Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is one of 2024’s most hyped games. Considering there are plenty of heavy hitters still to come, it’s just a great time to be a gamer. Heck, some of the recent releases have not even been out for a month, and people have already finished them. Case in point, it got its release in February, and we’ve already got the best S-tier Build for Helldivers 2’s endgame.
And, now, with the Final Fantasy 7 reimagining’s second installment ready to drop, we felt it proper to prime ourselves. With that in mind, let’s kick off our list of games to play before it arrives.
Which Games Should You Play Before Final Fantasy VII Rebirth?
Honestly, there are a ton of games that’ll scratch the JRPG itch you’re feeling before Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. But we’re narrowing down the selection to 7 plus an honorable mention so you don’t lose too many hours of your life. You’re welcome~ Now let’s see which ones we’ve got for you.
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age (Honorable Mention)
What better way to fire up the list of games to play before Final Fantasy VII Rebirth comes out than with a Final Fantasy game, right? Specifically, we’re gonna gush about Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age. It’s one of the most highly underrated mainline Final Fantasy games ever. Also, it’s the blueprint for the active time battle that the remakes are adopting.
The grand scope of the world in Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age, the level designs, and the depth of exploration are sublime. Each dungeon feels well planned out, and the combat encounters are thrilling. The character management feels so bloody unique, giving weightage to how you develop every companion through its gambit system.
When you mix all of the originality that Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age brings with the fantastic voice-acting, it’s just hard to ignore. Seriously, we can go on and on about how great Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is. So, if you’re looking for something as groundbreaking as Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will be, this is a must-play.
[7/7]
.hack//G.U. Last Recode – Trilogy Blueprint For Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
And we’re officially underway with our list of games to play before Final Fantasy VII is out, and the first one is .hack//G.U. Last Recode. Okay, that name could use some work, we’ll admit, but don’t let that stop you from checking out this diamond among gems. We’re not kidding; this isn’t one game but a trilogy! Considering the remakes of the Final Fantasy 7 are gonna be a trilogy, too, we thought it appropriate.
The story in .hack//G.U. Last Recode connects from the first game to the next; the order of playing is Rebirth, Reminisce, and Redemption. Your character’s progress carries over, including the protagonist’s level and gear. The setting of .hack//G.U. Last Recode is as anime as it can be, with an MMO backdrop. Don’t worry; nobody’s stuck (mostly); you can even log out and check emails with your companions, too. It’s a neat touch.
Aside from the addictive combat that’s the perfect balance of challenge and accessibility, .hack//G.U. Last Recode also has dope soundtracks. Every single one has its mystifying aura and beat that’ll fully immerse you into the world. The overpoweredness of Haseo, the protagonist, who later on gains the moniker of ‘the shadow of death’ and his struggles to get there, and even his drive for vengeance are parallels to Cloud’s Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
[6/7]
Nier Automata
The thing about Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is that the story is so massive and iconic, plus it’s taking new directions to keep players guessing. If there’s one game that wrote the book on this formula, it’s Nier Automata. No joke, Nier Automata draws you in with its premise (and 2B’s fan servicey body and attire, let’s not kid ourselves). But then, the game will leave you a mess with its several plot twists.
The more you play, the more layers of the story will reveal new perspectives, and you’ll question who’s the real villain of the story. That’s the genius of Mr. Yoko Taro, the eccentric creator of the Nier Automata. The rapid-paced hack-and-slash style of combat is gonna keep you glued to your screen. You’ll also enjoy the nifty little secrets that are hiding in the desolate world of Nier Automata. Nothing is without purpose in the game.
The sudden change of gameplay styles in Nier Automata from platforming to bizarre text-based adventures and even dungeon-crawling bullet hell-esque format catch players off-guard in the most pleasant way possible. This trait of Nier Automata is more or less in line with the silliness of mini-games and side missions that’ll sneak onto Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
[5/7]
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen
Next up, we’ve got arguably the most unique RPG on today’s list. Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is the perfect showcase of game developer Hideaki Itsuno’s ambition. If you don’t know, he’s the brains behind the iconic Devil May Cry games. So, yeah, when a fantasy RPG was announced, we were intrigued. After playing Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen, much like we’ll be with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, we fell in love with it.
The sheer depth of gameplay in Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is criminally underrated. Whether you’re facing off against hordes of rogue mercenaries, goblin hordes, or braving monstrous abominations, there’s never a dull moment. Seriously, the boss designs in Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen are next level, giving them an intimidating look and presence. There are tons of secrets to discover, missions to complete, and NPCs to woo in the game.
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen also has a highly original premise to hook you. Get this: the protagonist, the Arisen, needs to get their heart back after a talking dragon tore it from their chest and swallowed it. Oh, and because of this quest, the Arisen is assisted by NPC companions, the pawns. They’re awesome and get you out of sticky situations. So, yeah, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth can look to Dragon’s Dogma Dark Arisen for inspiration.
[4/7]
Final Fantasy VII Remake – The Prequel To Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Oh boy, you knew this was going, right? Let’s face it: the remake trend is getting more and more commonplace in the gaming industry. But it was the buzz around Final Fantasy VII Remake that kickstarted this movement. It’s the reason we’re getting Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and the next one after that, too. Final Fantasy VII Remake and the upcoming sequel are taking a new direction with the story in comparison to the original.
You’ll see plenty of story beats remaining intact, but some things will change; now it’s a question of finding out what that is. It won’t dampen the popularity in any way, though, and the proof is that there are rumors of Final Fantasy VII’s Cloud and Tifa guest starring in Tekken 8. Simply put, if you wanna know the whole saga and understand the full narrative before diving into the second game, you gotta play Final Fantasy VII Remake.
Final Fantasy VII Remake is the base foundation that you’ll need to familiarize yourself with to grasp the scope of the story. You’ll also get more mileage out of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth that way. The graphics are all upscaled, the action is intense, and the antagonist, Sephiroth, is more menacing than ever. Plus, you can just take the time to soak in everything before the rush of excitement of the new entry hits you in the face.
[3/7]
Final Fantasy XVI
If you’re looking for a Final Fantasy protagonist who’s not as hesitant to embrace his happiness, then presenting Clive Rosfield. He’s the hero of Final Fantasy XVI, the latest mainline installment in the series until Final Fantasy Rebirth comes out. The story of Final Fantasy XVI is for mature players who want something more gritty in their Final Fantasy experience. It’s also something more in the fantasy realm than the sci-fi of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
Circling back to the protagonist of Final Fantasy XVI, Clive is just so different that it’s refreshing to see a hero like him. The man just exudes confidence and poise, is ruggedly handsome, and packs quite a wallop, too. The romance between him and his beloved Jill is handled tastefully; take notes, Cloud and Tifa/Aerith shippers! As for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth gameplay, the turn-based system is designed for a more refined active battle system.
The spectacle of seeing the different abilities and magical attacks in action in Final Fantasy XVI is a treat. The story of political intrigue and unexpected twists will keep you on the edge of your seat. Final Fantasy XVI is the perfect contrast to Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, both games play to their strengths and offer hugely satisfying experiences to players. Final Fantasy XVI’s musical score is so epic it won the prize in the 2023 Game Awards.
[2/7]
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Alright, so we know The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt isn’t exactly a JRPG, but hear us out. We never said we’re only including all JRPGS. Besides, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is still the standard bearer for RPGs in general. Let’s just say Final Fantasy VII Rebirth has pretty big shoes to fill. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has a spectacularly complex morality system; the lines blur between right and wrong. The intricate side quests tie into the story organically.
Combat in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is more visceral and tactical at the same time. You need to mind your surroundings, make the necessary preparations, especially for big monster hunts, and always be wary of ambushes. The writing and dialogue in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is another major strong point of the game. The well-roundedness and stoic persona of Geralt, the titular protagonist, works so well with the supporting cast.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is shaping up to be a phenomenal game from all the previews and early impressions we’ve got of the game. Elements from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt should be present in it to give that additional layer of refinement. But, yeah, for us gamers, whether it’s a step up or a case of underdelivering from Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, we can always fall back on The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt for a good time.
[1/7]
Granblue Fantasy: Relink
Finally, we’re gonna cap off today’s list of games to play before Final Fantasy VII Rebirth with the latest RPG hit, Granblue Fantasy: Relink. We’re not gonna lie; this game took us by surprise. Granblue Fantasy: Relink has no business being so good, and yet here we are. The core gameplay just feels so satisfying where you team up with your buddies in co-op or go solo if you prefer. You explore vast locations, some of which are floating islands!
The roster of characters is seriously impressive, even if most are archetypes from an anime setting. Their unique abilities and classes make the experimentation process highly enjoyable. Plus, the character motivations and quests do offer plenty to do in such an expansive setting; it’s not empty filler. The boss enemies require you to carefully switch your tactics and chip away at their health bar. There’s a sort of Monster Huntery vibe to it.
Overall, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is the kind of game that’s more upbeat and enthusiastic in its aesthetic and tone. Compare that to the grim and grounded look of Midgar in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth; it’s an interesting contrast. The vibes and story beats in both games feel different but also kinda similar, too. Honestly, we’re having a blast with Granblue Fantasy: Relink, so give it a go. It’ll help make the wait easier.
Final Thoughts
Well, that’s gonna do it for today. Our list of exciting games to play before getting your hands on Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is done and dusted. So, what are your thoughts on the selection for today? Think we’re missing out on a couple of your favourites? Tell us about it in the comments below.
If you wanna get more hyped for this year’s releases, take a gander at our 2024’s top 5 upcoming survival games. It’s a fun little read, so check it out. Alright, until next time, happy gaming!
