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Cloud and his friends return to pursue Sephiroth in Part 2 of the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy.

Square Enix showed up at Summer Game Fest to show off gameplay for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the second chapter in its Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy. The trailer shows off plenty of visuals fans of the original game will appreciate, along with a glimpse of this game’s expansive world and expanded party of playable characters.

Watch the trailer below:

The trailer begins with a rather grim scene: Cloud and his party have been devastated by a disastrous Midgar expressway crash. Skipping right over it, the trailer then picks up with Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Aerith and Red XIII (who is now playable!) exploring the world beyond Midgar: Gaia, and all of its lush surroundings. The party has finally escaped from the clutches of the Shinra Corporation back in the metal city, and it shows.

Cloud and friends are pursuing Sephiroth across Gaia, and the journey will take them to places fans of the original PlayStation game will recognise. We see the party enter the Chocobo Farm, one of the earliest stops players made in the original RPG, before delving into subterranean caves and fighting rock monsters. Unlike its predecessor, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will allow us to see Cloud’s full party as they travel together and explore Gaia.

The trailer ends with a flashback teasing Sephiroth’s origins and his early ties with Tifa. The villain ominously tells Cloud that he killed Tifa, so who is she and how is she alive today? All will hopefully be revealed in Early 2024, which is when the game is now set for launch.

Producer Yoshinori Kitase said of the game:

We’re honored to bring FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH to players around the world early next year. In the next installment of this thrilling tale, Cloud and his friends—both new and returning—will embark on a new adventure, so all players can enjoy this story, even those without any familiarity with the previous title or the original FINAL FANTASY VII. The entire team has worked fervently with love and adoration for the world of FINAL FANTASY VII to deliver an unforgettable experience for new adventurers and longtime fans alike, reaching new heights of cinematic storytelling, immersive and fast-paced combat, and rich exploration across a vast world. We can’t wait to share more details later this year.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth gets gameplay trailer and 2024 release window