New Final Fantasy VII Revelation gameplay is giving us a much better idea of how Square Enix wants players to use Cloud’s huge group of companions in the final game. Instead of forcing players to pick characters mainly because the party needs a healer, defender or strong attacker, Revelation is giving everyone much more freedom.
Fresh hands-on previews from Japan show how the new WEAR system, character switching and choice-based side quests work together. The basic idea is simple: Square Enix wants you to play with the characters you actually like.
Your Favorite Characters No Longer Have to Fit a Specific Role
The biggest change comes from the WEAR system, also known as FITS in the English version of the game. Characters can equip jobs such as Warrior, Knight, Black Mage and Summoner, giving them additional abilities on top of their normal fighting style.
That matters because party building in previous games could sometimes become a question of what role you needed rather than which character you wanted. Revelation appears designed to loosen those restrictions without removing the unique abilities that make Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Vincent and the rest of the cast feel different.
The latest Japanese hands-on reports say the available WEAR choices do not need to be unlocked one by one through a long progression system. Players can start experimenting with the different options early, making it easier to shape a favorite character around the job the party needs.
WEAR also changes the character’s outfit, and those costumes remain visible during cutscenes. So the system works as both a combat feature and another way to customize how the party looks.
This creates some unusual possibilities. A player could build a party around Vincent, Cait Sith and Red XIII without worrying as much about whether those three naturally fill the perfect set of combat roles.
Cid and Vincent are also fully playable this time, adding even more combinations to the group.
Side Quests Can Put Your Favorite Character in the Spotlight
The freedom does not stop when combat ends. Some side quests allow players to choose which character takes the lead. One example shown during the new preview takes place around the Gold Saucer and lets the player decide whether Vincent or Cait Sith should lead that part of the quest.
The choice can affect how scenes and events play out. It does not mean Revelation has completely separate story routes for every character, but it gives Square Enix another way to spend more time with party members that individual players care about.
That fits with director Naoki Hamaguchi’s explanation that the team wants fans to enjoy the adventure with their favorite characters. Cloud remains the main protagonist, but Revelation appears much more willing to move other members of the party into the spotlight.
Players can also switch their controlled character and party members while exploring the world. That should make the freedom feel useful outside battles instead of being limited to a party menu.
The Highwind Makes the World Feel Much More Open
The new hands-on footage also provides a better look at just how important the Highwind will be. After obtaining the airship several hours into the game, players can fly across the world map and decide where they want to go. Some locations remain tied to story progression, but the overall experience becomes much more open once the Highwind is available.
When players reach an area, they can jump from the airship and parachute toward the ground. The Highwind itself also has an explorable interior, complete with crew members and facilities that players can use while travelling.
Mideel adds more vertical movement with Piko the chocobo, including gliding and air dashes. Wutai takes that idea even further with tall buildings, parkour and a wire gun that lets characters quickly reach higher areas.
All of these systems point toward the same goal. Revelation is giving players more freedom over where they travel, who they explore with and how those characters fight. That could be one of the biggest differences between Revelation and Rebirth. The world may be larger, but Square Enix also seems determined to make the party itself feel less restricted.
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