Everything you need to know about FF7 Remake Intergrade

Steven Rondina Published 14/05/2021

Final Fantasy 7 Remake has a confusing name as it is, but what is an Intergrade? We’re about to answer that question and so many more.

Questions are abound over what FF7 Remake Intergrade is, what it has, when it’s coming out, and whether it will be worth it for players who have already purchased the game on the Playstation 4. As such it’s worth taking a deep dive into FF7 Remake Intergrade and answering all the questions players might have on it.

But be warned, there are spoilers ahead for a number of different Final Fantasy 7-related titles, including FF7 Remake.

What is FF7 Remake Intergrade?

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade is an enhanced port of FF7 Remake for the PlayStation 5. Intergrade includes some modest graphical improvements and will run more smoothly on the upgraded hardware. People who purchased the game for PlayStation 4 can receive the graphical update for free by playing the game on a PlayStation 5 console.

The biggest part of FF7 Remake Intergrade is the new content being added in Episode INTERmission. The extra quest is notable for adding Yuffie alongside a host of new characters that will expand the story of the series.

Is FF7 Remake Intergrade free?

People who purchased a full copy of FF7 Remake on PS4 are able to receive Intergrade’s graphical updates for free when playing on a PS5. Episode INTERmission is not available for free to these players.

Worth noting is that players need to have actually purchased FF7 Remake for the PlayStation 4. The game was recently offered to PlayStation Plus subscribers for free, but these players will not be able to receive the Intergrade upgrades without purchasing the game. They will be able to play the game on PS5 without any FF7 Remake Intergrade upgrades, however.

Is Intergrade coming to PS4?

No, players cannot receive the FF7 Remake Intergrade graphical updates on the PS4 and do not have access to the INTERmission DLC. Intergrade capitalizes on the superior hardware of the PlayStation 5 and cannot be emulated on the PS4. The INTERmission DLC may or may not be made available for PS4 players at some point, but it is not available at launch.

What new content is included in FF7 Remake Intergrade?

Here’s a first look at Fort Condor in @FinalFantasy VII Remake Episode Intermission! pic.twitter.com/yUzAzFWO5R
— FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (@finalfantasyvii) May 9, 2021

The new content includes several new features in FF7 Remake Intergrade, some of which haven’t been extensively discussed by Square Enix. The list includes:

Improved graphics
Portrait mode
Graphical optimization options to prioritize quality or FPS
Yuffie-based DLC, Episode INTERmission
New materia including lightning summon Ramuh
RTS mini-game based on Fort Condor
New bosses

The amount of content here isn’t overwhelming as FF7 Remake Intergrade isn’t meant to be an expansion, just an enhanced port.

How much does the FF7 Remake Yuffie DLC cost?

Episode INTERmission is exclusively available on the PlayStation 5 and costs $20 for players who are upgrading to FF7 Remake Intergrade from a PS4 copy of the game. INTERmission is included as a part of the PS5 re-release of the game. The FF7 Remake Intergrade graphical update is available for free on PlayStation 5 to those who purchased a copy of the game on PlayStation 4.

What is the FF7 Remake INTERmission story?

FF7 Remake Intergrade’s INTERmission story revolves around Yuffie, who has infiltrated Midgar alongside a number of other individuals from Wutai. She sneaks her way into Midgar in order to find what is referred to as “the ultimate materia” with help of several new characters including other members of eco-terrorist group Avalanche and a new playable character named Sonon. Yuffie’s character is likely to receive a big overhaul based on some of the major changes to the story that were introduced in the FF7 Remake.

“Put the claws away, Boss.
Least while we’re in Shinra territory.”

Reintroducing Sonon Kusakabe, voiced by Aleks Le, a warrior hailing from Wutai who trained under Yuffie’s father and accompanies her during Episode Intermission. pic.twitter.com/cO9MAP05d5
— FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (@finalfantasyvii) April 13, 2021

In the FF7 Remake, it was established that Wutai is no longer a reclusive ninja village but instead has been involved in a cold war with Shinra Electric Power Company. The primary antagonist seems to be Shinra executive Scarlet, who was behind the death of a new character from Yuffie and Sonon’s backstory.

What might be the most important plot element of Episode INTERmission is the introduction of characters and enemies from Final Fantasy 7 spinoff Dirge of Cerberus. The shooter starring Vincent has largely been forgotten but added a number of new characters. Weiss and Nero are set to appear in and that could open the door for other Dirge of Cerberus, or maybe even characters from Crisis Core, to start trickling into the FF7 Remake series.

Voiced by Daman Mills, Weiss is the sadistic ruler of Shinra’s top-secret underground research center, Deepground.

Out of fear, Shinra have restrained him to a throne deep within the confines of the facility, where he bides his time, waiting to exact his revenge… pic.twitter.com/ahE91XX2Hi
— FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (@finalfantasyvii) April 13, 2021

Is FF7 Remake Intergrade the same as FF7 Remake Part 2?

No, FF7 Remake Intergrade is not FF7 Remake Part 2 and is not a direct sequel to FF7 Remake. Though it adds new content and boasts improved graphics over the original, FF7 Remake Intergrade does not advance the story past the end of the first FF7 Remake title which ends when Cloud, Aerith, Tifa, Barret, and Red XIII depart Midgar.

What will be in the FF7 Remake Part 2 story?

Can Yuffie be recruited in FF7 Remake?

No, Yuffie’s Episode INTERmission runs parallel to the main story in FF7 Remake. Though Yuffie’s story intersects with Cloud canonically, she is not featured at all in the game and cannot be recruited into the party. Fans hoping to see Yuffie and Cloud join forces will likely need to wait until FF7 Remake Part 2 in order to see them come together.

Anyone going to try and guess the name of Yuffie’s limit break? pic.twitter.com/LZkrVs5c9m
— FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (@finalfantasyvii) March 28, 2021

Is FF7 Remake Intergrade worth getting?

A PlayStation 5 copy of FF7 Remake Intergrade isn’t worth buying for anyone that has already purchased the original FF7 Remake on PS4. This isn’t because it’s bad, but rather because existing owners are only getting Episode INTERmission of the game by purchasing Intergrade. Episode INTERmission can be purchased on its own for $20 while the retail version of FF7 Remake Intergrade costs $70.

New FF7 Remake players with a PlayStation 5 have the choice of purchasing a PS4 copy of the game and buying Episode INTERmission separately for the same price. However, if one can purchase a PS4 copy of the game second-hand or while it’s on sale, it may be a better value to purchase the PS4 version and buy the Yuffie DLC than to buy FF7 Remake Intergrade.

FF7 Remake Intergrade release date

New @FinalFantasyVII Remake Intergrade trailer showcases Fort Condor, Ramuh Summon, and more for Yuffie’s Intermission episode. Launches June 10 pic.twitter.com/2G0SIs1lyB
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) May 7, 2021

FF7 Remake Intergrade is set for a physical and digital release on June 10. It is currently available for play and can be purchased now.

Steven Rondina

About Steven Rondina

Steven Rondina is a true lifelong gamer. His earliest memories are of playing video games, and he has continued playing them throughout his life with no plans to stop any time soon. Steven’s favorite franchises in gaming include Pokemon, Dark Souls, and Counter-Strike. He has previously published with Bleacher Report and other gaming outlets.

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