🌍 Continuing the Saga: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
After the tremendous success of Final Fantasy VII Remake, Square Enix continues its ambitious reimagining of the 1997 classic with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Launched on February 29, 2024 for PS5 (Windows port followed on January 23, 2025) bestbuy.ca+15en.wikipedia.org+15walmart.ca+15, this second installment takes Cloud and his allies beyond Midgar, diving deeper into their backgrounds, expanding the world, and reshaping the narrative in bold new directions.
🎮 Gameplay & Story Highlights
Hybrid Combat System: Rebirth blends real-time action with Tactical ATB elements, refining the formula introduced in Remake. Special moves—like “Synergized” abilities—return, offering exciting combo opportunities playstation.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4bestbuy.ca+4.
Expansive Open World: Unlike its predecessor’s linear progression, Rebirth opens up vast areas: from lush forests to ancient ruins. Chocobo traversal and side missions enrich exploration .
Emotional Narrative: The journey to The Forgotten Capital brings heightened character development, exploring Cloud’s psyche, Aerith’s destiny, and introduces deeper lore connections.
Technical Polish: Built on Unreal Engine 4, the PS5-exclusive version delivers breathtaking visuals, dynamic lighting, and near-instant load times that bolster immersion amazon.ca+12bestbuy.ca+12gamestop.ca+12.
🏆 Reception & Accolades
Critics hailed Rebirth as a triumph. Holding a 97% recommendation on OpenCritic amazon.ca+12en.wikipedia.org+12as.com+12 and receiving a Metacritic score of 92, it also captured Game of the Year at The Game Awards and multiple Japanese accolades en.wikipedia.org. MeriStation readers likewise named it their favorite of 2024, with 53.4% of votes as.com.
⏳ What’s Next: Disk Three
Square Enix is pushing ahead with the trilogy’s climax. The final disc—tentatively scheduled for 2026–2027—is in development, rounding out the reinterpretation of the beloved 1997 storyline.
🇨🇦 Where to Buy in Canada
Here are some excellent Canadian retailers offering physical copies of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth for PS5:
Best Buy Canada – Standard edition available online for ~$89.99 CAD bestbuy.cana.store.square-enix-games.com+15bestbuy.ca+15forums.redflagdeals.com+15
Amazon.ca – Standard and Deluxe Editions in stock (~$89.99–$129.99 CAD)
Walmart Canada – Standard edition, customer‐reviewed and available ~Mar 2024
Staples Canada – Carrying the PS5 version at about $89.99 CAD
VideoGamesPlus.ca – Standard copy fresh in stock for ~$89.99 CAD videogamesplus.ca
GameStop/EBGames Canada – Listings show the standard physical release en.wikipedia.org
🎯 Why This Installment Matters
1. A Maturecrafed Narrative Arc
Rebirth expands beyond the emotional walls of Midgar to touch on existential themes—destiny, nature, and humanity's impact on the Planet. It raises the stakes as Sephiroth’s looming threat becomes palpable.
2. Evolved Gameplay Mechanics
The synergy between real-time and ATB combat mechanics has been tightened. Unique class abilities, customizable loadouts, and deeper synergy links make every battle feel dynamic.
3. Value for Fans and Newcomers
You don’t necessarily need to have played Remake to enjoy Rebirth, but the emotional resonance increases if you have. There's strong character development, enriching both legacy fans and newcomers alike videogamesplus.caplaystation.com+6playstation.com+6amazon.ca+6.
4. Cultural and Technical Excellence
Square Enix didn’t cut corners—new voice actors, meticulously remade maps, and cinematic cutscenes highlight Rebirth’s commitment to honoring the past while creating something entirely fresh.