Final Fantasy 7 Remake Episode INTERmission stars an optional character from the original game in Yuffie Kisaragi, and the DLC never quite shakes the feeling that it's optional as well. While there is plenty to like about INTERmission overall, it's stretched thinly over a short experience that rarely touches on the most important thematic elements of FF7 Remake proper. In spite of these flaws, though, INTERmission remains a compelling experience thanks largely to a star-making representation of Yuffie as what should be an essential main character moving forward, and some flashy combat to match her loud personality.
For those unfamiliar with the premise of the FF7 Remake DLC, INTERmission follows Yuffie and fellow ninja Sonon as they embark into Midgar on a mission to steal a powerful Materia right out from under the nose of Shinra. Chronologically, the DLC takes place roughly in the middle of the FF7 Remake story, with the adventure coinciding with Cloud's temporary separation from Avalanche. Despite the narrative being paced quickly and short for a JRPG, there's enough going on - especially towards the end of the DLC, which begins to ask some major questions that sometimes feel a little too big for the scope of the side story - that it remains intriuging.
The story of INTERmission takes a backseat to its gameplay, however, which is far and away the best element of the FF7 Remake DLC. Yuffie is a delight to control, and her sometimes-too-casual approach to combat translates beautifully into both her moveset and the situational battles she engages in. Yuffie controls differently than any character in FF7 Remake, and it's for the better, as she excellent at both close- and long-range. That's thanks to her throwing star, which can be used for melee or for throws, the latter of which present the option to then dash toward the star in a flurry of motion not unlike Noctis' warp combat style in Final Fantasy 15.
Yuffie's combat style is complemented nicely by Sonon, who helps trigger combos during combat despite not being able to be controlled outright. While the system isn't overly complex, it doesn't need to be given the DLC's five or six hour playtime, so it never wears out its welcome. The dynamic combat continues what was initially established in FF7 Remake, a nice mix of the tactical combat of traditional turn-based JRPGs and a more modern, exhilarating experience that requires more precise button inputs.
Beyond the game's excellent combat, Yuffie shines as a protagonist in an unexpected way. Having roots as an entirely optional character in the original FF7, there was a chance that Yuffie might end up a one-dimensional character, with her trademark charm and cheeriness coloring everything she does. While she remains true to the original character in the sense she is an optimist once more, Yuffie's character depth - and her personality getting more time to shine in serious situations - makes her the right blend of likeable and battle-hardened. Yuffie's turn as a star makes it hard to deny that future FF7 Remake instalments would be worse off without her, and hopefully she slots her way into the party to add diversity to combat and its roster.
Most of the issues with Episode INTERmission stem from the DLC's length and its additional features. Fort Condor is hit or miss, though its brand of tower defense can be entertaining in short bursts. It's also nice to see characters from the main game appear throughout, though they feel like they're vacationing in the DLC rather than contributing to it in a meaningful way. As a side story, much of Yuffie and Sonon's struggle feels unrelated to the broader concerns of FF7 Remake, which can make it hard to get as invested. When, eventually, the scope broadens and hints are dropped at future content, it feels sudden and out of place.
Ultimately, though, FF7 Remake Episode INTERmission doesn't shy away from its nature as a side story, and as a result it spends most of its time embracing the new characters and their experiences rather than trying to shoehorn them into the main narrative. While that might make the FF7 Remake DLC feel less important as a result, it also results in a tight, fun experience that doesn't take long to complete and firmly establishes another engrossing character in a FF7 Remake universe that has shown time and again it's capable of creating stars. FF7 Remake Episode INTERmission, then, is DLC that slots nicely into the gap between the first game and FF7 Remake Part 2 - it's skippable for those who aren't interested, but excellent for those who want more of the game's world before it progresses onward.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Episode INTERmission is available now as part of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade on PlayStation 5. Screen Rant was provided with a digital FF7 Remake Intergrade code for the purpose of this review.