Critically-acclaimed 2024 RPG discounted in limited-time Black Friday deal

This article contains affiliate links and LADbible Group might make a commission on anything purchased.

Final Fantasy VII on the original PlayStation in 1997 has long been held up as an example of unique storytelling capabilities with iconic characters, an expansive world, one of gaming’s biggest twists, an outstanding soundtrack, and great combat.

Developer Square Enix has had a remake in the works for a long time, with the full story being released in three full-sized parts. The first, Final Fantasy VII Remake, covered the party’s travails in the city of Midgar, while its 2024 sequel sets players loose across a huge open world. Right now you can grab Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth for £34.99, down from £58.99, and see for yourself that Square Enix is going the extra mile in every department whilst remaking one of its most beloved releases.

The game follows Cloud, Tifa, the gun-armed Barret, Red XIII and Aerith as they chart a course away from Midgar in pursuit of Sephiroth, a decorated war hero driven insane upon discovering he was created in a lab by an evil scientist.

Along with cutting edge graphics, a reimagined and expanded rendition of Final Fantasy VII’s world, and an all-new combat system that blends real-time action with the menu-hopping systems of old, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth plays with its position as a remake by telling a tweaked, metatextual story that enables it to stand apart as its own thing. While it’s recommended that you play Remake first, newcomers can jump into Rebirth and get a fully-realised story that works as well alone as it does as part of a wider narrative.

It’s won the hearts of many Argos customers, with a 4.9 out of 5 average rating to go along with its 92 out of 100 on Metacritic. “The game is a perfect mix of modern innovation and graphical advancement combined with that classic nostalgia and musical genius of the original,” said one five-star review. “Highly recommended.”

“Amazing to play this classic game which has been re-made to make the most of current technology,” said another fan. “Graphics, audio and gameplay is great too!”

Another added: “Feels much more developed than the first part. So much variation in every aspect of the game. Great price and service from Argos too.”

Some have been disappointed by the performance, however. “The game itself is great. I played about 20hrs but unfortunately couldn’t get used to the choppy 30fps or the blurry 60fps modes,” said one review. “It felt like the game was being ruined in either one.”

Others would prefer a more streamlined approach: “The only downside to playing the game is that there are too many ‘mini games’ that you have to complete," one gamer complained.

If another acclaimed 2024 release is on your shopping list, check out Astro Bot available at Game for just £49, or Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree on the PlayStation Store.

But for a huge action RPG with tons of heart, polish and a lovingly-crafted world, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth is a surefire winner.