Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade includes the base game as well as DLC. The DLC included here is called INTERmission. It focuses on a character named Yuffie and attempts to bridge the gap between Remake and Rebirth.
The narrative is a bold, “metatextual” reimagining of the 1997 classic’s opening hours in Midgar. You play as Cloud Strife, a mopey ex-SOLDIER turned mercenary who joins the eco terrorist group Avalanche to take down the planet draining Shinra Electric Power Company. What starts as a faithful recreation quickly spirals into something much more ambitious, introducing themes of destiny and defiance that challenge the very idea of what a “remake” should be.
The Intergrade version also includes the Yuffie-centric DLC, which adds a lighthearted energy to the game and additional world building that bridges the gap between the events in Midgar, and the wider world. While the expanded secondary quests can occasionally feel like “padding,” the core character arcs for Tifa, Aerith, and Barret are deeply moving and elevated by stellar voice acting.
The combat system remains a masterclass in modern JRPG design, seamlessly blending real time action with the tactical DNA of the original’s Active Time Battle (ATB) system. You hack and slash to build your gauges, then pause time to unleash spells, abilities, or Limit Breaks. The Intergrade release introduces the “Streamlined Progression” features. This consists of optional toggles for those who want to breeze through the story with maxed out stats or infinite ATB; making it more accessible than ever.
The combat system remains a masterclass in modern JRPG design, seamlessly blending real time action with the tactical DNA of the original’s Active Time Battle (ATB) system. You hack and slash to build your gauges, then pause time to unleash spells, abilities, or Limit Breaks. The Intergrade release introduces the “Streamlined Progression” features. This consists of optional toggles for those who want to breeze through the story with maxed out stats or infinite ATB; making it more accessible than ever. For those seeking a challenge, the “Hard Mode” (unlocked after the first clear) transforms boss fights into high-stakes puzzles of elemental weaknesses and resource management.
On the Xbox Series X, Intergrade is a visual powerhouse that rivals (and in some cases, slightly edges out) its contemporaries. Players can choose between a Graphics Mode targeting native 4K and a Performance Mode that provides a rock-solid 60 FPS. The updated lighting system and improved textures (of which were originally introduced in the PS5 version) make the industrial sprawl of Midgar look hauntingly beautiful.
The loading times are near instantaneous thanks to the Velocity Architecture, and the game supports Xbox Play Anywhere. This allows for seamless save transfers between console, PC, and handheld devices like the ROG Ally. While it lacks the specific haptic feedback of the DualSense controller, the sheer clarity of the image and the stability of the frame rate make this the definitive way to play for the Xbox ecosystem.
The score, composed by a legendary team including Masashi Hamauzu and Mitsuto Suzuki, is a triumphant reimagining of Nobuo Uematsu’s original themes. The music is dynamic, shifting from ambient exploration tracks to high octane orchestral arrangements the moment a battle begins. On Xbox, the game fully utilizes Spatial Sound (Dolby Atmos), providing an immersive 3D soundstage where the hum of Mako reactors and the chatter of Sector 7 slums surround the player.
The English voice cast is particularly strong, with Briana White’s Aerith and Cody Christian’s Cloud bringing a nuanced emotional depth that helps sell the game’s more eccentric “Final Fantasy” moments. Every sword clang and magic explosion carries a satisfying acoustic weight that grounds the high fantasy action.
In addition to the original game, you get the INTERmission DLC that has you playing as Yuffie (originally one of the optional characters in the original Final Fantasy VII). The INTERmission Yuffie DLC changes the way the game plays and feels like a different game altogether. This is due to Yuffie’s unique combat style which incorporates ninjutsu and long range shuriken throws. In addition to the unique combat style, the gameplay is fast and fluid with lots of platforming and seamless transition into real time battles. This not only makes the DLC feel like a short game in its own right, but also lings Yuffie to the forefront of the game. She is no longer just an optional side character, she’s the main character in a rather unique and engaging storyline that helps bridge the game between Remake and Rebirth.
Episode INTERmission is the standout expansion included in Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, focusing on Yuffie Kisaragi. Originally released as a bridge between Remake and Rebirth, this two chapter side story is part of the complete Intergrade package. It serves not just as a piece of DLC, but as a vital mechanical and narrative evolution of the base game.
Taking place concurrently with the main events in Midgar, the story follows Yuffie Kisaragi; a vibrant ninja from the nation of Wutai, as she infiltrates the Sector 7 slums. Her mission is to steal the “Ultimate Materia” from Shinra, aided by her stoic partner, Sonon Kusakabe. The writing strikes a masterful balance between Yuffie’s comedic, high energy personality and the darker, more tragic undertones of a world under Shinra’s boot. It effectively humanizes the Wutai-Shinra conflict, which was largely background noise in the original 1997 game. While the narrative is relatively short (about 4 to 6 hours), the ending provides a crucial “post credits” look at Zack Fair that is absolutely essential for understanding the direction of the sequel, Rebirth.
The gameplay in INTERmission feels faster and more vertical than the base game. Yuffie is a hybrid fighter who can throw her massive shuriken for long-range Ninjutsu or engage in acrobatic melee. The most significant addition is the Synergy System, where Yuffie and Sonon can link their attacks to perform devastating dual-moves. This works exceptionally well to provide a preview of the “Synergy Abilities” later found in Rebirth. Between combat encounters, the game introduces the Fort Condor minigame. This is a surprisingly addictive “tower defense” strategy game that provides a great break from the action. While the platforming is still largely scripted, the sheer speed of Yuffie’s movement makes exploration feel significantly more dynamic than Cloud’s heavier traversal.
On Xbox Series X, the expansion utilizes the same high tier optimization as the base Intergrade port. The Performance Mode is the highlight here, maintaining a flawless 60 FPS even during Yuffie’s most particle heavy Ninjutsu attacks. The environments in the Shinra Building’s deeper levels showcase impressive volumetric lighting and reflective surfaces that pop on HDR capable displays. This release also fixes several of the lower resolution background textures that plagued the original release. This ensures that the industrial vistas of Midgar look as sharp as the character models. The loading times are virtually non-existent, which is a blessing when traversing large areas, along with going in and out of various buildings.
The audio in INTERmission is a high octane delight, leaning into both jazz fusion and traditional Japanese instrumentation to reflect Yuffie’s Wutai heritage. The “Happy Turtle” jingle is an earworm that adds a layer of quirky charm to the Sector 7 slums, while the boss themes are aggressive, orchestral arrangements that rank among the best in the series. The voice acting is top tier, as Suzie Yeung perfectly captures Yuffie’s bravado and hidden vulnerability and the chemistry between her and Sonon (voiced by Aleks Le) feels authentic from the start. The Xbox’s spatial audio implementation makes the chaotic lab battles feel coherent, allowing you to track Sonon’s position purely by the sound of his staff.
Episode INTERmission is more than just a “bonus chapter”; it is the definitive showcase of how Final Fantasy VII has evolved. It takes the best parts of the Remake’s combat and injects them with speed and co-operative strategy, all while telling a concise, emotionally resonant story. For Xbox players who have waited years to dive into the “Unknown Journey,” this DLC is the perfect appetizer for the massive open world of Rebirth. It is a polished, stylish, and essential chapter that proves Yuffie is far more than just an optional party member.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Xbox Series X was well worth the six year wait. It is a massive, polished, and emotionally resonant RPG that balances nostalgia with daring new ideas. Between the included DLC, the new accessibility “cheats,” and the technical perfection of the port, it stands as an essential purchase for any JRPG fan on the platform. While the story’s “cliffhanger” nature might frustrate those looking for a complete tale, it serves as the perfect primer for the sequels yet to come. It is a beautiful, loud, and technically flawless tribute to one of gaming’s greatest legacies!
Disclaimer: A review key was provided
In addition to writing articles, Ryan Byers also creates content for his YouTube channel called "Obscure Games and Consoles", collects video games, and dabbles in video game development.