When I sat down for my hands-on preview of Final Fantasy VII Revelation, I had a plan: see as much as possible in the limited time. But that plan lasted about five minutes. Instead of racing through the game's final chapter, I found myself completely absorbed in two locations—Mideel and Wutai—and I have zero regrets.
The game is a visual stunner, but what really impressed me was how alive these environments feel. Mideel, in particular, is a place where you can just exist. The streets are packed with tiny details that reward slowing down, and it's easy to forget you're supposed to be saving the world. I spent a good chunk of my time just wandering, checking corners, and soaking in the atmosphere. It's the kind of world-building that makes you want to ignore the main quest entirely.
Then I reached Wutai, and any hope of staying on task evaporated. Wutai has been teased throughout the remake trilogy, but it finally appears in Revelation, and it does not disappoint. It's not just pretty—it's designed to be explored. Every side path, every rooftop, every hidden nook begs you to investigate. I found myself constantly veering off the critical path, driven by pure curiosity. The architecture is stunning, and the sense of place is so strong that I wanted to see everything, even if it meant failing my preview objectives.
This is exactly what makes Wutai so special. It's one thing to create a visually impressive backdrop, but it's another to make players genuinely curious about what's around the next corner. Wutai does both, and it's going to be a serious distraction when the full game launches. With Meteor looming and Cloud's crew facing their biggest challenges, I might have to force myself to stay on track—but I'm not making any promises.
Of course, Revelation isn't just about exploration. The combat, which has been a highlight of the remake series, feels as smooth as ever. The blend of real-time action and strategic ATB commands is refined to near perfection. I was able to chain together abilities, switch characters, and flow through encounters without missing a beat. It's clear that Square Enix has focused on polishing the system rather than reinventing it, and that's the right call. The combat complements the exploration, making every encounter feel like a natural part of the journey.
My time with Final Fantasy VII Revelation was brief, but it was enough to confirm that this is shaping up to be a worthy conclusion to the trilogy. The game is gorgeous, the combat is fantastic, and the new locations—especially Wutai—are masterclasses in world design. If you're a fan of the series, you're in for a treat. For more on the latest in entertainment, check out our coverage of Netflix's upcoming pirate epic or dive into fantasy reads that keep you hooked.
