Final Fantasy 7 The First Soldier Review: Worth Downloading?

Final Fantasy 7 The First Soldier: The Unfiltered Reality

When Square Enix unexpectedly dropped Final Fantasy 7 The First Soldier, the mobile gaming world braced for a Genshin Impact-meets-battle-royale revolution. But after multiple matches as a first-time player, I encountered a jarring reality: this isn't the polished experience fans hoped for. The controls feel unresponsive, matchmaking pits newcomers against veterans, and technical glitches break immersion. If you're considering downloading this free-to-play experiment, here's what you must know first.

What Sets This Battle Royale Apart

Final Fantasy 7 The First Soldier attempts to blend RPG elements with last-man-standing mechanics. You choose from classes like Warrior, Ninja, or Sorcerer—each with unique abilities like temporary invisibility or lightning attacks. The map features mythical creatures including rideable Chocobos and fire-breathing dragons that drop loot. Unlike PUBG Mobile, you can pilot the starting helicopter and wall-run during combat.

Square Enix leverages Final Fantasy nostalgia with familiar spells and monsters, but the execution falters. Weapon variety is severely limited—early matches offer only three assault rifles generically labeled "Combat Rifle." Monster designs (like spiked "Hedgehog Pie" creatures) feel creatively disjointed in a modern military setting. The developer's ambition is clear, but testing shows these ideas clash more than complement.

Critical Gameplay Flaws You Can't Ignore

After 5-10 matches, three core issues emerged as dealbreakers:

1. Clunky Movement and Controls:
   Driving vehicles requires wrestling with a floaty joystick. Wall-running—while novel—often misfires due to unresponsive inputs. The creator admitted: "This game's controls suck... the movement feels horrible." Touchscreen combat lacks the precision of Call of Duty Mobile, with awkward aiming that undermines firefights.

2. Brutal Matchmaking:
   Unlike Fortnite's bot-filled beginner lobbies, this game throws newcomers directly against skilled players. As noted: "The enemies are hard... I don't think there's any skill-based matchmaking." Early matches become frustrating slogs where top-15 finishes feel like victories.

3. Technical Shortcomings:
   Multiple crashes occurred during testing. Texture pop-in and frame drops plague firefights, while the UI feels cluttered. Monster AI behaves erratically—dragons alternate between deadly threats and passive scenery.

Is This Game Worth Your Time?

Based on hands-on experience, Final Fantasy 7 The First Soldier earns a 4/10 rating. It succeeds as a novelty with its Chocobo mounts and magic spells, but fails as a competitive battle royale. The game targets Final Fantasy fans craving mobile action, yet offers less polish than 3-year-old alternatives.

Consider downloading if:

• You love experimental mashups (e.g., magic in gunfights)
• Nostalgia for FF7 outweighs gameplay flaws
  Avoid if you want:
• Smooth controls (play PUBG Mobile instead)
• Balanced matchmaking (try Apex Legends Mobile)
• Stability (CoD: Mobile rarely crashes)

Actionable Takeaways Before Installing

1. Expect a steep learning curve: Your first 10 matches will be punishing. Land in remote areas to practice mechanics.
2. Master wall-running early: It's essential for escaping firefights given poor vehicle handling.
3. Prioritize healing items: Potions are lifesavers when caught outside the zone.
4. Play Ninja class first: Invisibility provides crucial breathing room.
5. Lower graphical settings: Reduces crash risks on mid-tier phones.

Better alternatives to try:

• Genshin Impact (for anime RPG fans)
• PUBG: New State (for tactical BR)
• Diablo Immortal (for fantasy combat)

Final Verdict: Potential Buried Under Flaws

Final Fantasy 7 The First Soldier's greatest sin isn't its absurdity—riding a giant chicken into battle could be brilliant—but its squandered potential. The foundation exists for a great mobile RPG-shooter hybrid, yet unresponsive controls and unbalanced matches make it hard to recommend. Unless Square Enix addresses these issues, it remains a curiosity rather than a contender.

What's your biggest dealbreaker in mobile battle royales? Share your horror stories below—your experience might save others hours of frustration.