🕹️ A Classic Reforged: The Magic of Final Fantasy VII Remake / Intergrade

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Written By Piotr Czawa

Final Fantasy VII Remake is a masterclass in reimagining a legendary tale, bringing the iconic story from 1997 into sharp, modern focus. Set in the industrial sprawl of Midgar, the game casts you as Cloud Strife, a brooding ex-SOLDIER mercenary drawn into the eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE opposing the megacorporation Shinra en.wikipedia.org+11en.wikipedia.org+11amazon.ca+11. Yet Remake goes beyond nostalgia: it's a bold retelling with expanded character arcs, cinematic visuals, and a redefined combat system. Fast yet strategic real-time combat replaces the classic turn-based style, blending ATB (Active Time Battle) elements and real-time action into a sleek hybrid en.wikipedia.org.

Enter Intergrade, the definitive version: it enhances textures, lighting, and frames-per-second performance with a “Graphics Mode” (4K) and “Performance Mode” (60 fps) videogamesplus.ca+2playstation.com+2amazon.ca+2. Plus, it introduces the FF7R Episode Intermission, starring Yuffie Kisaragi as she embarks on her own covert mission in Midgar—bringing new depth, combat scenarios, and vibrant dialogue walmart.ca+14videogamesplus.ca+14store.steampowered.com+14.

🎭 A Stellar Cast That Resonates

The voice performances and writing breathe life into characters both old and new:

These actors, combined with professional lip-syncing technology and cinematic framing, deliver emotion-packed cutscenes that rival blockbuster animation polygon.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3theverge.com+3.

⚔️ Gameplay Evolved: Fast-Paced, Strategic, Immersive

Combat in Remake is a hybrid system: fast-paced real-time with ATB toggles. Once your ATB gauge builds, you pause action to select abilities, magic, or items—then resume in an adrenaline-fueled combo rush theverge.com+7en.wikipedia.org+7store.steampowered.com+7.

Additionally, Intergrade includes:

Critics have praised the reimagined combat as “rich in details” and an evolution of the franchise's iconic battle systems .

📈 Enduring Legacy & Technical Triumph

Upon launch, Remake shattered records: over 3.5 million copies sold within three days, eventually surpassing 7 million by September 2023 en.wikipedia.org. The Intergrade upgrade has since garnered acclaim and won Steam’s Best Soundtrack Award (2022) theverge.com+13en.wikipedia.org+13canex.ca+13.

Originally exclusive to PS5, a reprint announced in December 2024 made physical editions available—sealed copies now retail at ~$59.99 CAD in Canada (delivery slated for February 2025) polygon.com. For the first time, it’s officially expanding onto Xbox platforms this winter (2025) theverge.com.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade – PS5 (VideogamesPlus.ca) – Priced from CA$44.99, includes main game + Yuffie DLC—excellent physical option.

  • Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade – PS5 (Walmart.ca) – Currently priced at CA$44.96, competitive and reliable retailer.

  • Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (Reprint) – PS5 (Retro North Games) – At CA$59.99, sealed collector's reprint aligned with Square Enix's 2024 reissue en.wikipedia.org+14polygon.com+14canex.ca+14.

Also available digitally:

  • PlayStation Store Canada — Digital Standard @ CA$53.49; Digital Deluxe @ CA$79.99 store.playstation.com.

  • Steam (PC) — Physical not available, but digital Intergrade bundle, Rebirth Twin Pack exists .

🌌 Why Intergrade Stands Out

  1. Visual Spectacle – 4K, 60 fps, DualSense haptics, cinematic depth-of-field—and Photo Mode to capture it all .

  2. Richer Narrative & Revisionist Vision – Expanded storylines deepen emotional investment, giving characters like Tifa and Aerith more time to shine en.wikipedia.org.

  3. Yuffie DLC – A fresh side quest with stealth, Materia twists, and fan-favorite charisma na.store.square-enix-games.com+10videogamesplus.ca+10polygon.com+10.

  4. Platform Longevity – No longer locked to PS5. A 2025 Xbox Series X/S release brings new audiences polygon.com.

  5. Collectible Value – Physical copies are once again plentiful thanks to the December 2024 reprint—no scalper prices polygon.com.

🔍 Tips Before You Buy

  • Looking for best value physical? VideogamesPlus.ca and Walmart.ca offer the lowest prices (~CA$45).

  • Want a sealed collector’s edition? Retro North’s new reprint yields collectible appeal (CA$59.99).

  • Prefer digital convenience? Grab the Deluxe edition via PlayStation Store for bonus artbook and mini-soundtrack.

  • PS4 owners? The free PS5 upgrade adds graphics and performance, but if you want Yuffie’s DLC, you’ll need Intergrade videogamesplus.castore.playstation.compolygon.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1.

🌠 Final Thoughts: A Remake That Earns Its Legend

Final Fantasy VII Remake isn’t just a retread—it’s a re-envisioned epic. With Intergrade, Square Enix melds modern technical finesse (4K, 60 fps, DualSense, Photo Mode) with deep narrative expansion (character arcs, Yuffie DLC) to create something fresh, emotional, and cinematic. It’s a living world: every alley in Midgar, every burst of Materia, every clash with Shinra feels purposeful and alive.

For gamers in Canada (or planning international shipments), the physical editions from VideogamesPlus.ca and Walmart.ca offer excellent value, and the collector reprint from Retro North gives sealed-box allure. Digital platforms offer their own bonus-rich paths, especially for PS5 users.

Whether you're an OG fan or jumping in fresh, Remake / Intergrade hits the marks: nostalgia, storytelling, visuals, gameplay—and the promise of more to come with Rebirth. Excited yet? Maybe time to join AVALANCHE and reclaim the planet, one Mako reactor at a time.

Piotr Czawa
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