Final Fantasy VII Remake December Preview: New visuals for characters, Aerith abilities, Shiva summon

Square Enix has released more Final Fantasy VII Remake more visuals and revealed some key information on locations and characters this December, so let’s dive right in!

Mako─ the lifeblood of the planet and the fuel that sustains the city of Midgar…

By exploiting this resource to power their reactors, the Shinra Electric Power Company has all but seized control of the entire world. A ragtag group of idealists, known as Avalanche, are one of the last bastions of resistance.

Cloud, an elite SOLDIER operative turned mercenary, takes part in an Avalanche operation to destroy Mako Reactor 1 in the city of Midgar. The bombing plunges the city into fiery chaos, and amidst the raging inferno, Cloud is tormented by visions of a bitter enemy long thought dead.

After this hallucination fades, he meets a young woman selling flowers, who offers him a single yellow blossom. In that instant, a host of swirling shadows surround them. Once more begins a story that will shape the destiny of an entire world.

CHARACTERS

First, let’s see these stunning new visuals of Tifa and Sephiroth.

Next up, Sephiroth himself! The first and finest of SOLDIER, he was hailed as a hero after his gallant efforts in the war with Wutai. Youths have since been inspired to join SOLDIER to be like him. The man is thought to have died during a top secret mission, but details are unknown.

Of course, we have the ever present Shinra Electric Power Company. This company is a huge conglomerate, ruling the world with mako energy and is centered around Midgar. It’s divided into the Public Security, Advanced Weaponry, Research and Development, and Space and Aeronautic Divisions. Each have their own eccentric directors.

President Shinra himself, the current president of the company, single-handedly grew the company from a small arms manufacturer to its current state. Cutthroat business tactics are fair game for him to secure profits, and eliminating opposition is not beyond him. He is pretty openhanded should you be lucky enough to be in his good graces.

Heidegger’s director of Public Security. The former commanding officer has been President Shinra’s right-hand man since the early days of the company. With implicit trust from the president, his department is the most powerful within Shinra. He’s as ruthless as the president himself, sacrificing subordinates without hesitation as he sees fit.

This 3-C SOLDIER operator turned rebel loves his bikes, speed and anyone who can match him, with a fitting moniker of “Speed Demon”. His comrades find him irritating with how he constantly squeals his rear tire and making them choke on burnt rubber.

BATTLE INTRODUCTION – AERITH

Aerith can perform ranged magic attacks with the Square button. Launch successive attacks by pressing the button repeatedly or holding it. The number of targets increases when launched in succession, covering a wide area.

The Triangle button lets Aerith use her unique ability, “Tempest”. Charge it up by holding the button to increase its damage. A max-charged button makes it explode repeatedly on hitting an enemy.

She also possesses the abilities “Soul Drain” and “Lustrous Shield”. The former lets her absorb MP from enemies, while the latter conjures a magical shield that keeps enemies at bay and stops projectiles. Enemies contacting the shield will take damage.

SUMMONS

Equip Summoning Materia and summon them when the special gauge fills up! They’ll fight alongside you automatically, or you can use your ATB to have them perform special abilities. Before they leave, they’ll end on a powerful move. Here we have Shiva, an ice summon and proud queen of ice. She possesses the ability Heavenly Strike, where she conjures a great glacier and brings it down on an enemy’s head. Her special technique, Diamond Dust, encases enemies in ice and shatters them.

ENVIRONMENTS

The structure of Midgar has been redesigned in Final Fantasy VII Remake, with more depth to both characters and the world. The train graveyard is a train depot that was used in constructing the city. At the end of its use, it became a train junkyard. Strong winds cause the abandoned carriages to creak. Characters will talk amongst each other as they pass through the maze. The original game had no dialogue in this area, but Remake has added a new story, with many event scenes.

Not just that, we have glimpses at the Shinra Building too, the headquarters of Shinra Electric Power Company. The 70-storey tall skyscraper is the core of Shinra, in the center of Midgar. The upper floors have President Shinra’s and the director’s offices, alongside the Memorial Floor – where you can learn the history of Shinra – and the Visual Entertainment Hall, demonstrating the latest technology. You can access the upper floors by the elevators or emergency stairwell.

What do you think of this December preview for Final Fantasy VII Remake? We’re a few months off yet to its release, just wait a little longer!