5 moments in FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE that live in our heads rent-free

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FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE is an amazing adventure.

Every chapter offers something new to the player, and its rich characters and story create memorable moment after moment. Once experienced, the game is very difficult to get out of your head, so we wanted to take a beat to recognize and reminisce about some of the best sequences in the game.

SPOILER WARNING: Naturally, this article will discuss events that happen in FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE. If you’re wary of spoilers, play the game and come back later.

The Bombing Mission

Tell us a game with a better opening than FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE. Don’t worry – we’ll wait.

(Drums fingers on table)

…nope? We can’t think of one either. The opening of the game (and the original FINAL FANTASY VII for that matter) is a masterclass on how to kick off a game.

It throws you into the action immediately as mercenary Cloud Strife joins Avalanche on a mission to bomb one of Shinra’s planet-sapping reactors. Within minutes you’re introduced to the characters, the state of the world, and its key conflicts. It also smoothly tutorializes you, as you take on the reactor’s security forces with the brilliant combat system.

It’s fast-paced, and economically told – not a moment is wasted. Combined with the beautiful visuals and sweeping soundtrack, it perfectly sets the scene for the incredible adventure to come.

Mission to the upper plate

One of the most exciting things about the FINAL FANTASY VII remake project is that it offers an opportunity to expand the original story, see more of the world and get to know its characters even better than before.

This is why Chapter 4 – Mad Dash – is such a joy. Cloud accompanies Avalanche members Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge on a mission to raid a Shinra depot on the upper plate. Before they can get through the gates, however, they need to visit Jessie’s parents’ home and ‘borrow’ her father’s door pass.

The suburban streets of the residential district show a side of Midgar that we’ve never seen before – and seeing Jessie’s comatose father is an effective way to show the personal cost of Shinra’s aggressive industrialization.

We then have the raid itself – and while it starts simply, it soon explodes into utter chaos. Cloud takes on a horde of enemies, while Biggs and Wedge run support in the background – culminating in a spectacular swordfight against the wild wheeled warrior Roche!

It’s an superb sequence that provides thrills and makes your Avalanche teammates even more lovable than before.

Cloud gets his groove on

In order to infiltrate the sleazy Don Corneo’s mansion, Cloud and Aerith decide to audition to be the next ‘Mrs. Corneo’. Of course, Cloud doesn’t exactly look the part.

He needs to transform into a vision of beauty, which means he has to win the approval of Andrea Rhodea – the owner and star performer at the Honeybee Inn. How could he possibly do that?

Dance battle baby!

Earlier in the game, Cloud says: “I don’t dance”… but note that he doesn’t say he can’t. Faced with no way out, Cloud steps into the spotlight to utterly tear up the dance floor. Well, if you hit the prompts at least.

It’s hilarious, joyful, brilliantly choreographed and truly an unforgettable moment.

The Battle for Sector 7

Things take a more serious turn when Shinra implements a plan to drop the Sector 7 plate, crushing the slums and the resistance there alike.

This tense sequence sees Cloud and Tifa race up the connecting pillar to join Barret, Wedge, Biggs, and Jessie in their defense of the sector. It’s an adrenaline-fueled race to the top, as Cloud tears through Shinra special ops forces and mechs alike, dodges helicopter fire and much more.

It’s a tough battle, made all the more urgent and impactful thanks to the friendships you’ve formed with your allies. A sensational cavalcade of action with real emotional heft.

Ride, Ride, Ride!

Here’s a riddle for you. A mercenary, bartender, freedom fighter, local florist and ‘lab rat dog’ are trapped in a heavily fortified skyscraper. How do they get out?

The answer? In the most extra way possible.

Cloud steals the iconic Hardy-Daytona motorcycle, runs literal rings around the Shinra security troops and launches himself right out of the window right onto the elevated freeway – with his allies in a truck not far behind.

Then it’s a high-speed chase down the highway with the company’s best and brightest road warriors in hot pursuit. The sound, the gameplay, the music – everything’s dialed up to maximum intensity.

It’s an awesome sequence – one we still think about even today.

Those were just five of our favorite moments in FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE – but it barely scratches the surface. What about the Airbuster? Taking on the Hell House? The gauntlet of the Drum? The list goes on and on.

You can experience all these – and discover more of your own – in FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE, available now for PS5, PS4 and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.

It’s also available as a twin pack with its critically acclaimed sequel, FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, allowing you to get both adventures together at a reduced price.

Played the game already and have moments that still live in your head? Let us know on social media: