FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE – Nintendo Switch 2 Review

The first instalment of the Final Fantasy VII Remake project has hit Nintendo Switch 2, allowing new and returning players to journey back into the reimagined Midgar on a handheld console for the first time ever. But how does one of the most technically adept games of the decade hold up on Switch 2? Very well, actually.

I’m an annoyingly rabid, foaming-at-the-mouth Final Fantasy fan. Whenever the topic of video games arises, I will always bring up Final Fantasy. Final Fantasy VII Remake is one of my favourite games of all time – a reimagined, heartfelt journey alongside some vastly impressive cinematics and technical achievements. I’ve played the game on PS4 Pro and PS5 Pro, and now it’s time to critique the game on the newest console to hit the market – the Nintendo Switch 2.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade features the original Final Fantasy VII Remake game released in 2020, as well as the DLC, INTERmission, which features Yuffie Kisagari as the main playable character. The story follows Cloud Strife, an ex-SOLDIER who joins forces with eco-terrorist group Avalanche, as they try to stop the Shinra Corporation from draining the planet’s life force.

If you don’t know, the FFVII Remake project has expanded the original 1997 release into a trilogy, expanding upon the story, its characters, and the beautiful landscapes of Midgar and beyond. The trilogy kicked off in 2020 with Final Fantasy VII Remake, with the second instalment, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, releasing in 2024. The third and final part is currently in development, but no official title has been announced as of writing.

Final Fantasy VII Remake is quite linear in its gameplay; there is very little room for exploration off the golden path, but the phenomenal storytelling, cast performances, and cinematic cutscenes more than shoulder that burden. There are, however, some minigames that are genuinely fun (some equally frustrating) that will allow for some decompression from the main story. The game ticks all of the boxes and showcases the technical achievements Square Enix is capable of.

The turn-based combat of the original 1997 release is swapped out with a hybrid combat style of real-time action and a flair of the turn-based combat that the series is known for. This combat is the best of the series, one that doesn’t feel too button-mashy because of the strategy needed around the use of skills and abilities.

The beefy nature of the graphics and performance does mean the Nintendo Switch 2’s battery life drastically reduces to ~2 hours. For this reason, most of my time spent with FFVII Remake Intergrade was in docked mode.

As a whole, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Nintendo Switch 2 is a grand package, one that has the convenience of portability and barely compromises on graphics and performance when compared to the PS5 version. It sits comfortably between the PS4 Pro version and the PS5 version of the game, optimised to make the best out of the Nintendo Switch 2’s capabilities.

This ambitious port is perfect for gamers looking for an entry point into the Final Fantasy series, with an easy-to-follow story, a fantastic cast of characters, and a dystopian world begging to be explored. Now is the best time to jump in with the second instalment in the FFVII Remake trilogy, Rebirth, coming to Nintendo Switch 2 later this year as well.