Don't get it wrong, 7/10 is still a great game. If you loved the original 1997 game, you've probably already played this. If for some reason still haven't played this, this game will do things to you.

If you are new to this Final Fantasy 7 World and it's Characters, this is a more than fine place to start. While most Remakes stand on their own and ultimately play out like the original source material, knowing the original source material only adds depth of said Remake changes, this Remake does as well...and more . For the better, in my opinion, this Remake can not exist without the original story, unlike those other Remake games.
While this game, and the installments after, play out more like a sequel to the original 1997 game, both new and old players of this World are left with the same questions throughout each beat of the story. No one knows the ending of this story, not even the biggest fans of the original, yet a care and love for the original source material is still fully intact . Many of the developers of this Trilogy Project are from the original development team almost 30 years ago. They love this World and it's Characters just as much as the fans, fans that have also grown up to be on this project, and it shows.

Just remember: this is Part 1 of a Trilogy. You'll be left with questions, questions that may not be answered until a closer look on a 2nd play-through, the second game, or eventual third and final game. Much like the original trilogy of Star Wars, each installment adds more to what came before. Replays with this knowledge can still provide enjoyment that a 1st watch could not possibly do. Enjoy the moments, the Characters, and an award-winning soundtrack.

...and hopefully, you have no issues with your PC/Laptop. Square have made strides to make their PC versions better, but it's still not great and can vary per User, even with virtually the same PCs.

While there are many themes and real-world issues presented in this story, this game lives and dies by it's Characters. You may ask yourself early on how so many people like Cloud, the main protagonist, of this story. You are completely in the right to question such a beloved Character. That is the crux of this journey . How these Characters develop throughout events, their pasts, their motives - all of which that may not land initially or at all for you. This is considered one of the best cast of Characters in gaming, ever, for a reason. The Remake Trilogy brings them to life like never before. The voice actors all fit this original cast perfectly. It's believable that even in 1997, where there was no voice acting, that THIS is how they sounded. The tone and emotion that could not be displayed in the original can now come together as it was always imagined to by the developers. This is a JRPG, in a world full of despair and charm, so you can expect a little... "anime uwu" ...dialogue, grunts, and poses. I'll leave it at that because I can't believe I just typed out that last part. Don't worry, it is as classy (?) as fan service can be without feeling raunchy.

The combat is a refreshing mix of the original turn-based combat and real-time combat. It can play like your usual Action Game with Action Shortcuts, and all they way down to a Turn-Based combat setting for those wanting to get as close to that original feel as a game like this can. This isn't a button masher, although you can get through the story doing so on the easier difficulties. For those looking for a challenge, Hard Mode, unlocked after beating the story, is my favorite version of these games. You'll be strategic against enemies and their weaknesses, how each Party member plays differently, how that synergy comes together to compliment each other - all that is up to you with the Materia system to customize your Party as you see fit. Hard Mode will test what you learned and for you to tackle new challenges, all exclusive to Hard Mode itself . A boss fight in the Main Story may have new or added mechanics, for example.
While there is plenty to learn and master in this Combat System, it clearly has flaws for both the first play-through and it's challenges. Air Combat can be a pain and real brake on your enjoyment. There is plenty of combos to try with the Materia system, but this first game is pretty limited in it's quality, diversity, and just how much you can equip in general. These problems are fixed entirely, and MUCH more, in the following game (Rebirth). You'll start to see the improvements and the potential of this Combat System in the Intermission DLC with Yuffie.

Combat is fine in Remake. Great at times. Once you experience Intermission, Rebirth, and the eventual third and final game, it is pretty rough going back to Remake....but, that's to be expected! It's come a long way.

How does a Remake, where it's material is pulled from the original, still win Best Soundtrack? You'd think that people would be opposed to voting for it because it is not "original", right? I think that speaks for just how good this Soundtrack is . While very different from the original, it is still instantly recognizable. It's not just the original scores, either. The brand-new tracks to this Remake project dive into many genres, can be hit or miss per individual's tastes, but even then they hardly ever miss. You'll be bopping your head to genres you didn't even know you would like.
I was in single digits back in the day playing the original; The story, text on the screen, combat, and it's characters all slowly came together for me as I grew up with the original. The music, though? It's just as good as the first time hearing it. Now I can appreciate it more.

TLDR:
Remake is a more than fine place to start if you are new to Final Fantasy 7. This is a good game that can only get better the more you vibe with it's World and Characters. Cloud may not hit right for you, initially, he didn't for me, but maybe there's more to learn of this cast of Characters than meets the eye...give it time. This is Part 1 of a Trilogy that adds context with every replay, every installment, just like trilogy movies (original Star Wars trilogy). They all tend to get better in retrospect.
If you are looking for a rich world, characters, production value, music, and a fresh take on the original Turn-Based + Action Combat: The Remake Trilogy will deliver. Enjoyment may vary. These games are the most subjective, divisive games I have ever played. I love it for that. You make the most of it.

It's wild to me that Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade Part One Subsection A, Article 1 is called a remake, even if only the first installment. There’s a very meta moment where a character basically looks past the camera, straight to the player, and says: “This is our story now.” It’s a bold move, but I respect Square’s intention to retell the events of Final Fantasy VII instead of strictly remaking them. I loved the original, and Remake does nothing to tarnish its legacy—in fact, it embraces and polishes it.

Make no mistake: fans of the original game are going to feel right at home in this reimagining of Midgar. All of your favorite characters make an appearance, as well as a handful of “OC do not steal” newbies—some more bearable than others. (Chadley is buns.) It’s still the story of Avalanche’s rebellion, Shinra’s overwhelming stranglehold on the Earth, and Cloud versus Sephiroth... but it’s also about fate, choice, and divergence. This isn’t a 1:1 recreation of the original Midgar arc—it’s a reinterpretation that pays homage and does its own thing in spades.

If there's one area where Remake absolutely shines, it's the combat. Square took the slow, methodical turn-based system of the original and transformed it into a frantic, stylish, real-time action battler without losing the spirit of the original game's strategy. The system masterfully balances action-RPG mechanics with tactical decision-making through the ATB bar. As you dance around the battlefield—dodging, blocking, positioning, slicing—you're constantly thinking: What am I gonna do when I get that ATB charge? Do I heal? Cast a spell? Fire off a Braver or Triple Slash? It creates a constant rhythm and tension, where each ATB use feels impactful.

Boss fights are also incredibly well-done. Every major encounter feels handcrafted, with phases, mechanics, and spectacle that wouldn't feel out of place in a modern FFXIV raid. It rewards smart play and punishes flailing around and button-mashing, because it wants you to think. And when it all clicks—when you find yourself racing through encounters knowing EXACTLY when you've got a charge, or when you need a heal, or when your Limit Break is up—it feels so damn good.

One thing that can’t be denied: Remake had infinitely more resources and tech at its disposal than the original. Instead of relying solely on charm, mystery, and the occasional awkward polygonal hug, it has a massive boon in its favor—a phenomenal voice cast. Every major character is brought to life with nuance, and their presence holds real weight. Cloud’s aloof detachment feels less vague and more like a defense mechanism. Tifa’s warm, grounded demeanor can give way to something deeper and more haunted. Barret is still bombastic and over-the-top, but there’s real heart underneath the shouting. And Aerith is an absolute scene-stealer—on the surface she’s playful and clever, but behind it all is a quiet sadness the voice direction absolutely nails.

Beyond the voice work, the expanded dialogue and cutscenes help every character feel more personable and real. Jesse, Biggs, and Wedge were characters that held all the importance of a name in the original, but each have their own arcs and importance in the remake. There's a sincerity in the character work that's rare to find in games, and I think both the writers and voice actors deserve a huge congratulations for pulling it off so well.

One common criticism aimed at Remake is how it stretches the original game’s Midgar section—a few hours long in the 1997 release—into a full, feature-length game. But here’s my rebuttal: even playing just the main content and skipping most side quests, it still took me over 20 hours, and I sincerely think there was hardly a moment of wasted time. Remake doesn’t just bring its characters to life—it brings the world to life. We’re not just told Midgar is a slum; we’re shown it. We’re not fed exposition about Shinra’s evil; we watch them actively destroy lives. I genuinely enjoyed seeing this grand, fleshed-out version of a world that once only existed in low-res textures and implication.

I think that Remake is an incredible demonstration of what a "remake" can be. Would I have been mad if this game was a perfect replica in every sense, with only updated graphics and music? Absolutely not. That would've also been sick. But this is more than that; it's a continuation of FF VII as a saga—an extension of the original idea, not a replacement. And I’m more than excited to see it through to the end.

Cinematic playthrough: https://youtu.be/r4aqDfdsTdY

If this game had a turn based combat like Clair Obscure it would be a masterpiece, but its is a fine game, nothing too special, every square game nowadays is just a clumsy and lazy variation of the FFXIV battle system....