ReviewPaul RobertsFebruary 06, 2026Maxi Geek Review, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Switch 2, Square EnixComment

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade - Switch 2 - Review

ReviewPaul RobertsFebruary 06, 2026Maxi Geek Review, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Switch 2, Square EnixComment

Final Fantasy VII is a franchise unto itself these days. Over 30 years it has filled the world with numerous spin offs, a movie (including directors cut), and now more recently it has been reborn, or Remade. Final Fantasy VII Remake itself is nearing six years old, but never appeared on any consoles other than the PS4 (it also made it to PC). It was followed by a further update in the form of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade for the PS5. This is only just now seeing the light of day on other platforms, most importantly on the Switch 2.

Full disclosure, I’ve never fully played through the original FF VII. But over those 30 years I have absorbed the story and characters across different mediums, spin-offs and of course Kingdom Hearts. It is a game that helped shape the future of RPGs. While I have played some of the original Final Fantasy VII Remake on the PS4, I was keen to play it on the Switch 2, where I could easily put in the hours on the versatile handheld.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is only the first of a trilogy, with this first game covering Cloud and crew’s adventures in Midgar. Previously this portion of the game only made up the initial hours, which makes it an even bigger feat that SquareEnix has managed to make this entree enough to fill an entire game! If you haven’t experienced Final Fantasy VII in some form until now, the story begins with a mysterious merc with a mysterious past, a former soldier (or SOLDIER) named Cloud Strife. The epic adventure starts with a paid gig to help eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE seeking to shut down one of the Mega Corporation, Shinra’s Mako Reactors. Essentially they want to sabotage big corp from their evil mana/life harvesting and harming the planet. After plans go awry Cloud gets caught up further in helping out the rag tag organisation. He meets Aerith and learns to be less of a distant cold customer as he helps out the community in the city’s slum. And that’s not all, an also mysterious figure from Cloud’s mysterious past, Sephiroth, haunts Cloud and serves as an obstacle and all round meanie. Trying to retell a story here that is known for its more serious or bombastic moments, it’s nice to see that the game is thoroughly fun and silly too.

The original Final Fantasy VII is very much a turn based RPG, while FFVIIR leans into Final Fantasy’s evolution into an Action RPG. Cloud (or other party members) can put the hurt on enemies with attacks. As you fight, you build Active Time Battle bars that allow you to slow the action right down and bust a more powerful move, or unleash some magic. The combat feels good, and helps keep you engaged through your extended stay in Midgar.

There are two main options to help you tailor your experience to either enjoy the modern “Active” FF combat style, or if you want something a bit more traditional “Classic” feeling. Active feels like the best way to really enjoy the action as you beat up Midgar’s soldiers and beasts. Classic is a cool middle ground, allowing you to focus on the Commands, while the game automates movement and attacks.

This version also includes the Intergrade content INTERmission, focusing on FFVII optional character Yuffie during the events of the main FFVIIR story. Not only is it meant to serve as a bridge to Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, but it’s also a solid addition to the game. It easily adds another 7-10 hours on top of the 45+ hours to enjoy the main game. Yuffie’s addition builds further on the combat in the main story, also serving as a glimpse of the combat for FFVII Rebirth. When you’re really getting into the mix of melee and ranged, it risks making the main games combat feel slower in retrospect.

It was a bold move to fill a whole game with such a previously short portion of the original. It very much pays off given the success the game has seen since 2020. It might be different if this wasn’t a remake and we weren’t aware how much of the original this is reimagining, but it’s hard not to feel the game strains just a little at squeezing the most out of Midgar. To its benefit, it allows the characters and the story much more room to breathe in the lead up to the rest of the remake trilogy.

This Switch 2 version has additional features to help make your many hours a bit more customisable. You can adjust your HP and MP to stay full, as well as more exp and faster weapon ability unlocks. I’m never going to turn my nose up at more options to ensure more people can enjoy the game. Whether you want to enjoy the story and action or just want a faster play through, you can adjust to what will make it more fun for you.

FFVIIR already looked amazing, but since the original game mainline Final Fantasy games have continued to push to look better and better. Even with visually impressive games like Cyberpunk 2077 already on the Switch 2, it’s still easy to be wowed that this previously PS5 exclusive version has made it over to this handheld/console hybrid as it has. While it is obviously not 1:1 to the PS5 version, it feels like it compromises very little and keeps to a pretty consistent framerate.

Final Fantasy has had great music, memorable themes and jingles, so it’s no surprise that FFVIIRI is an audible delight. If it’s not the music that plays throughout, you can also hear different songs at different locations that you can purchase to listen to. I did find myself stopping by music players to listen to the tune playing, even if I heard it however many times running by. A lot of the game is voiced, with a pretty good English cast. Fans of the original may be disappointed that it is an all new cast. However, there is of course the option to enjoy a lot of the original FFVII Japanese voice cast if you prefer.

If there is any real gripe I have, it is that the sequel Final Fantasy VII Rebirth isn’t available on the Switch 2 already. I know it’s likely a matter of time, but it would still be nice. If you’ve been waiting to play Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on a handheld, or any Nintendo console, then you needn’t wait any longer. If you’ve ever been curious about the original and all it’s spawned, it’s also a worthwhile purchase. This is a good game and any Action RPG fans should buy it.