Final Fantasy VII Intergrade (Switch 2) Review – Portable, Powerful, Phenomenal

Final Fantasy VII Intergrade (Switch 2) Review

Originally released in 2020, with the Intergrade DLC following in 2021, Final Fantasy VII Remake is considered one of the best reimaginings of all time. An expansive retelling of the 1997 classic, the legendary tale follows Cloud as he takes on his fierce adversary, Sephiroth. While the sequel in the trilogy was released in 2024, the first title has only just shed its exclusive shackles and finally makes its way to the Switch 2. Can Final Fantasy VII Remake retain its ambition and impact on Nintendo’s hybrid console, or does the weight of Midgar prove too much?

For those new to the adventure, you play as Cloud Strife, a cynical and brash mercenary looking to use his battlefield skills to earn some quick cash. He is employed by the eco-terrorist group Avalanche to help eliminate the Shinra Electric Power Company. By draining the planet of Mako to generate electricity, Shinra has drawn the ire of Barret, an imposing and loud-mouthed gun expert who is willing to do anything to take the organisation down. Together with its iconic cast, you embark on an incredible, cinematic quest brimming with charm, character, and personality. In addition to the main campaign, Intergrade also includes Yuffie’s side story, INTERmission, further fleshing out the game’s deep and rich narrative.

The Art of Storytelling

Each chapter is wonderfully constructed, balancing epic action sequences, emotive drama and menial world-building activities to create a magnificent experience. The delightful ebb and flow of the tale quickly immerses you in the narrative and doesn’t let go until the credits roll. Open areas give you time to mingle, build bonds with the supporting cast and take part in a range of side activities, whereas linear segments amp up the intensity with insane cinematic battles. The meticulous placement of these sections fosters a well-paced adventure that rarely loses momentum or overstays its welcome.

Combat is a drastic change from the original and one of the most successful shifts in the Remake. Straying away from the traditional ATB system and combining it with real-time action, this dynamic approach to battles adds a modern twist to encounters. On one hand, you attack enemies in a hack-and-slash fashion; on the other, you initiate special attacks through a traditional menu to unleash devastating strikes. Due to this, you must juggle your actions and select the most suitable method of offense. Weapons possess special attacks, allowing you to tailor your character towards specific skills. Combining this with Materia, which allows you to change your magic abilities, results in a vast number of options, leading to deep and immersive battles.

With more options available, there are more enemies to tackle. Crowd control becomes important as you must work out who to take out first in order to protect your team. Larger attacks are accompanied by visual cues, allowing you to react and counter. Opponents also have weaknesses that you must exploit to quickly eliminate them on the battlefield. Switching between members of your party becomes vital as you can use their strengths to help overcome challenges.

The Power of the Switch 2

The Final Fantasy VII Remake is a beautiful game with huge cinematics and frantic action sequences. Although this is running on Nintendo’s latest tech, I was anxious whether the hybrid device would manage to run the blockbuster experience. To my surprise, the game runs flawlessly. The lighting, textures – everything looks great! While comparisons to the PS5 version may show slight downgrades in Cloud’s hair, etc, on the whole, it’s very impressive. Even though it is running at 30FPS, it’s solid and there are no noticeable drops, even when the screen gets busy. Throw in one of the greatest scores in the medium and the exceptional art direction, and together they help the game retain its sense of scale, atmosphere, and emotional weight despite the hardware differences

Those new to the experience don’t need to worry about this being a compromised version. While it runs at a lower FPS, the game remains remarkable overall and feels particularly special when played on the go. In handheld mode, it’s crisp and never struggles to deliver its high-octane gameplay. Whether you’re new to the game or returning for another playthrough, this is a great way to experience the epic.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on the Nintendo Switch 2 is a remarkable feat. Not only does the mammoth title run exceptionally well, but it also looks incredible. Compared to the PS5 version, the FPS is lower, however, there aren’t many other compromises to mention. Cloud’s epic adventure retains its cinematic punch, emotional weight, and exhilarating combat, making this one of the most impressive third-party showcases on Nintendo’s latest hardware.

***A Nintendo Switch 2 code provided by the publisher***