The recently-released PC version of Final Fantasy 7 Remake suffers from extremely poor optimization, according to analysts. The modern version of the classic 1997 title, which released on PlayStation 4 in 2020, completely remakes the original title with some additional story moments and real-time combat and exploration. The PC version of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake was recently revealed at The Game Awards 2021, with the title launching on December 16 under the title Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade.
Upon release Final Fantasy 7 Remake was praised for both remaining faithful to the original title and evolving some key aspects of gameplay. While the original FF7 exclusively employed turn-based combat during battles, the remake allows players to fight in real-time like a traditional action game. This lends even more intensity and a fast pace to the game's epic battles, and the Active Time Battle system can also pause the action similar to the original version of the game. The FF7 Remake covers the first section of the original game, taking place in the urban Midgar, while Final Fantasy 7 Remake's Intermission DLC follows two new protagonists and sets up the next part of the ongoing remake.
As reported by MSN, Digital Foundry content creators Alexander Battaglia and John Linneman have taken to Twitter to speak out against Final Fantasy 7 Remake's performance on PC. Since its recent launch the PC version of the title, distributed via the Epic Games Store, has received praise compared to its PlayStation counterparts. However, Battaglia claims that the game suffers from intense frame rate issues on PC which are not picked up on the digital RivaTuner Statistics Server monitor. Linneman doubles down on these claims, calling the PC port of FFV7R "terrible" and explaining that the issues compromise the title's focus on smooth visual storytelling.
While the Final Fantasy 7 Remake has been released on multiple platforms, the remake of the beloved action role-playing game is only partially complete. The currently-released game only covers the first section of the original FF7, with future remakes set to continue the story to eventually cover the entire epic adventure. The FF7 Remake novel confirms that Costa Del Sol, a peaceful coastal resort town from the 1997 classic, will make an appearance in future remakes. The original version of the beautiful sunny paradise allows players to interact with their teammates and go shopping, so the Final Fantasy 7 Remake version will likely serve a similar purpose.
The Final Fantasy 7 Remake received great praise upon release, with most of this positive reception aimed at the title's modern graphics and fast-paced action. An unstable frame rate unfortunately compromises both of these points, meaning that players of the PC port are experiencing an ineffective version of the action RPG. While Square Enix will hopefully improve this instability through updates and patches, as of now the FF7 Remake is better left untouched on PC.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake is available on PS4, PS5 and PC.
Sources: MSN, Alexander Battaglia/Twitter, John Linneman/Twitter