How do you improve on a game that was very close to perfect in the first place? The original PS4 release of Final Fantasy VII Remake already scored a mighty five stars in its Empire review, but a little over a year later, we're returning to the stunning Midgar City as Square Enix offers up a version optimised for the more powerful PlayStation 5.
There are no content improvements to the base game, with the upgrade focused on visuals. The PS5 native version packs in two graphics modes – quality offers 4K resolution at 30fps, while performance aims for a smoother 60fps experience although resolution may dip in more intense battles. Even at its lowest res though, Intergrade still looks sharper than the already impressive PS4 version of Remake.
If you've got the screen to benefit from the overhaul, it's stunning, whichever mode you opt for. Textures on everything from fabrics to rubble look notably more realistic, environmental details such as fog and lighting have greater depth and clarity, and objects in the distance are far clearer. Cinephiles may prefer to stick to the 4K30 version though, as the 60fps performance mode almost feels a little too smooth, creating the same sense of displacement that affected the HFR versions of The Hobbit.
The only downside to the Intergrade upgrade is that the haptic feedback supposedly tailored to the PS5's DualSense controller doesn't really feel especially improved. There's a touch more directionality to the sense of impact, but coming to this after the likes of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart shows how little use is made of the feature here.
A year on from Final Fantasy VII Remake, Intergrade feels like the definitive edition.
The good news is that if you already have the PS4 release in physical or digital form, the upgrade to Intergrade is free (except for players who only got the game when it was offered as part of PlayStation Plus, or players with a disc-based copy on PS4 but an all-digital PS5). There's even a save file transfer tool that will allow you to pick up your adventure exactly where you left off. Somewhat confusingly, this isn't done via the PS+ cloud storage of save data though – you'll need to upload via a title menu option on the PS4 version, then download it through the PS5 edition.
The visual upgrades are nice, but what's more likely to be a draw though is the addition of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intermission, a new side-story. Included with Intergrade if you buy the PS5 version new or purchasable as DLC for those upgrading from PS4, the new chapter focuses on teen ninja Yuffie Kisaragi, set on infiltrating the headquarters of planet-killing megacorp Shinra in order to steal its "ultimate materia", FF7's source of magical powers.
Intermission, as the title hints, is set during the events of Remake proper. It doesn't bridge the gap to the next instalment in the longer form adaptation of the original Final Fantasy VII story, but it does serve as a fun introduction to a major, fan-favourite character that returning players know has a major role to play going forwards. There's plenty of fun nods to those returning from Remake – although the DLC is stand-alone, it presumes you've completed the main game – with Yuffie able to meet and speak with supporting characters for interactions that help flesh out the wider world.
In battle, Yuffie feels satisfyingly different to Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, or Barrett. Her iconic giant shuriken can be used for up-close melee attacks or thrown for ranged assaults, but while it's away from her, Yuffie can instead use ninja magic. It's quite the glow-up from her PS1 days, with her ninjitsu ability allowing her elemental magic attacks that don't require materia. Learning how best to balance Yuffie's skills – and as you progress, those of her ally Sonon, who joins as a party member – may take a little while, especially if you're used to the main game's cast, but it provides a fun new way to approach combat.
Intermission isn't the longest addition – clocking the main story element will take five to six hours – but it does pack in a few substantial side challenges. VR master Chadley reappears with a tough battle or two, while the DLC also introduces the 'Fort Condor' minigame. A nod to the PS1 version of FF7, here it's a board game that the people of Midgar are obsessed with (despite it never being seen in Remake) that blends tower defence, chess, and a rock-paper-scissors approach to outwitting opponent's units. It's surprisingly challenging too, with most matches past the initial tutorial taking a few attempts to win.
A year on from the debut of Final Fantasy VII Remake, its Intergrade remaster feels like the definitive edition, while Intermission proves a delectable taste of what further delights the wider Remake project has in store. The only downside is having to wait who-knows-how-long until we get more.