Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is at its best when it embraces its goofy side

Final Fantasy 7 RebirthFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth is at its best when it embraces its goofy sideWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. Final Fantasy 7 RebirthFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth is at its best when it embraces its goofy sideWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Square Enix) Warning: Some early spoilers ahead for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Bonding moments (Image credit: Square Enix) In many ways, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is all about party bonds. From the combat to the story and even the Odd Job side quests, everything ties together to help bring you closer to the characters you adventure with. I don’t think I’ve ever cared about Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, Barret, Red 13, and Yuffie as much as I do now, and the more lighthearted, goofier moments have played a large part in that. Adventure awaits(Image credit: Square Enix)Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth review: “Meaningful improvements make the step outside Midgar worth taking” Adventure awaits (Image credit: Square Enix)Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth review: “Meaningful improvements make the step outside Midgar worth taking” (Image credit: Square Enix) Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth review: “Meaningful improvements make the step outside Midgar worth taking” I’ve always loved party banter in games like Dragon Age, Mass Effect, andBaldur’s Gate 3, and Rebirth has it in spades throughout the story. Poking fun at Cloud’s hair is one thing, but there’s also no shortage of zany antics that bring a huge smile to my face. If it’s not Barret wearing a sailor outfit and clearly loving it, it’s Aerith and Tifa ganging up on Cloud, or Red 13 opening a door on his hind legs. The original Final Fantasy 7 had a great sense of humor to begin with, and it’s so great to see Rebirth not only embrace this, but really dial into it. While there’s still lots here to tug at your heartstrings and fill you with nostalgia if you played the 1997 release, it’s often when it’s being silly and joyful that it shines brightest. Campy capers (Image credit: Square Enix) Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more It’s over-the-top, entertaining, and just a bit silly, and it speaks right to the very spirit of the game that I enjoyed the most. This is still very much Final Fantasy 7 - with impressive modern recreations of locales plucked from the original and a cast so many know and love - but it also doesn’t try to take itself too seriously and really celebrates its characters. Sure, Cloud’s hair is a little out there and I certainly couldn’t rock it in the same way he can, but I love that Square Enix’s sequel not only knows it, but has fun with it. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth brought some goofy joy to my life, and I’m frankly thankful for it. Following the release of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, see what else we have to look forward to this year with our roundup ofupcoming PS5 games. 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War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5 Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”