The original version of Final Fantasy VII was re-released on Steam with gameplay improvements, but the reception has been overwhelmingly negative, resulting in a “Mostly Negative” user rating with only 36% of reviews being positive.
New additions include a triple-speed mode, an option to disable random encounters, a battle enhancement mode that fills the Limit gauge and allows for HP/MP restoration during combat, and an auto-save feature. The re-release arrives as the gaming industry continues to revisit and update classic titles for modern platforms.
But, issues surfaced immediately upon release. Players have reported that the combat speed acceleration doesn’t align with the animation or menu speeds, and images exhibit a blurry appearance, including important cinematic cutscenes. A fixed 4:3 aspect ratio has also been enforced, despite the 2013 version allowing for full-screen resolution selection, drawing criticism from the gaming community.
This new version has completely replaced the 2013 release on Steam, making it the sole option for new buyers. Owners of the older version can only switch between the two.
Player feedback has criticized the speed of the visuals and the enforced aspect ratio, with many calling on developers to ensure remasters function properly before removing older versions. “I would have been happy playing the 2013 version with sunglasses if that’s what it took to look like this,” one user wrote sarcastically.
Meanwhile, the team working on the Remake project is continuing operate on the third installment of the series. Director Naoki Hamaguchi confirmed on February 25, 2026, that expanding to multiple platforms will not compromise the quality of the third part, and that the core experience of the game is nearing completion, with the current focus on polishing, and refinement.
