This remake DLC builds on all the great aspects of FF7R but in a small package. The star is Yuffie who plays differently than any other character, she is the only one you can control and it’s more of a single player type of combat. As Yuffie the player must prioritize defense with timed blocks and dodging. She can throw her star and unleash ranged attacks that can be turned into any element, therefore she doesn’t really need attack spells as it’s built into her standard attacks.
Sonon is a new character who is also from Wutai and serves as your only teammate. Unlike the main game you cannot switch to him, instead you can activate synergy where he mimics your attacks and if you both fill your atb bars you can do combined abilities for big attacks. You of course have full control what what abilities and spells he does, it becomes important to manage when to use his ATB or save for synergy attacks. Also because there is no switching it allows you to focus fully on moving yuffie who has a perfect block if you time the block just as an attack comes. It’s a different kind of system but it works very well.
This expansion lasts about 5-6 hours if you do all the side content. It takes place in sector 5 and some new areas, nothing too expansive and all in Midgar. The first chapter has some side quests, the big one being a mini game of Fort Condor. I loved Fort Conor in the original and while this version is different it sort of captures the feel. This FC is a board game you play against many people in sector 5. It involves two teams with a base and you control a squad of pieces each with different stats and classes. You have a atb bar and can place these units on the board when you have enough atb to spend on it. Your deck, which units to send out and what spells you have all add to the strategy. At first these matches are rather simple, it’s not until hard mode where the depth of the game comes into play. It’s a fun mini game that follows in the tradition of the great FF mini games, it’s a shame it’s only for a small 5 hour expansion as I would have loved for something you build for an entire game.
That’s the main issue with the expansion, it’s so short and so many elements still act like you have a full game to explore. You will be able to buy many material and level them up. You can buy multitude of armors and accessories; there are three weapons that can be upgraded per character. The material levels up way too slow so it’s almost impossible to level any of the large ones up even if you play all of normal and hard. Most of the materia is useless when you have two very specialized characters. It feels like the stuck the FF7 leveling system into an expansion that didn’t really need it.
The story has the same style of the main game, very anime like but wears its heart on its sleeve. Like every character in Remake they totally nailed Yuffie. She has all the spunk and youthful playful attitude, she is a joy to watch. Sonon in contrast is the straight man but he defers to Yuffie even though she is just a kid. It’s a great relationship with an excellent payoff in the end.
Most of the regular battles against enemies are extremely easy and don't really let the combat shine. There is one great boss at the end of chapter 1 but it drags again at the start of chapter 2 before finally hitting a great streak of incredible back to back battles against cool bosses for the end. Hard mode is a good challenge and adds optional VR challenges, one being impossible. Also it adds the ultimate battle in the main game accessible in VR, this is that classic square super boss fight and it’s properly impossible. It’s great to have for the experts and makes the entire package worth it.
Intermission doesn’t break any new ground but it provides more of what most loved of the remake. The mini games and optional battles add enough replay value to push the hours close to 9-10 hours which is great for just $20. I recommend it for any FF7 fan.
Score: 8.5
Sonon is a new character who is also from Wutai and serves as your only teammate. Unlike the main game you cannot switch to him, instead you can activate synergy where he mimics your attacks and if you both fill your atb bars you can do combined abilities for big attacks. You of course have full control what what abilities and spells he does, it becomes important to manage when to use his ATB or save for synergy attacks. Also because there is no switching it allows you to focus fully on moving yuffie who has a perfect block if you time the block just as an attack comes. It’s a different kind of system but it works very well.
This expansion lasts about 5-6 hours if you do all the side content. It takes place in sector 5 and some new areas, nothing too expansive and all in Midgar. The first chapter has some side quests, the big one being a mini game of Fort Condor. I loved Fort Conor in the original and while this version is different it sort of captures the feel. This FC is a board game you play against many people in sector 5. It involves two teams with a base and you control a squad of pieces each with different stats and classes. You have a atb bar and can place these units on the board when you have enough atb to spend on it. Your deck, which units to send out and what spells you have all add to the strategy. At first these matches are rather simple, it’s not until hard mode where the depth of the game comes into play. It’s a fun mini game that follows in the tradition of the great FF mini games, it’s a shame it’s only for a small 5 hour expansion as I would have loved for something you build for an entire game.
That’s the main issue with the expansion, it’s so short and so many elements still act like you have a full game to explore. You will be able to buy many material and level them up. You can buy multitude of armors and accessories; there are three weapons that can be upgraded per character. The material levels up way too slow so it’s almost impossible to level any of the large ones up even if you play all of normal and hard. Most of the materia is useless when you have two very specialized characters. It feels like the stuck the FF7 leveling system into an expansion that didn’t really need it.
The story has the same style of the main game, very anime like but wears its heart on its sleeve. Like every character in Remake they totally nailed Yuffie. She has all the spunk and youthful playful attitude, she is a joy to watch. Sonon in contrast is the straight man but he defers to Yuffie even though she is just a kid. It’s a great relationship with an excellent payoff in the end.
Most of the regular battles against enemies are extremely easy and don't really let the combat shine. There is one great boss at the end of chapter 1 but it drags again at the start of chapter 2 before finally hitting a great streak of incredible back to back battles against cool bosses for the end. Hard mode is a good challenge and adds optional VR challenges, one being impossible. Also it adds the ultimate battle in the main game accessible in VR, this is that classic square super boss fight and it’s properly impossible. It’s great to have for the experts and makes the entire package worth it.
Intermission doesn’t break any new ground but it provides more of what most loved of the remake. The mini games and optional battles add enough replay value to push the hours close to 9-10 hours which is great for just $20. I recommend it for any FF7 fan.
Score: 8.5