Game review: Remake takes Final Fantasy VII to new heights | ABS-CBN

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Game review: Remake takes Final Fantasy VII to new heights

Game review: Remake takes Final Fantasy VII to new heights

Karen Flores Layno,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Apr 17, 2020 12:17 PM PHT

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(This spoiler-free review is based on 50 hours of gameplay with Final Fantasy VII Remake. Settings: English text with Japanese audio; Normal difficulty)

MANILA -- Remaking Final Fantasy VII, widely considered one of the most iconic titles in gaming history, is far from being an easy task.

Expectations are sky-high, but developer Square Enix was somehow able to pull it off.

The main characters of Final Fantasy VII Remake. Square Enix

Released last April 10 for the PlayStation 4, Final Fantasy VII Remake successfully translated the 1997 experience into something more modern while still retaining its classic charm. The game is respectful to the original for majority of its runtime, from certain lines of dialogue down to the backgrounds and smaller details.

This could be clearly seen in Remake's opening scene, which combines a nearly shot-for-shot recreation with some new elements. If you've played FFVII at least once and you liked it, this intro will bring nostalgic tears to your eyes.

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It should be noted that Remake is the first of a series of still-unknown length that will retell the story of FFVII. This game only covers events that take place in Midgar, a dystopian pizza-shaped metropolis run by an authoritarian power company called Shinra.

At the center of it all is mercenary Cloud Strife, who describes himself as a former member of Shinra's elite SOLDIER fighting force. He is hired by the eco-terrorist group Avalanche (led by the gun-arm wielding Barret Wallace) to help bring down Shinra by blowing up its Mako reactors, which use the planet's life force to power the city of Midgar.

More characters are introduced as the story progresses, such as Cloud's childhood friend and Avalanche member Tifa Lockhart, and the flower peddler Aerith Gainsborough. The latter, as already known by most fans and mentioned in the Remake final trailer, is the last surviving member of an ancient race that can guide the flow of the planet's energy.

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Only those four out of the nine main characters in the original game are playable, with two more making a brief appearance. Nevertheless, Remake still feels like a standalone title, offering at least 40 hours of gameplay as well as the option to play on hard mode after finishing it once.

The tighter focus on Midgar, while making the game generally linear, allowed many of the characters to be fully fleshed out. Even the supporting cast trio of Jessie, Wedge, and Biggs -- who barely had any lines in the 1997 game -- were brimming with personality in Remake.

The added context and insights, along with the gorgeous, almost life-like graphics and unbelievably good music, helped create a compelling narrative from an arc that only takes up five to eight hours of the original FFVII. Square Enix made sure that Remake taps into different emotions as you fall in love in one scene, tear up in another, get mad at the next, and then have a good laugh.

Yes, Cloud still dresses up as a girl in Remake, and the events leading up to it are better than the original. Square Enix

Still, it's hard not to notice the obvious padding at times, such as that instance where you have to go around the sewer for another 20 minutes just to retrieve an item stolen by a giant rat, or that train graveyard chapter that was stretched for another hour or so even if it did not add much to the story.

HYBRID BATTLE SYSTEM

For years, Square Enix has been experimenting on its active time battle (ATB) system to be more in tune with the tastes of modern mainstream gamers.

And it's safe to say that they've finally nailed it in Remake, which borrows the best elements of previous titles and combines it with FFVII's turn-based strategy design.

There's the seamless integration of exploration and combat of FFXII; the "stagger" concept of FFXIII that allows you to exploit enemy weaknesses; the shortcut commands of the Kingdom Hearts series; and the sheer scale and majesty of summons that aid you in battle in FFXV, to name a few.

Shiva, a recurring summon in the Final Fantasy franchise, only appears under specific battle conditions in Remake, just like in FFXV. Square Enix

Each weapon in Remake comes with a unique ability and can be leveled up by using skill points in a growth system reminiscent of FFXIII's crystarium or FFX's sphere grid.

You can use basic attacks by pressing the square and triangle buttons as much as you want, but every other action -- such as using items and abilities or casting spells -- is on the ATB timer. Especially in boss battles, it's crucial to figure out when to consume your ATB gauge, which can be interrupted and reset by enemies.

The original FFVII game's spirit still feels intact despite the improvements. You can still mix and match Materia (those color-coded magical orbs that boost stats and give new skills) on your weapons and armor, and use special commands called limit breaks after sustaining enough damage.

Each character has a unique fighting style, making battles more dynamic and exciting: Cloud swings his massive buster sword casually as if he's holding a stick; Barret's gun-equipped arm is ideal for long-distance fighting; Aerith specializes in magic attacks and healing; and Tifa devastates enemies at close range with a barrage of punches and kicks.

Tifa can deliver fast and strong blows that inflict massive damage on enemies. Square Enix

If you're intimidated by Remake's fast-paced combat which is best enjoyed on normal difficulty, you can switch to easy mode or the turn-based classic mode (that pretty much does half of the fighting for you) anytime during the game -- another feature that makes it accessible to different kinds of players.

MIXED BAG

Stretching what was supposed to be an introductory arc into a full-length title meant having to add new characters, side quests, and mini-games. Many of these are fun and interesting, while others are just dull filler.

Particularly noteworthy is Chadley, a Shinra intern that helps Cloud in his fight against the megacorporation. He offers battle intel report missions -- which include fights with summon creatures using a VR simulator -- and each rewards you with useful Materia that are not found in shops.

Another is Andrea Rhodea, the fabulous proprietor of Honeybee Inn at Wall Market, Midgar's infamous entertainment quarter. Andrea is not just part of the game's most talked-about scene that has been heavily teased online; he also delivers a strong message about breaking down the gender binary.

Andrea is the face of the revamped Honeybee Inn in Remake. Square Enix

Perhaps the most controversial additions to the story are the hooded spectres that honestly look like ripoffs of Harry Potter's dementors. They appear and disappear throughout the game without warning, with their identities a big question until the last few chapters.

So what are they, exactly? Let's just say their true nature has left fans in a heated debate, delighting some and upsetting others. It personally left a bad taste in the mouth, as someone who has played the original FFVII too many times, but I'm still looking forward to seeing where the game goes from here.

OVERALL

Remake is an ambitious project that has taken FFVII to new heights not just in terms of graphics, but also storytelling, music, and gameplay.

Newcomers will find many reasons to love this well thought out game, and those who have played the original can expect an additional treat -- a glorious dose of nostalgia.

As with most Final Fantasy titles, Remake has messy and convoluted parts especially toward the end, but these will never be enough to kill your mood completely. Despite its limited scope, this game manages to stand on its own and define another generation.

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Inside Heart Evangelista's Elegant and Chic 40th Birthday Party

Inside Heart Evangelista's Elegant and Chic 40th Birthday Party

Grace Libero

 | 

Updated Feb 14, 2025 02:27 AM PHT

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Heart Evangelista turns 40


Heart Evangelista just turned 40, and there was no way this fashion and beauty icon wouldn't celebrate such a huge milestone in her life. She threw a birthday party that embodied class and sophistication. Instead of the elements of red befitting Valentine's Day, which coincides with her birthday, Heart opted for understated elegance. 

On this concept, Heart's go-to event stylist, Badang Rueda, shared, "Known for showstopping celebrations and ultimate sophistication that just screams elegance, she takes a gentle turn towards understated grace as she welcomes a new chapter, a new dawn, and a new decade. A celebration worth loving, as she is loved and adored." Badang was also the event stylist for Heart and Chiz's wedding in 2015 and their renewal of vows in February of last year.

Heart wore a stunning embellished Dior Couture creation, a look she spiced up with her fiery red hair.



Heart Evangelista's 40th birthday party was held in Whitespace Manila, a venue transformed into a dreamy space with key elements like romantic ceiling drapery, candelabras, and ghost chairs. 

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At the center of the venue is a long table with a huge, statement cake made up of three heart-shaped cakes in different sizes; the smallest one at the top has "LOVE" written on it. White, minimalist heart-shaped cakes surrounded the maximalist cake masterpiece by Chef Castillo Fuentes; these smaller cakes featured different cute and funny statements, such as "May narating kaartehan ko" and "forty, flirty, and thriving."

Chef Florabel Yatco was in charge of the party's menu. 








No doubt, one of the highlights of the night was Gary Valenciano's appearance, a surprise from Heart's husband, Senate President Chiz Escudero. He especially chose the songs to be performed by Mr. Pure Energy, one of them was "Warrior is a Child" which made Heart cry.

The CompanY and Xtina Superstar also provided entertainment for Heart's "Chapter 40" celebration.

Among Heart's guests were Karen Davila, Tim Yap, Janeena Chan, Mark Bautista, and Bea Alonzo. Designers, hair and makeup artists, stylists, and photographers also celebrated with her; spotted at the party were Rajo Laurel, Nix Alañon, BJ Pascual, Juan Sarte, Mickey See, Neric Beltran, and Ivar Aseron.



Happy 40th birthday, Heart!


Photos from @badangrueda 

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