Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second entry in the remake trilogy, expanding the iconic world of the original Final Fantasy VII into an open and richly detailed adventure. The game blends action RPG combat, character-driven storytelling, exploration, and strategic systems.
Players new to the remake project or returning from previous Final Fantasy titles can find Rebirth both familiar and fresh. With diverse regions to explore, a deep combat system, and numerous side activities, mastering the game requires understanding party composition, ability usage, materia optimization, and efficient exploration.
This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of mechanics, from combat and leveling to exploration, boss battles, and character development. By following this guide, players will advance through the world of Rebirth confidently, unlocking secrets and mastering the systems that make the game rewarding and immersive.
Section 1 Understanding the Core Mechanics of Rebirth

The core mechanics of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth revolve around an action-based combat system enhanced by tactical commands, materia customization, and synergy attacks. Players must learn how to switch between characters, execute abilities, and stagger enemies.
Rebirth rewards players who balance real-time movement with thoughtful ability usage. Understanding how to build ATB, manage MP, and time interrupts is essential for survival in tougher battles.
The game also reintroduces an expansive world map that encourages exploration. Traveling through regions, discovering quests, and engaging in side tasks become key elements of progression and equipment improvement.
Section 2 How to Progress Through the Main Story Efficiently
The main story of Rebirth is rich and cinematic, featuring scripted sequences, boss battles, puzzles, and exploration segments. Players should pace themselves, following the story while taking detours for side quests that offer major benefits.
Efficient progression means learning when to push forward and when to level up or gather resources. Skipping too many side missions early can make certain bosses more challenging later.
Additionally, many story chapters introduce new mechanics. Taking time to understand each one ensures smoother progression and better mastery of the systems that evolve throughout the game.
Section 3 How to Master Combat and Party Synergy
Combat in Rebirth requires understanding party roles. Cloud excels at versatile melee combat, Barret provides ranged firepower, Tifa focuses on stagger building, and Aerith specializes in magical output.
Players should switch characters frequently. This builds ATB effectively and allows them to perform actions suited to each role. Synergy attacks, which unlock throughout the story, become powerful tools for crowd control and burst damage.
Mastering combat means learning enemy weaknesses, exploiting elemental materia, and staggering foes efficiently. This transforms difficult encounters into manageable fights.
Section 4 How to Optimize Materia and Build Characters
Materia is central to character enhancement. Players should combine offensive, defensive, support, and command materia to create balanced setups tailored to each party member.
For example, Cloud benefits from melee boosting materia such as ATB Boost or Deadly Dodge. Aerith excels with magical materia like Fire, Blizzard, Lightning, and Healing. Tifa benefits from ATB Assist and elemental combinations that boost her stagger potential.
Optimizing materia means adjusting loadouts for boss fights, experimenting with combinations, and leveling materia over time to unlock stronger abilities that dramatically impact combat effectiveness.
Section 5 How to Explore Regions and Unlock Activities
Rebirth features large, open regions filled with exploration opportunities such as towers, side quests, enemy lairs, crafting points, and chocobo-related activities.
Players should unlock fast travel points early, making navigation easier and allowing efficient backtracking for quests. Chocobo diversifications in each region provide unique traversal abilities, making exploration more rewarding.
Exploring thoroughly ensures players unlock hidden materia, rare gear, and side characters that affect story sequences. The more regions explored, the more content becomes available.
Section 6 How to Complete Side Quests and Optional Objectives
Side quests in Rebirth offer valuable rewards including gear upgrades, rare items, and character relationship boosts. Many side quests provide lore expansion, making the world feel more alive.
Players should prioritize quests that upgrade weapons, unlock abilities, or enhance the synergy between characters. Doing so makes boss encounters much easier and unlocks new cutscenes.
Additionally, optional minigames such as card battles, chocobo races, and region-specific challenges offer fun ways to earn rewards and enjoy additional gameplay depth.
Section 7 How to Prepare for Boss Battles

Boss battles are challenging, multi-phase encounters that require strategy, preparation, and adaptation.
Players should analyze boss patterns, exploit elemental weaknesses, and manage resources like MP carefully. Timing ATB actions and synergy attacks can break dangerous mechanics or prevent enemy abilities.
Boss battles often introduce new attack types requiring dodging, blocking, or repositioning. Understanding mechanics such as stagger building, interrupt opportunities, and defensive buffs ensures victory even in the most intense fights.
Section 8 How to Level Up Characters and Equipment
Character progression in Rebirth is tied to experience levels, weapon upgrades, materia growth, and item acquisition.
Players should invest SP points intelligently into weapon cores, choosing upgrades that fit the character’s role. Balancing offense, defense, and utility ensures each member can handle different combat situations.
Materia leveling occurs naturally, but players can optimize growth by equipping materia they want to level during long exploration segments or repetitive battles. Equipment upgrades greatly improve survivability and combat potential.
Section 9 How to Manage Resources and Inventory
Managing MP, items, potions, and equipment is essential for efficient progression.
Players should avoid wasting MP on weak enemies, saving spells for stagger moments or boss fights. Using items strategically ensures survival without excessive backtracking.
Inventory management also includes selling unnecessary equipment and crafting materials. Keeping inventory organized helps players stay prepared for any situation and reduces the need to farm resources mid-story.
Section 10 How to Achieve High Completion and Endgame Mastery
Rebirth offers plenty of endgame content such as powerful enemies, hard-mode challenges, side objectives, and collectibles.
Players aiming for full completion must revisit regions, complete remaining quests, gather ultimate materia, and perfect their combat strategies. Hard mode requires careful resource management, as items cannot be used.
Mastering endgame content brings satisfaction and prepares players for the final chapter of the trilogy, ensuring they enter the concluding game with complete understanding and refined skills.
Conclusion
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth expands the world of Midgar into a massive, rich, and emotional journey. Mastering combat, materia, exploration, and strategic decision-making ensures players enjoy both the main storyline and the extensive optional content.
By following this guide, players can progress efficiently, uncover hidden treasures, defeat powerful enemies, and experience Rebirth at its fullest while preparing for the final chapter of this modern reimagining.
Summary
Master combat, materia, exploration, quests, and progression in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth with this complete how to guide for smooth story and full completion.