'Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth' review: Savor the story, skim the open world
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth excels when it builds on Remake's innovations. But its new open world distracts from its superb character development.
On July 4 just over 25 years ago, I rode a float in a parade, stuffed myself at an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, splashed in the local pool, and played in the woods ahead of our town's fireworks extravaganza. That evening, at a friend's sleepover, 11-year-old me took turns playing Final Fantasy 7 with five of my friends.
Mouths agape in the glow of an old-school TV, we cheered as the game's spikey-haired protagonist rode a majestic motorcycle, slashing throngs of pursuing enemies with a gigantic sword.
Like many, many other gamers, Final Fantasy 7 would become one of myin gaming history.
