# TLDR Review: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (PS5)

*Published: 2026-03-15 | Updated: 2026-03-15 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/final-fantasy-vii-rebirth-(ps5)*

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## Product: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (PS5)
**Brand:** Square Enix

## Pros
- The story is a fantastic retelling and expansion of the original, with deeper lore and fresh multiverse concepts that enrich the classic JRPG narrative.
- Character development is emotionally engaging, with authentic personal struggles that add depth to major characters.
- The open-world design offers freedom to explore larger, more varied locations, including new traversal mechanics like grapple hooks and region-specific chocobo riding.
- Battle mechanics are strategic and dynamic, encouraging party switching with synergize abilities that reward diverse character use.
- The addition of a card game minigame stands out as one of the best Final Fantasy side activities since Blitzball in FF X.
- Strong, meaningful character interactions and dialogue improve immersion, especially with characters like Yuffie and Barret.
- The Amazon Exclusive Edition provides added collectible value, making it appealing to fans and newcomers alike.
- Music transitions smoothly and enhances the game's atmosphere without abrupt breaks.
- The game offers over 100 hours of engaging content blending familiar elements with fresh gameplay and story additions.
- The narrative includes exciting new story arcs, significant plot shifts, and higher stakes involving multiverse destruction, raising anticipation for the final installment.

## Cons
- Some gameplay sections feel frustrating, such as forced slow walking and a notably annoying Cait Sith segment.
- The tone occasionally slips into silliness or juvenile moments that detract from the otherwise mature narrative.
- Certain story areas are locked or covered by fog, limiting exploration and focusing gameplay on select zones, which can feel restrictive.
- Mandatory mini-games and some repetitive missions, particularly those requiring visiting every corner of the map, can cause boredom.
- The skill tree offers little meaningful customization since all skills must be activated eventually, reducing player agency.
- Installation can take longer than expected.
- Some players were disappointed that the promised PS5 controller skin was missing in the Amazon Exclusive Edition.
- Later parts of the story sometimes feel less impactful compared to the strong start.
- The relationship dialogue system is simpler than similar RPGs, with only one dating event, which may feel underdeveloped.

## Bottom Line

_Final Fantasy VII Rebirth - Exclusive Amazon Edition (PS5)_ is a stellar sequel that expands upon the beloved original with a rich story, deep character development, and an immersive open world full of new mechanics and activities. While a few pacing hiccups, repetitive missions, and minor annoyances like missing extras might hold some back, the overall experience is a must-play for fans of the series. If you’re looking for a JRPG with emotional depth, strategic combat, and extensive content, this edition delivers — just be sure to have played the first remake for full context.

If you want another excellent Final Fantasy experience with a focus on the same refined combat and story progression, keep an eye out for the upcoming final installment in the series.

## Pros vs Cons at a Glance

| Pros | Cons |
|------|------|
| The story is a fantastic retelling and expansion of the original, with deeper lore and fresh multiverse concepts that enrich the classic JRPG narrative. | Some gameplay sections feel frustrating, such as forced slow walking and a notably annoying Cait Sith segment. |
| Character development is emotionally engaging, with authentic personal struggles that add depth to major characters. | The tone occasionally slips into silliness or juvenile moments that detract from the otherwise mature narrative. |
| The open-world design offers freedom to explore larger, more varied locations, including new traversal mechanics like grapple hooks and region-specific chocobo riding. | Certain story areas are locked or covered by fog, limiting exploration and focusing gameplay on select zones, which can feel restrictive. |
| Battle mechanics are strategic and dynamic, encouraging party switching with synergize abilities that reward diverse character use. | Mandatory mini-games and some repetitive missions, particularly those requiring visiting every corner of the map, can cause boredom. |
| The addition of a card game minigame stands out as one of the best Final Fantasy side activities since Blitzball in FF X. | The skill tree offers little meaningful customization since all skills must be activated eventually, reducing player agency. |
| Strong, meaningful character interactions and dialogue improve immersion, especially with characters like Yuffie and Barret. | Installation can take longer than expected. |
| The Amazon Exclusive Edition provides added collectible value, making it appealing to fans and newcomers alike. | Some players were disappointed that the promised PS5 controller skin was missing in the Amazon Exclusive Edition. |
| Music transitions smoothly and enhances the game's atmosphere without abrupt breaks. | Later parts of the story sometimes feel less impactful compared to the strong start. |
| The game offers over 100 hours of engaging content blending familiar elements with fresh gameplay and story additions. | The relationship dialogue system is simpler than similar RPGs, with only one dating event, which may feel underdeveloped. |
| The narrative includes exciting new story arcs, significant plot shifts, and higher stakes involving multiverse destruction, raising anticipation for the final installment. |  |

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*About this review: We pulled together findings from professional and user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from thousands of retailers to give you the short version.*