Final Fantasy VII Remake’s Combat Finally Delivers On Final Fantasy XV’s Potential

Final Fantasy VII Remake feels like a true realization of what Final Fantasy XV set out to do, and it looks to the series' past to create something new and exciting.

Final Fantasy VII Remake is action-packed and its combat runs at a blistering pace. But the game also knows that players need an option to slow things down and plan out their next moves, which is where the ATB system comes into play. The Remake has taken inspiration from across the series and created a combat system that feels like what Final Fantasy always wanted to be. It sets out to redefine the series' combat just like Final Fantasy XV did, but succeed where that title didn't.

[Spurg]

More like Final Fantasy 13's potential. FFVII remake is a more refined version of that combat system.
FFXV combat was trash, you could play the game by just hold one button. There was no strategy involved

[Eamon]

Yeh, FF7R definitely takes far more from FF13 than FF15. I think people are making this mistake because they both look visually similar. FF7R actually takes more from KH series than FF15 too.

The biggest problem with FF13's combat system was the autobattle function. We want to be in complete control of commands and not just change job classes on the fly. Even if you could create your own gambits, it just doesn't compare to actually customizing specific magic abilities and and using specific commands. Also, FF13's battles outside of bosses were piss easy that barely required any player strategy. FF7R battles aren't hard but you cannot win just button mashing. Each character in the party is unique. Cloud is close-combat warrior type good for damage and tanking. Barrett is ranged gunner type good for ranged-damage and black magic. Tifa is close-combat monk type good for pressuring and staggering. Aerith is a mage type good for black and white magic.

[Harkins1721]

Yes you could just hold one button and attack in FFXV. But it did have other options on how to play it. Plenty of YouTube videos show you exactly how to take advantage of the system. Or you could be a bore and take the route you did.

[Spurg]

The other options were equally as bad.....magic in that game is pathetic. FFXV's combat did not encourage any level of strategic thinking.

[Eamon]

FF15 is better described as an Action-Adventure game than an Action-RPG.
KH series and FF7R are actual Action-RPGs.

[rainslacker]

There wasn't a single boss or post game monster, that required you learn how to do anything more than attack and use a spell or item. Yeah, the combat could be deeper, but there was really no reason to bother, as the deeper combat didn't generally speed things up.

FFXIII OTOH, you had to learn how to use the paradigm system for anything post game, or not along the story path.

[Z501]

How do you beat Omega with just one button?

[Harkins1721]

Magic was terrible. It should have been used like in 7R. They went another way with it. But again thats not what I mean. You can literally do combos in the game again plenty of YouTube videos show you.

(Spoilers I guess for KH2/KH3 and 7R) Thats like cheating the LW in KH2 or Yozora In KH3, or Hell House in FF7R because you can instead of playing a different way and giving yourself a challenge. You took the easy way out when you played the game. Trust me, overall im disappointed in XV. Tabata lied about it and changed the battle system after the Duscae Demo. It was heart breaking. Was able to enjoy parts of it sure. But overall should have been a much better game.

[Spurg]

Trust me i didn't take the easy way out because the game was pissed easy and a breeze to go through. There was no incentive to do it any differently since the FFXV's combat didn't encourage using your tools properly

[thejigisup]

You can do combos in FF7R too.

[Z501]

You obviously didn't fight Omega.

[franwex]

I think that sort of proves their point though.

Omega is an optional hidden boss.

I enjoyed FF15, but their was no incentive to go deeper into combat for most of the game.

[Z501]

@franwex
"You can play the game by just holding one button"

That was literally, multiple peoples point. Which is false. Which was ONE example I gave.

[Z501]

How?
How do you beat Omega & Costlemark with just one button on your 1st playthrough???

[sinspirit]

I don't think we will get the really awesome materia combinations we used to have though. I'm curious how far the next games will go to keep combat engaging throughout

[Lon3wolf]

Don't forget you didn't get that until much later in the game, but yeah they have changed the materia a bit so it could go either way.

[MrNinosan]

I think already now we have more fun with the combinations than we did in Midgar last time around.
I would've never been able to beat the game on Hard if it wasn't for those Materia combinations.
I think they'll stay awesome through the sequels.

[sinspirit]

I can't wait to see the weapons and explore the world. Next gen gives us a lot of hope for delivering on grand scale.

Some of the combinations in the original were so crazy. I can't wait to see what they do

[Eamon]

I think we will.
Enemy Skill Materia and Steal Materia was in the game. They even kept the whole Aerith's weapon has to be stolen from Eligor enemy in Train Graveyard.

[VileAndVicious]

On paper I really like the combat in FF7R. But IMO it needs to feel more tactical. Things like allowing players to string together multiple commands together via the ATB gague (thinking back to FF13), or the ability to do team skill chains would make it awesome.

Also the AI is just horrible, it would be nice to have some basic control (that other action RPGs have) over your party members that aren't being actively controlled.

[TheColbertinator]

FFXV had so many gameplay changes that I didn't recognize the game by launch. Felt kinda like the game Brink. Gameplay trailers of a game that may have never existed.

[AK91]

I think the UE4 definitely helps with the fluidity in the combat the Luminous engine while beautiful was kinda janky in the combat department.

[Jahbu]

I definitely feel a strong Kingdom Hearts vibe in the combat. Especially from Kingdom Hearts 3. Clouds’ “punishing stance” looks exactly like Riku’s fighting stance.

[fatahmoradisaki23]

Yes you could just hold one button and attack in FFXV. But it did have other options on how to play it. Plenty of YouTube videos show you exactly how to take advantage of the system. Or you could be a bore and take the route you did.

[oakshin]

How do you even compare the two? Noctis was the only playable character and it was 40 hours of filler and you held down 1 button

[Razmiran]

You can play with the other 3 characters during combat in XV, just have to unlock it in the skill tree

[oakshin]

I got the Platinum trophy in the game no you can. Not There is no skill to use other characters and if there is they added it YEARS after launch and that would just pee me off I put 80 hours into 15 would of been alot better if I could if switched character s put when I played it was impossible

[Razmiran]

Prepare to be pissed off
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[Germaximus]

The combat is literally the worst thing about it. At least it's better than FFXV's. The A.I. is useless and the ATB gauge does not build for characters you do not control. I don't hate it, but it needs a LOT of work to actually feel good.

[Seraphim]

it definitely leaves a lot to be desired. I doubt it'll happen but I hope they patch and fix/adjust/tune it for future parts. Aside from the pacing the battle system as it currently stands are my biggest gripes. It's just not refined and good enough...

Blocking and dodging aren't beneficial enough. I shouldn't need a materia for [assuming] blocking to do it's job and be beneficial. Team AI is atrocious and there's no setting for party members like every other game has. ie: target leaders enemy, target weakest, etc. A simple selection like all other games or an advanced, though not as in depth system similar to XIIs Gambit system would have been much appreciated. Just something so party members can be given priorities in battle. I think the ATB not charging much while not in use is simply due to the horrid AI and fact they're doing so little. Switch to Aerith and she's shooting her wand away from all the enemies. Barrett is in the corner trying to shoot through the wall while Tifa is shadow boxing.

[VileAndVicious]

Having a simplified Gambit system a la FFXII would be amazing, as it stands now characters won't even heal themselves which is just stupid. Also I completely agree about dodging. Personally I think they should completely axe the dodge mechanic in favor of giving each character one or two unique actions that players should be about to equip depending on their play style. For example: giving Tifa a quick step type ability so that she can reposition around enemies, or Coud a parry/counter that has to be timed just right.

You hit the nail right on the head combat just doesn't feel refined.

[Larrysweet]

But there atb does climb alone albeit very slowly and can use materia to start with a gauge

[kubetvivn]

nice