Uploaded on Saturday, a Final Fantasy VII Rebirth FF16 mod has given Cloud Strife Clive's outfit. Aerith has also received Jill's look from Final Fantasy 16.

The mod is by Trivia3D, a talented modder on Patreon who provides the heroes of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth amazing designs like wearing a chocobo hoodie and a citric-themed dress for Aerith. You can download the Cloud Strife Clive outfit here if you'd like. Here is Jill's outfit on Aerith, which was posted on Sunday. The tweet that shows the FF 16 protagonist design for Cloud has ?received over 2,300 likes on X and counting.

The German voice fo??r Clive Vincent Fallow hilariously replied to the post, "Cloud? finally got drip,"

Hopefully, we can see Clive Rosfield wearing Cloud's look from the Final Fantasy VII series in a future update. Fingers crossed. We'll likely see more mods for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth if and when the game launches ??on PC. It's currently a PS5 exclusive and has underperformed sales-wise for its publisher Square?? Enix.

According to Square Enix President Takashi Kiryu (via Bloomberg), Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Final Fantasy XVI, and Foamstars all "fell short of the Japanese game publisher’s exp??ectations in both revenue and profit." Square Enix shares as a result fell 16% in May.

Despite reportedly poor sales, there's much fan support for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Final Fantasy XVI. In fact, it was nominated for Console Game of the Year at The Golden Joystick Awards. With the critical acclaim this game received, it wouldn't be surprising to see it nominated at The Game Awards as well th??is year.

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The recently announced PS5 Pro quickly became a trending topic, but not for the best reasons. The pricing and the lack of titles are discouraging, but hope might be right around the corner as Digital Foundry just released a video comparison of a very early portion of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth looking stunning on the Pro.

As you might be aware, you can pick between two different graphical modes to play Final Fantasy 7 on the original PS5. Graphics, which allowed you to play at 4K but only at 30 FPS, and Performance which ??would te?ntatively grant you 60 FPS action but at a lower resolution that could drop even lower if needed to maintain the game's fluidity.

While I'd usually take framerate over graphics, I have to agree with the players defending that Graphics mode is the way to go. Performance mode doe??s?n't always achieve the amazing fluidity that it should, and still blurs the graphics to a degree that you just have a hard time accepting in a AAA game.

I get that the game originally had to compromise on the graphical front to deal with some of the more effects-intense battles. Still, there are simple cutscenes that got blurry to the point of making the characters recognizable only because th??ey're the most famous cast in gaming history.

Luckily, the PlayStation 5 Pro solves that problem. The Pro delivers looks that �aside from minor issues caused by the ?upscaling tech �match those of the Graphics version at a steady 60 frames per second. The only issue that the people at Digital Foundry still aren't sure about is whether the Pro will address the lighting issues present in the original version of the game.

You should totally watch Digital Foundry's video in its entirety because it delves deeper into all the more technical aspects and also be??cause it shows you the game's running at the framerate that it deserves.

Fake screenshots recently surfaced to mock the PS5 Pro's supposed graphical improvements by showing two images of the game running on the original PS5. Those were easily debunked by si??mply paying closer attention, but it's great to finally see what the PS5 can pull off.

I'm still not entirely sold on the PS5 Pro. The pricing issue, the lack of games, and the uncertainty regarding which existing games will really make use of the Pro's hardware still cast too dark of a shadow over it. And yet, it's nice to see that it truly does have the power to make one of the best-looking console games look even better. Here's hoping we'll see Final Fantasy 16 getting the same treatment soon.

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Every good gaming console needs a solid catalog of exclusives to keep it going. Why else would you buy the console? So it’s no surprise that with the PlayStation 5 Pro on the way, players are looking to see? what exclusives they can play on it. 

Despite being out for nearly four years now, the PS5 only has a handful of exclusive titles in it??s library. If you’re lo??oking for all of them to see if any of your must-haves are on the list, we’re here to provide.

All Exclusive Titles on PS5

The PS5 has a grand total of 17 exclusives available on the platform, that you can't play on any other conso?le or PC. Here are all of them, in alphabetical orde??r:

Astro Bot

• Release Date: September 6, 2024
• Developer: Team Asobi

Astro’s Playroom

• Release Date: November 12, 2020
• Developer: Team Asobi

Demon’s Souls

• Release Date: November 12, 2020
• Developer: Japan Studio & Bluepoint Games

Destruction All-Stars

• Release Date: February 2, 2021
• Developer: Lucid Games

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

• Release Date: February 29. 2024
• Developer: Square Enix

The Last of Us Part II Remastered

• Release Date: January 19, 2024
• Developer: Naughty Dog

Neptunia ReVerse

• Release Date: June 8, 2021
• Developer: Compile Heart

Project Wingman: Frontline 59

• Release Date: November 3, 2023
• Developer: Humble Games

Quantum Error

• Release Date: November 3, 2023
• Developer: TeamKill Media

R-Type Final 3 Evolved 

• Release Date: April 27, 2023
• Developer: NIS America

Rise of the Ronin

• Release Date: March 22, 2024
• Developer: Team Ninja

Silent Hill: The Short Message

• Release Date: January 31, 2024
• Developer: Konami

Marvel's Spider-Man 2

• Release Date: October 20, 2023
• Developer: Insomniac Games

Stellar Blade

• Release Date: April 26, 2024
• Developer: Shift Up

PS5 Exclusives with VR2

The??se titles are currently available on the PS5 but require the VR2 virtual reality headset to pl??ay. These include:

The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR

• Release Date: March 16, 2023
• Developer: Supermassive Games

Horizon Call of the Mountain

• Release Date: February 22, 2023
• Developer: Guerrilla Games & Firesprite

Synapse

• Release Date: July 3, 2023
• Developer: nDreams

All in all, this makes for a total of 17 exclusives for the PS5 that you can't play anywhere else. A grand majority of the games available on the PS5, however, are also playable on the previous generation console, the PS4 including some of the best PlayStation games.? Some games are even on other platforms as well, including ?PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

Luckily, there are a handful of upcoming releases that will add t??o this list and give PlayStation loyalists something to look forward to. We hope that Sony will continue to add more to the library to make the PS5? really worth it.

The post All PlayStation 5 exclusive titles appeared first on Destructoid.

Yoshinori Kitase, the director of the original Final Fantasy 7 and producer on Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, has ?said he hopes the series doesn't en??d with the remake trilogy, even if he'll no longer be involved with it.

This comes from the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Ultimania book, which recently released in Japan and provides additional context and insight on the characters and story. It also includes comments from key staff members like Kitase, which have been shared on X (formerly Twitter) by noted translator Audrey.

According to her, Kitase hopes "the world of FF7 may continue on even after finishing the FF7 Remake Project trilogy." Said project began with 2020's Final Fantasy 7 Remake, with the second installment�em>FF7 Rebirth—launching this pas?t February. Does this mean t??he story won't wrap up with the third game? No, Kitase has also said he wants to bring the trilogy "to a close," and even hopes to see Cloud and his companions get a happy ending, which they absolutely deserve after all the trauma and heartbreak they've endured so far.

Given the popularity of the Final Fantasy 7 series, it wouldn't be surprising if Square Enix kept things going with new spin-offs once the remake trilogy is done and dusted. I wouldn't say no to seeing Tifa get her own game, or how about remaking the Vincent Valentine-centric Dirge of Cerberus? Any such projects likely won't involve Kitase since, due to his age, he thinks part three of the remake trilogy will be his last involvement with Final Fantasy 7. This is the reason why he wants to "finish the trilogy on a posit?iv??e note without leaving behind any unfinished business."

Details about the third remake are incredibly slim, but there's plenty to be excited about. Aside from continuing the emotional rollercoaster of a story and clearing up that whammy of a cliffhanger in FF7 Rebirth, we'll be seeing Vincent and Cid become fully playable party members. Plus, we should gain access to an airship, much like in the original FF7, so we can freely fly around the world, though it'll be interesting to see how this will be implemented for the remake. In fact, in another translated post by Audrey, Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi said he's "wondering how exactly to represent the freedom of flying in an airship with a game? in such high graphic detail."

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Reprising his role from another recent popular game, the Mindflayer is the Classified Intel of the Junon Region of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. He’s ??pretty cool-looking, but?? he can be a bit tricky to bring down.

The Minflayer is only available after you complete all the World Intel objectives in Junon. This just means scanning all the Lifesprings, not doing literally everything. Once you do, the Mindflayer will be revealed on your map. It appears on the northern island in the bay, but you can’t even start the fight without first having completed the World Int?el.

Before we get into defeating it, I want to point ou?t that you can attempt this fight at any level. If you want to go through more of the game, level up, and get better equipment, you can come back and have an easier fight. I’m not judging.

How to defeat the Mindflayer

The Mindflayer in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth has no elemental weaknesses, so that sucks. It is also immune to  Brute forcing your way through is possibl??e, but, as usual, staggering it will get you to the finish line quicker.

In order to pressure the Mindflayer you need to use synergy moves. This means you’ll want as many characters who can do synergy attacks as possible. The Mindflayer will not be impressed by your extra bar of?? ATB, so make sure you’ve actually got some damage-dealing synergy in your arsenal.

In order to pull of?f these attacks, you’ll need to keep switching to other teammates to build their ATB and then use their abilities. Once two people with a synergy ability use enough of their abilities, the synergy option becomes available. It’s a lot of micromanagement, but I never promised an easy fight.

The main hook to this fight and the trick you need to know to take it on is that the Mindflayer will use a pair of spells in succession. The first is Telekinesis, which will throw a bunch of boulders on the field trying to squash you. However, it’s the follow-up, Psychotic Break that you really need to watch out for. If you’re hit by it, it’s an instant kill with 9999 damage. The only?? way to survive it is to hide behind one of the boulders that it conveniently dropped.

Watching out for this is the most important part of ?the fight. ?AI-controlled party members will take shelter automatically, so it will be really embarrassing if you’re the only one affected. Also, you’ll then have to scramble to resurrect the party member you lost.

That’s the basis of it. Syne?rgy attacks and avoiding Psychotic Break. As I mentioned, you can brute force this fight as long as you’re paying attention to the Mindflayer’s attacks. Using abilities like Cloud’s Focused Thrust and Barrett’s Focus Shot and Bonus Round can build up the stagger gauge with?out needing synergy attacks.

The post How to fig??ht the Mindflayer in FF7 Rebirth’s Junon appeared first on Destructoid.

There's no question that Sephiroth is an icon, striking fear into players even remotely familiar with the villain. Just the opening notes of his theme song, One Winged Angel, are enough to get the heart racing. But Sephiroth didn't make a name for himself with Final Fantasy alone. A particular Disney and Square Enix collaboration, Kingdom Hearts, introduced the villain to a new era of fans, and his appearances in that series are just as menacing, if not more so, than his Final Fantasy 7 presence.

If players missed out on Sephiroth's 1997 Final Fantasy 7 debut, it might be hard to discern why fans go gaga over the character. Heralding a planet-ending event and haunting protagonist Cloud Strife throughout FF7, Sephiroth presented himself as a fearsome villain from the get-go. However, for some of us, Sephiroth's anxiety-inducing encounter in Kingdom Hearts is what truly cemented him as a terror.

In 2002, found myself on the other end of Sin Harvest, and it was in this Disney amalgamation that the One-Winged Angel left an impression that still lingers. See, I wasn’t really old enough to get on the FF7 wave when it was hot, and it wouldn’t be until years later that I experienced the title. So, for me, Kingdom Hearts was the game that? introduced Sephiroth. And man, what an introduction that was.

Sora's Platinum match

As players near the end of Kingdom Hearts, they can revisit the Olympus Collesuem to par?ticipate in new tournaments. One of these is the Platinum match, which sheds many of the boss fight conventions experienced up to that point. It pits Sora against Sephiroth in a ??fight most players will initially lose.

Until encountering the Platinum match, I barreled my way through enemies without much preparation. Sure, some grew a little tedious, but after retreading a few zon??es to nab a few ??easy levels, I cleared obstacles in a flash, though nothing prepared me for a fight requiring speed and quick-thinking to match a demigod. 

After starting the Platinum match, Sephiroth teleports into the arena and wordlessly readies his weapon as his theme song builds. The powerful villain doesn't sprint or engage in a reckless assault. No. Much more hauntingly, Sephiroth slowly walks towards me as if to say, “Oh, are you here too?�as One Winged Angel blasts over the arena. This unabashed display of badassery set?s the tone.

Thanks to?? his massive sword, Sephiroth could reach me from nearly anywhere, and his impossibly fast sword swipes met me whenever I faltered. If I tried to close the distance with a brute-force approach, he would completely ignite his surroundings in a fiery tempest. Alternatively, if I tried to play the backfield, Sephiroth could teleport and leap a??round the arena to line up an attack. There was no safe footing. 

By some miracle, I was able to push the One-winged Angel enough to start taking me seriously. Then the big attacks came out, summoned meteor showers or, even worse, that Sin Harvest move that takes Sora down to one HP and zero MP in the blink of an eye. It’s all I can muster to?? stay alive through the assault, meekly chipping at his health here and there. All the while, it doesn't even look like Sephiroth breaks a sweat.

Fas??ter than I realize, it’s already over. Sephiroth catches me in the center of one of his fire attacks, and in my haste to heal, I stop right in front of his sword. The first time I lost the Platinum match, it felt unwinnable. But that’s precisely what drove me to throw myself at it again and again until I eventually scraped by.

Sephiroth's Dark Depths

While Kingdom Hearts might have led to me think I knew what to expect from Sephiroth, his second appearance continued to throw curveballs. The battle occurs in a rocky area with more room than the previous bout, but maneuverability worked against me. Throughout Kingdom Hearts 2, I unwisely neglected the painstakingly-slow-to-unlock movement and traversal abilities, and that made my Sephiroth rematch all the more imposing. The villain moves around a lot more in Kingdom Hearts 2, often tel??eporting behind or taking to the sky, and I had no means to defend against these hit-and-run tactics.

In stark contrast to his pre??vious appearance, Sephiroth charges as soon as the fight starts with an attack that’s only avoidable via an unexpected quick-time event. This wasn’t the only time he tried to catch me off gua??rd with the deadly strike, it randomly happens throughout the fight. It’s something I had to always stay on the lookout for, as the blow has the potential to end the match instantly. Without giving me a chance to counterattack, Sephiroth moved back to familiar tactics, teleporting and leaping around, testing my defenses with his blade.

Difficulty felt exaggerated by the fact that nearly all of Sephiroth's attacks could bring me down to critical HP, and he'd unleash onslaughts back to back without care. This quickly backed me into a new game of attrition, with Sephiroth effortlessly whittling away my health while I scrambled to keep my head above water. We danced around that arena for what felt like hours, with Sephiroth laying out one spectacu??lar display of strength after another and me panic healing and scratching slices off his health with quick combos.

When I finally bested Sephiroth again, a scene shows him literally brushing some dirt off his armor like he’s brushing off our maddening encounter. In the ultimate insult to injury, Sephiroth concludes that only Cloud can offer him a real challenge before sendin??g me off to fetch the ex-SOLDIER for him. Ouch man, that hurts.

Reintroducing Sephiroth

The Kingdom Hearts series offered Square Enix an opportunity to grow Sephiroth's fame and notability. The character was already a fearsome antagonist to those who first met him in FF7, but Kingdom Hearts would open the door for the One-winged Angel to t??ranscend his own universe. It would have been easy to use Sephiroth for a throwaway cameo like Tidus or Selphie, but the more substant?ive approach paid off.

Before Kingdom Hearts, Sephiroth only existed to me as an enigmatic legend I heard about from friends�older siblings or on online forums. But once Kingdom Hearts presented the terrifying foe, his reputation suddenly made sense. Going through the toils of preparation and practice to beat Sephiroth in these Disney games is forever cemented in my memory. It forced me out of my comfort zone and got me thinking in a game that primarily encouraged button mashing. And no doubt, whether players like the character or not, Kingdom Hearts ensured Sephiroth lived up to his hype.

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The virtuosic symphonies of the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth soundtrack will bless our ears once again with the announcement of the Orchestra World Tour this year. The RPG's reimagined score can be experienced live later this year (can I put a request for Sephiroth's them?e?), and with tickets on sale as ear??ly as this month.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Orchestra World Tour begins in Los Angeles, California, on August 10, 2024. Setlists include arrangements from notable Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu, the lead behind so many of the soundtracks you know and love, from Final Fantasy VII to the film adaptation Advent Children. New contributions will also be included, featuring Mitsuto Suzuki, Masashi Hamauzu, and other composers on Rebirth.

Additionally, the 100-musician orchestra will be led by the talented Arnie Roth and Eric Roth. Both you may know from their work on the Final Fantasy touring m?usic series, Distant World??s. If you're eager to see the lot of them perform, tickets for some locations go on sale March 11, with others not beginning until June.

Fortunately, the World Tour covers locations that are more t??han just another US and Japan tour. VIP meet and greets may be available and will change guests based on the city. For example, Masashi Hamauzu will attend the LA Orchestra, while Mitsuto Suzuki makes an appearance in Chicago, Illinois.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Orchestra World Tour locations and dates

According to the tour schedule, expect the following dates and locations:

• Los Angeles, CA - August 10, 2024
• Chicage, Illinois - August 17, 2024
• Fort Worth, Texas - August 23, 2024
• Fort Worth, Texas - August 24, 2024
• Rotterdam, Netherlands - August 30, 2024
• Osaka, Japan - August 31, 2024
• Osaka, Japan - September 1, 2024
• Kanagawa, Japan - Septemeber 7, 2024
• Kanagawa, Japan - Septemeber 8, 2024
• Singapore - September 13, 2024
• Munich, Germany - September 14, 2024
• Rome, Italy - September 15, 2024
• London, England - September 28, 2024
• Detroit, Michigan - October 3, 2024
• Richmond, Virginia - October 12, 2024
• Portland, Oregon - October 19, 2024
• Portalnd, Oregon - October 20, 2024
• Denver, Colorado - November 1, 2024
• Denver, Colorado - November 2, 2024
• Paris, France - November 9, 2024
• Buffalo, New York - November 16, 2024
• Orlando, Florida - November 22, 2024
• Orlando, Florida - November 23, 2024
• Montreal, Canada - November 29, 2024
• Taipei, Taiwan - December 7, 2024
• Atlanta, Georgia - December 7, 2024
• Taipei, Taiwan - December 8, 2024
• Atlanta, Georgia - December 8, 2024
• Bangkok, Thailand - December 14, 2024
• Bangkok, Thailand - December 15, 2024
• New York - January 11, 2025
• Cleveland, Ohio - January 18, 2025
• St. Louis, Missouri - February 8, 2025
• Houston, Texas - February 15, 2025
• Boston, Massachusetts - March 8, 2025

If you see one of your cities on here, be sure to keep your schedule open for this grand experience. Some regions have multiple times as well, prim??arily in the late afternoon or night. Even though I always dread hearing those startling boss fight scores, I certainly wouldn't mind hearing them performed live in all their glory �as long as Sephiroth himself is not in attendance, I'll try to be there.

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