Final Fantasy 7 Remake Vs Original Which Version Tells The Story Better

When Final Fantasy VII first launched in 1997, it redefined what a video game could be as a storytelling medium. With its complex characters, environmental themes, and emotionally charged plot, it became a benchmark for RPG narratives. Over two decades later, Square Enix revisited Midgar with the 2020 release of Final Fantasy VII Remake—a bold reimagining that expanded on the original’s foundation. But when it comes to storytelling, which version delivers a more compelling, impactful experience? The answer isn’t straightforward, as each iteration excels in different ways, shaped by the technological and narrative expectations of their respective eras.

Narrative Scope and Pacing

The original Final Fantasy VII unfolds over a vast world, beginning in Midgar but quickly expanding to global travel, ancient ruins, and interplanetary stakes. Its pacing is episodic—each new location introduces fresh conflicts, allies, and lore. While this structure gives players a sense of adventure and discovery, it also means character development often happens in bursts rather than through sustained arcs. Cloud’s identity crisis, Aerith’s spiritual connection to the planet, and Sephiroth’s descent into madness are all powerful, but they unfold against a backdrop of constant movement.

In contrast, the Remake deliberately slows the pace. It focuses almost exclusively on Midgar, stretching the first few hours of the original into a full 30–40 hour experience. This allows for deeper exploration of the city’s social stratification, the plight of its citizens, and the personal motivations of Avalanche. The slower build gives weight to moments that previously passed by quickly—like Barret’s leadership struggles or Tifa’s quiet loyalty to Cloud.

Tip: If you're analyzing narrative depth, consider how much time a story spends on character introspection versus action progression.

Character Development and Emotional Depth

One of the most significant advantages of the Remake is its ability to humanize characters who were archetypes in the original. In 1997, Cloud was a brooding mercenary with fragmented memories; today, his psychological unraveling is rendered with cinematic precision. Through voice acting, facial animation, and extended dialogue, players witness his internal conflict in real time—not just through text boxes and still expressions.

Aerith gains even more dimension. Her playful banter with Cloud, her compassion toward children in the slums, and her spiritual awareness are no longer implied—they’re demonstrated. Her famous date sequence in the church and the amusement park isn’t just a gameplay segment; it’s a narrative centerpiece that deepens the emotional investment in her fate.

Tifa, too, benefits from expanded screen time. Her role shifts from supportive friend to a grounded moral compass, balancing Barret’s rage and Cloud’s detachment. Scenes like her confrontation with Don Corneo or her private conversations with Marlene reveal layers absent in the original.

“Remake doesn’t just retell the story—it interrogates it. Every character gets room to breathe, to doubt, to hope.” — Naomi Suzuki, Game Narrative Analyst

Yet, the original retains a certain poetic ambiguity. Without voice or motion, players filled in emotional gaps with imagination. Cloud’s cold demeanor wasn’t just a personality trait—it was an invitation to project oneself onto him. That interpretive space, while diminished in the Remake, gave the original a timeless, dreamlike quality.

Storytelling Tools: Technology and Design

The tools available to storytellers have evolved dramatically since 1997. The original relied on text, music, and limited cutscenes to convey emotion. Nobuo Uematsu’s score carried immense narrative weight—tracks like “Aerith’s Theme” and “Main Theme of FFVII” evoked feelings that pixelated sprites couldn’t express. Players learned to read between the lines, interpreting silence and minimalism as emotional restraint.

The Remake leverages modern technology to deliver a cinematic experience. Voice performances, dynamic camera angles, and real-time reactions create immersion that rivals film. Dialogue is naturalistic, laced with humor and vulnerability. When Cloud stumbles over his words during the date, or when Aerith gently calls him out on his aloofness, these aren’t scripted beats—they feel lived-in.

However, this fidelity comes at a cost. The original’s abstraction allowed for broader thematic resonance. The planet’s suffering, the concept of the Lifestream, and the abstract nature of Sephiroth’s evil felt mythic. The Remake grounds these ideas in physical spaces and literal explanations, which can reduce their mystique.

Aspect	Original (1997)	Remake (2020)
Character Expression	Limited visuals, strong audio cues	Fully voiced, animated performances
Pacing	Fast, world-spanning	Slow, focused on Midgar
Emotional Delivery	Implied through music and text	Direct, cinematic presentation
Thematic Ambiguity	High—open to interpretation	Lower—more explicit explanations
Player Imagination Role	Essential	Supplementary

Expanded Lore and New Narrative Directions

The Remake isn’t just a visual upgrade—it’s a narrative expansion. New characters like Roche and Chadley add flavor, while Deepground soldiers and Whisper Harbinger hint at a meta-narrative involving fate and timeline manipulation. These additions suggest that the Remake universe may diverge significantly from the original’s path, raising questions about destiny, free will, and authorship within the story itself.

This layer of complexity enriches the narrative for returning fans. Where the original told a linear tragedy, the Remake introduces uncertainty. Can Aerith be saved? Is Cloud truly in control of his actions? These aren’t just fan theories anymore—they’re legitimate narrative possibilities seeded by the game’s own mechanics and cutscenes.

But for first-time players, this added lore can be overwhelming. The original’s clarity—hero fights evil, saves planet—was accessible. The Remake demands attention to detail, rewarding players who analyze dialogue, environments, and recurring symbols like the Whispers. It’s a richer tapestry, but one that risks alienating those seeking a straightforward story.

Tip: Pay close attention to background whispers and side conversations—they often foreshadow major plot developments in the Remake.

A Mini Case Study: The Sector 7 Plate Collapse

Consider one of the franchise’s most pivotal moments: the destruction of the Sector 7 plate. In the original, the event is shocking but brief. After a tense escape sequence, players watch a static image of the plate falling, accompanied by a somber musical cue. The emotional impact relies heavily on what comes after—Barret’s grief, the group’s resolve hardening.

In the Remake, the sequence spans nearly an entire chapter. Players fight through waves of Shinra troops, endure a collapsing highway, and finally witness the plate’s descent in real-time 3D. Citizens scream, buildings crumble, and the camera lingers on the devastation. The aftermath includes a quiet scene where Biggs, Wedge, and Jessie are memorialized—not just as casualties, but as individuals with dreams and regrets.

This expansion transforms a plot point into a tragedy. The original made players feel loss through consequence; the Remake makes them feel it through immersion. Both are effective, but the Remake’s approach aligns more closely with contemporary storytelling standards, where emotional payoff is earned through buildup and realism.

Which Version Tells the Story Better?

Defining “better” is key. If storytelling is measured by emotional engagement, character depth, and narrative coherence, the Remake holds a clear advantage. It uses modern tools to deliver a more nuanced, intimate experience. Cloud isn’t just a cipher—he’s a man wrestling with trauma, identity, and connection. The people of Midgar aren’t background props; they’re victims of systemic oppression, given voices and faces.

Yet the original remains unparalleled in its ambition and cultural impact. It told a mature, environmentally conscious story at a time when games were seen as child’s play. Its use of silence, symbolism, and player imagination created a mythos that endures. The lack of voice acting didn’t weaken the story—it invited players to co-create it.

In essence:

• The Remake tells a deeper story—richer in character, setting, and emotional texture.
• The Original tells a bolder story—innovative for its time, structurally ambitious, and thematically resonant.

Neither replaces the other. They are complementary interpretations of the same core narrative, shaped by different artistic priorities.

Checklist: How to Appreciate Both Versions’ Storytelling

1. Play the original with minimal guides to experience its mystery and pacing.
2. Watch key cutscenes from the original to appreciate its minimalist storytelling.
3. Play the Remake with attention to dialogue and side content for full context.
4. Analyze character arcs across both versions—note differences in motivation and growth.
5. Reflect on how music enhances narrative in each—compare Uematsu’s original score with the orchestrated Remake versions.
6. Discuss theories with other fans to explore the evolving lore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Remake change the original story?

Yes, significantly. While it follows the same early events, the Remake introduces new characters, alters timelines, and suggests alternate outcomes. The presence of the Whispers and post-credit scenes indicate a divergence from the original’s fixed narrative.

Can I understand the story without playing the original?

Absolutely. The Remake is designed as a standalone entry, with all necessary backstory explained in-game. However, knowledge of the original enhances appreciation of references, character dynamics, and emotional payoffs.

Is the original story outdated?

Not inherently. While its presentation is dated, the core themes—environmental destruction, corporate greed, identity, and sacrifice—remain relevant. Many players still find the original’s emotional beats powerful, especially when experienced in sequence with the Compilation titles (Advent Children, Crisis Core, etc.).

Conclusion: A Legacy Reimagined, Not Replaced

The question of which version tells the story better ultimately depends on what kind of story you value. The original Final Fantasy VII is a landmark achievement—a game that proved interactive media could deliver epic, emotionally resonant narratives. Its legacy is secure, not because it was technically advanced, but because it dared to be profound.

The Remake honors that legacy by asking what the story could become with today’s tools. It doesn’t just replicate—it reconsiders, expands, and challenges. In doing so, it offers a new generation the chance to fall in love with these characters, not as icons, but as people.

For the fullest experience, engage with both. Let the original inspire awe at its ambition, and let the Remake move you with its intimacy. Together, they form a rare phenomenon in gaming: a story that grows richer with every retelling.

💬 Which version impacted you more—the original’s vision or the Remake’s depth? Share your thoughts and favorite story moments in the comments.