Learn about the changes, updates, and new content that the INTERGRADE edition of Final Fantasy VII Remake brings from the base game.
Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020) is the long-awaited remake of Final Fantasy VII (1997), the game that popularized Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) in the West and the rest of the world. Remake was initially released as a timed exclusive for the PlayStation 4.
- Read more: Final Fantasy VII Remake – All Story Changes
When Final Fantasy VII Remake was ported to PlayStation 5 and PC in 2021, it saw a series of content updates and improvements, with enough new features to be branded an “upgraded” version of the game. This is exactly what Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is.
For most players that own the original PlayStation 4 version of Final Fantasy VII Remake, the upgrade to Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is free.
What comes with Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade?
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is an enhanced version of Final Fantasy VII Remake, bringing new DLC content packed with visual enhancements, updates to the main story, and several significant quality-of-life improvements.
Episode INTERmission
The biggest update that Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade brings to the table over the original is the addition of new story content. In Episode INTERmission, players will follow Yuffie Kisaragi across two new chapters. This portion of the DLC needs to be purchased separately from the free upgrade.
This alone makes Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade worth it, as it offers the most up-to-date version of the story. Moreover, the ability to play as Yuffie provides an all-new combat style to experiment with and enjoy.
The first cutscene of Episode INTERmission takes place right at the end of Final Fantasy VII Remake when the party is walking to Kalm on the road away from Midgar.
Better Graphics
One of the most immediate changes you will notice when playing Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is the improvements to the visuals in every nook and cranny. Regarding graphics settings, players are free to choose between Quality Mode and Performance Mode.
- Performance Mode: Up to 1620p @ 60 FPS
- Quality Mode: Up to 2560p (4k) @ 30 FPS
A major boost to global illumination allows more lights to cast detailed shadows, vastly improving the way the city of Midgar appears.
Textures are greatly enhanced, too, with increased detail by fixing clipping and slightly off placements. Shadows have been slightly reworked to be more accurately cast.
Thanks to the requirement of solid-state drives, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade has extended memory usage, improving load times and decreasing pop-ups. For example, the PS4 version of Remake has an average load time of 40 seconds, but this is reduced to a mere 2 seconds with Intergrade.
Yuffie’s Character Development
With the addition of the new story chapters featuring Yuffie Kisaragi and her unique combat style, players experience more layers of her character than ever.
In the original Final Fantasy VII, Yuffie was a side character who could be optionally recruited. However, she had no real backstory or reason to exist. Fortunately, the new chapters in the Episode INTERmission DLC focus on Yuffie and her mission to steal a powerful Materia from Avalanche, fleshing her out as a character.
Final Fantasy VII Remake is an action role-playing game developed by Square Enix and initially released in 2020 for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, the enhanced version of the game, was released in 2021 for PlayStation 5 and PC.