Twin Pack at $59.99 in the US. That price is region-specific and can change, so check the current store or retailer listing before buying.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Start with the original FINAL FANTASY VII for original-story context, or with REMAKE INTERGRADE for a modern first experience. The official modern catch-up path is REMAKE INTERGRADE → REBIRTH → REVELATION when released. CRISIS CORE and ADVENT CHILDREN are optional additions, not prerequisites.
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