Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
No RPG has bemused, frustrated, and delighted me more this year than Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. The second chapter in Square Enix’s retelling of its 1997 PS1 hit, it’s way too long and crammed with way too much filler. The endless minigames, distractions, side-shows, and routine overindulgences don’t always hit, but when they do, it makes Rebirth feel like it’s more alive and having more fun than almost any other game other there. Some RPGs are better than the sum of their parts. Rebirth is an epic slog that nevertheless manages to be more interesting, bold, and unforgettable than the average of its many highs and lows. It’s big-budget gorgeous yet still unabashedly absurd and over-the-top at any opportunity it gets. — Ethan Gach
