Original Final Fantasy 7 Steam Re-Release Plummets to 'Mostly Negative' User Rating

The original Final Fantasy 7, distinct from the ongoing three-part remake series, is facing a wave of negative reviews after Square Enix's recent Steam re-release. The updated version, which launched on February 24 with promised quality-of-life improvements, appears to have backfired, introducing technical problems that have frustrated players.

This new edition includes features like a 3x speed mode, an option to disable random encounters, a battle enhancement mode that maxes out the Limit gauge and restores HP/MP, and an autosave function. However, issues emerged quickly after release, including combat speed that doesn't sync with animations or menus, and blurry textures affecting even cinematic sequences.

Square Enix responded within hours with a small update, claiming to have fixed battle speeds and addressed minor bugs. Yet, problems remain, such as a forced 4:3 resolution. While some players may appreciate the native aspect ratio, the 2013 Steam version it replaces allowed resolution adjustments, leaving many confused by the change.

The situation is exacerbated because this new version completely replaces the 2013 edition on the Steam store. Only existing owners can switch between versions, while new buyers are stuck with the problematic release.

Player feedback has been critical. One reviewer noted, 'Battle animations are too fast even without 3x speed, making the game feel off. Hopefully they fix this.' Another added, 'Being locked into 4:3 is understandable for purists, but the 2013 version offered full-screen options. This should be a choice.' A third quipped, 'I'd just play the 2013 version without glasses on if I wanted it to look like this.'

As a result, the game's overall Steam user rating has dropped to 'Mostly Negative,' with only 36% of reviews being positive.

In related news, Final Fantasy Remake Part 3 director Naoki Hamaguchi recently addressed concerns about the remake series going multiplatform. He assured fans that expanding to platforms like the Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox won't compromise the quality of the third installment. Hamaguchi stated, 'Our decision to go multiplatform will not in any way lower the quality,' noting the positive reception and online buzz from these versions. He also mentioned that the core game experience is nearly complete, with the team now focusing on refinement and polishing.