Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: A Year on PC and the Road to a Multi-Platform Future

TORONTO, January 23, 2026 – One year ago today, Square Enix’s critically lauded action RPG, *Final Fantasy VII Rebirth*, launched on PC, opening the second chapter of the iconic remake trilogy to a vast new audience. As the middle instalment of a planned three-game series, *Rebirth* successfully expanded the narrative beyond Midgar, delivering a vast, explorable world and refined combat that earned it numerous Game of the Year accolades. With versions for Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S confirmed for the future, the journey of Cloud Strife and AVALANCHE is poised to reach even more players.

An Epic Middle Chapter

*Final Fantasy VII Rebirth* continues the story directly after the events of 2020’s *Final Fantasy VII Remake*. The party—Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Aerith, and Red XIII—has escaped the dystopian metropolis of Midgar and embarks on a globe-trotting quest to pursue the vengeful Sephiroth. The narrative covers the story from leaving Midgar up to the Forgotten Capital, though creative director Tetsuya Nomura confirmed the order of events has been altered from the 1997 original. The game is designed as a standalone experience, accessible to newcomers while offering deep, surprising narrative developments for longtime fans.

Key Facts & Critical Reception

Evolved Gameplay and a Vast World

Where *Remake* was largely confined to the linear corridors of Midgar, *Rebirth* introduces a sprawling, open-ended overworld for players to explore. Transportation includes riding Chocobos across diverse regions like the Grasslands and Cosmo Canyon. The hybrid action-strategy combat system from the first game returns, enhanced with new “Synergy” abilities that allow party members to team up for powerful combination attacks. The game is also packed with side content, including numerous minigames at locations like the Gold Saucer.

The Path Forward for the Trilogy

Development on the third and final entry in the *Final Fantasy VII Remake* project is now fully underway. Director Naoki Hamaguchi has confirmed that the next game will allow players to freely travel the world map using the Highwind airship. The confirmation that the entire trilogy—including *Rebirth*—will come to Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S ensures players on all major platforms will have the opportunity to experience the complete story. Square Enix has stated the goal is to release these versions with ample time for players to catch up before the final chapter’s launch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to play the first *Remake* to enjoy *Rebirth*?

No. The developers have designed *Rebirth* as a standalone adventure with a story that new players can follow. However, playing *Final Fantasy VII Remake* first will provide deeper context for the characters and world.

Will my progress carry over between games?

While *Rebirth* does not directly import save data or character levels from *Remake*, players with save files from the previous game on their PlayStation console received bonus Summon Materia (Leviathan and Ramuh) as a reward.

When will *Rebirth* be available on Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox?

Square Enix announced the multi-platform expansion in September 2025 but has not provided a specific release date. The company stated the ports would be released “as soon as possible” to allow new players time to prepare for the trilogy’s conclusion.

What is included in the PC version?

The PC release on Steam and the Epic Games Store includes all content from the PlayStation 5 version, with added graphical settings, support for high frame rates, NVIDIA DLSS, and full compatibility with the Steam Deck. It is currently on sale, with the Standard Edition priced from approximately $49.99 CAD.