Should I Play FF7 Remake Before Rebirth?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: You plan to experience the full Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy in order. Remake introduces the world, characters, and gameplay systems that Rebirth expands upon, providing the intended narrative foundation.
• Good fit: You want to understand the emotional stakes and character arcs before continuing. Key relationships, plot developments, and the ending of Remake are referenced and built upon throughout Rebirth.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: You are trying to avoid the cost or time commitment of an earlier game. Remake requires a separate purchase and roughly 30 to 40 hours to complete, so skipping it may be tempting if you are focused only on Rebirth.
• Warning sign: You are already very familiar with the original 1997 Final Fantasy VII and assume that knowledge is enough. While Rebirth retells the next portion of the classic story, it still expects familiarity with the specific changes and new content added in Remake.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Playing Remake first lets you follow the story as the developers intended, including narrative surprises and character development that carry directly into Rebirth.
• You will learn the combat system and character abilities gradually, making Rebirth’s deeper mechanics easier to pick up since it builds on the same foundation.

Cons

• Remake is a separate purchase and requires a significant time investment, which adds cost and effort before you can start Rebirth.
• If you have already experienced the original Final Fantasy VII, some story beats in Remake may feel familiar or slower, even though the remake adds new content and changes.

Decision Checklist

• Do you value experiencing the trilogy’s story in the intended order, or are you comfortable using summaries to catch up?
• Is your budget and schedule flexible enough to complete Remake before starting Rebirth?
• Are you willing to accept that Rebirth will spoil major events from Remake if you skip it?

Alternatives to Consider

If you cannot or prefer not to play Remake first, you can watch a detailed story recap video, read a plot summary, or play a demo to learn the basics. You can also play or research the original 1997 Final Fantasy VII for broader lore context, though it will not cover the new story elements added in Remake.

Final Recommendation

For most players, playing Final Fantasy VII Remake before Rebirth is the better choice because the games are designed as a continuous trilogy. However, if time, cost, or access is limited, watching a detailed recap can be a practical fallback. Since this is a leisure and entertainment decision rather than a high-stakes matter, choose the option that best fits your schedule, budget, and interest level.