One FF7 Rebirth Region Shows That Bigger Isn't Always Better

features a rich variety of rewards for overcoming its many trials, but there's at least one situation where losing is actually the path to a powerful boon. It's not all that shocking that a complex RPG with shades of gray doesn't stick to a perfect good versus bad binary for progression, as letting the results of every encounter be predictable would take a lot of wind out of its sails. It is intriguing, however, when a gag prize opens up extraordinary possibilities for those willing to deal with a slight inconvenience in the process.

is an ambitious console and PC strategy game, especially coming from the solo developer known as Slavic Magic, and there's one element of its approach that sets it widely apart from the competition. The title joins 2024 games like,, and more in bringing the medieval period to life, proving that this particular era of the past hasn't lost any of its staying power in the collective imagination. That familiarity can make experiences without a unique angle get lost among the shuffle, but seems more than ready to rise to the challenge.

As 's direct successor, takes it upon itself to improve in a variety of areas where the previous game was lacking. did a largely admirable job of translating the first segment of the classic RPG to a modern format, but it also had its fair share of shortcomings that sometimes threatened to overwhelm its strong points. Since sustaining momentum throughout a trilogy is necessary for the remake project to fully succeed, failing to take some strides forward could easily lose the goodwill that the first game generated.

has a large variety of crops to grow for the authentic farm simulation experience, but the 1.6 update puts the spotlight on one choice in particular that can yield higher profits than ever before. With fruits, vegetables, flowers and more, there's plenty to grow all year round, and deciding how to optimize a high-performing farm can be difficult. As the game has grown in complexity over the years, the sense of overwhelming options has only increased, making knowing a few tips and tricks more essential than ever.

Shadowheart has been one of the most beloved characters since the game first hit early access, and a new cosplay brings her to life with a degree of detail that's truly worthy of her iconic status. As an acolyte of the dark goddess Shar, Shadowheart is a memorably conflicted Origin character and potential party member that can add a lot to any campaign. There's a lot of room for her to grow over the course of the game, whether moving toward the light or fully embracing Shar's grim teachings.

Getting to go on a date at the Gold Saucer is an exciting moment in , but this iconic event doesn't get to properly play out on the first trip to the amusement park. From a narrative standpoint, it's probably a good thing that Cloud's break time is interrupted, as the sequence running from Costa del Sol to the Gold Saucer has quite a lot of downtime for an intense plot. All the same, it's hard not to spend a lot of time wondering when there is another chance to go on a Gold Saucer date.

has all kinds of crucial interactions between characters peppered across the story, but there's one essential piece that can easily get passed over in a playthrough. As an expansion and modification of the original story, one of the main things that does with its vastly extended runtime is offer more memorable moments involving Cloud and his party. Although some can be minor or even questionable additions, others flesh out emotional beats and deep relationships in meaningful ways that help make the game a worthy successor.

offers a choice of swimsuits for Cloud, Tifa, and Aerith at Costa del Sol, and there's a reason to pay attention to the options at hand. Acquiring one vacation get-up for each character is a mandatory part of progression, as the beach doesn't allow anyone to step out onto the sands if they're not dressed for the part. Barret has this covered with his iconic sailor suit that he first dons in Junon, but for the others, this can be a somewhat more involved task.

Yuffie pops up several times throughout the earlier parts of , but she can't actually join the party until Costa del Sol, where the party is presented with a choice regarding the Materia-obsessed ninja. Here, she challenges Cloud to a fight to prove who should be the leader of the party, to which the mercenary can respond with either "" or " Unlike most decisions, this one can be a bit intimidating, as the implied possibility of failing to gain Yuffie as a party member could be disappointing.

Protorelic quests might not seem like critical content to play in , but there's one in particular that's well worth completing. As unique objectives that make up a part of the World Intel checklists found throughout the game, Protorelic quests task Cloud and company with tracking down pieces of ancient armor. Although this can lead to unlocking a powerful summon and gear late in the game, anyone uninterested in committing to the long haul could easily decide to ignore all the quests in favor of focusing on the main story.

Costa del Sol is home to a wide variety of minigames in , and there's no way to make it through the area without playing at least some of them. As a tropical beach getaway, it's not surprising that Costa del Sol has a lot to do, even if the original didn't pack as much into the area. As is the case with most side content, however, not every entertainment option in Costa del Sol is equal.

improves on in a lot of ways, but not every change made between the titles is a good one. As updates to one of the most iconic RPGs of all time, the remake games have a lot to live up to, and translating the strengths of the original games to a modern format comes with plenty of challengesWhile takes up this task to frequent success, it also has its fair share of pitfalls that are often different from the ones found in