Square Enix has revealed what's included in the update to the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth demo made available today, February 21.
The Dawn of the New Era in Junon update adds a section which appears much later in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth compared to the first part of the demo, which takes place in the game's opening chapter.
Players follow Cloud, Tifa, Barret, Aerith, and Red XIII as they arrive in the outskirts of Junon, a city from the original Final Fantasy 7 which acts as a fortified stronghold atop an underwater reactor.
"Set several hours into the main storyline, this special preview made specifically for the demo features a small piece of the massive in-game world that players can freely explore," Square Enix said. "Sniff out treasures with a trusty chocobo steed, craft valuable items with the new Item Transmuter, bravely embark on thrilling Combat Assignment missions, and more."
The update also brings "minor graphical fixes" and other adjustments to the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth demo (that will arrive in the main game too). These changes were announced on February 14 after players raised concerns over the quality of the PlayStation 5 exclusive. IGN's own performance review said the Performance Mode comes with a "drastic clarity and detail reduction" compared to its Graphics Mode counterpart.
Square Enix hasn't been shy about sharing details of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth so far, releasing huge dumps of information on several occasions. It's highlighted characters like Cait Sith and Vincent, plus iconic returning locations like Gold Saucer and Junon. The game will feature brand new locations not in the original Final Fantasy 7, too.
Square Enix has added new playable characters, plus a card game akin to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's Gwent, and impressive fast travel. An ESRB rating has otherwise teased deep cleavage, pools of blood, and a clue to Aerith's fate (which fans have been debating fiercely online).
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.
