Matt G

The gameplay was better in virtually every way. The addition of both threats and weaponry was well done. I played on Grounded difficulty in the first one and greatly appreciated having more variability in stealth killing. The game was also much more in depth and longer. The story is controversial and the early leaks set a horrible baseline. Abby is not a transgender and any addition of LGBTQ aspects fit well into the story, it was not forced. The first game was also controversial, so I’m not sure what the hell people were expecting of characters living for decades is a dystopian world.

Overall the remake is amazing and retains most of the nostalgia many of us loved as kids. Spoiler: I wish they had retained the Sephiroth carnage scene after being imprisoned in Shinra and I have mixed feelings about the ending. Still, I immensely enjoyed playing.