The first chapter of Final Fantasy VII Remake is straightforward and shouldn't be too much of a challenge — just follow the path the game sets out for you.
We will also focus on all the little tricks you can find, including, the location of chests and details of the enemies you'll encounter. This will be useful when you clean up the area.
At no point in this article is the game's storyline mentioned.
However, we recommend closing this page should you want a clean playthrough, without details of encounters or anything else.
Enemies
Slow to react, these units shouldn't do too much damage with their assault rifles.
Just take them out with basic attacks.
These attack dogs are lively and rather tough for their size, but not too much to overcome.
Switch to Pushisher Mode and try to stagger them, before finishing them off with Braver.
This turret sniffs out anyone who stays in range for too long.
Only Barret can reach this enemy, and a single use of Overcharge (Triangle) should be enough to take it down.
These biological weapons, created by Shinra's research department, have the ability to cast Fire.
Don't give them that chance — switch to Punisher Mode and take them out beforehand.
Like all machines, Sweepers are weak to Lightning.
Stagger them with a couple of spells, then apply heavy damage with Barret's Overcharge and Cloud's Punisher Mode.
Slightly tougher than standard officers, the Shock Trooper can be tricky.
Switch to Punisher Mode on Cloud and then stand guard using R1, enabling you to automatically counter the first hit you take. Get a few hits in, then repeat.
Enemy Analysis
When you target an enemy, you can see a detailed record of their stats, abilities, resistances, and weaknesses by tapping the Touchpad.
At the start of the game you won't see this information, since you require the Assess Materia. Once you have that, however, it's recommended you scan all enemies — this will especially pay off when it comes to completing Chadley's Battle Intel Reports.
Boss: Scorpion Sentinel
Formerly known as the Guard Scorpion, the Scorpion Sentinel is the first major enemy you'll face in the game. It's also the first time you'll hear Nobuo Uematsu's classic boss theme.
The first boss you'll face in Final Fantasy VII Remake, the Scorpion Sentinel Can be a tough introduction to the reinvented battle system. Our guide helps guide you through taking down Shinra's mechanical pet.
Chests: Locations and Contents
- Chests 1 and 2: There is a chest given to you as part of the tutorial conversation, and another better hidden behind the stairwell. Contain 2 Grenades.
- Chest 3: After your first encounter with the Guard Dogs, look to the left of the arena. You'll find it behind a small fence. Opening this box will trigger an additional fight. Contains an Ether.
- Chest 4: After crossing the fence and joining the others. You'll come across it just after a fight against some Security Officers just to the right of the reactor entrance. Contains 2 Potions.
- Chest 5: In the left corner of the room near the lockers, just before taking the elevator with Jessie and Barret. Contains a Phoenix Down.
- Chest 6: After the second floor on which you must avoid lasers. Contains 2 Potions.
- Chest 7: Before you meet the Sweeper, take a right directly after the stairs to find it. Contains an Ether.
- Chest 8: At the end of the passageway after the first ladder down to the reactor core. Contains a Phoenix Down.
- Chest 9: At the end of the second passageway after the second ladder, you will have to battle some enemies first. Contains an Ether.
- Chest 10: During the countdown and after rescuing Jessie, the chest is just before climbing the ladder to reach Barret. Contains 2 Potions.
Crates and Moogle Medals
Breaking crates can be a good way to collect items and Mako Shards, which restore some of your MP. You can also find Moogle Medals, which are prized by a certain collector later on and which will enable the purchase of useful items.
Countdown Timer
Once you have placed the bomb, you'll have the option of choosing a timer length — 20 or 30 minutes.
This is how much time you'll have to backtrack out through the Reactor. The difference is minor; you'll receive a few items in Chapter 2 and a sarcastic comment from Barret if you choose 20 minutes, but ultimately this comes down to how comfortable you feel.
You can unlock a teaser for Chapter 2 of the Final Fanatsy VII Remake by completing the playable demo and finding its secret ending.
After a long wait, and much speculation, Square Enix have now released a playable Final Fantasy VII Remake demo for PS4.
