FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE — An Evolved RPG Epic rebuilds the Midgar portion of the 1997 RPG as a modern action RPG. Ex-SOLDIER Cloud Strife joins an AVALANCHE operation and becomes entangled in the struggle against the Shinra Electric Power Company, which controls the city through its use of mako energy.
This is not a remake of the original game from beginning to end. It expands the Midgar storyline with longer character interactions, additional views of daily life, and detailed environments that establish how Shinra shapes the city.
The Steam version was released on June 17, 2022.
Game Overview
Play alternates between exploration, conversations, story scenes, and combat. Progress is divided into chapters rather than structured as an open world where every region can be visited in any order.
This linear approach gives the game tight control over pacing and presentation, but it also means exploration is secondary to the story.
Cloud is not the only playable fighter. Depending on the chapter, the player can switch among party members such as Barret, Tifa, and Aerith.
Their roles differ considerably: some specialize in melee pressure, while others handle ranged targets, rapid attacks, magic, or support. The game explains its central conflict to newcomers, although players familiar with the original can also examine how familiar events have been altered or reinterpreted.
How Combat Works
Basic attacks, blocking, and dodging happen in real time. These actions help fill ATB gauges, which are spent on abilities, spells, and items.
Selecting a command makes it easier to assess the battlefield, so success depends on tactical decisions as well as fast reactions.
A typical encounter involves identifying weaknesses, applying pressure, and forcing an enemy into a staggered state for increased damage. Party members act on their own, but regularly switching characters helps build ATB and use each specialist at the right moment.
Players who prefer controlling only one hero may find this demanding, while those who enjoy coordinating a full party gain more tactical options.
Materia changes the magic and support effects available to each character, and weapons have their own progression paths. New equipment is therefore not simply a sequence of automatic upgrades; weapon traits, learned abilities, elemental coverage, and healing options all matter.
Entering a difficult fight without checking materia can be far more punishing than imperfect execution during the fight itself.
What the Yuffie Episode Adds
INTERGRADE includes FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, a separate story starring Yuffie Kisaragi. It is not a replacement campaign that puts Yuffie into Cloud's role.
Instead, it follows Yuffie and Sonon during events occurring alongside the main Midgar story as they attempt to steal powerful materia from Shinra.
Yuffie can fight at close range and throw her shuriken to engage distant targets, giving her a distinct rhythm. Her coordination with Sonon also differs from the party switching used in the main campaign.
New players will generally get more context by completing Cloud's story before starting this episode.
PC Requirements
The minimum specification lists 64-bit Windows 10, an AMD FX-8350 or Intel Core i5-3330, and 8GB of RAM. GPU options include the Radeon RX 480 and GeForce GTX 780, with 3GB of VRAM required.
DirectX 12 is necessary, and these requirements assume a resolution of 1920×1080 without defining a particular frame-rate or quality target.
The recommended specification lists a Ryzen 3 3100 or Core i7-3770, 12GB of RAM, and either a Radeon RX 5700 or GeForce GTX 1080. It requires 8GB of VRAM and assumes 2560×1440.
The game supports a maximum resolution of 3840×2160, but 4K performance should be judged separately according to the installed GPU and desired frame rate.
Installation requires 100GB of available storage. Leaving additional free space is sensible for updates and other system activity instead of filling a drive to its limit.
The jump from 3GB of VRAM at minimum to 8GB at recommended is especially important for players targeting higher resolutions, so GPU memory should not be overlooked when checking compatibility.
Reception and Player Expectations
The Steam release has maintained a broadly positive reception over time. Its blend of real-time action and command selection, detailed depiction of Midgar, expanded character scenes, and included Yuffie chapter are central parts of its appeal.
Returning players also have the additional pleasure of comparing the remake's choices with the original game.
The limited scope is the most important source of mismatched expectations. This release does not contain the complete original story, and its chapter-based structure includes substantial dialogue and story-focused detours.
Players seeking an open-ended world or uninterrupted action may find its pacing restrictive.
Who Should Play It
This edition suits players who want to revisit the Midgar story with expanded character development and modern presentation. It is also a strong match for anyone who enjoys action combat built around weaknesses, ATB management, materia setups, and distinct party roles.
A linear structure is less of a drawback if cinematic storytelling and character interaction are the main attraction.
It can serve as an entry point for people who have never played the original. Some imagery and story implications are easier to interpret with prior knowledge, but the immediate journey of Cloud and AVALANCHE remains understandable on its own.
Newcomers do not need to identify every reference during a first playthrough.
Caveats and Who May Not Enjoy It
The main caveat is that the story focuses on Midgar and does not reach the original game's ending. Anyone expecting the entire classic to be remade within one purchase should adjust that expectation.
Willingness to follow a multi-part project is therefore an important part of the decision.
It may also be a poor fit for players who prioritize unrestricted exploration, brief dialogue, or constant action. Ignoring character switching and materia preparation can make battles feel slower while concealing much of their tactical depth.
Before installing, check the 100GB storage requirement, DirectX 12 support, and the available VRAM in addition to the CPU and GPU models.
