TechRadar Hands-On: Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Demo Shows Highwind Freedom, New Combat Roles and Side-Activity Overload

The demo section took place at the start of Chapter 4, according to TechRadar. It put the Highwind under the player's control and set the next destination as Wutai for Yuffie, Barret and Red XIII, alongside playable newcomers Cid and Vincent. The writer chose not to fly directly to Wutai, instead heading to Costa Del Sol and parachuting from the airship to land, watching the terrain and town grow larger on approach.

Costa Del Sol was effectively unchanged from the previous entry, with people in swimwear, bars and seaside entertainment. TechRadar said the detail and density reflect Square Enix's approach to the trilogy: bigger, bolder, flashier, expanded and extended. It added that there is simply more to everything.

The demo also showed how many side activities Revelation will offer. Photo hunts, monster hunts, the Queen's Blood card game and environment investigations appeared when the writer landed in a new location or explored, TechRadar said. An AI assistant, MAI, tried to explain them. The reporter said the notifications created equal excitement and dread, and questioned how compelling much of the optional content will be.

Combat remained a highlight. After moving to Wutai, TechRadar encountered monsters on the path to the village and found muscle memory from Remake and Rebirth returning. Cid and Vincent both seemed like strong additions, and the writer gravitated toward Vincent after a few battles. His attacks build over time before he can unleash Galian Beast mode for more devastating damage, which was satisfying even against unthreatening enemies.

The new FITS mechanic, which gives characters more focus by assigning a specific class, was not explored in depth. TechRadar could see how roles refine the party and add another layer to the combat system. It cited Barret being set as a Knight in shiny, slightly absurd mech armor, elevating his role as a defender and protector. Intrigued by the characters and mechanics, the writer sought more combat, but a Wutai boss about 40 levels above the party killed them in seconds. That boss was one of many side activities to return to in the full game, if the writer does not burn out.

Despite doubts about side content, TechRadar said Wutai village inspired awe with its scale and visual update. Pagodas and the familiar Turtle's Paradise bar had become stunning, expressive environments far beyond the pixelated and blocky buildings. In the 60-minute demo, there was too much to grasp even half of it, the report said.

Editor's Summary TechRadar's 60-minute demo of Final Fantasy 7 Revelation showed Highwind exploration, new playable Cid and Vincent, revised combat roles through FITS and expanded locations such as Costa Del Sol and Wutai. The demo also revealed a large number of optional activities, raising concerns about whether players will find them compelling or overwhelming. The game is the finale of Square Enix's Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy.