The time has finally come: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is now available on PC—and the best part? You can play the epic JRPG on your Steam Deck!
After a year of exclusivity on the PS5, the PC version not only offers a technical upgrade but also finally brings the game to mobile. But how well does it work? Here's everything you need to know.
Table of contents
A convincing remake
The Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy left many fans skeptical: Could such a legendary game be brought into the modern era? Square Enix has succeeded. Instead of simply copying it, they've expanded the story and delved deeper into details that were only touched upon in the original. The result is an emotional and gripping adventure that delights fans and newcomers alike.
The story picks up directly after the first installment: Cloud and his friends leave Midgar and explore a vast world. As they pursue Sephiroth, the plot evolves, with supporting characters taking center stage more than ever before. Square Enix takes the time to carefully narrate each scene, making the game particularly immersive.
How well does the game run on the Steam Deck?
It's impressive that a game as big as Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth even runs on the Steam Deck. With a stable 30 FPS in open areas and combat, the device delivers surprisingly good results. However, there are some compromises:
- Resolution: Dynamically adjusting the resolution helps keep the FPS stable - but results in a slightly pixelated image, especially in busy cities.
- Pop-ins and ghosting: Objects sometimes appear delayed, and movements leave "veils." However, these effects are not game-defining.
- Framerate drops: In cities like Junon, the framerate can drop to 24 FPS, making movement in those areas a little less smooth.
Tips for an optimized gaming experience
- Adjust graphics: Reduce shadows and textures to improve performance.
- Use Decky Loader: Plugins like vibrantDeck and PowerTools can further improve image quality and performance.
- Streaming: Use Moonlight to stream the game in higher quality from your PC.
- Steam Deck OLED: More vibrant colors and higher brightness make gaming even more immersive.
Conclusion: Is FF7 Rebirth worth it on the Steam Deck?
Yes, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is playable on the Steam Deck—and that's an amazing feat. Those willing to compromise on graphics can experience an epic adventure on the go. Despite minor flaws like ghosting and pop-in, the experience remains unforgettable.
Is it worth it? Despite the compromises, we say yes.