Square Enix re-released the original Final Fantasy 7 on Steam today, replacing the 2013 Steam release the company announced last month. The new Steam build adds several modern conveniences but has landed with a wave of player complaints and a Steam rating of Mostly Negative.
The re-release ships with a set of optional systems intended to streamline and modernize the experience. Those options include a 3x Speed mode that speeds battles, travel, and select events, an option to turn off random encounter battles, a Battle Enhancement mode that lets characters recover HP and MP during battles and max out the Limit gauge, and an Autosave feature.
Coverage and player reports flagged the new speed feature as the largest problem. GamesRadar+ picked up multiple complaints, and players calling out the re-release on the Steam reviews used language such as “combat speed is completely broken” and “the FPS limit has been increased from 15 to 30, doubling the speed of fights and actions but without adapting the animations so the actions desyncs with the audio.” Other posts also reported issues with overlays, texture problems, and screen tearing.
Square Enix issued a same-day patch focused on the combat speed problem, and some reviewers have noted the developer’s prompt response. It remains unclear whether the fix will persuade enough players to reverse their reviews and return the overall rating to a more positive standing. For related background on platform builds, a separate report notes that the Switch 2 edition of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade uses the PS5 build rather than the older PS4 version.
If you have thoughts on the 3x Speed bug or the same-day patch, tell us what you think in the comments and follow for updates on fixes and reactions on X, Bluesky, YouTube, and Instagram.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Developed by Square Enix Creative Business Unit I
A modern reimagining of one of the most iconic games of all time, Final Fantasy VII Remake harnesses the very latest technology to recreate and expand Square Enix's legendary RPG adventure for the current generation. Set in a post-industrial fantasy world that has fallen under the control of the shadowy Shinra Electric Power Company, take on the role of Cloud Strife - a mercenary and former member of Shinra's elite Soldier unit - and team up with anti-Shinra organization Avalanche as they step-up their resistance.
- Genre: Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
- Modes: Single player
- Release: 2020-04-10
- Publisher: Square Enix
-
Age Rating:
GRAC 15+ / PEGI 16 / ESRB T / ACB M / USK 16 / CLASS_IND 14 / CERO C
- IGDB Rating: 88.0/100
