Very mixed feelings. Though the heart of FF7 is imbued in the game, I feel like it’s missing the soul. Taking the introduction to a masterpiece and filling it with padded sequences, boring side quests and additional content that doesn’t live up to the original, ultimately makes this remake feel unnecessary. As a remake, it intends to flesh the world and characters out more, as a sequel, it intends to develop the story with a new twist, however it doesn't succeed too well at either.

None of the original cast feel any richer than their original counterparts, and whilst I appreciate the added context and new moments of fanservice, nothing satisfactory was accomplished. All new characters feel stale and uninspired, latched onto the story with no nuance, they feel like inserts used to bloat the runtime. Nothing new of substance is actually added, with all extended sections and side story content standing out like a sore thumb in a much greater narrative.

Though I admire the daring steps this game takes to deconstruct the original, with an attempt to achieve new story beats, the game has no climactic conclusion, and instead leaves me curious yet frustrated. Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed the last few chapters, and am looking forward to the future of the new story now that it is taking its own path, this game felt like filler, a waste of time that should have remained as a short introduction to a greater story. Combat is fire tho.