Bringing Midgar to the palm of your hand: A journey through story, combat, and visual spectacle.
The past of Final Fantasy 7 is very interesting. When Square (now Square Enix) released it in 1997, it was a big deal for RPGs and a brand ambassador for the PlayStation. It was a big change for the series, which had been linked to Nintendo platforms for a long time.
The first game was revolutionary because it combined polygonal 3D characters with pre-rendered backgrounds. It also had deep turn-based fighting and a story full of mystery, heroism, and commentary on the environment. For many, it’s more than just a game; it’s a turning point in the history of video games.
It’s now been thirty years, and Square Enix has started a big project: the Final Fantasy 7 Remake series. When Remake launched in 2020 on PlayStation 4, the developers wanted to update not only the graphics and gameplay, but also the story and how the characters interact.
They also wanted to give both fans and newcomers a more immersive experience of Midgar and its surroundings.
Final Fantasy VII Remake INTERGRADE on Switch 2 took the story further, but the first book is still the basis. Final Fantasy VII Remake INTERGRADE has finally come back to a Nintendo platform with the Nintendo Switch 2 port. This means fans can play this famous game on the go without sacrificing much of its cinematic flair or gameplay depth.
This port includes Episode Intermission, a DLC that focuses on the active ninja Yuffie and adds depth to both the story and gameplay. But it was never going to be easy to port a game as demanding as Remake to a mobile device. The Switch 2 version does a great job, but there are some sacrifices and issues worth noting.
The story of Final Fantasy VII Remake INTERGRADE takes place in the huge city of Midgar, which is run by the Shinra Electric Power Company. Shinra’s macro reactors use the planet’s life force to generate energy, making the company and its president rich but endangering the world and its people.
The player takes on the role of Cloud Strife, a former member of the elite SOLDIER unit who works as an assassin for Avalanche, an environmentalist group seeking to stop Shinra from exploiting the planet.
People who played the first game will recognize parts of the story, but it has been greatly expanded. Square Enix has given current locations more depth, lengthened sequences, and added new goals and side quests, making the world feel more interesting.
There are more layers to the characters’ personalities than ever before. Cloud isn’t just stoic anymore, Aerith brings true humor, Tifa is quick and sure of herself, and Barrett’s over-the-top energy provides a funny but realistic balance.
Final Fantasy VII Remake INTERGRADE isn’t just based on memories. People who have never played the original can still follow along and enjoy the story. Fans of the series for a long time will enjoy the minor story hints that set up Rebirth and other books in the series.
The episode’s intermission adds another layer and offers a new perspective on Yuffie’s travels. Even though some new characters or lines of conversation might seem forced or a little cheesy, the story still has the same charm and emotional weight, making it timeless and interesting.
The hybrid combat system is one of the things that makes the Remake series stand out.
The original 1997 game only had turn-based combat. Final Fantasy VII Remake INTERGRADE, on the other hand, has both real-time action and a strategy layer through the Active Time Battle (ATB) system.
You can be in charge of up to three party members at once, and they can easily switch between them while fighting. Cloud is great at close combat with his Buster Sword, Tifa is great at close combos and quick strikes, and Barrett is great at long-range attacks, which are great for enemies in the air or far away.
As characters perform actions, the ATB gauge fills. This lets you use special moves, abilities based on materials, summon creatures, or carefully heal allies. This blended technique makes sure that combat happens quickly and rewards players who know how to employ each character’s strengths to their maximum.
Boss fights are especially memorable because they blend movie-like style with gameplay that is hard and demands your timing, skill, and ability to manage resources. Players who explore the game well and learn how to beat enemies will be rewarded with optional super bosses and secret encounters. This makes every fight a mix of skill and strategy.
For people who don’t want as much of a challenge, the Switch 2 version has easier ways to grow. You can vary the difficulty level, the amount of ATB you get, or the maximum HP to make the game easier to play.
Some fans may not like how easy the “Baby’s First Final Fantasy” mode is, but it makes the game easier for new players or folks who just want to enjoy the story without having to work. Still, combat is fun for experienced players because there are a lot of different materials to try out, abilities that are unique to each weapon, and summons that can turn the tide of tough fights.
Final Fantasy VII Remake INTERGRADE has more than just fights.
It also features environmental puzzles and challenges that require exploration. Players often move through Midgar’s dense, vertical cities by jumping over platforms, flipping switches, and moving things around to get ahead.
There may be tasks and side quests that feel repetitive or pointless, but they help build the world and are worth paying close attention to. Players are encouraged to explore the main road and beyond using optional materials and hidden items, which makes the game more interesting and provides real advantages in battle.
XP and success are tightly linked to both fighting and exploring. As weapons are used, their skills get better, and as materia is used in a fight, it levels up. Character growth is directly affected by unlocking new areas, finishing objectives, or collecting rare items.
This gives exploration and experimentation a sense of purpose. It’s crucial to remember that the game doesn’t need a lot of grinding; leveling up and gaining experience are built into the story and combat.
There are still things people don’t like, though. Even though there are some scenes with repetitive movements, including leisurely walks, tempo that reflects the character’s, or minor acts like opening doors, can break the immersion. Still, these moments aren’t as important as the fun of the battles and the satisfaction of mastering the ATB system, exploiting material synergies, and attacking enemies where they’re vulnerable.
The Switch 2 port’s graphics may be what people talk about the most. Final Fantasy VII Remake INTERGRADE really pushes the technology, giving it a look that’s on par with the PS5 version even though it’s played on a handheld.
Every part of the city feels alive, from the crowded slums of Sector 7 to the busy shops of Wall Market.
The lighting, particle effects, and ambient detail make Midgar’s world feel real and like a movie, which makes its dystopian beauty stand out. The port does have some difficulties, though. The frame rate is always 30 frames per second.
Combat continues seamlessly, although fast camera shifts or tough scenarioscan cause small drops. Upscaling methods like DLSS can make some patterns, like hair, fabrics, and faraway objects, look blurry or slightly see-through.
With lower resolution and rare visual noise, handheld mode exacerbates these problems. Character faces and NPC features can look a little off, but these flaws aren’t very noticeable when you look at the whole show.
The game’s file size is pretty big—90GB—so you’ll need a game key card if you buy it in person. Even so, the developers did a great job of keeping most of the assets and lighting effects that were good on the PS5. This means that players can enjoy cinematic cutscenes, dynamic action, and wide views without feeling like the game has been “dumbed down” for the Switch 2.
One of the best things about Final Fantasy VII Remake INTERGRADE is still its music. Iconic themes are remade with an orchestral flair, and sound design enhances both fighting and exploration. There are echoes of footsteps in Midgar’s industrial hallways, weapon swings and magical effects feel heavy, and summons arrive with the right amount of grandeur.
The dialogue is mostly good, and it mixes important parts of the story with funny and lighthearted ones. When characters talk to each other, like when Cloud makes serious jokes, Aerith teases, or Barrett does over-the-top things, it gives the story personality and balance.
Some voice artists may have recorded separately, which is likely why some lines sound a little stilted. Also, some anime-style grunts or over-emphasized dialogue can come across as cheesy. Overall, though, the sound design complements the graphics and gameplay, keeping up the series’ famous level of quality.
It’s amazing that Final Fantasy VII Remake INTERGRADE is now available on Nintendo Switch 2.
The port is able to bring Midgar to handheld devices, which was only possible on consoles or PCs before. The experience has amazing graphics, interesting mechanics, and a lot of story. The fighting is still entertaining and strategic, and the game has more depth thanks to its unique character powers, ATB management, and summon features.
Puzzles and exploration pay off players who are curious and play carefully. Some people don’t like the Switch 2 version because it runs slower in some scenes, has lower frame rates, and softer graphics. Veterans may not see the point in progression choices that are too easy.
But for new players or old fans coming back to the game, these changes don’t really take away from the experience. Episode Intermission is included, and this gives you extra story and game material. The game may be played on the go without losing its cinematic brilliance.
In the end, INTERGRADE’s PS5 release may still be the greatest in terms of technical performance, but the Switch 2 port is a superb choice that balances story depth, combat depth, and graphic excellence. It’s a great way for new fans of the series to get into it and for old fans to relive their favorites. Once again, Square Enix has brought Midgar to life, but this time it’s in the palm of your hand.
