When Square Enix announced that Final Fantasy VII Remake would receive a DLC with Yuffie Kisaragi as its star, fans of the original game where thrilled. However, Yuffie's DLC, INTERmission, is exclusively a part of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, a visually enhanced version of the base game that's only on PS5. This means those with a PlayStation 4 are stuck without a potentially vital experience leading into FF7 Remake's sequel.
Yuffie Kisaragi is an optional character in the original Final Fantasy game, meaning she had to be sought out and recruited because she was not part of the main storyline. However, Yuffie shines as INTERmission's protagonist and is a joy to play as. This alone is enough to make fans of the original FF7, a vital demographic for the game and its impending sequels, want to play the DLC. This same demographic was also likely to buy Final Fantasy 7 Remake on their PS4 upon its initial release. Players can upgrade to Intergrade for free if they move their FF 7 Remake game data from their PS4 to their PS5, but there's still a huge problem: they have to have a PlayStation 5.
Unfortunately, PlayStation's newest console is still incredibly hard to come by due to a continued microchip shortage for PS5s. When they come in stock, they are sold out within minutes. And even if anyone is able to find one, the PS5 is $500. Especially when one considers the economic ramifications the global pandemic has had on countless households, placing INTERmission behind what's essentially a $500 paywall is harsh. Given the additional miscalculations behind the availability of the PS5, Sony's decision to have INTERmission be exclusive to the PS5 feels tone deaf and unreasonable.
FF7 Remake's INTERmission DLC Could Leave Players Out of Story Developments
Additionally, there are story elements of INTERmission that PS4 owners will miss out on. The heart of INTERmission takes place during the middle of Final Fantasy VII Remake's plot, while Cloud is temporarily separated from the rest of Avalanche. However, the game's cutscenes are not just about Yuffie and do not just deal with mid-game matters. There are scenes that continue on from the game's ending, and the DLC's post-credit scene contains potentially important plot development for FF7 Remake's sequel.
The move to PS5 exclusivity is inevitable, because such is the way with home gaming consoles. But with PS5s still in short supply and at a price point made even more inhibitive by a continued global emergency, one would think Sony would give a little more leeway - especially when it comes to a game released cross-gen. Unfortunately, unless Sony changes its mind, Final Fantasy 7 Remake fans with PS4s won't be able to experience the DLC content.