Final Fantasy is the latest action RPG that looks set to take the crown for Game Of The Year 2024. It has already won an award for being the most anticipated game of the year, and if it manages to replicate the gameplay seen in the first part, we could be onto a winner here.
However, before you even boot up the game, you may be wondering how combat is going to play out in this second part. And that’s certainly a valid question. Thankfully, we’ve got everything you need to know, explained in this handy article.
Does Rebirth have real-time or turn-based attacks?
Combat in Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth is played out in exactly the same way as in the first part, Remake. FF7’s ATB (Active Time System) means that gameplay mechanics and statistics are translated into free-flowing fights rather than turn-based attacks as seen in classic Final Fantasy games (and FFX as well to be fair).
This ATB system is still active while you switch between active party members, and you can also pre-load attacks and abilities just as before.
What are the basic controls for combat?
The attack controls in FF7 Rebirth are the same as Remake, but for those new to the game, the following are the basic attack patterns:
- Press Square (repeatedly for combos or hold-down depending on character) – Attack enemies with melee or ranged strikes.
- Press X – This will open up the ATB Commands. When the menu is available, you can use abilities, items or spells in battle as long as you have ATB charges available. ATB can be charged faster by attacking enemies or successfully blocking attacks (using Square)
- Press O – This will let you evade incoming enemy attacks and abilities.
- Press Triangle – Activates a special unique ability. Each character has a different one you can carry out.
- Hold R1 – Holding R1 will let you block enemy attacks. However, some are completely unblockable and you will get hit so it’s definitely a case of trial and error. For those attacks you can block, if you hit the trigger at the right time, you can perform a Perfect Block that negates all enemy attacks
- Press L2 or R2 – Pressing either of these will switch the active character over to the others in your party. This can help you choose the right abilities, spells and attacks to instigate against your enemies.
- Hold R1 – Use Synergy Skills. These are special teamwork abilities that will allow you to use a teammate to deal bigger damage.
- Press R3 – This will allow you lock on to different enemies.
What is First Strike?
While out in the field, you can get a jump on enemies and help to swing the tide of battle in your favour by using an ability called First Strike. Each enemy will have a red bar that fills up the closer you get to them. When it fills, an enemy will engage in battle with you.
However, if you stealth your way up to an enemy (usually by sneaking from behind) and attack before the bar fills up, you’ll execute a First Strike.
If you manage to pull this off, not only do your comrades show up as soon as the battle begins, but it’ll also give your ATB meter a big boost too.
What is the Focus Gauge?
Below an enemy’s health bar, you’ll find something called the Focus Gauge. This fills up once you’ve attacked an enemy multiple times. Once the Focus Gauge fills, the enemy will stagger.
For this reason, you want to focus all of your big attacks and unique abilities on enemies (especially bosses) when they enter a Staggered state. This will lower an enemy’s defence and you’ll do way more damage this way.
Should you switch characters in battle?
Yes! Rebirth is designed much the same way as Remake and for that reason, instead of button-mashing Square, you should be constantly switching up characters.
This also has an additional benefit of helping to build up their ATB gauges. Although they still fill a little when you’re not controlling your AI comrades, it’s way slower than if you’re actively controlling them.
Furthermore, every character has a unique ability (as mentioned above). Each of these Unique Abilities can really help you deal a lot of damage that you otherwise wouldn’t do if the AI is just controlling them.
On this same note, any character action or ability that has a long-winded animation makes it a prime-time to switch up to another character and keep attacking. Summons are the biggest culprit here and if you do choose to Summon a comrade like Shiva or Phoenix, immediately switch to someone else and continue attacking.
What is the Assess Materia? And what’s the best way to use it?
Assess Materia is an incredibly useful skill, and it comes in the form of a yellow Command Materia. Using this against an enemy will generate a ton of info on the different foes you encounter in the battle.
Not only will this tell you their weakness, it’ll also break down their HP, strength and a whole bunch of other useful stats too. In fact, it’ll actually describe how to Pressure and Stagger them!
While with some smaller enemies this may be quite straightforward, it’s invaluable when you’re facing off against boss fights. Pressuring and Staggering foes becomes much more integral to your strategy during these big boys and can help turn the tide of battle in your favour.
On top of Assess, it’s a good idea to double it up with First Strike Materia (a purple Complete Materia), it’ll help boost your ATB gauge at the start of battle and make things considerably simpler while fighting.
It’s one of the most useful Materia in the game to use in all honesty, and we’d recommend using this combo of First Strike and Assess while grinding levels to speed up the process.
Who is best to use when enemies are staggered?
Each of the party members in the game have their own unique pros and cons but Tifa’s ability to take out enemies and deal big damage combos when they’re Staggered, makes her a must-have for your party.
In fact, activating her Unbridled Strength and then using your Unique Abilities in a row – Rise and Fall, Whirling Uppercut and Omnistrike – will raise the damage multiplier on enemies considerably . If you use this strategy against bosses, it’ll really help speed up the flow and length of battles.
How do you retreat?
While not always an option, especially in the big boss fights, out in the open world you may encounter enemies that are just way too high level and are close to KOing your party.
If this occurs, then you can retreat from battle by simply turning and running away from enemies. Once you leave their range of detection, the fight will end and you’ll be able to heal up and try again.
Are you excited to dive in and play through Final Fantasy VII Rebirth? The game launches on the PlayStation 5 on February 29th 2024.