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Crisis Core – Final Fantasy VII – Reunion is Zack Fair’s prequel; Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is the first chapter of a three-game reimagining of the 1997 Final Fantasy VII; and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is its second chapter. They are connected, but they are not three remakes of the same story. Square Enix has announced the final chapter, Final Fantasy VII Revelation, for Spring 2027. If you are new to the series, you can start with Remake Intergrade. Playing the 1997 original first is the better choice if preserving its story surprises matters most.
At a glance
| Game | What it is | Whose story is central? | Story coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crisis Core – Final Fantasy VII – Reunion | 2022 remaster of a 2007 PSP prequel | Zack Fair | Events before Final Fantasy VII, including Zack’s time in SOLDIER and the Nibelheim incident |
| Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade | Part one of the Remake series; includes the Yuffie-focused Episode INTERmission | Cloud Strife | The Midgar opening of the 1997 game, expanded and redirected |
| Final Fantasy VII Rebirth | Part two of the Remake series | Cloud and his companions | The journey beyond Midgar, through the Forgotten Capital |
| Final Fantasy VII Revelation | Announced final chapter; not yet playable | Cloud and his companions | The concluding chapter, scheduled for Spring 2027 |
How are Remake, Rebirth, and Crisis Core connected?
Remake Intergrade and Rebirth are the first two installments of Square Enix’s official three-part Remake series. Crisis Core Reunion is a separate prequel about Zack, whose past becomes important to both the original game and the new series. It is not Remake series part three.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallThe simplest way to understand the relationship is to separate the earlier continuity from the newer reimagining. The 1997 game tells Cloud’s journey in its original form. The Remake series revisits that story, but introduces changes that make its relationship to the original more complicated than a scene-for-scene remake. Crisis Core Reunion retells Zack’s prequel story from the earlier continuity; the Remake games then use Zack and the events of that prequel in new ways.
That distinction matters because Remake Intergrade does not simply cover the first portion of the original and stop. It expands Midgar into a full-length game, then changes the story’s direction. Rebirth continues from that changed ending rather than restarting the 1997 plot.
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Is Final Fantasy VII Remake a remake or a sequel?
It is officially part of the Final Fantasy VII Remake Series, but it is not a faithful, scene-by-scene remake. The first game begins with Cloud and the Avalanche resistance fighting Shinra in Midgar, as the original does, but eventually introduces a conflict over whether events must follow their established course.
In Remake Intergrade, the Whispers appear as forces that enforce fate. The party confronts them and leaves Midgar after breaking their hold. This changes what the next game can do: Rebirth is not bound to repeat every event in the 1997 game in the same order or manner.
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Where does Remake stop, and where does Rebirth begin?
Remake Intergrade ends as Cloud, Tifa, Barret, Aerith, and Red XIII leave Midgar. Rebirth starts after that departure and follows the party across the Planet, ending its story at the Forgotten Capital, also known as the City of the Ancients.
Within Midgar, Cloud works as a mercenary for Avalanche, which is fighting Shinra’s exploitation of mako energy. The game takes the original’s opening city storyline and builds it out, adding missions, character development, and the Whispers plot. Episode INTERmission, included with Intergrade, follows Yuffie and Sonon during the same general period.
Beyond Midgar, Rebirth opens up the journey. It includes an overworld, chocobo travel, more locations, and a larger party. Yuffie, introduced in the INTERmission episode, is part of the main story. Cait Sith joins the group, while Cid Highwind and Vincent Valentine accompany the party but are not playable characters in this installment. Creative director Tetsuya Nomura confirmed that the game reaches the Forgotten Capital and cautioned that the sequence of events would differ from the original.
The games also have distinct combat and progression. Remake and Rebirth combine real-time attacks with ATB commands, materia, and party switching; Rebirth adds Synergized attacks and more open-ended exploration. Hamaguchi said there is no carry-over of growth parameters or abilities from Remake into Rebirth. A save bonus is not the same thing as transferring a built character.
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What does Crisis Core Reunion add to the story?
Crisis Core Reunion stars Zack Fair, a SOLDIER 1st Class whose story takes place before Cloud’s main journey. It is a modern remaster of the 2007 PSP game, rebuilt in Unreal Engine 4 with quality-of-life improvements and presentation brought closer to Remake.
Zack’s story fills in background that the original game only reveals in fragments. He is mentored by Angeal Hewley, inherits the Buster Sword as a symbol of honor, and encounters the first generation of SOLDIER—Sephiroth, Genesis, and Angeal—whose past is tied to Shinra’s experiments. A mission in Nibelheim leads to Sephiroth’s break with his former life. Zack’s relationship with Aerith and his connection to Cloud also give emotional context to people and objects that matter later.
The prequel ends with Zack’s last stand against Shinra after he escapes Hojo’s experiments with Cloud. That ending is part of why Zack matters so much to the Remake story. Reunion still tells the prequel’s version of his death, while Remake and Rebirth show a world in which he appears to have survived. Zack’s fate is therefore a key to the new series’ mystery, not a reason to treat Reunion as a replacement for either main game.
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What is Intergrade?
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is the current edition of the first Remake installment. It includes the enhanced version of Remake and Episode INTERmission, a Yuffie-led story that takes place alongside Cloud’s Midgar campaign. It is the first chapter, not a separate sequel or an alternate telling of all of Final Fantasy VII.
Square Enix’s 2026 catch-up materials also describe a Streamlined Progression option for Intergrade and Rebirth: unlimited HP and MP, an always-full ATB gauge, and easier weapon-ability acquisition. These settings can reduce combat friction, but they are optional; players who want the standard progression can choose not to use them.
What order should you play the FF7 games in?
There is no single required order. Choose based on whether you care most about an easy entry point, preserving the original’s surprises, or following events chronologically.
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For the clearest start with the new games
- Play Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, including Episode INTERmission.
- Continue with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
- Play Final Fantasy VII Revelation when it launches.
This is the most straightforward route if you are interested in the games named in this explainer and do not want to add older entries first. You can play Crisis Core Reunion later if Zack’s history interests you.
For the best chance of preserving the original’s twists
- Play the 1997 Final Fantasy VII, available in modern ports.
- Play Crisis Core Reunion if you want Zack’s story in full.
- Play Remake Intergrade, then Rebirth, then Revelation.
The original comes first because Crisis Core reveals backstory that the 1997 game deliberately treats as a mystery. Knowing the original also gives the Remake series’ departures more context.
For chronological story order
- Play Crisis Core Reunion.
- Play the 1997 Final Fantasy VII.
- Play Remake Intergrade, Rebirth, and, once available, Revelation.
- Optionally continue with Dirge of Cerberus, a later story centered on Vincent Valentine.
This order follows the broad chronology, but it sacrifices surprises in the 1997 game. It also does not mean the Remake trilogy simply replaces the original: the relationship between the story layers is part of what the new games explore.
For a modern-only, limited-time route
Play Remake Intergrade and then Rebirth. You can leave Crisis Core Reunion for later, or skip it if you already know Zack’s key history from the original and are not seeking a more detailed account. You do not need to play Before Crisis, The First Soldier, or a mobile compilation to understand the main path.
Does Crisis Core spoil Remake or Rebirth?
It can spoil important background that the original game—and the Remake series—may present as a mystery. Crisis Core shows more of Zack’s history, the Nibelheim incident, and the events surrounding Cloud before the start of his Midgar journey. If you want those reveals to land in the order intended by the original game, play that game first.
On the other hand, Rebirth gives Zack’s story new relevance by showing worlds where his fate differs. Playing Reunion first makes the contrast clearer, but it also means you know more about Zack before the Remake games choose to disclose it. There is no spoiler-free order that is best for every player; the decision is whether you prefer context up front or discovery in the original’s sequence.
What is known about Final Fantasy VII Revelation?
Final Fantasy VII Revelation is the announced final chapter of the Remake series, with an official launch window of Spring 2027. Square Enix has announced simultaneous releases for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, including Steam, Epic Games Store, and Xbox PC. No PlayStation 4 version has been announced.
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The official synopsis puts Cloud and his companions on the Highwind as they pursue Sephiroth and try to stop Meteor. Square Enix has described free exploration from the airship, parachute drops, the series’ hybrid action and Tactical Mode combat, and new playable roles for Vincent and Cid. The locations highlighted so far include the Mideel archipelago, Wutai, and the Northern Continent. These are announced features, not a complete account of the game or its final story.
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Should you play Crisis Core before Remake?
Usually, no. Start with Remake Intergrade if you want to follow the new trilogy without front-loading its backstory. Play Crisis Core Reunion first only if you prefer chronological order and are comfortable learning Zack’s fate and the Nibelheim history before the original and Remake games reveal them.
For most newcomers, Crisis Core works best after the 1997 original or after at least the first Remake game. It makes the Buster Sword, Zack’s connection to Aerith, and Cloud’s confused memories more meaningful, but it is not a prerequisite for understanding the core plot of Remake Intergrade and Rebirth.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which version should you buy?
Square Enix’s June 2026 listing includes Remake Intergrade and Rebirth on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The publisher also lists the two-game FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE & REBIRTH – Twin Pack for $59.99. That is Square Enix’s stated price; local prices and storefront offers may differ, so check the relevant store before purchasing.
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Buy Intergrade alone if you want to begin with the first chapter before committing to the next. Choose Rebirth if you have already completed Remake and want to continue the story. The Twin Pack bundles the two released chapters. Crisis Core Reunion is a separate purchase and can be added whenever you want Zack’s prequel.
The three games do not all share the same platform range. Crisis Core Reunion is available for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Xbox Series consoles, Nintendo Switch, and Windows. Availability can vary by storefront and region; confirm the edition and platform on the store page before buying.
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Spoilers: what the story changes mean
The following section discusses major structural revelations in the Remake series, including Zack’s apparent survival and the Forgotten Capital.
Two story layers, not a simple reset
At the end of Remake Intergrade, Zack is shown reaching Midgar alive, while the changed design of Shinra’s Stamp mascot signals that this is not simply the same sequence of events as Cloud’s. Rebirth develops this idea through chapters in which Zack survives in worlds on the verge of collapse. Its different Stamp designs serve as visual clues that distinguish those settings.
The story also changes details in the main party’s path. The Whispers’ defeat means the characters are no longer held to the original sequence, while events at the Forgotten Capital do not simply reproduce the 1997 game’s scene. Hamaguchi describes the ending in terms of story layers coming back together and reuniting. Exactly how those layers will resolve is a question for Revelation, not something the announced material has answered.
Why Reunion still matters
Crisis Core Reunion ends with Zack’s death in its own campaign. The apparent contradiction between that ending and the Zack seen alive in the Remake series is intentional story material. Knowing the prequel makes the Buster Sword’s legacy, Zack’s bond with Aerith, and Cloud’s unreliable memories more legible; the new games then ask how that history connects to the worlds they show.
How long are the games?
Completion time varies with play style, difficulty, and side content. HowLongToBeat figures cited by Kotaku in 2024 put Crisis Core Reunion at about 14 hours for its main story and close to 50 hours for completionist play. The same source gives the original Final Fantasy VII just under 40 hours for the main story and more than 80 hours with side content.
There is no comparable independent completion-time figure established here for Remake Intergrade or Rebirth. Hamaguchi described the previous two Remake-series games as each being 100-plus-hour games in a 2026 WIRED interview; that is his characterization of their scale, not a standardized average or a promise that every playthrough takes that long.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Remake saves carry over to Rebirth?
No gear, materia, stats, or character-growth abilities transfer between the two games. Square Enix has instead specified separate summon materia bonuses for later entries: an Intergrade save unlocks Chocobo & Moogle in Revelation, while a Rebirth save unlocks Phoenix.
How many hours does Crisis Core Reunion take to finish?
HowLongToBeat figures cited by Kotaku in 2024 estimate about 14 hours for the main story and close to 50 hours for completionist play. Optional missions and other side content account for much of the difference.
Does the physical PS5 version of Rebirth need both discs to play?
Yes. Director Naoki Hamaguchi told Game Informer in 2023 that the physical edition uses two discs to install the 150GB game, but only one disc is needed afterward to play.
Is there a confirmed exact release date for Final Fantasy VII Revelation?
Square Enix’s announced window is Spring 2027, with a simultaneous launch across the announced platform families. A more specific date reported elsewhere is not confirmed by the official announcement.
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