A recent analysis from games.gg looks at how characters in Final Fantasy 7 evolved from the original 1997 game to the Remake trilogy. This comes at an interesting time: 77% of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s players are 30 or older. So, most fans discussing these character changes actually remember them from the first game.
This demographic shift influences how discussions unfold. Players who experienced the original PS1 release carry 27 years of connection to characters like Aerith, Cloud, and Sephiroth. Even slight changes in their personalities can feel impactful. The Remake trilogy has made these changes quite evident.
Cloud Strife stands out as the most talked-about character. In the original, he came off as a sarcastic and aloof mercenary, revealing his emotional wounds slowly. However, Remake and Rebirth present his trauma much earlier, showcasing overt PTSD and softening his initial cynicism. Whether this is an improvement or a dilution really depends on which version fans played first.
Aerith, on the other hand, takes a different turn. The Remake trilogy emphasizes her foreknowledge of future events—a subtle hint in the original—turning her into someone who is painfully aware of her fate. This added element of dramatic irony has divided fans: some find it heartbreaking, while others believe it diminishes the emotional impact that the original’s ambiguity created.
On Steam, Rebirth boasts an 80% positive rating from 13,660 reviews and is priced at $29.99. It currently has 2,137 concurrent players, showing it retains a solid audience well after its launch. This suggests that the character debates haven’t led to player backlash, even though they’ve sparked some tension within the community.
| Steam Review Score | 80% positive |
| Total Steam Reviews | 13,660 |
| Current Steam Price | $29.99 |
| Current Concurrent Players | 2,137 |
| Players Aged 30+ | 77% |
Overall, the community sentiment is mostly positive, though some express concerns about pacing. One Steam reviewer rated the game “an 8.5/10—it’s incredibly fun with plenty to do, but it really starts to drag towards the end.” This feedback aligns with a game that takes over 80 hours to complete and embraces elaborate narrative twists.
What To Watch
- How Square Enix manages character arcs for the final trilogy installment—especially for Cloud and Aerith—will shape whether the Remake series is viewed as a successful reimagining or a misstep away from the original’s tone.
- The 77% of players aged 30 and older is relatively high for an action RPG. Keep an eye on whether Square Enix shifts its marketing and design strategies for Part 3 to either expand that demographic or focus more on nostalgia-driven storytelling.
- With Rebirth priced at $29.99 on Steam, a price drop before Part 3’s release could boost concurrent player counts and reignite discussions around the character changes.
