I want to start this post by saying that I liked the original FF VII. I don't love the OG FF VII, I'm not a super fan like many other people, but I like it. I don't want people to mistake my opinion of the Remake with nostalgia, because I played FF VII about two years ago on my Switch. Now, with that out of the way...
FF VII Remake is not great. It's too linear, the combat is frustrating and I would even call it boring unless you're fighting boss, and there is too much padding. When I went into the second reactor, the endless tunnels and corridors just never ended, it was too damn long. I liked some of the new content, like visiting Jessie's house, because it was actually interesting and it served a purpose to develop characters. Padding the game by adding never-ending corridors? No thanks, this is not the way. Sometimes it almost feels like playing FF XIII again and it's not a good thing. Combat wise, the ATB system feels too restrictive, but I don't like it for several reasons:
1. It's mostly a square/X button masher until you fill your ATB bar
2. Dodging is useless because there are no I-frames.
3. The ATB bar for AI companions takes way too long to fill
4. The AI in general is super dumb
5. Normal mobs are way too easy while most bosses are surprisingly hard, the balance here seems off.
6. One of the reasons why bosses are hard is because 90% of the time they target the character you're playing and they constantly stun you.
There is a lot to like in the Remake, mainly gorgeous graphics, amazing soundtrack, and fleshed-out characters like Jessie but I think that's it. I wish playing this game was more interesting. I'm on chapter 8 and I struggle to keep playing it. It kinda sucks because I waited a few years to finally be able to play it.
FF VII Remake is not great. It's too linear, the combat is frustrating and I would even call it boring unless you're fighting boss, and there is too much padding. When I went into the second reactor, the endless tunnels and corridors just never ended, it was too damn long. I liked some of the new content, like visiting Jessie's house, because it was actually interesting and it served a purpose to develop characters. Padding the game by adding never-ending corridors? No thanks, this is not the way. Sometimes it almost feels like playing FF XIII again and it's not a good thing. Combat wise, the ATB system feels too restrictive, but I don't like it for several reasons:
1. It's mostly a square/X button masher until you fill your ATB bar
2. Dodging is useless because there are no I-frames.
3. The ATB bar for AI companions takes way too long to fill
4. The AI in general is super dumb
5. Normal mobs are way too easy while most bosses are surprisingly hard, the balance here seems off.
6. One of the reasons why bosses are hard is because 90% of the time they target the character you're playing and they constantly stun you.
There is a lot to like in the Remake, mainly gorgeous graphics, amazing soundtrack, and fleshed-out characters like Jessie but I think that's it. I wish playing this game was more interesting. I'm on chapter 8 and I struggle to keep playing it. It kinda sucks because I waited a few years to finally be able to play it.