After Square Enix’s E3 2019 presentation revealed that the Final Fantasy VII Remake would include a Tactical Mode to slow down time once your ATB bars filled, I was pretty happy with it as a compromise between action and turn-based combat.

Little did I know it would get even better!

At a TGS stage show, Square Enix revealed that the game will also have something called Classic Mode. This is a special difficulty option that automates the minor attacks, dodging, etc., removing the action portion of combat so the player only has to choose commands once the ATB meter fills up.

You can see it in action here. (Note the controller camera to show which parts are automatic.)

Some people have objected to this, saying that it just removes part of the game’s combat, but remember that your basic attacks won’t be dealing a lot of damage in this game. The core of the combat system is using minor attacks to build your ATB meter so you can use your special attacks, which is where most of your damage will come from. In Classic Mode, you won’t have to worry about those minor attacks and can focus on everything else intead.

It’s almost like a turn-based system where the characters run around and deal minor damage in between turns.

Of course, this isn’t truly a turn-based combat system, and I’ve seen a lot of people objecting to it because of that. It’s a good compromise, though – far more of a compromise than what I expected.

So between the TGS trailer we discussed last week and the revelation of Classic Mode, I’m really starting to feel excited for the Final Fantasy VII Remake.

How do you feel about Classic Mode? Do you think it’s a good compromise? Will you use it when Final Fantasy VII Remake comes out? Let me know in the comments!

TGS 2019 is almost here, and that means video game news is coming out left and right.

This includes a new trailer for the Final Fantasy VII Remake.

(Since that seems to be the actual name they’re going with, maybe I should drop the “the” and start calling it Final Fantasy VII Remake, but it sounds odd to me.)

Final Fantasy VII Remake’s new trailer shows more of the Avalanche members, but it also gives us our first look at the Turks in the remake, featuring Reno, Rude, and Tseng. They all look great, although I’m personally disappointed that they didn’t cast Quinton Flynn as Reno again, breaking the tradition of Axel and Reno always having the same voice actor.

The trailer also shows Don Corneo, along with other hints that suggest the entire crossdressing section of the game is going to be intact.

One of the many concerns I’ve had about the Final Fantasy VII Remake is that they might make it too serious and lose the often-goofy tone the original had. After this trailer, I’m no longer worried about that. The squat mini-game made it in. It’s not going to take itself too seriously.

President Shinra also appears, talking to the team through a hologram rather than appearing in person.

We also see some summons, like Shiva, so it looks like they’ll be introducing that earlier so they can have it in this first game. Oh, and when Cloud gets turned into a frog, he still has a little tiny buster sword, which is adorable.

Aside from my disappointment over Reno, I liked this trailer a lot and it really helped convince me that they’re trying to capture the tone and soul of the original Final Fantasy VII, despite all the changes. I’m still not crazy about the combat system or having an entire game focused on Midgar, but I’m getting more and more excited for this game.

How do you feel about the Final Fantasy VII Remake trailer? What else are you hoping to see? Let me know in the comments.