If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. As legendary as is, even its staunchest supporters have a hard time recommending newcomers to play the original PlayStation’s classic JRPG. The sharp polygonal graphics of the era don’t do the memorable story and characters justice today for many audiences, but was a refreshing first attempt at modernizing it.
— the second game in the planned trilogy — has been out on PlayStation 5 for a few months now, and it’s worth continuing the journey, especially with a $15 discount that brings it down to $54.99 at , , and . The middle game in a three-part trilogy, continues the reimagining of the classic PS1 RPG with modern visuals, an expansive open world, new gameplay elements, and even better character development than the original.
. picks up right where the original left off, with Cloud Strife leading his comrades on a search for Sephiroth across an expansive open world. The latter proposes a selfish, humanity-threatening method of stopping the malevolent and careless Shinra corporation from stripping the planet of its natural energy, which obviously won’t fly for a band of wholesome protagonists.
Compared to the PS1 original, Square Enix expanded the cities surrounding Midgar (the megalopolis that’s the de facto lifeblood of the region) so broadly that many iconic locations are now represented with a richness and depth that wasn’t possible decades ago. There’s a ton to do in the world, too,.
