Summary
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthhas a lot of great combat mechanics in play, butFF7 Remake Part 3probably won’t be able to keep all of them around, and losing some arguably essential pieces could actually be for the best. Expanding on the action system introduced inFF7 Remake,FF7 Rebirthmerges high-intensity gameplay with a dizzying array of menu-based options. It’s a bundle of features bursting at its seams, but learning how to make all the pieces work together in perfect unison can be a satisfying part of the journey.
[Warning: Major spoilers for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and the original FF7.]
One especially great part ofFF7 Rebirth’s approach to combat is how much distinction it brings to each character’s participation in battle. Like the originalFF7, there’s a lot of flexibility offered by allowing every character toequip any variety of materia, but there’s also a lot that doesn’t cross over between party members. Whether building up power through defense as Red XIII or swapping between ranged elemental attacks and quick melee hits as Yuffie, discovering how each character fits into the picture is more rewarding than ever before.
One Essential FF7 Rebirth Combat Feature Is Easy To Miss
The basic features of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth combat are generally easy to get the hang of, but one thing can escape attention altogether.
Losing Aerith Will Impact FF7 Remake Part 3 Combat
Aerith’s Wards & Support Abilities Are A Huge Part Of Combat
AlthoughFF7 Rebirthplays around a bit with Aerith’s big moment, Sephiroth still ends her life, and severing her from the party in such a violent way leaves a sudden gap in the combat system. InFF7 Rebirth,Aerith’s status as a support character is significantly expanded through a number of unique abilities, and there’s no obvious way to fill the void that her death will create. The biggest loss might be her various wards and defensive abilities, which make it possible to withstand assaults from intensely powerful enemies and bosses with some smart timing and positioning.
Aerith is also involved in a number of the best synergy skills and abilities in the game, and using Bodyguard can help keep her safe so that she can do the same for others.
The impact of Aerith’s departure on combat isn’t an entirely new conundrum, as she makes the perfect designated party healer in the original game, and losing her then could still cause some re-strategizing. Without as many specialized features, however, foisting support materia on any other party member could make for a reasonably effective solution. Although their stats weren’t as geared towards maximizing healing as Aerith’s were, the gulf isn’t so huge as to cause any enormous problems, making it reasonably easy for even those who heavily relied on Aerith to get a new party composition going.
Missing Combat Features Can Help FF7 Remake Part 3
Feeling Aerith’s Absence In Combat Can Enhance The Sense Of Loss
Mechanically, this might seem like nothing but a problem, butthe fact that Aerith’s death can get in the way of gameplay is actually cool from a thematic and narrative standpoint. Theweight of Aerith’s deathis a big focal point of the game, grounding a fantastical adventure in something that feels undeniably real and impossible to fix. Actively being reminded of that absence through the loss of her contributions to combat reinforces the idea in a meaningful way, and being forced to work around a missing strategic piece can help show how much she mattered.
Is It Better To Romance Aerith Or Tifa In FF7 Rebirth?
Aerith and Tifa are both set up as suitable romantic options for Cloud, but which one is the better choice to date in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth?
One smart way thatFF7 Rebirthmight have been setting up this transition lies in the final battle with Sephiroth, which teams Cloud with Aerith to withstand an onslaught of devastating attacks. More than ever, this last fight is a reminder of just how critical Aerith’s help can be, as her defensive and restorative abilities offer life-saving recovery opportunities when he unleashes his worst blows.
Going from this last pairing to a world where that’s no longer possible will be a stark contrast, andit could help reinforce the fact that Cloud’s delusions of Aerith living on have no bearing on the real world. IfFF7 Remake Part 3expands Cloud’s final duel with Sephiroth at the end of the very last fight, it could also mirrorRebirth’s climactic combat, showcasing a heightened struggle without her.
How FF7 Remake Part 3 Could Keep Aerith’s Skills Alive
Good Support Options Might Not Disappear Entirely
Of course, there’s still more to be done with the multiversal story that theFF7 Remaketrilogy injects into the classic narrative, and it’s possible that Aerith’s abilities will show up inFF7 Remake Part 3in some form or another. There’s definitely a tightrope to walk there, andFF7 Rebirthdoesn’t navigate it perfectly, with some of the extra machinations distracting from the impact of key moments toward the end.FF7 Remake Part 3has the chance to partially atone for those sins, andcommitting fully to the weight of Aerith’s death might be necessary to stick the landing.
FF7 Rebirth Sets Up A Huge Villain Problem For FF7 Remake Part 3
Of all the changes in FF7 Rebirth, one fundamental shift in approach makes bringing things to a showstopping climax particularly challenging.
FF7 Remake Part 3should also be adding two new playable party members in the form ofCid Highwind and Vincent Valentine. Cid has never been especially good at magic, but although Vincent’s gameplay is classically centered around his guns, he’s also one of the better casters in the original game.It’s possible thatFF7 Remake Part 3will lean into some new support options for Vincentor simply distribute some among multiple party members, a valid approach that still needs to be used in moderation if the impact of Aerith’s loss is to be preserved in the gameplay.
HowFF7 Remake Part 3will ultimately handle the loss of Aerith’s support options remains to be seen, but it’s an interesting design challenge that actually has the potential to be good for the game.FF7is ultimately a story-focused experience, and making a gameplay sacrifice to further hone that aspect is a trade that could ultimately be worthwhile. Meeting or exceeding the standard set byFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s combat might be a tall order forFF7 Remake Part 3, but if the game plays its cards right, it might just be able to dodge that responsibility altogether.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is the sequel to Final Fantasy 7 Remake and will see Cloud and his friends set off beyond the walls of Midgar to explore the world, stop Sephiroth’s machinations, and see the world outside their slum prison. Now that the whispers of fate no longer guide the characters along the pre-destined path set in the original PlayStation classic Final Fantasy 7, the heroes (and villains) will shape the future. The game will still visit prominent locales and revisit crucial story points, but it will be a more significant departure from the first game from the source material.
