Ultimate Fantasy 7 — and by that, I imply the unique, not the three-part remake — is clocking up unfavorable critiques after developer Sq. Enix re-released the sport on Steam with high quality of life enhancements that appear to have had the alternative supposed impact.
Introduced final month and launched simply yesterday (February 24), this up to date model of Ultimate Fantasy 7 comes with a handful of recent options, together with a 3x velocity mode — extra on that in a bit — the flexibility to show off random encounters, a “battle enhancement mode” that can max out the Restrict gauge and let gamers recuperate HP/MP throughout battles, and a useful autosave function.
Shortly after launch, although, it was clear there have been important points with the brand new version, not least the faster fight that does not match the velocity of the animations or menus, plus blurry textures, together with in its vital cinematic sequences.
Sq. Enix was on the case inside hours and launched a small replace simply a short time later, claiming it had “mounted the velocity of sure scenes, together with battles,” and addressed different, unspecified “minor bug fixes.” What it did not deal with, nonetheless, is the compelled 4:3 decision, and whereas there’ll undoubtedly be gamers comfortable to leap in and expertise the sport in its native decision, the 2013 version that this new model replaces did let you choose different resolutions, leaving some questioning why on earth this was modified.
The issue is compounded even additional given this new model of the sport replaces the 2013 Steam version on the Steam storefront fully, so gamers trying to purchase Ultimate Fantasy 7 for the primary time will solely have this selection accessible — solely those that already owned the 2013 version are in a position to swap between the 2.
“The battle animation speeds are WAY too excessive, even with out the 3x velocity, so the sport simply performs flawed and feels flawed proper now. Hopefully, they repair this,” wrote one participant. “As well as, you seem like locked right into a 4:3 show, which is sensible as the unique format, and many individuals will choose to have it that approach, however even the 2013 PC model has the flexibility to stretch it to full display (which is how I choose). This ought to be an possibility.
“It is very onerous to suggest. Could I counsel that corporations ensure their re-releases at the very least operate on a primary degree earlier than delisting their previous variations? That'[d] be nice,” added one other.
“I’d simply play the 2013 model with out glasses on if I wished the sport to seem like this,” quipped another person.
All in all, the problems have introduced the sport’s general Steam consumer score all the way down to ‘Largely Unfavorable,’ with simply 36% of gamers leaving constructive suggestions.
As for the remake? Ultimate Fantasy Remake Half 3 director Naoki Hamaguchi not too long ago mentioned the impression of increasing the platforms on which the Ultimate Fantasy 7 Remake sequence is out there, insisting that going multiplatform “won’t in any approach decrease the standard of the third instalment.“
“Each the Nintendo Swap 2 and Xbox variations have been extremely effectively obtained and generated lots of buzz on-line,” Hamaguchi mentioned. “That spotlight has additionally made me notice how many individuals are apprehensive about this subject. Nonetheless, our determination to go multiplatform with the FF7 Remake sequence won’t in any approach decrease the standard of the third installment.”
We additionally not too long ago discovered that the “core sport expertise is sort of full,” and whereas Hamaguchi “actually need[s] everybody to play it as quickly as potential,” the staff has now moved on to “refining and sprucing.”
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, in addition to a critic, columnist, and guide with 15+ years expertise working with among the world’s largest gaming websites and publications. She’s additionally a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually Excessive Chaos. Discover her at BlueSky.