Final Fantasy VII has been re-released on Steam today with a new PC version that adds modern quality-of-life options while keeping the original story intact.
Final Fantasy VII’s Steam situation is a little unusual this time, since today’s launch comes with a version split. Square Enix says the older Steam release, now re-labeled as FINAL FANTASY VII – 2013 Edition, is no longer available for sale on the platform but remains playable for anyone who already owns it. Existing 2013 Edition owners also get access to the new version at no additional cost.
Final Fantasy VII Has Been Re-Released On Steam
Square Enix’s publisher update frames the rerelease as an upgraded version of FINAL FANTASY VII – 2013 Edition, while stressing that there are “no changes or additions to the story.” Instead, the focus is on new convenience features, including a 3x speed mode for battles, travel, and select events, an option to disable random encounters, a battle enhancement mode that restores HP and MP while maxing the Limit gauge, and an autosave feature.
Besides the addition of auto-save, the new feature set matches the modern console re-release, so it appears Square Enix has brought that version’s quality-of-life toggles to PC, even if the publisher hasn’t explicitly labeled it as a console build.
If you already own FINAL FANTASY VII – 2013 Edition on Steam, Square Enix says you can access the new version at no additional cost, and both versions will remain available in your Steam Library. That gives players the choice to stick with the older build or jump to the upgraded release without paying twice.
The big warning is for anyone in the middle of a playthrough. Square Enix notes that save data is not compatible between versions, meaning 2013 Edition saves only work with the 2013 Edition, and new version saves only work with the new version.
The updated version of Final Fantasy VII was also made available on GOG for the first time today, with the storefront emphasizing its DRM-free pitch and stating that no activation or online connection is required to play. The GOG listing mirrors the same quality-of-life features called out in Square Enix’s Steam update, confirming players choosing that platform are getting the same updated feature set.
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