Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth release date: UK launch time and preload news

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Fans of the source material will have an idea of what's to come, but it looks like this two-disc extravaganza will still bring plenty of surprises for everyone.

Curious about what this retelling of Cloud's story will bring? We'll share all we know about Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth down below, from its release date and trailer to possible story surprises.

When is the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth release date?

The Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth release date is 29th February 2024, it has been confirmed by the developer. It will be coming out on two discs, which just goes to show how big games are becoming these days.

Square Enix is known for its incredible visuals, so it’s not surprising it struggled to contain all the beauty on one 100GB Blu-ray.

For any pre-recorded visuals, Square opts for very high-bitrate 4K video for a consistent look, but as you can imagine, this also takes up a whole lot of space.

The live crowd watching the Summer Game Fest (where two discs were revealed) went nuts for it too, and it soothed a nostalgic part of our brains that remember when the likes of Final Fantasy 9 were spread across four discs.

When is the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth UK release time?

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is expected to launch in the UK at 12am on Thursday 29th February 2024.

While Square Enix has yet to officially confirm this, a datamine (via PlayStation Game Size) has supposedly discovered that the game will go live from midnight.

When can you pre-load Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth?

Players will be able to pre-load Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth from midnight on Tuesday 27th February 2024.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth has been confirmed to be a whopping 150GB on PlayStation 5, split across two discs if you are picking up the game physically. So you'll want to utilise those 48 hours ahead of time to get the ready for launch.

Can you pre-order Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth?

You can pre-order Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth from GAME right now for £69.99.

GAME is currently only offering the standard physical edition of the FF 7 remake sequel, but over on the official Square Enix store, you can pre-order the physical Deluxe Edition and Collector's Edition.

In the Deluxe Edition of the game (£99.99), you get a copy of the game along with a mini art book, mini soundtrack CD and steelbook case.

If you have a lot of cash to spare, though, you might want to pre-order the Collector's Edition. Here's what's included in the £349.99 Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Collector's Edition:

• Base game
• Everything from the Deluxe Edition
• 19 inch statue of Sephiroth (with a detachable wing)
• DLC:
  • Moogle Trio Summoning Materia
  • Magic Pot Summoning Materia
  • Reclaimant Choker Accessory | Restores your health every time you defeat an enemy
  • Orchid Bracelet Armour
  • Midgar Bangle Mk. II Armour

If you'd rather go digital, you can pre-order via the PlayStation Store, including the Twin Pack, which includes both Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade and Rebirth.

Which platforms is Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on?

At launch, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a timed exclusive on PS5, until at least 29th May 2024.

This means that we could see the FF 7 Remake part 2 launch on Xbox Series X/S and PC sometime after 29th May 2024. Time will tell on this front, though - but here's hoping everyone will be able to play the epic sequel and carry on Cloud and the gang's story.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth story and gameplay

The official synopsis for the original read: "Set in the dystopian cyberpunk metropolis of Midgar, players control mercenary Cloud Strife. He joins AVALANCHE, an eco-terrorist group trying to stop the powerful megacorporation Shinra from using the planet's life essence as an energy source."

The sequel will take place exactly where the original ended, with you beginning a new journey away from Midgar. You will absolutely want to play through the first one before embarking on the sequel. It would be a bit like starting The Lord of the Rings movies with The Two Towers - enjoyable, but you will likely be very confused.

This could well end up being a different game story-wise than many expected, with an interview with the development team on the PlayStation blog confirming that "the order in which you can explore the locations is not the same as the original Final Fantasy VII, and there are some shifts in the order".

In terms of where the story in Rebirth takes us, we'll be going up to the events in 'The Forgotten Capital', where things start to get real. Wutai, meanwhile, will be explored in the third game.]

As for gameplay, you know what you are getting with the Final Fantasy 7 remakes, and the core aspects of the game that you know and love will be present and accounted for.

This time around Red XIII joins the party and other new additions have been made including plenty more mini-games (including the Gold Saucer), synergy moves, new Materia and abilities, and new skill trees. It's worth reading the full PlayStation blog interview linked above for full details.

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Is there a Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth trailer?

Yes, there are several Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth trailers now live.

The trailer shown below was revealed as part of the Summer Game Fest 2023 and is still worth a watch, as it shows off the updated next-gen only visuals in all their glory.

Gaia has never looked better but, curiously, the trailer opens with Tifa, Barrett and Red XIII being loaded into ambulances on stretchers after the destruction of sectors zero, perhaps at the new FF7 timeline Square Enix is toying with to differentiate it from the original.

Soon though, the gang find themselves in the world beyond Midgard, but there are more questions than answers - answers that players of the original may not have. Things are shaping up to be quite different, lending credence to the game's subtitle: Rebirth.

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