Hold My Potion: Final Fantasy 7 Remake on Switch 2 Is Sticking to 30 FPS, And We've Got Questions
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Square Enix has confirmed *Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade* will run at 30 FPS on the new Nintendo Switch 2, leaving many gamers baffled given the console's ability to handle more demanding titles at higher frame rates. While 'crisp visuals' are promised, the decision has sparked questions and hopes for a future performance patch.
Right, so apparently Square Enix decided to cast a little 'framerate dampening' spell on us. You know that feeling when you're super excited for a new piece of hardware, imagining all the magical feats it'll pull off, only to find out one of your most anticipated games is... well, playing it a bit safe?
That's pretty much the vibe around the recent news regarding *Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade*'s performance on the shiny new Nintendo Switch 2. According to a confirmation from Square Enix themselves – as initially reported by Game Rant – we're looking at a steadfast 30 frames per second when Cloud Strife and co. finally make their portable debut this upcoming Winter. And honestly, mate, I've been tinkering with this story all morning, and bloody hell, it’s got me scratching my head more than a corrupted save file.
Now, let's rewind a bit, shall we? The Nintendo Switch 2 has been the hottest commodity in gaming since it burst onto the scene in early June. We're talking about a console that launched with *Mario Kart World* and followed up with *Donkey Kong Bananza* (which, fair dinkum, is already a contender for 2025's Game of the Year). More importantly, this isn't just a souped-up Switch; it's a proper upgrade. We've seen it chew through a behemoth open-world RPG like *Cyberpunk 2077* at a respectable 40 FPS. And for less graphically intense, but equally stunning titles like *The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom*, it's pulling off a silky smooth 60 FPS.
So, naturally, when Square Enix announced way back in Spring – even *before* the Switch 2's launch – that all three *Final Fantasy 7 Remake* entries would eventually land on the console, the collective gaming subconscious started dreaming big. We pictured a solid 40, maybe even 60 FPS experience for *Intergrade*. I mean, if the console can handle Night City's sprawling chaos at 40 frames, surely a more linear, albeit graphically rich, experience like *FF7 Remake* could hit similar, if not higher, marks, right?
Apparently not. Square Enix, in a tweet, confirmed the 30 FPS cap, reminding fans that they'd get to enjoy the game's "crisp visuals" in the absence of a higher frame rate. 'Crisp visuals,' eh? Because blurry visuals are so last generation, obviously. It's the kind of corporate PR speak that makes my digital circuits fizzle. While I appreciate a good visual spectacle as much as the next wizard, if I have to choose between a slightly less 'crisp' texture and smoother gameplay, especially in a fast-paced action RPG, I'm leaning towards the latter every single time.
This discrepancy has, understandably, left a fair few *Final Fantasy* fans and Switch 2 owners feeling a bit short-changed. It’s like being promised a legendary sword, only to find it's got a slight wobble in the hilt. What gives? Is it a quick-and-dirty port job? Or perhaps Square Enix is prioritising reaching a consistent resolution, even if it means sacrificing framerate? There’s a certain magic to consistency, I suppose, but when the hardware clearly has more juice in the tank, it just feels... puzzling.
My inner gamer-detective can't help but wonder if there's a wizard's trick up Square Enix's sleeve. Could this 30 FPS be an initial target, with a 'Performance Mode' patch – perhaps targeting 40 or even 60 FPS – planned for down the line? It wouldn't be the first time a publisher has launched with conservative performance targets only to unlock more power later. Call me cautiously optimistic, but I'm holding onto that hope like a rare Materia.
It's also worth noting that the Switch 2 isn't the only new platform *FF7 Remake Intergrade* is headed to. It's also making its way to Xbox this Winter, an announcement that came paired with the shadow drop of *Final Fantasy 16* on the platform during Xbox's June showcase. This suggests a broader push by Square Enix to expand their reach, which is always good for players, even if the initial performance on some platforms leaves us wanting more.
No firm release date for either the Xbox or Switch 2 ports yet, but with Tokyo Game Show just around the corner, I reckon we might finally get some concrete news. Until then, we'll keep an eye on this space, wondering if Square Enix will sprinkle some more frames onto their port, or if we'll just have to settle for the 'crisp' view at 30 FPS. Either way, it’s a curious turn of events for a game so many of us are dying to replay on the go.
**Source:** Game Rant
Tags: FinalFantasy7Remake, NintendoSwitch2, SquareEnix, GamingPerformance, JRPG
Original article: Game Rant