You possibly can (not) re-do The story of Ultimate Fantasy VII has expanded properly past the bounds of the unique PlayStation RPG. By the spin-offs and the remake, the world of FF7 has change into expansive. However relatively than proceed to construct up, Ultimate Fantasy VII: Ever Disaster feels prefer it’s re-centering the lens on the unique story, albeit with just a few further touches of its personal. Ever Disaster is a single-player cellular RPG that’s billed as a little bit of a retelling of Ultimate Fantasy VII. It’s a chapter-structured RPG that can return over the occasions of the unique recreation, alongside Disaster Core and some new story components included from FF7 Remake author Kazushige Nojima.
Within the demo I performed as a part of Summer season Recreation Fest 2023, I went by the traditional intro to FF7. I obtained to see how precisely this performs out, and the place Ever Disaster adheres to—or differs from—its authentic textual content. It’s an fascinating means of re-experiencing this story, for each newcomers and outdated followers alike.
The planet’s dyin’, Cloud If you happen to’ve performed Ultimate Fantasy VII, both the unique or the remake, you keep in mind how the primary mission goes. Cloud, Barrett, and the crew infiltrate the Mako Reactor, arrange the explosives, battle a large robotic, and escape simply within the nick of time. It’s an awesome intro, and it nonetheless works in Ever Disaster. Picture through Sq. Enix
Ultimate Fantasy VII: Ever Disaster is ready to re-tell the unique FF7 story, however that doesn’t imply it isn’t taking some bits from newer variations. The in-game portraits are beautiful, including loads of character to the dialogue-heavy sections. And when you’re in battle, the usually PlayStation-style sprites flip into Remake-style fashions. It makes Ever Disaster really feel like a compilation, which I assume is sort of the purpose. The world of not simply Ultimate Fantasy, however Ultimate Fantasy VII particularly, is big at this level. To that finish, having a cellular RPG that permits you to re-experience the unique FF7 story in a barely abridged format looks like a good way to onboard new gamers.
Picture through Sq. Enix Cue the fanfare As for the precise battling, it feels finest summed up as stable, however nothing too concerned or fascinating. An ATB meter builds up over time, letting you execute instructions which have totally different ATB prices famous alongside a backside row.
In my demo, there was a stress between cashing in ATB for Braver or magic, or holding onto it in case I wanted some fast therapeutic. It’s an honest system, however not very in-depth. Possibly extra choices open up as extra characters are added and more durable enemies present up. However for these fights, it was fairly simple. Picture through Sq. Enix
And that actually leads into my higher questions on Ultimate Fantasy VII: Ever Disaster. Pre-registration is presently open, and the plan is to roll out the unique FF7 story. It’ll have in-app purchases, which seems to incorporate gacha components round weapons and costumes for characters. Any monetization component could make gamers cautious. I’m curious to see what it will appear like, and the way crucial these components will really feel within the closing recreation. I just lately obtained means into Honkai Star Rail at launch, for instance, however fell off because the content material roll-out began.
Picture through Sq. Enix A historical past of Fantasy Nonetheless, with Ultimate Fantasy VII Rebirth set for early 2024 and rising curiosity in Ultimate Fantasy normally, I like the thought of creating the unique FF7 simple to select up and play. It’s a core piece of this collection’ legacy, and although it’s already been ported to tons of platforms, this technique simply provides a brand new means of experiencing—or re-experiencing—the story. So Ultimate Fantasy VII: Ever Disaster may really feel like a re-tread, however a welcome one. What I’ve discovered from the demo is that you just actually don’t should twist my arm to get me to play extra Ultimate Fantasy VII. And in the event you’re in the same boat, Ever Disaster is perhaps price no less than a shot when it arrives for cellular.
Eric Van Allen
Senior Information Reporter – Whereas Eric’s been writing about video games since 2014, he is been enjoying them for lots longer. Often discovered grinding RPG battles, digging into an indie gem, or hanging out across the Limsa Aethryte.
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