Ultimate Fantasy 7 — and by that, I imply the unique, not the three-part remake — is clocking up destructive evaluations after developer Sq. Enix re-released the sport on Steam with high quality of life enhancements that appear to have had the other 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 get well HP/MP throughout battles, and a useful autosave characteristic.
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 “fastened the velocity of sure scenes, together with battles,” and addressed different, unspecified “minor bug fixes.” What it did not deal with, nevertheless, is the compelled 4:3 decision, and whereas there’ll undoubtedly be gamers completely happy 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 totally, so gamers seeking to purchase Ultimate Fantasy 7 for the primary time will solely have this feature accessible — solely those that already owned the 2013 version are capable of change between the 2.
“The battle animation speeds are WAY too excessive, even with out the 3x velocity, so the sport simply performs mistaken and feels mistaken proper now. Hopefully, they repair this,” wrote one participant. “As well as, you look like locked right into a 4:3 show, which is smart as the unique format, and many individuals will desire to have it that method, however even the 2013 PC model has the flexibility to stretch it to full display (which is how I desire). This must be an choice.
“It’s totally onerous to suggest. Could I recommend that firms be sure that their re-releases at the least perform on a primary degree earlier than delisting their outdated variations?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 right down to ‘Principally Unfavorable,’ with simply 36% of gamers leaving constructive suggestions.
As for the remake? Ultimate Fantasy Remake Half 3 director Naoki Hamaguchi just lately mentioned the affect of increasing the platforms on which the Ultimate Fantasy 7 Remake sequence is offered, insisting that going multiplatform “is not going to in any method decrease the standard of the third instalment.“
“Each the Nintendo Change 2 and Xbox variations have been extremely nicely obtained and generated a number of buzz on-line,” Hamaguchi stated. “That spotlight has additionally made me understand how many individuals are fearful about this concern. Nevertheless, our choice to go multiplatform with the FF7 Remake sequence is not going to in any method decrease the standard of the third installment.”
We additionally just lately realized that the “core sport expertise is nearly full,” and whereas Hamaguchi “actually need[s] everybody to play it as quickly as doable,” the workforce has now moved on to “refining and sprucing.”
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, in addition to a critic, columnist, and advisor 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.