Final Fantasy 7: RebirthandFinal Fantasy16are two extremes of what the series can be. On one hand, the latest release in 16 is a deep tale filled with family bloodlines, massive empires, and plenty of war to go around. The game is set in a medieval-style world with plenty of magic.
Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth is very different from 16. Rebirth follows Cloud and his ragtag group of comrades on a mission to defeat the mega-corporation, Shinra, and stop them from draining the planet of its natural resources. Whether cyberpunk or high fantasy, Final Fantasy will always deliver an excellent gaming experience. But which one is better?
Writing - Final Fantasy 16
Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth has excellent writing and quirky dialog between some of the iconic party members. Since the original game was released in 1997, most of the dialog has been fixed or translated properly, but the script and feel remain mostly the same.
On the other hand, Final Fantasy 16’s dialog is based on a brand new story that has never been told in any Final Fantasy game. The dialog is reminiscent of that of Final Fantasy 12 and 14. Its tone is far more mature and tells a powerful and gripping story filled with betrayal.
Gameplay
Both games offer amazing combat that will keep you entertained for hours on end, but they differ quite a lot, and depending on what you are looking for in a game, one might appeal to you more than the other.
Combat - Final Fantasy 16
Rebirth’s combat centers more on hack-and-slash style combat, with spells and abilities being utilized as your ATB gauge fills up. The combo potential is there, but it’s a bit lacking.
Final Fantasy 16’s combat is far more complex. It’s fast, high octane, and relies on timing and aerial juggling combos.
Characters - Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth
Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth offers six different playable characters that vary in style, just in case you are ever bored of a single character. The characters are some of the most iconic in video game history. You’ll never have a dull moment when adventuring with Cloud and friends.
Final Fantasy 16 is a different beast. Although different comrades join you throughout your adventure, this journey focuses on Clive’s adventure to rebuild and seek revenge. Clive is never really alone, as he travels with his best friend Torgal, the best boy.
World - Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth
The world of Valisthea is a massive continent with different nations that offer unique landscapes for Clive to perform his flashy combos. The world is beautiful, but the activities around it are limited. There are different side quests and the infamous hunts that will test your mettle, but other than that, most of the world-building is told through text and the Active Time Lore system.
Although Rebirth’s world is a remake of the 1997 classic, the world of Gaia is iconic for a reason. Fans adore this world and every town and village found in it, not only for nostalgic reasons but also for the sheer creativity of every local, especially huge spiraling cities like the famed Gold Saucer or Midgar.
Minigames - Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth
Minigames are an important part of Final Fantasy. Most of the time, the games tackle dark topics that are introspective and dark—we’re looking at you,Final Fantasy 10. These stories’ dark moments are contrasted by goofy dialog and good ol’ Chocobo racing.
Clive’s story in Final Fantasy 16 is filled with tragedy and overall, the story is a bit more brooding and somber. Final Fantasy 16 is nonstop darkness and thrilling combat, leaving no room for minigames.
Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth sticks to the typical inclusion of minigames butturns it up tenfold. The second part of the remake includes a ton of new minigames, some returning from the first part and some brand new, including aRocket League-style game where you control Red XIII and a full-on tabletop card game.
Seriously, play Queen’s Blood. You’ll sink countless hours just deckbuilding alone.
Voice Acting - Final Fantasy 16
The voice acting in Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth is incredible. The cast does their part in bringing the 90’s low-poly models to life, just as fans imagined them back in the day. They all have distinct personalities, and their performances make you love the Avalanche team even more.
Yet, the performances in Final Fantasy 16 feel way more compelling.Ben Starr’s performance as Clive Rosfield even earned him a nomination at The Game Awards. His stoic voice adds layers of pain toall of the tragedyhe’s forced to experience.
Verdict
Each game is a perfect example of the range of the Final Fantasy series of games. They can be fun and aloof, yet with gripping stories like Final Fantasy 7, or they can be dark and at times depressing as a modern revenge story in the likes of Final Fantasy 16.
They each offer different playstyles, so choosing between the two is difficult. If you’re looking for a gripping story that shows the direction that future Final Fantasy will head towards, Final Fantasy 16 is your go-to, but if you’re looking to reminisce about the old Final Fantasy or are looking to experience the iconic story for the first time, then Rebirth is the definitive way to play.
