Original Final Fantasy VII to be Re-Released on PC With 'Improved Gameplay Experience' - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 01 February 2026 / 4,190 Views
Square Enix announced the original Final Fantasy VII will be re-released on PC via Steam with enhancements.
Square Enix did not state the exact changes with the newer version, however, they did say it will have an "improved gameplay experience."
The current version of the game will be renamed Final Fantasy VII - 2013 Edition and no longer available once the new version launches. Everyone who owns the 2013 version will be able to access the new version for free. Both versions will remain accessible in the owner's Steam Library.
Save data will not be compatible between the two versions.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can follow the author on Bluesky.
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Uh-oh. I'll almost certainly check it out, but it's not a good sign that the original is going to be removed.
The original is still on sale (and currently on sale) so can grab it now before it goes.
you can always emulate
So, they are probably using the console version that's on PS4/Switch/Xbox One.
For someone who has never played the original and who bounced off of the remake, is this worth picking up whilst I still can?
If you've enjoyed any JRPG, FF7 is one of the best and holds up quite well. If you've never played one it's also a good place to start.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and 3 are peak JRPG as well.
i am glad that someone give Xenobade Chronicles a little recognition. While not big fan of 3 i consider 2 to be the best JRPG ever created.
I would go as far as saying buy it now before the new version replaces it, because you will get to keep both versions and we don't know yet what is changing on the new one.
I saw some speculations that it's going to be the version from Microsoft Store ('Final Fantasy VII Windows Edition'), which, supposedly, matches the console versions.
For what it's worth I played both games for the first time maybe 13ish years ago (so in the 2010s) and enjoyed FF7 more.
I just think modern kids would find the OG version dated, janky and awful to look at. I don't think they could get past the asthmatic of it all. I think sprites aged better.
Well that's a common perspective and I'd agree for PS1 games like RE or Silent Hill, but I think FF7 looks perfectly fine to be honest. SNES games look good as well but I think they're a little overhyped in their "never aging"ness
It's the blocky characters that ages it the most. After I had finished it and went on to FF8, it so was noticeable. You can tell Square didn't really know what they were doing yet when they made that game.
As for SNES never aging, it's because you're looking at peak sprites vs infant polygons. In 1996, our minds were blown by just seeing 3D anything. It didn't matter. We were playing in 3D! Awesome! But In 2026? Not so much.
Again, I've heard the argument before, I just don't agree with it (fully). And I gotta say FF8 looks significantly more wack than FF7 today in my book specifically because it goes more for realism than FF7 did.
When did you first the original FF7, and what was your experience like?
I think it was 2013 give or take. I really enjoyed it a lot, particularly the story, I think it was my second favorite JRPG at the time. Obviously wasn't blown away by the graphics but they didn't distract me from it either.
You said it was your second favorite. What was your first?
Tales of Symphonia, which is still number 1.
