FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE

Cloud’s trip through Midgar can make a workout go by, but I’d save it for a pace where you can ease off when a fight gets busy. The story stops for long stretches, so this isn’t the one I’d pick when you need constant action.

Gameplay

The combat is a good reason to keep going, even though it asks more of you than just mashing the attack button. Cloud can swing away in real time, but abilities and spells depend on filling ATB, and switching between party members gives you more to pay attention to. I think that makes fights feel lively rather than automatic, and it also means a big enemy can turn into a small meeting about who should do what next.

Boss fights are where the game really gets my attention, because you’re watching their attacks, looking for an opening, and trying to build up pressure before they recover. That’s fun when you’re focused, but it’s a lot to keep track of while your feet are moving and your hands are bouncing a little. I’d probably be more interested in staying upright than making the perfect combat decision.

Midgar has some wonderful stretches, and I like that the city feels like a place people live in instead of a hallway between fights. But you’ll also spend time walking with characters, watching scenes, and getting pulled into conversations that don’t care whether your workout is still going. Some of that character stuff is why the game works, so I wouldn’t want to cut it all out. I just wouldn’t expect a steady stream of action.

The side quests are the part I’d be quickest to skip if I wanted to keep a run moving. A few are nice chances to spend more time with the people around Cloud, but running errands through the same parts of town can feel like taking a detour because somebody asked you to pick something up. I’d do the ones that sound interesting and leave the rest for another time. Midgar will still be there.

The Yuffie episode adds a different lead and a different feel to combat, which is a nice reason to come back after the main story. Her shuriken gives you a ranged option, and fights with her and Sonon have their own rhythm. It’s a good extra, though it doesn’t change my bigger feeling about the game: the story and battles are great when you’re engaged, and the quieter stretches are not always great workout company.

Category Score: 2 out of 3

Treadmill and Bike Compatibility

I’d play this with a controller, set the difficulty to easy, and keep the pace comfortable enough that I can pay attention when an enemy starts telegraphing a big attack. The game gives you real time to move, but it also wants dodges, blocks, character switches, and ability choices at the moments when you’d rather not be wobbling around. Easy should take some pressure off. It won’t make the scenes shorter.

On a bike, I think the busy fights would be easier to handle because you’re not dealing with the same up and down movement, and you can settle into the seat during long dialogue scenes. That’s not a reason to avoid a treadmill, though. I’d just slow down or take a pause when a boss needs more attention, because trying to dodge accurately while jogging sounds like a good way to dodge the edge of the belt instead.

The quieter parts make it possible to keep moving without thinking hard, and the game often gives you a stretch of walking or conversation before the next fight. Then it can swing from strolling through Midgar to a battle that wants your attention right now. You can change your pace around that, but the transitions aren’t always convenient. I’d keep the controller nearby.

There are also minigames and side activities that ask you to focus in a different way, and I’d treat those as optional workout interruptions rather than a reason to push through. I don’t know how much I’d want to play them while tired, especially when the main story is already giving you plenty to pay attention to. It’s better when you let the workout be easy and give the game a little room.

Category Score: 2 out of 3

Computer Requirements

This needs a dedicated graphics card, and the listed minimum is an older but still substantial gaming card rather than integrated graphics. I’d check the graphics card first, then make sure you have room for the 100 GB install, because that’s a lot of space for one trip through Midgar.

Category Score: 2 out of 3

Conclusion and Score

This is a good choice for an easy workout if you enjoy story heavy action RPGs and don’t mind slowing down for scenes or fights. Skip it for a workout where you want uninterrupted movement and simple controls.

Overall Score: 2 out of 3