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For most new and returning players, the first two choices are combat style and difficulty. Combat style decides how much of each battle you control directly. Difficulty decides how hard enemies push back. Set those two first, then check the optional friction and cutscene controls. Version and platform details matter, because some options appear only in later updates and the menus differ between PS5 and PC.
Start with combat style: Active or Classic
Square Enix presents the two combat styles as different ways of playing, not as difficulty tiers. Neither is ranked as easier, so choose based on how you want to make decisions in battle.
| Style | What Square Enix says it does | Choose it if |
|---|---|---|
| Active | Gives players “total control over their characters’ every move, allowing them to execute advanced strategies.” | You want to direct each action yourself. |
| Classic | “Automates characters’ basic actions, giving players time to focus on specific command selection.” | You prefer choosing commands and want basic actions handled for you. |
Both descriptions come from Square Enix’s official preview of the game.
Choose a difficulty level
Square Enix describes three levels. The right one depends on whether battles are part of the experience you want.
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- Immerse yourself in the city of Midgar like never before, with improved textures, lighting, and background environments
- Players can switch between two game modes: o "Graphics Mode" prioritises 4K high-resolution graphics o "Performance Mode" prioritises smooth action at 60 frames per second
- Capture and share your memorable moments from the game with a fully customisable “Photo Mode”
- Players can enjoy immersive battles by using the DualSense PlayStation 5 controller with its haptic feedback integration
| Level | Official description | Suits players who |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | Lets you focus on the story rather than battles. | Mainly want to follow the narrative. |
| Normal | Presented as a reasonable challenge for most players. | Want a balanced default for a first playthrough. |
| Dynamic | Strengthens enemies as your characters grow. | Want the challenge to keep pace with their progress. |
Where to change difficulty
Square Enix’s support article “How do I change the game’s difficulty level?” gives this path:
- Open the menu from the chapter selection screen or the area map.
- Choose Options.
- Choose Game Settings, then adjust the difficulty.
Settings you can change before starting
Square Enix’s support article “Some settings cannot be changed before starting the game” lists three categories available before play begins:
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- System Settings
- Accessibility Settings
- Gameplay Focus
Detailed camera and controller layout settings are not in that pre-start list. Reach them through Config on the title screen, or through System on the main menu once you are in the game.
Accessibility Settings
The official support article confirms that an Accessibility Settings category exists before you start. It does not name the individual controls or explain what they do. Open the category and read each option on your own screen before relying on it. The contents may also differ between platforms, so do not assume a setting you read about applies to your version.
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Friction controls: Streamlined Progression
Streamlined Progression is a set of individually tailored options that reduce combat and inventory friction. Square Enix lists the following:
- Unlimited HP and MP.
- 9,999 damage in battles and minigames. This is a game setting effect, not a figure from an outside study.
- Maximum item counts, with some exceptions.
Each option can be toggled at any time from the in-game options menu. This feature arrived in a later update, so check that your game has it before searching for the options.
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- The Amazon Exclusive Edition includes a FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH PS5 controller skin (inside the case) featuring Cloud and Sephiroth. This PS5 controller skin provides full coverage without buttons or sensor interference.
- An Expansive World: As the party searches for Sephiroth, explore the beautiful, expansive regions of the world and open up new areas to discover through unique forms of transportation
- Deepen their relationships to unleash powerful team based combos
- An Evolved Battle System: Combine strategic thinking with thrilling action combat alongside your comrades, including newly added characters
- Beyond the Walls of Fate: In this standalone adventure for fans and newcomers, Cloud and his comrades venture across the planet, their fates unwritten, making each step outside the dystopian city of Midgar fresh and mysterious
Cutscene pace: fast-forward
Square Enix’s update history records a cutscene fast-forward option under version 1.060. It plays scenes at 1.5 or 2.0 times speed without skipping over them. It is a convenience setting, useful if you want to keep the story but move through dialogue faster.
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Square Enix’s update notice lists the following platform versions:
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- PS5: version 1.090
- Steam and Epic Games Store: version 1.005
Install the latest update for your platform before you rely on update-specific options. The update history page was last updated March 5, 2025, so later patches may have followed the versions listed here. Compare the version your platform shows against the notice rather than assuming the numbers above are current.
PC input and graphics are separate
Square Enix’s PC announcement confirms keyboard and mouse support. Controls can be customized separately for exploration, combat, and minigames. Graphics are handled in their own menu, with presets and individual settings. If you play on PC, decide input and graphics as two separate choices, and treat the PS5 menu paths above as PS5-only guidance.
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