Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's PC port has promise - but too many problems

FF7 Rebirth's PC port improves on Remake but still plagued with issues.

: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's PC port shows initial improvements such as better image quality and reduced pop-in compared to the PS5. However, it lacks ultra-wide support, frame-rate options, and has shader compilation issues causing stutters on lower-end PCs. The PC version also exhibits problems with texture quality and rendering anomalies not present on PS5. While some issues are resolved through mods, Square-Enix needs to address bugs and add missing features.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's PC port was eagerly awaited after the disappointing experience of the previous Remake version. PC users now have the advantage of improved image quality and less pop-in, which is a significant issue on the PS5 version. Despite these improvements, Square-Enix fails to provide ultra-wide support, and essential PC features like unlocked frame-rates and upscaler options are absent. Shader compilation problems result in stutters, particularly on lower-end PCs, undermining the gaming experience.

Performance remains inconsistent across different computer specifications, with higher-end processors minimizing traversal stutter. Yet, issues with water rendering, foliage display, and texture quality persist, which are not observed on the PS5. Furthermore, the PC port affects VRAM consumption, impacting graphics card efficiency, notably on models like the RTX 4060 with only 8GB of memory.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on Steam Deck offers some promise with its verified 30fps experience. However, achieving smooth performance requires careful settings adjustments, particularly in urban areas where frame-pacing often falters. Square-Enix's developers need to improve shader pre-compilation and address other technical setbacks to ensure a smoother and more feature-rich experience.