The Original Final Fantasy 7 Just Got a Surprise Re-Release on Steam
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Square Enix has released an updated version of the original 1997 Final Fantasy VII on Steam, featuring modern quality of life additions like autosaves and speed boosts. Existing owners of the 2013 PC port receive the update for free, though save files are not compatible between the versions.
If you have been waiting to revisit Midgar without loading up the modern Remake trilogy, Square Enix just dropped a brand new version of the 1997 classic on Steam. Reported originally by IGN South Africa, this fresh release finally brings the foundational RPG up to speed with the quality of life features found in modern console ports. Players can now take advantage of a 3x speed mode, a toggle to disable random encounters, a battle enhancement feature to max out Limit gauges and health on the fly, and an autosave system that spares you from brutal dungeon resets.
This new edition is replacing the aging 2013 PC port on the Steam storefront. If you already own that older version, you do not need to buy the game again. Square Enix is granting the new version to existing library owners for free, and you will even keep access to the 2013 build in your library. There is a catch for active playthroughs, because save files are not compatible between the two versions. Anyone jumping into the re-release will need to start a fresh campaign from scratch.
For PC players, this update is a welcome fix for a version of the game that had lagged behind modern platforms for years. While the Remake and Rebirth dominate current gaming conversations, preserving the original experience with accessible modern conveniences matters for both veteran fans and newcomers exploring the history of the genre.
Tags: Final Fantasy VII, Square Enix, Steam, PC Gaming, RPG
Original article: IGN South Africa